Page 10 - Holyland Magazine - 2022 Edition

something about determination – her father it was brought to Israel and was installed at of the Crusader city of Caesarea embrace not
captained two ships bringing illegal immigrants Beit Hannah Senesh on November 7, 2007, only additional antiquities, but also a wonderful
to the shores of Caesarea; the second one, the exactly 63 years after Hannah’s execution. collection of shops.
“Hannah Senesh,” stole ashore at Nahariya on
Christmas Eve of 1945, while the British were The Hannah Senesh Legacy Foundation is At the multimedia presentation Time Trek,
celebrating. now seeking to expand and upgrade the visitors of all ages can enjoy the computer-
premises of the Hannah Senesh House, with generated images that bring to life a host
Senesh joined Kibbutz Sdot Yam, then its all-too-modest exhibit of photographs of Caesarea legends. The images – which
known as Kibbutz Caesarea. “On the Way to and documents, and a touching audiovisual include Herod, Rabbi Akiva (who supported
Caesarea,” the original title of her famed poem presentation. the Jewish rebellion of 132-135 CE and was
that begins “O Lord, my God, I pray that these executed here by the Romans), King Louis IX
things never end, the sand and the sea…” was A 2008 film on Senesh, called “Blessed is of France, Baron Edmond de Rothschild (who
written about this move. the Match” after a famed line from one of bought land in Caesarea), and Hannah Senesh
her poems, incorporates previously unknown invite you to ask them questions and use
When word of the destruction of the Jewish information about her life and mission. exciting technology to rebuild and repopulate
people in Nazi Europe trickled out to the the ruins in all their ancient glory, from Herod’s
Jews in Palestine, Senesh was consumed Senesh left her poems and diaries behind in harbour, to the earthquakes that brought the
by the need to return to Hungary, to try to a small suitcase on the kibbutz. Her writings city crashing down, to the charging armies
rescue young Jewish people, and her own became an inspiration to all who watched the and flaming arrows. The Israel Nature and
mother. Together with a group of Palmach young State of Israel face a sea of hardships. Parks Authority and the Caesarea Edmond
men and women, she joined a unit of the The words “Time will tell the rest” are the last Benjamin de Rothschild Corporation have also
British army, which was eager to upgrade its words she ever wrote in her diary. Time is inaugurated an underwater archaeological
human intelligence behind enemy lines. She indeed telling the rest. Besides Caesarstone, its park. Its underwater guided tour of remnants
trained in Egypt as a paratrooper and took small quartz surface empire, Kibbutz Sdot Yam of the ancient port is said to be the first of its
the code name Hagar. On March 13, 1944, owns and operates Kef Yam, which provides a kind in the world.
she parachuted into occupied Yugoslavia and plethora of tourist services, including sailboat
crossed the border into Hungary. The next rentals and catered events in its beachside When it’s time to take a load off tired tourist feet,
day she was captured, and turned over by garden. enjoy a swim at the Caesarea Beach Club, or
the Hungarians to the Gestapo. Despite being take a refreshing break at one of the Crusader
tortured by the Nazis, she did not reveal the The Sdot Yam archaeological museum city’s restaurants or cafes. The view from your
secrets of her mission. She was executed by contains a beautiful collection of antiquities table, of fisherman on the quay splashed by
firing squad on November 7, 1944. from every era at Caesarea, and when the Mediterranean spray and the divers as they
knowledgeable museum guide Arnon Angert head out to seek submerged treasure, adds
Strange, but true, Hannah was buried in walks and talks you through it, you can almost the perfect touch to this fun and fulfilling day.
the Jewish cemetery in Budapest, where feel them come alive.
her mother later found her grave. When
Hannah’s remains were brought to Israel in Caesarea National Park encompasses For further information about the Hannah Senesh
House, call: 04-636-4366, visit www.hannahsenesh.
1950, a monument that Hannah’s mother monumental remains, with highlights including org.il, or contact Eitan Senesh, Hannah’s nephew,
had commissioned from a sculptor friend the amphitheatre and stadium of Herod’s first- at ethans100@gmail.com. For more information
to mark the grave was left behind. In 2007, century showcase city and harbour. The walls about Caesarea's harbour, call *6550, or visit www.
caesarea.org.il.

Newly displayed lid of a 1,700-year-old Roman ruins with a view of the Mediterranean. Photo: Itamar Grinberg. Herod’s ancient storehouses at Caesarea National Park.
sarcophagus. Photo: Caesarea Development On top: restaurants overlook the private beach at Caesarea, with the city's Photo: Caesarea Development Corporation
Corporation medievel ruins in the background. Photo: Caesarea Development Corporation

10