We are on the cusp of Ramadan and so I joined a small group of tour guides to meet the Bedouin communities of the nearby Tzippori River led by Salem who is a local tour guide.

During the tour we visited a mosque in Zarzir, an alternative medicine initiative run by Salam, a sweetshop in Zubaydat, a woodworking museum in Hilf and a traditional (pre) Ramadan-style dinner by the river near Ras Ali.

I was especially moved by the wood carvings of Saleh Alisat. Saleh, who spent 31 years in the military’s border patrol unit creates objects that represent the lost world in which he grew up.

It was also poignant to visit Salem’s home where we had a delicious dinner prepared by his wife Rana. Once just another house in small village, him and his family have been living there alone since 1997 when all the other villagers agreed to be relocated up the hill.

All of these places were unknown to me even though they are located less than a half hour from my home. This cultural diversity and ability to surprise me even after years of exploration is what I love about Israel and what makes this such a unique place.