I’ve just returned from a Partnership 2000 Project entitled, “Looking at Israel through Scientific Lens.” Teachers in my group, each from a different Cleveland day school, were escorted by experts to scientific locations. We each plan to write a curriculum based on our individual class needs and the Ohio State Standards. Our curriculum will showcase the connection between Cleveland and the Beit She’an region, how both areas deal with similar science issues.

This project gave me an opportunity to explore the Beit She’an region. As we rose each morning, we viewed the mist slowly dissipating - the whole valley would be ensconced in an aura of supernaturalism. A symphony of bird sounds (ask David or Dov to identify species) sang in exuberance. Date palms and olive trees stood untouched by time, bordering the Jordan River and the valleys beyond. All the people we met went out of their way to please us, as if we were doing them a large favor by visiting and not visa versa. It was a trip to treasure and to inspire us.

It got me thinking that the Beit She’an region has much to offer. For bird lovers, there is the Kfar Ruppin Migratory Center; for archeologists, the magnificent ruins; for nature lovers, close hikes to Sachne hot springs, Mt. Gilboa, and Mt. Tabor. Beit She’an is also close to two wonderfully historic and scenic cities – Tiberias and Safed. Both these cities are at least a one-day adventure.

I think one of our objectives, as people who visited this area, is to promote it as a tourist site. This area could also qualify as an educational site where teachers could travel to learn about shared science concerns. The economic situation in the city of Beit She’an needs repair. Maybe, we can try to do our share.