The brochure extols…
Haifa, facing the Bay of Acre in the shelter of Mount Carmel, is the chief port of the new
Republic of Israel. A modern city of wharves, apartments. shops and homes, it slopes up the
flanks of the historic mountain.
Haifa was founded in the late 1800s as a haven for German immigrants to the Holy Land. After
the liberation of Palestine from Turkey in 1918, the British Mandate government created the
modern harbour, with breakwaters, piers, drydock, and rail connections. It is now the second
largest city of Israel.
Nestling at the foot and on the slopes among the palm and olive trees of Mount Carmel is the
picturesque, thriving port of Haifa, the second largest city in Israel and its main port. By
night Haifa, viewed from Mount Carmel, becomes a magic carpet of twinkling lights. The city has
spread up towards the mountains with pleasant residential neighbourhoods set amidst forests, parks,
lawns and gardens.
Mount Carmel
The beauty of Mount Carmel has been extolled in the Song of Solomon, and alike to Jew and Christian
the mountain is famous as the scene of the prophet Elijah's contest with the priests of Baal.
Haifa, golden-domed Baha’i Temple on Mount Carmel
[Image: 1964 Shore Brochure]
The mount rises steeply from the sea to a height of 500 feet, where a large Carmelite Monastery
and lighthouse are situated, and then slopes more gently to an extreme height of 1,810 feet.
Always it is covered with a rich vegetation.
The State of Israel was proclaimed in May 1948, and for Jews throughout the world that
2,000-year-old dream “Next year in Jerusalem” was realised. Cast out of Palestine centuries
before but never relinquishing that dream of return, the Jewish people are now back on the soil
to which Moses led them from bondage those many centuries before.
A new country absorbing many immigrants each year, Israel's present should be viewed in the
light of what it was a few years ago. In this light it emerges as an example of what inexhaustible
tenacity, courage and faith can achieve.
Jerusalem is the capital of Israel but Tel Aviv is the nerve centre of the country's economic,
social and cultural life. A modern city with elegant residential districts and fashionable
shopping areas Tel Aviv is a shining example of the modernistic approach made by the Jewish
people in building a new land from the old.
The State of Israel is situated on the Western fringe of Asia bordering the Eastern Mediterranean. Bounded on the north
by Lebanon and Syria, to the east by Syria, Jordan and the Dead Sea, and to the south and south east by Egypt
Area
8,048 square miles
Population
Approx 2.1 million.
Climate
Summer, May to October, warm and dry. Winter months temperate but often accompanied by torrential rain
Average temperature
58°F to 74°F
Transport
Taxis:
have green number plates and a white sign. Fares are on the taximeter system
Collective Taxis:
these are large taxis which carry 6 persons on a collective basis and run between points in
the cities and also between cities. They stop off en route
Coaches:
Central Coach Station for Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Tiberias etc
The main shopping centres are in Herzl and Nordau Streets in Hadar Hacarmel and Central Carmel. Shop hours are 8am to
1pm and 3pm to 7pm For Handicrafts and Souvenirs…
WIZO Shop, 9, Nordau Street
HEZRONI, 16, Herzl Street
GOLDMAN, 3, Balfour Street
BEZALEL, 45, Herzl Street
TRAKLIN, Ibri Sinai Street
SOLOWEITCHIK, 4, Balfour Street
For Persian Carpets and Eastern Style Jewellery…
SHUSHAN BAZAAR, Main Post Office Square
JACOB EZRA, 6, Khayat Street
Principal Theatres
Haifa Municipal Theatre, nightly performances at 8.30pm
The Tel Aviv Troupes "Habimah" Chamber Theatre and "Ohel" play regularly in Haifa, at the
Arrion and Orah Halls both in Hadar Hacarmel
The Rothschild Youth and Community Centre of Mount Carmel has an open air Amphitheatre
Jewish cuisine is a mixture of Central Eastern and Balkan European dishes
Oriental dishes inspired by Arab cooking include…
“Kebab” dishes of veal or lamb roasted on spits before a coal fire
“Shoumoussia”, pottage of chick peas in oil
“Felafal”, fried broad beans (fava beans)
Filleted fish largely replaces meat
Dairy products notably Yoghourt and white cheeses, salads and fruits are served in copious quantities with all
meals
The wines are excellent, especially those of Rishon le Zion and Zikhrone Yaeov
Most Israelis drink nitz (fruit juice)>
Picturesque Nazareth, the scene of Christ's youth Image: 1965 Shore Brochure
Places of Interest
Haifa
Haifa is really divided into three areas. The town itself at the foot of Mount Carmel. The area
at the top of Mount Carmel known as Har Hacarmel and the area midway up known as Hadar Hacarmel.
The lower town is the commercial centre, Hadar Hacarmel contains the shopping districts, parks gardens, museums,
colleges and civic buildings.
The summit of Mount Carmel with its religious associations, the Prophet Elijah and the founding of the Carmelite Order.
From here magnificent views of Haifa and the sea.
The Mount is green the year round with oak, cypress, pine, carob and terebinth trees. See the Carmelite Monastery, the
Persian Garden. Mount Carmel constitutes one of the most striking urban developments in the Middle East.
Eilat, on the Red Sea, is located near the Biblical port of Etzion Geber from where King
Solomon's ships sailed with their rich cargoes to Ophir. Today the port is Israel's gateway to
the Far East and the terminal point for a new oil pipe line. Eilat, because of its location and
warm climate, is also a booming resort town, famed for its fine swimming and water sports.
Jerusalem
Israeli-Jerusalem, the new nation's capital city, is crowned by Mount Zion, holy to Jew and Christian alike. Here is
the site of King David's tomb, as well as the Church of the Dormition and a room where Jesus and his disciples gathered
for the Last Supper.
The waterfront of Tel Aviv Image: 1964 Shore Brochure
Nazareth & Galilee
Nazareth, 24 miles from Haifa across the Plain of Jezreel, is a sleepy Arab town of narrow lanes and flat-roofed houses.
It is the scene of Christ's youth and was frequently mentioned in the New Testament. Biblical history echoes in the
verdant valleys and hills lying between Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee. Mount Tabor, Cana, Capernaum, Tiberias and
the host of familiar place-names that are to be found in this historic area.
Tel Aviv
This bustling seaside metropolis is a sophisticated melange of cafés, shops, theatres and concert halls - the
undisputed cultural centre of Israel. Nearby Jaffa, in startling contrast, is one of the oldest ports of the World and
the city from which Jonah sailed on his ill-fated voyage to Tarshish.
