During our Israel trip, we visited two early synagogues: Korazim and Capharnaum.

Korazim, located north of the Sea of Galilee, boasts an ancient Jewish synagogue dating back to the 2nd to 4th centuries CE. The synagogue features elaborate decorative elements such as stone carvings and images of the Zodiac. The encompassing archaeological site also includes remnants of the town, some of which have been reconstructed or are undergoing reconstruction.

Capharnaum, an ancient town on the Sea of Galilee, is known as the "town of Jesus" in the New Testament. Its late 2nd or early 3rd-century CE synagogue features intricate decorative elements, including stone carvings and a colorful mosaic floor. Interestingly, the synagogue was built in competition with the nearby church of St. Peter, reflecting the tension between Jewish and Christian faiths at the time.

While Judaism predates Late Antiquity, the earliest synagogues emerged during this period due to the aftermath of the Second Jewish Revolt and the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. These events left many Jews displaced and necessitated new ways of practicing their faith

For me, both sites were interesting. Korazim was the more intimate experience. Capharnaum felt crowded due to the tour buses of Christian tourists. Still, the sunset views of the Sea of Galilee were stunning.

OUV

When traveling around Israel, it's easy to notice how few actual "Jewish" world heritage sites there are. At present, the only two inscribed Israeli sites with a Jewish connection are Jerusalem and Masada. Therefore, I believe that this tentative site would fill a gap.

Getting There

The sites are located in rural Northern Israel, with Capharnaum being the easiest and most popular option. You should be able to join one the many Christian tours from Jerusalem we saw on site. However, for the other sites, it's best to have a car, even though there are buses available. Google Maps can provide you with the necessary connection details.

Note that we were initially hesitant to visit the area due to concerns about having to take a large detour around Palestine. Rental companies do not allow cars to be taken to Palestine proper, but in the Israeli definition, Palestine only includes portions of the Westbank that are clearly marked with "Israelis not allowed here" red signs. Highway 90 connecting the Sea of Galilee with the Dead Sea is considered as Israel for rental car purposes.

While You Are There

The only Israeli world heritage site nearby is Tel Hazor, a Biblical Tel located 30 minutes north of Capharnaum.

In the Capharnaum area, several sites belong to the Sea of Galilee tentative site. The synagogue at Capharnaum is itself colocated with the Petrus church. The Mount of Beatitudes and Tiberias are also nearby, with the former being an easy stop when driving down to the lake. Additional tentative sites nearby include Arbel and Horvat Minnim, a rather desolate Umayyad palace ruin.

For those traveling south, the area just north of the Palestine border has Belvoir, a crusader castle, and Beit She'an, a Roman ruin highly regarded by the community. My personal highlight was Delgania, one of the first Kibbutzim. If possible, try to stop for a coffee at the community bakery Degania Bet.