Etz-Ron Newsletter
November, 2006

Lion and Stars Menorah

There is still time to get your order by Hanukah. You can really add to your Hanukah celebration with the elegant Lion and Stars Menorah.

Before lighting the oil filled candle cups of the Lion and Stars Menorah, the doors are opened to silouhette the the Lions of Judah while the flames from the oil cups are reflected in the mirror behind.

If you are into a strikingly simple menorah, take a look at the Mosaic Menorah. It's a strip of beautiful wood mosaics, one on each side, with brass cups to hold candles or optional candle cups.

Brass and Mosaic Dreidles

Don't forget to check out the dreidel sale at WhatsNew at Etz-Ron .

Recently we had our first real winter rain in Beer Sheva. It washed all the summer dust away and gave a new sheen to the city. Because of the rain, we will soon be able to see the desert bloom. It will get cold, but rarely freeze.

The Beer Sheva River Bed

Beer Sheva was built on the banks of the meandering Beer Sheva River, which in the summer is little more than a trickle. But watch out when it starts to rain. That trickle can turn into a dangerous torrent. The river bed is actually a block wide. I have witnessed it fill up and then overflow the banks. It is an awe inspiring event.

People from ages past realized the natural advantages to setting up house here. The Beer Sheva River carries the run off water from the Hebron hills. Just as it reaches Beer Sheva, the rock gets dense and the ground water is forced up onto the surface.

In the Chalcolothic times, Beer Sheva was the center of the copper production trade. A wide variety of cult objects, piercing tools, axes and more were excavated near the river bed.

The biblical town of Beer Sheva is now buried under the present day open market, a large roman fort and a bath house were also unearthed there, documented, and then covered up.

In the Byzantine period Beer Sheva was well populated and boasted many Byzantine churches. I was lucky enough to see the remains of one church, which has one of the most complete mosaic floors in the Middle East! The mosaic floor is still there, but it too is buried under a mound of dirt opposite open market.

Still later there is evidence of Islamic settlements, and the present day old city still boasts grand Turkish houses.

Even today Beer Sheva is the capital of the Negev. The city has grown since we arrived 15 years ago. Our neighborhood used to border on the edge of the desert. Today we are in the city center!

Beer Sheva and area has much to offer. A university and teaching hospital, the Old City has many old buildings brimming w/ history, a museum and also Abrahams Well. You can take a self guided walking tour within the old city with a map distributed at Abrahams Well.

If you come on Thursday you can experience the traditional Thursday outdoor market and get the flavor of the mixed cultures present in the city. Five kilometers out of town to the south will bring you to the Air Force Museum and adjacent outdoor sculpture park, a nice place to picnic. Twelve kilometers to the north is the Joe Allon Bedouin Heritage Museum and the Lahav Forest, as well as the more out of the way ruins and winery of Hirbit Zacq.

Wall Mounted Synagogue Sized Tzedakkah Box

When you visit Beer Sheva, don't forget to visit me at the Etz-Ron Studio. There in addition to seeing me at work, you can view a sampling of my work at the Studio Shop.

This is a picture of my newest piece, the Wall Mounted Synagogue Sized Tzedakkah Box . To see more of my work go to www.etz-ron.com .

Use the Contact Amy form below to let me know what you think.

Best, Amy Gilron