Tiberias was founded by Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, in honour of the Roman Emperor Tiberius. Over the centuries, the city has witnessed countless epochs and rulers, each leaving an indelible mark on its history.
According to some accounts, one of the city's earliest synagogues was built by Hasidim, led by Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk. Other sources suggest survivors of the Chornobyl massacre established it. Restored in modern times, this synagogue, now a vibrant centre for the Hasidic community, plays a significant role in the city's history. Its walls resonate once more with the unique spirit of Hasidism, infusing the site with a profound sense of heritage and spiritual renewal.
A stroll along the Tiberias promenade, a mere hour-long, is a journey through time. It's a place where the lives of Prague and Vitebsk rabbis intersect with the legacies of Israeli generals and politicians. Here, the figures of Roman rulers, Jewish sages, medieval knights, and Muslim merchants, a diverse ensemble of history, come to life.
Initially, it may appear as a modest waterfront in a small lakeside town. However, it harbours numerous unexpected twists of history, stories that are now known to only a few, offering a surprising peek into the layered past of this remarkable city.
