Prayer for Syria

Praying for Syria

Help us, O Lord, to look with compassion upon those whose families and homes are ever being torn apart, uprooted, terrorized, or emblazoned with injustice. Help us show that compassion to all people of this world who live with unrest and hopelessness as their constant companions. 
Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

Zippori / Sepphoris, Caesarea Philippi, Druze Village, and Fresh Cherries!

This morning, we left Nazareth around 6:30 to drive north toward Syria to the excavated site of Zippori (Sepphoris). Zippori means bird. This place was on the trade route from Egypt to Mesopotamia.

It was a stunning route with gorgeous landscapes and trees. We saw lots of horses along the way and passed the Sea of Galilee (basically a lake).

Once we reached Zippori, we split into two groups and walked up to the excavated area on top of a small hill. One can see Haifa from the hilltop! 

The place was absolutely full of fruit-heavy trees - pomegranates, figs, and apples as well as tons of flowers! So beautiful!

At Zippori, we were able to see how the houses were arranged, some gorgeous mosaics, a large room containing a triclinium, and an amphitheater from the time of Jesus that is still in use! 

There were pottery shards everywhere and a few active archaeological sites. 

Next, we entered the area that formerly belonged to Syria, called Golan Heights. Again it was a beautiful drive, yet, this time, it was mingled with the stark realization that the tiny yellow signs all along the winding highway were warning against walking in the fields. The area has not yet been 100% cleared of land mines (1947-1968). 

We saw cherries, apricots, and tons of figs along the way. (Later, Iyad let us stop at a market and we bought bags of fresh cherries!) 

We stopped at a scenic overlook and saw UN Peace Observer buildings at the border between Israel and Syria and rolling farmland. 

For lunch, we crossed the Jordan river in the northern Golan Heights to reach the town of Mas'ade, a Druze village. Mas'ade is one of the four remaining Druze-Syrian communities on the Israeli-occupied side of the Golan Heights and on Mount Hermon. We learned a bit about the Druze community. Some members of the community wear special coverings as part of their religious convictions. 

After lunch, we made out way to Caesarea Philippi National Park where we climbed to the temple of Pan and saw Roman ruins and a cave. After the short hike, several of us at down by the bubbling Mt. Hermon Springs and put our feet into the icy waters. 

Here is today's video collage! :-)
CLICK HERE!

Awamat (Awwamaat) and Jelabies!

Sooooooo, check out these lovelies! Awamat (also Owamat, Awwameh, Awwamaat, and many other variations.) I saw these last night while walking from the Damascus Gate through a market / shop area and they reminded me of having seen them in India, Nepal, and Pakistan. They are honey-soaked sweet bread / dough balls and originally Syrian. They are SUPER TASTY and can be soaked in sugar syrup, honey, honey with cinnamon, or rose water (that sounds AMAZING!) I must try some of these tomorrow (or every day...)

I have actually had them before in India and Pakistan, but don't recall the specific version of the name. They usually came after dinner in someone's home or were all over the city at street vendors' carts. I've always had the more bread-like ones, but I see there are crispier versions and more doughy fried doughnut-like versions. There is even an Ashkenazic dumpling version. Here in Jerusalem, they are also served specifically during Ramadan when a variety of food including savory sweets are eaten after the fast is broken.
RECIPE (there are a ton of variations!) - this one is like the Indian versions I have had!
YouTube of Awamat
Let me just stop right here and say - "SOMEBODY MAKE ME SOME!"
Now, let's turn out gaze to the colorful jelabies below...

I have also had jelabies before and they were honey-filled. I enjoyed them after chapels at the Christian Hospital Mungeli when I was there in 2014 and 2015. SO GOOD!

I was surprised to find them here, but happily so! The flour batter is fermented and later poured into spirals in hot oil and fried. I've never had any but the honey-filled ones, but I know there are variations!

RECIPE

YouTube of how to make jelabies

Advice: Go forth and make BOTH of these delicious sweets and save some for me!