As participants of Beth El's 2019 Israel trip can attest, Aliza Avshalom is a master educator and lecturer on Israeli history, culture and archeology. Together with Aliza, we will take a virtual tour of the newest finds at the archeological site of Beit She'arim. This site containing the largest Jewish catacombs was recently recognized by UNESCO as a site of world culture. We will explore the art and symbols of the Jews of ancient Israel, how the menorah arose as a Jewish symbol and how then the menorah became the nine-branched chanukiah which we light at this season. Please join us!

Born and raised in New Jersey, Aliza made Aliya 30 years ago. She holds degrees in Land of Israel studies, Jewish History and Rabbinical Literature, in addition to the Ministry of Tourism course as a licensed tour guide. She loves hiking and mountain biking as well as learning and teaching Jewish texts. She has partnered with Rabbi Jaffe in leading four Israel trips over the past decade.