Mount Tabor’s cultural mosaic

There is a mosaic of people who chose to make Israel their home: among them Druse, Beduin, Arabs and Circassians.

By ITSIK MAROM
The Ein Dor Archeological Museum. (photo credit: ITSIK MAROM)
The Ein Dor Archeological Museum.
(photo credit: ITSIK MAROM)
Israel is home to Jewish people from all over the world. Many opted to come here from their countries of origin, but as we all know, there is a mosaic of other people who also chose to make Israel their home: among them Druse, Beduin, Arabs and Circassians.
A good spot to encounter some of these communities is the area around Mount Tabor. Down the mountain is the Beduin village of Shibli and here you can meet Diab Ben-Rashid, who comes from a family with a tradition of serving in the IDF and now works in education. With his wife, he recently opened a unique center on Beduin heritage in the Galilee.
Ben-Rashid’s large family dates back 350 years in the Lower Galilee. Searching for an appropriate pasture for their livestock, they settled on the slopes of Mount Tabor, with the village continuing to the present day as Shibli.
Over the years, Diab has collected different objects from elderly family members. These artifacts, along with their back stories, can be viewed at the Shibli Beduin Heritage Center. Learn about their history and way of life, and enjoy a taste of their strong Beduin coffee and sweet baklava.
Just a few kilometers away on Road 767, you will reach the Circassian village of Kafr Kama. These people originated in the Caucasus and refer to themselves as Adyghe. Known as brave fighters who despaired of losing a battle, they are generally a very proud people here in Israel, also typically serving in the IDF. Indeed, the Circassians are a talented people with a long and rich heritage; they speak their Adyghe language every day and insist on teaching it to their children.
Once you enter the village, go to the heritage museum in the old village center that welcomes groups or individual visitors. Call in advance for a guided tour of the museum, where you will hear about the colorful history of their 12 tribes of warriors and also enjoy a pleasant visit around the village’s historical buildings.
Five minutes away, don’t miss Elbrus dairy for the best Circassian homemade cheese. Once you taste this delicate cheese, you will be hooked; it is exceptionally tasty. Owners Noah and Sara opened it just a few years ago and already have loyal fans all over the country.
On August 7-9, a summer festival will take place in the area where you can enjoy a performance of the marvelous Circassian traditional folk dancers. Exciting and colorful, it makes for a most pleasurable performance to whet your appetite for Turkish home-style food – at Anatolia Restaurant in Kafr Kama.
After enjoying a delicious meal, you are now ready to round out your trip at Kibbutz Ein Dor. Here you will find the Ein Dor Archeological Museum, which will send you back to area life as it was a few thousand years ago, sketching the background for the peace and cooperation between the religions and cultures sharing the landscape today.
Of course, this is only part of what there is to see in the area, so consider staying the night in a bed and breakfast in Kafr Kama or Shibli. Over the years, Diab has collected different objects from elderly family members.