The end of spring is here, with Shavuot at the heart of it. This is the perfect time to visit the Modi'in region. Geographically close to the center of Israel, with lots to see and explore, the area is ideal for a whole day's visit or even a brief stop of two hours. Here are just a few of the sites to enjoy. You can start with breakfast at the Aladdin Farm in Kfar Ruth. A cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians, it is an example of a successful partnership that has lasted for more than 20 years. The ranch is well suited for families with children, offering a petting corner and activities such as pita making. For active visitors, an off-road trail delivers some challenging driving in 4x4 SUVs through the scenic Ben-Shemen Forest and fields. The route is guided by Ben-Shemen rangers. A driver's license is required. For the first time, Israel Railways is taking part in the celebration. It will operate a special train from Tel Aviv to Modi'in on June 5, in conjunction with a visit to selected sites such as the one-of-a-kind Monkey Park. Another way to learn about the area and focus on the nearly 100 years of history is to visit the Ben-Shemen Youth Village. It has a long and impressive tradition as a high-quality establishment whose heritage developed with the country and nurtured some of our well-known leaders. Among them is President Shimon Peres, who is a graduate of the Ben-Shemen school. You can also have a tasty lunch at the Makom Bakfar restaurant. If you are looking to extend your visit with afternoon activities for young children, drive two kilometers to Ginaton to visit the Gilad Ranch for fun farm activities and adorable wooden dolls. A fascinating encounter and a unique folklore experience await you at Moshav Bareket. The moshav consists of people who immigrated from southeast Yemen in the 1950s, transplanting their entire community from Yemen to Israel. The elders maintain their original traditions, and several families will open their homes to visitors and groups. They will share their traditional ancient methods of baking their tasty Yemenite treats on stone stoves and open fires in their backyards. Every community member has a special story to tell, along with songs and a history that they brought from the Haban region of Yemen. Plan your visit ahead of time so you can contact them in advance. During the week of Shavuot, the whole Modi'in area will offer the above-mentioned activities and much more. For more information, visit www.thm.org.il.
