LASKO FAMILY KOSHER TOURS presents rAssovr K 1999 Over the past ten years, we have become world famous for the outstanding service, attention to detail and overall enjoyment we provide for our guests. Join us for the Passover of a lifetime! New Year's Eve At The Sunny Dead Sea An archaeological expedition at Ein Gedi makes for an interesting start to the new year. ANET K. RODGERS Special to The Jewish. News elebrate New Year's Eve in the most unusual way by joining a major archaeologi- cal dig in the sunny desert oasis of Ein Gedi. At a magnificent site on the shore of the Dead Sea in Israel, this is the fourth phase of a thrilling excavation. It will take place this year from Dec. 27 until Jan. 29 under the leadership of Dr. Yizhar Hirschfeld and jointly -onsored by the Hebrew University of erusalem and Universiry of Hartford (USA). Most digs take place in summer months so this one offers a wonderful, unny opportunity in mid-winter at a ite about 50 miles southeast of erusalem and 12 miles north of Masa- a. One of the most fascinating loca- nns on earth, Ein Gedi is set in a lush d exotic oasis in the Negev Desert Pith high rocky cliffs, a pounding aterfall, tropical flora in and around he nature reserve, and a kibbutz-like arden village. Visitors often spot the abled ibex (wild goat) in an area that is hreaded with excellent hiking trails. It as in this very place that young David id from the wrath of King Saul (I uel24) some 3,000 years ago. When excavations at Ein Gedi egan about 26 years ago, a series of ixth-century synagogues was discov- red, exposing one splendid zodiac osaic floor. Enthusiastic volunteers rom all over the world recently uncov- red an entire section of this isolated cient community — a street, the rance to the village, multi-storied omen, shops, a ritual bath, and many mall treasures such as coins, pottery amps, cloth, jewelry and glass. Roman-Byzantine Ein Gedi was escribed in the fourth century as a rge village of Essenes (a second-centu- sect of Jewish mystics and ascetics) hat subsisted primarily on the produc- tion of an expensive aromatic oil called "balsam." The aim of this third season of excavations is to uncover the resi- dential area of this village, its houses, alleys and shops, and to try to unravel the secret of the production of this valuable oil. What's a dig like? • Plan to work. An archaeological dig is the most fun hard work you can do — digging, picking, sifting, wash- ing and sorting from early morn to early afternoon five days a week. It is often exciting and sometimes truly thrilling. Weekends are free to travel and relax. Breakfast and lunch are served on site under a canopy amid the dare palm trees. There will be lectures about the site and the excavation, plus field trips into the surrounding desert area. And an important dig like this is also a great way to meet people from all over the world. No prior knowl- edge or background is required but every volunteer must be energetic and in good physical health. Minimum stay is one week. Room and full board cost between 5180-$300 a w eek, depending on the type of accommodations. • Local conditions. Ein Gedi on the shore of the Dead Sea is uniquely located at the lowest point on earth. This means that the sun is always shin- ing, but because of the low altitude the sun's rays are not as damaging to the skin. In winter, desert weather is the best but quite extreme: The mer- cury can climb to 90 degrees during the day and then plunge to 40 degrees at night. The black mud from the Dead Sea has medically-proven benefi- cial effects and people come from all over the world to benefit from its heal- ing elements. • Deadline for registration: Dec. 15, 1998. Contact Dr. Y. Hirschfeld, Insti- tute of Archaeology, Hebrew Universi- ty, Mt. Scopus, 91905 Jerusalem, Israel. Direct fax: 011 972 2 582- 5548. Website: www.hum.huji.ac.il/archaeology/einge- di/ Or E-mail: hani@actcom.co.il For Israel information, call the Israel Ministry of Tourism InfoCenter, (888)- 77-ISRAEL, or e-mail to info@gois- rael.com . Tourism information on Israel is also available by visiting the Ministry of Tourism's North American Web-Site: ww.goisrael.com . - - A 7 - - , 4,hreX(ea-a f C.: c,41've /V /C. 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Customized Tours Available Year Round - All Other 1999 ISRAEL Tour Dates 16 Days Including 2 Nights in Eilat March 10-25 Apr. 28-May 13 ' May 12-27 June 9-24 # Sept. 29-Oct. 14 Oct. 6-21 * Oct. 20-Nov. 4 Nov. 3-18 www.margaretmorsetours.corn CALL FOR FREE DETAILED BROCHURES! MARGARET MORSE TOURS 1-800-327-3191 EXPERIENCING INFERTILITY? The Center for Reproductive Medicine has Opened a Comprehensive New Center in Oakland County! ONE OF THE HIGHEST SUCCESS RATES IN MICHIGAN AND AMONG THE LEADING CLINICS IN THE U.S.A. Mostafa I. Abuzeid, M.D. THE CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE 3950 S. Rochester Rd., Ste. 2300 , Rochester Hills, MI 48307 • (248) 8448845 • 1-888-852-6995 11/27 1998