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Beit Alami, Kibbutz Zikim

The view from the roof of Beit Alami overlooking the kibbutz and Zikim Beach Zikim Beach

winery is once again open to visitors for tours and wine tastings that include many local wines, including a special bottle of wine and a beer that both commemorate Oren. meshek_stern Beit Alami, Kibbutz Zikim | Wine and heritage Beit Alami was established in 1920 as the summer home of the Hafez Al Alami family, who lived in Jerusalem. The house was abandoned in 1947, and two years later, Kibbutz Zikim was founded, with Beit Alami becoming the kibbutz’s community house. It was subsequently used as a refectory, a nursery and a clinic, until it was abandoned again. In 2019,

after renovation works, it became a visitors’ center, and last month, a new wine bar was inaugurated within its walls, under the helm of Chef Johnny Ben Tal who has managed to craft an exceptional wine tasting menu filled with excellent local wines and delicious food. Tue-Sat: 10am-4pm, special gastronomy nights on Thursdays. alami_house Zikim Beach | A picnic by the sea After the deadly battle that took place on Zikim Beach on October 7, it was decided that everything that remained on the beach would be destroyed and rebuilt. Zikim is

Meshek Stern, Netiv HaAsara | Wine tastings and vineyard tours Mali and Eyal Stern’s love of wine and wineries led them to found their own winery, together with Eyal’s brother Oren and the help of Pepe, the winemaker at the winery in Or HaNer, the nearby kibbutz. In May 2023, they planted three dunams of vines on their family farm. Then October 7 happened, and Oren died defending the moshav. Eyal was drafted for reserve duty, some of the vines completely burned down, and Mali was evacuated with the couple’s children, away from the moshav. Now, finally, they have returned, and the

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ATMOSPHERE FEBRUARY 2025

Photos: Ariela Aflalo