Memories from the Golan

Photographs: Yoss Stable, Shutterstock, Meteor Star Gazing, Shimon Binyamin, Dov Grinblatt, Shay Rowan, Amit Mendelson, Zazaev Stein, from the PicWiki website, Tomer Avni

About the Activity

We invite you to two fascinating days of remembrance, heritage, and human stories in the heart of the Golan Heights. This journey connects the personal story of a girl who grew up under Syrian shelling at Kibbutz Gadot with the extraordinary story of Eli Cohen, one of the best-known spies in Israel’s history. During the activity, we will hear a moving personal testimony, visit heritage sites, and set out on a tour following the events and figures that shaped the history of the Golan and the State of Israel. An experience combining spectacular landscapes, stories of heroism, and an in-depth introduction to a significant chapter in the history of the region.

Thursday – A Girl from Gadot

17:00 – Meet at Gadot Lookout on Road 91, on the way up to the Golan.

We will watch the sunset over the Hula Valley and the Galilee Mountains. We will tour the site and memorial, hear about the Syrian outpost that dominated the area and threatened the valley’s communities, and hear a firsthand account from someone who grew up in Gadot and experienced Syrian shelling as a child. How did the events and life along the border affect her childhood experiences and shape her identity? We will sing together Yovav Katz’s song “My Home, Are You Crying or Laughing?”

19:00 – Dinner

After dinner, we will gather for a fascinating lecture about Eli Cohen, one of the most fascinating and influential figures in the history of Israeli intelligence. We will hear about his life, his covert activities in Syria, and his legacy to this day.

Friday – Following Eli Cohen

8:00 – Breakfast

9:00 – Check-out and departure for a fascinating and extraordinary nature and battle-heritage tour along the Eli Cohen Trail. Along the way, we will visit sites connected to Eli Cohen’s activities in the Golan Heights, hear about the information he passed to Israel, and learn about his contribution to understanding the Syrian arena on the eve of the Six-Day War. The tour makes it possible to connect the landscape around us with one of the most fascinating stories in the history of the country.

14:00 – Estimated end in the field.

Includes accommodation, meals, and, of course, high-quality professional guiding based on intimate familiarity with the nature of the area.

The Vacation Includes Full Hospitality at the Golan Field School:

🔹 Air-conditioned ground-floor guest rooms, each with a shower and toilet

🔹 An existing protected space on the premises

🔹 Kosher kitchen and dining room

🔹 Lobby with a coffee/tea corner and television

🔹 Synagogue

🔹 Dinner and breakfast

For questions and inquiries about the vacation: [email protected]

Important to Know

Activity area:
Golan Heights

Target audience:
Families, adults, history enthusiasts

Difficulty level:
Easy

Walking duration:
Flat walking

Trail length:
2 km

Required equipment:
Comfortable, closed walking shoes suitable for walking in water, and a replacement pair; hat; 2 liters of water per participant per day; sunscreen; personal equipment

Please Note

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel reserves the right to cancel or change the activity according to weather, security, and safety conditions, and at its sole discretion.

The activity will take place subject to a minimum number of registrants. Notice will be given up to one week before the activity.

Children up to age 2 participate free of charge.