Ginosar: An Israeli Kibbutz on the Sea of Galilee

Kibbutz Ginosar is situated on the Shores of the Kinneret, the famous Sea of Galilee. Ginosar is located in a perfect area surrounded by lush agricultural fields. The views of the Galilee are sweeping. Ginosar has ancient roots that trace back to the early days of Zionism. Visitors to Ginosar can experience Israel's rich Jewish history and culture.

Ginosar is a peaceful place on the quiet northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It feels very different from the busy modern-day Israel. The clear water of the Sea of Galilee gently touches the soft beaches of Ginosar. 

Behind the beaches are date orchards and banana groves that are green and beautiful. Ginosar is close to the Golan Heights, a beautiful place to see. From Ginosar, you can see the natural beauty of the Upper Galilee region. Even though Ginosar seems small, it is only a few kilometers away from important historic and religious places like Capernaum, Tabgha, the Mount of Beatitudes, and the Jordan River. 

Kibbutz Ginosar's location by the Sea of Galilee has attracted travelers and pilgrims for a long time. For many years, people have farmed, fished, and traded in the fertile Jordan Valley. Both Jewish and Christian travelers have come to this place which is important in the Bible. They have left their mark throughout history.

What is the meaning of Ginosar?

• In Hebrew, "Ginosar" comes from the words "garden" (gan) and "prince" (nasar). So it can mean "garden of the prince".

• In the Gospel of Matthew, the fertile plain next to the Sea of Galilee is called "Gennesaret". Some believe Ginosar references this biblical land.

• The original founding group of Kibbutz Ginosar in 1937 named it after the Valley of Gennesaret from the New Testament to honor the biblical heritage.

• The word "Ginosar" also means treasure in the Romanian language spoken by some of the kibbutz's early Zionist settlers.

Kibbutz Ginosar Life Past and Present 

Ginosar's history as a kibbutz spans over eight decades. It reflects the changing settlement patterns and socialist roots in Israel during the early 20th century. Kibbutz Ginosar was established in 1937 by Romanian and Polish immigrants who left Europe in the 1920s and 30s due to the rise of Nazism. These immigrants enacted the collectivist, utopian vision of Labor Zionism. The original kibbutzniks of Ginosar built their settlement from scratch. 

They lived in temporary wooden huts while constructing permanent homes and planting orchards. They fished in the Kinneret for food and income, eventually establishing a successful fishing business. Over the years, Ginosar became a self-sustaining community with a diverse agricultural economy including bananas, dates, avocados, cotton, wheat, and dairy farming. Ginosar was targeted by Syrian artillery stationed in the Golan Heights, which overlooked the region. The shelling attacks began after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war and intensified in the 1950s. 

In the 1960s, the intensity of the shelling increased even more. Kibbutz members were suddenly attacked and had to seek refuge in bomb shelters. Homes, crops, and boats were damaged in the shelling incidents. Some kibbutzniks lost their lives or suffered injuries. To protect children from shelling, the members of Ginosar built underground classrooms with concrete ceilings. There were times when the kibbutz had to be temporarily evacuated during intense Syrian attacks. However, motivated by Zionist principles, Ginosar persisted in surviving and refused to leave the kibbutz despite the risks. 

The shelling eventually stopped after Israel's victory in the 1967 Six-Day War over the Golan Heights. Today, Ginosar has over 90 members, many of whom are descendants of the founders. While the kibbutz faces the challenge of attracting younger generations, its future seems optimistic with a small core of young families committed to sustaining the community.

Kibbutz Ginosar Hotel

Visitors can experience a taste of the communal kibbutz lifestyle by staying at the kibbutz's hotel or the village rooms along the beautiful shores of the Sea of Galilee. This allows for connections with residents who have chosen to build their lives around a cooperative vision in this sacred landscape.

The Kibbutz Ginosar Hotel is located right on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. It was intended to draw Christian tourists because of the nearby biblical sites, and it initially opened in 1982 as the kibbutz's main tourist attraction. The hotel features 95 guest rooms, all with private balconies with views of the Sea of Galilee and simple, practical furnishings that are typical for kibbutzes. The guest facilities include a lakeside swimming beach, a cozy dining area with kibbutz-sourced food, and expansive garden areas.

The hotel is very popular among Christian tour groups because of its proximity to important New Testament sites like Tabgha, the ancient Galilee boat, and Capernaum around the Sea of Galilee. The Kibbutz Ginosar Hotel, which is close to Tiberias and other local landmarks like the Mount of Beatitudes, offers a relaxed vacation experience, great kibbutz hospitality, and the breathtaking natural scenery of the Galilee. Priced at an affordable $150-180$ per night, it's a great value hotel choice for this part of northern Israel.

The Ancient Galilee Boat at Ginosar

Kibbutz Ginosar has amazing archaeological discoveries - one of them is a 2,000-year-old Galilee Boat found in the muddy shores of the Sea of Galilee.

In 1986, during a long drought that caused the water levels in the Sea of Galilee to drop, the famous ancient ship was uncovered on the bottom of the lake. Moshe Ein-Av, a farmer from Ginosar who was also an archeologist, noticed wooden shafts emerging from the newly revealed lakeshore. He contacted archaeologists who quickly excavated the beams and discovered a remarkably well-preserved wooden boat from ancient times.

The 30-foot "Jesus Boat" dates back to the 1st century AD and is one of the few ancient boats ever found from that time. It was probably used for fishing and transportation on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus was conducting his ministry on the lake shores. The construction of the boat is similar to other boats from that time, as described by historian Josephus Flavius.

Recognizing the boat's enormous historical value but fragile condition, archaeologists used special preservation techniques to dry the wet wood without it falling apart. The meticulous process took ten years and involved soaking the timbers in special pools. Finally, the preserved Galilee Boat was placed on permanent display inside a glass enclosure at the original excavation site and antiquities garden in Kibbutz Ginosar.

Visiting the Galilee Boat is a highlight for anyone exploring Israel's ancient roots and connections to the New Testament. 

Mark 6:53-56

"When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus.They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went—into villages, towns, or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed"

The Museum of Ginosar provides valuable information and artifacts that shed light on how people lived and traveled on the Sea of Galilee during the stormy Biblical history. Seeing this ancient boat that once carried fishermen and traders across these holy waters allows visitors to have a real connection to the past.

Discovering Ginosar's Rich Past

Archaeological discoveries around Kibbutz Ginosar show the long and complex history of human settlement in this lakeside location. 

Excavations since 2003 have revealed the remains of a Bronze Age village, an Iron Age fortress, a Second Temple period village, a Byzantine-era monastery, and an ancient synagogue. The most extensive ruins found are those of a 3,000-year-old Canaanite town called "Kinneret." It was mentioned in the Biblical book of Joshua as part of Joshua's territory. 

This fortified town dates back to 1200 - 1050 BC. Archaeologists have uncovered walls, dwellings, storage rooms, and cultic structures. They have also found pottery, scarabs, figurines, metal tools, and weapons from the Bronze Age. Above the Bronze Age remains are the remnants of a small Jewish village from the time of Jesus in the early 1st century AD. The Jewish historian Josephus Flavius referred to this region as the fertile "land of Gennesar."

Excavated homes in this village have ritual baths, fresco wall paintings, and ceramics that give us insight into daily life at that time. Coins from 40-50 AD provide some of the earliest physical evidence related to Christianity in the Galilee. Next to this Jewish village (10 km ) are the remains of an unusual structure believed to be a monastery. It is thought to mark the house of Peter in Capernaum, where Jesus stayed after performing miracles nearby.

The octagonal Byzantine church building from the 4th-5th century AD shows the importance of this area for early Christian worship. Other excavated areas nearby contain winepresses, olive presses, and mikvehs used by the Jewish inhabitants at different times. Ongoing archaeological work is revealing Ginosar's multi-layered history, from Canaanite regional powers to Iron Age Israelites, Second Temple period Judaism, early Christianity, Byzantine Christian pilgrimage, and Zionist pioneers. The intersection of Jewish and Christian history makes Ginosar a fascinating religious combination.

Soaking in Ginosar’s Natural Wonders

Ginosar is a place with a lot of Jewish history and archaeology. It also has beautiful natural landscapes and lots of crops. The kibbutz has lots of fields with date palms and cotton plants. Visitors can pick fruit and talk to farmers. They can also buy fresh produce.

The Jordan River is just north of the kibbutz. There is a bridge there called Almagor Bridge. It opened in 2011 and it is near a popular place for baptisms called " Yardenit". The kibbutz rents bikes so people can ride along the shore of the Kinneret. There are also hiking trails and places to have a picnic. One trail goes up to a place called Mount Arbel. From there, you can see the Golan Heights. At sunset, the sky is pretty over the Sea of Galilee.

But the best part is the Kinneret itself. Ginosar has a beach where you can swim, boat, relax, or watch the beautiful sunsets. The sunsets make the sky turn orange and purple. At night, you can see the lights of Tiberias across the water. If you stay on the shore for a while, you can imagine Jesus and his followers fishing there two thousand years ago.

Visit Kibbutz Ginosar Today

Kibbutz Ginosar is a small and remote place along the peaceful northern shores of the Sea of Galilee. Despite its size and location, it has a significant impact. This is because it has played a pioneering role in Israel's kibbutz movement and has a rich history that connects both Jewish and Christian traditions. However, there is much more to explore in Ginosar if you are willing to dig deeper, quite literally. 

You can participate in hands-on archaeological excavations and discover the many layers of history in the area. Kibbutz Ginosar Israel is like a miniature version of the Land of Israel, showcasing ancient roots and a strong sense of community that is still present in the kibbutz today. For travelers who want to experience the natural beauty of Galilee and the biblical landscape of Israel up close, Ginosar is an ideal place to stay. Visitors can enjoy outdoor adventures, explore archaeological sites, and immerse themselves in the vibrant community life of this historic kibbutz located on the sacred shores of Lake Kinneret.

VISIT KIBBUTZ GINOSAR ON A PRIVATE CHRISTIAN TOUR OF GALILEE!