Mazal Tov and Bravo! Are the New Sounds on Masada

“We would love for you to join us for Charlie’s Bar Mitzvah celebration” was the message from our closest friend’s son Lee and his wife Pam, who reside in White Plains, NY. “Wonderful, I would love to,” I replied with excitement. “Will it be in New York or White Plains?” After an intriguing short pause, Lee announced, “Neither, it will be on top of Masada in Israel.”

With my passport in hand, I was heading for a very unique experience of celebrating Charlie’s Bar Mitzvah on Masada. With its picturesque view of the lowest point on earth, the famous Dead Sea, whose highly saline water will not let you sink (no matter how much you ate last night), and whose waters, saturated with treasured minerals, salts, and silky mud, are used in Ahava, my favorite cosmetic lotions and hand creams produced locally in a kibbutz along the shore of the Dead Sea. Only in the Holy Land can a “dead” sea be so rejuvenating and good for you.

Located 90 minutes from Israel’s capital, Masada is the second-most visited site in Israel, after the holy places of Jerusalem. Masada is not only important because it was recognized in 2001 by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, but it is one of the greatest archeological sites in Israel and perhaps across the world.

The amazing fortress and magnificent mountaintop palace of Masada, which was built in the year 30 BCE by King Herod, is the site of the last Jewish stand against Romans in 73 AD and the mass suicide of its 960 defenders. It is a symbol of the kingdom of Israel, the destruction and the exile of its people in the first century.

It took King Herod six years (37-31 BCE) to build his palace-fortress atop the mountain of Masada adjacent to the Dead Sea. Near the palace is a large Roman style bath house, built on three rock terraces overlooking the gorge below, with a colorful mosaic floor and walls decorated with murals.

The tragic story of the Jewish people holding this fortress to the last breath of their life makes Masada a symbol of Jewish cultural identity and the constant human struggle for freedom. It’s not surprising that because of its significance, Masada became the swearing-in site for the Israeli Defense Forces’ (IDF) special units. With the traditional slogan of “Masada will never fall again,” its heroic inspiration is a blessing for Israel’s young and brave.

After the Roman destruction of Jerusalem a century later, Jewish refugees held out atop the mountain for three years against a merciless siege. Virtually abandoned for the next 19 centuries, Masada was excavated in 1963-64. Today most of its millions of visitors reach the summit by high-speed cable cars. While the young and the young at heart climb by snake path, which takes approximately one hour.

With its historical significance and sprawling views of the Negev desert and the Dead Sea, Masada is now the new stage for special family celebrations and fascinating events. From ancient to modern, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, numerous cultural events, high-tech light and sound shows, concerts, and operas with Masada’s rock and sand formation as the natural background scenery, the new repertoire of culturally enriching activities have brought life, gratification, and special meaning to this amazing destination.

“Many groups have meaningful visits to the mountain: special ceremonies of army units, Bar Mitzvahs, Jews from far away communities declare out-loud their new Jewish name, and so on,” says Ofir Jacobson, the tour guide and lecturer supreme, who a few years back lead us, a group of five journalists, on our exciting tour, Adventure Trip to Israel. “It can be described as a modern pilgrimage and a platform that helps Jews to connect both to Israel and to Judaism.”

“It was special to have my Bar Mitzvah ceremony at a place that has incredible significance for Jews all around the world,” says Charlie. “To me, Masada represents a place of strength and freedom. It was also very special having two generations of Jews to celebrate with me: my grandparents and parents.” A number of family’s friends have accompanied Charlie and his family on this special 10-day Bar Mitzvah tour of Israel.

As Charlie and the celebrants gathered on top of the mountain for the blessing over a special challa bread in a sukkah-style tent built from the Masada stone with a slanted wooden roof as a protection from the sun, two Israeli Air Force jets sped by during their daily exercise maneuvers. “They are saluting you, Charlie,” I said. “Mazal tov!”

Rabbi Michael Boyden, the British-born resident of Israel who masterfully guided Charlie’s ceremony said, “I have frequently officiated at Bar Mitzvah ceremonies at Masada but only at one wedding. It is a magnificent location with its picturesque mountains overlooking the Dead Sea and it provides an awe-inspiring backdrop for religious celebrations and cultural events. My wife and I had the privilege of being there for the opera Aida. Masada added its own unique dimension to the occasion.”

As dusk embraces Masada’s ancient rocks and sands, the Sound & Light Show is taking place along the background of Masada’s western location. The spectacular, high-tech show tells the amazing story of the Jewish rebels and their last few days at the apex of this large fortress on top of the cliff. The show exposes the visitors to the mountain, the region, and the fascinating history, as well as to a beautiful light show in the middle of the desert.

Over 50,000 spectators and opera lovers from Israel and from around the globe descend on Masada’s annual Opera Festival. With an elaborately built stage at the foot of Masada, some of the past productions featured as many as 120 choristers, 40 dancers, 70 extras to the accompaniment of a symphony orchestra, as in the case of Verdi’s Aida. Also featured were Bizet’s Carmen, Verdi’s Nabucco,  Puccini’s Turandot. Everyone’s favorite, Verdi’s La Traviata, is scheduled for the June 2014 program. Featuring acclaimed musicians and opera stars such as Jessye Norman, Paata Burchuladze, maestro conductors Kent Negano and Daniel Oren, Masada is established as a center of cultural life in the world.

For more information on travel to Israel, visit www.goisrael.com. For information on the opera festival at Masada visit www.opera-masada.com. Ofir Jacobson, tour guide and lecturer can be reached in Israel at 00-972-52-686-4251.

Lina Broydo immigrated from Russia, then the Soviet Union, to Israel where she was educated and got married. After working at the University in Birmingham, England she and her husband immigrated to the United States. She lives in Los Altos Hills, CA and writes about travel, art, style, entertainment, and sports. She hardly cooks or bakes, not the best of «balabostas» her beloved beautiful Mom, Dina, was hoping for. Therefore, she makes reservations and enjoys dining out.

By Lina Broydo