Ashkelon Market
The Ashkelon Market is located immediately behind the Grand Mosque of al Majdal / Ashkelon Khan Museum is the Ashkelon Market. Here you will find a many stands filled with fruits and vegetables. On Thursdays there are additional stands with non-food items. Address: David Remez St 46, Ashkelon Getting there: Google Map
The Grand Mosque of al Majdal
The Grand Mosque of al Majdal is located on Herzl Street in the Migdal area of Ashkelon. Today, it houses the Ashkelon Khan Musem. The mosque was built in three phases: two early phases from the Mamluk period and the latest phase was built in the Ottoman period. In the 19th century, V. Guérin travelled through the area and described the mosque as being built of "roughly hewn stones, the courtyard in front of it was [...]
Kehillat Netzach Israel – Afridar – Masorti
Location: Shvil Harel 8, Afridar Established over 50 years ago, the Kehillat Netzach Israel grew in numbers, building a multi-ethnic membership including many English speakers. The Masorti shul, which is located at Shvil Harel 8 in Afridar, offers an egalitarian, pluralistic and family-orientated approach to Judaism. Kehillat Netzach Israel is an active congregation with a wide range of social and educational programs with Jewish content, reaching out into the wider community. Rabbi Tsvi Arberman is the rabbi [...]
Soup’s On!
Ashkelon residents who are under the weather can now get some relief. Miriam Levine, a retired Registered Nurse, who made Aliyah from the USA, makes a variety of kosher soups for anyone needing a get well gift. The soups are delivered fresh (or frozen) in one-liter containers by volunteers. Your soup options: Classic chicken soup Hearty vegetable soups Creamed Vegetarian Optional noodles or matzah balls Let Myriam know if you have food restrictions or [...]
Herzl Street
Ashkelon, which was destroyed by the Mamluks in 1270 was eventually reoccupied in the late 15th century by local inhabitants under the Ottomans. The Arabs called it al-Majdal. In 1948, after Israel won the War of Independence, new areas were gained and some were lost. Historic Ashkelon was an area that was captured. The Jewish town was initially named Migdal Gaza, Migdal Gad and Migdal Ashkelon. As the city grew and joined with Afridar, the [...]
The Astir, the Astia and the Marsis
NOTE: This article is undergoing changes. There is very little material available on Ashkelon’s role in the Astir and the Marsis. The accounts that are available sometimes contradict each other. This post will be updated as I find more information. At the entrance to the Marina stands a sculpture by Dov Heller to commemorate the arrival of hundreds of Jews fleeing the Nazis. This is the story about how they came to Palestine. In Hebrew, [...]
Ashkelon Khan Museum
Located in the historic Migdal area, the Ashkelon Khan Museum is inside the 13th century mosque. The museum is small and the exhibits appear to have been built a while ago. There is also a gallery at the entrance to the museum's main display. Hours: Sunday to Thursday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Phone: 08-672-7002
Sabil at Ashkelon Academic College
In addition to the sabil at the "main" entrance to city, another sabil is located in the heart of the city. This very impressive structure is located just outside of the Ashkelon Academic College on Eli Cohen Street near the intersection of Yitzhak Ben Zvi. The sabil was dedicated in 2004. Avi Cohen, senior lecturer in the Department of Land of Israel Studies at Ashkelon Academic College, wrote a paper, Historical geography of the Palestine [...]
Ibrahim Pasha’s Well
At the north east corner of Eli Cohen and Yitzhak Rabin is a large field, partially overgrown with weeds, with the remains of a stone building in the corner. If it were not for the blue historical sign standing on the corner, you would likely walk by the field without paying any attention to the remnants of the building. The sign on the corner reads: Ibrahim Pasha’s well In 1832, Ibrahim Pasha, the governor of [...]
Ashkelon Sabil – City Entrance
A sabil (Arabic) was a public drinking fountain or trough that was found at key locations for people to use on their journeys. The word sebil or sabil comes from the Arabic verb root sabala (سبل) meaning "to let fall, drop, to let hang down, to close eyes or to shed tear". Sabil initially meant "road" or "path" and is used both metaphorically and literally in multiple instances in the Qur'an. Its use as an architectural term for a public water building [...]
Ashkelon Fountains
When you follow Sderot Ben Gurion down to the beach, you will see the Ashkelon National Park on your left and series of beautiful fountains that follow the contour of the road down to the sea. Spectacularly lit up at night, the fountains add another element of elegance to an already beautiful city.
Kikar New York
Next to the Harlington Hotel is a large grassy roundabout called Kikar New York. At one end of the roundabout is a memorial for the thousands who were killed on September 11, 2001 in the attack on the World Trade Center in New York as well as the four Israelis who died that day. They are; Alona Avraham, Shay Levinhar, Dany Levin and Hagay Shefi.