shula's cup: Jaffa Sep 3, 2012

Our overseas program took us to Jaffa on September 3, 2012. Jaffa has had a continuous population of people living within its borders and vicinity for over 3,000 years (and probably more like 4,500 years), which is why it never became a "tel", even though it is an ancient city. And though Tel Aviv is only a hundred years old, it became a "tel" because the Jews that founded it wanted to call it "new hill". Some historians think that Jaffa was originally founded by Japeth, son of Noah. Jaffa is mentioned in the Bible several times. It is the port that Solomon used to import cedars of Lebanon for the Temple. The area was given to the tribe of Dan as an inheritance. It is where Jonah boarded the ship from which he was thrown overboard. Because Jaffa is a naturally high mound, it has breathtaking views of the sea and coastline. The ancient walls of the city were built with sandstone, which is in abundance along the Mediterranean coast. Now the walls have been converted into store fronts and, of course, much of Jaffa has expanded far outside the ancient walls and blends into the giant municipality of Tel Aviv.

Shuk HaPishpishm in Jaffa

Avi and I finally agreed on a price for several pairs of earrings.

No, I didn't buy all of these! Just 3 pairs.

The Jaffa Clock Tower stands in the middle of Yefet street at the northern entrance of Jaffa. The tower, which is made of limestone, incorporates two clocks and a plaque commemorating the Israelis killed in the battle for the town in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

This mosque was built behind the walls of the ancient part of the city.

The stone arch you see above this alley is believed to be part of the ancient gate of the original city.

This mosque was built into the ancient city walls. You saw into it from another side of the city block three pictures above. It is a very large mosque.