Naomi Tetherly completed her MA in school administration at the American International College in 2013. She previously served as special education director at the Robert M. Hughes Academy Charter Public School. In March 2018, Naomi Tetherly went on a 12-day vacation to Israel, where she visited Nazareth Village.
Nazareth Village, located in the hills 12 miles southwest of the Sea of Galilee, dates back to the time of Jesus. The village has been explored via extensive archaeological excavations, which have found a wine press that dates to more than 2,000 years ago. It includes the remains of a vineyard, terraces, a spring-fed irrigation system, stone quarries, watchtowers, and old olive trees.
Nazareth Village provides tour services, ranging between 45 and 90 minutes. During the tour, guides lead visitors in languages such as English, French, Italian, Arabic, Russian, German, Hebrew and Finnish. Visitors can choose from three different programs that include the Parable Walking Tour, biblical meals and school and education tours.
In the Parable Walking Tour, a guide describes Galilean life during the first century. The re-enactment includes villagers dressed in first-century costumes, who perform everyday activities such as working in an olive press and on the farm. Visitors are able to see the village’s grape vines, olive trees, and cultivated terraces. The average tour lasts 75 minutes.
To learn more about first-century cuisine, visitors are welcome to try Nazareth Village’s biblical meals. The Martha meal includes a helping of fresh bread, za’atar and hummus. A traditional first-century meal includes lentil stew, salads, bread and dips. Visitors also can try the traditional meal with chicken, a Passover meal, or the festive Prodigal Son meal.
