What to do in “Shefa-‘Amr”, Israel
Shfar’am is a city in the Northern District of Israel. The city covers seven hills, and its jurisdictional area is 5,500 acres. It is located a short distance from the cities of Haifa, Akko, and Nazareth, giving its resident’s employment opportunities in these cities.
A settlement called Shfar’am is mentioned in the days of the Mishnah and the Talmud. The city’s Arabic name is Shafa Amr (Omar’s recovery), hinting at the legend that tells of the Muslim commander Omar al-‘Az who drank from a local well and recovered from his illness.
In 1773, Daher al-Amar, who ruled the Galilee at the time, built a large citadel in Shfar’am , which still overlooks the city. Under the auspices of al-Omar, the Jewish settlement was renewed, and in his day, Rabbi Chaim Abulafia renewed the local synagogue.
Events & Attractions:
In Shfar’am you can find a variety of fascinating sites such as the Great Saraya Fortress built in 1760, the old Shekhina Camp which was renovated in 1988, the “Tower” (El Barj), the Crusader fortress that was renovated in the 18th century, and the Church of St. Peter and Paul Greek Catholic church built in the 18th century.
Every year, Shfar’am hosts a variety of unique and fascinating events and festivals, including the “No Words” pantomime festival that takes place every Passover in the city and includes amazing pantomime shows from Israel and around the world. The aim of the festival is to bring Arabs and Jews closer together because pantomime – the language of movement – is a universal language.
Transportation:
Transportation in the city is based on inter-city buses, city buses, taxis and private vehicles.
Useful information for Shefa-‘Amr:
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