Givat Sher

The Society for Preservation of Sites and Landscape in Modi'in recently organised a guided walk of Givat Sher. On the outskirts of the new city of Modi'in, Givat Sher is a low hill, right next to, and possibly even part of, ancient Modi'in. As a resident of the new city, I am always keen to learn a little bit about the history of the area around me and the walk was a terrific opportunity to learn all about the hill, its history and past agricultural life, and it also enabled me to get out of the usual Friday morning routine of shopping and cooking before Shabbat!

Givat Sher is covered with wild oak trees and old almond and olive orchards but there are also strange cairns (man-made piles of stones), cisterns, terrace walls and enclosures all over the hill. It is thought that the place was first settled during the Hellenistic period, during which time there existed a thriving village with a nearby synagogue, excavated several years ago by the Israel Antiquities Authority. The Byzantine period saw a second period of occupation. A stone with two crosses on it, probably belonging to a church, was discovered on the hill, so there was clearly a Christian community there too. The site was also thought to have been settled in the Medieval period when it was used as a peasants farm.

Today Givat Sher is wild, covered in the olive groves thought to have been planted by neighbouring villagers who fled with the onset of war in 1948. The hill continues to be excavated, generally in the warmer months, and I have taken my own kids up there in the past to participate in an organised activity to try and discover their own little piece of history (they did not, though they were excited by it all the same!).

Our Friday morning walk was wonderful! It gave my husband and I the opportunity to learn a little, enjoy some terrific views and spend time outside in the fresh air, all at the same time!