 Katzrin village, columns stand
in the ancient synagogue
(larger image)The town offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. To the south is the Sea of Galilee  , to the north Mount Hermon, and to the west the hills of the Upper Galilee. Katzrin was established in 1977 after the government of Israel decided settling and populating the Golan Heights was of prime importance for Israel. In addition, Katzrin was planned as an urban center that would provide a variety of services to the rural communities and military bases scattered throughout the Golan. In 1981, Israel annexed the Golan Heights (including Katzrin). Costumed guides demonstrate and explain construction methods, agricultural and manufacturing processes in Hebrew and English.[1][2]
Synagogue
The Katzrin Synagogue was built in the 6th century CE atop a more modest 4th-5th century synagogue. Fragments of a mosaic floor have been found. The synagogue was apparently destroyed by the Golan earthquake of 749. In the Mamluk Empire, part of the standing ruin was roofed and used as a Mosque. After a brief period, this use and the village itself were abandoned until 1967.
The synagogue had two rows of four columns each. The building was two stories tall with rows of windows at the top of the walls. The roof was built of wooden beams covered with ceramic tiles. In the southern wall, which faces Jerusalem, two massive stone steps lead to a raised stone platform (bimah). It is thought that a wooden Torah ark would have stood here. stood on it. Under the bimah there is a long, stone-paved space thought to have served as a Geniza (storage space for sacred texts no longer in use). The walls were plastered and painted white, with the lower walls decorated with red geometric motifs. The walls were lined with stone benches in the form of a double step.[3]
As of mid 2005 there are 6,400 people living in Katzrin, almost all of whom are Jewish. The community was planned to grow into a city of 25,000 residents. Katzrin has an educational system and academic centers that serve the residents of the entire region, industrial plants, and facilities of culture and recreation.
Katzrin is a major center of tourism in the Golan Heights due to the historical sites it boasts. One of these is the ancient Talmudic village of Kisrin (the source of the name "Katzrin") which was destroyed in an eighth century earthquake. The village has archaeological remains of a synagogue, partially reconstructed, and foundations of ancient houses. The Museum of Golan Antiquities displays the archaeological finds uncovered in the Golan.
Katzrin is home to a kosher winery and a mineral water plant. It also has two open air strip malls.
While the headquarters of the Golan Regional Council are located in the town of Katzrin, it is not included in the regional council's jurisdiction town since it became an independent local council.
- « jewishvirtuallibrary.org Katzrin Retrieved 8/4/2010
- « Ann Killebrew Reflections on a Reconstruction of Ancient Qasrin Village,The reconstructed past: reconstructions in the public interpretation of archaeology and history, John H. Jameson, Rowman Altamira, 2004, pp. 127-146
- « Jewish time-travel: a travel narrative and guide to Jewish historic sites in Europe and Israel By Mae E. Sander, Jason Aronson, 2000, p. 155
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