In the days of the ancient Temple, it was required on Yom Kippur for the high priest of Israel to enter the Holy of Holies and place sacrifices before the Ark of the Covenant. Unfortunately, the location of the Ark of the Covenant has been uncertain for well over two and a half millennium. Created sometime around the 14th century BC, it was the repository for some of the … [Read more...]
About Howard Kramer
UNUSUAL JEWISH SITES OF CENTRAL ASIA AND THE FAR EAST
When it comes to places of historic Jewish interest, it is Israel, Europe and the United States that most readily come to mind. Some might also consider the many other places of Jewish interest that can be found scattered throughout the Middle East. But not many would immediately think of Central Asia or the Far East. Nevertheless, the Diaspora spread as far as India and … [Read more...]
OLDEST CHURCHES AND CATHEDRALS IN THE WORLD – A DEFINITIVE AND DETAILED LIST
If you Google the term “world’s oldest churches” and look at the first dozen links, chances are you will get a dozen different lists. Most lists will include the House Church of Dura Europas in Syria. Others typically named are the Meggido Church in Israel, the Etchmiadzin Cathedral in Armenia, the Hagia Sophia in Turkey, St. Peter’s Basilica in Italy and Trier Cathedral in … [Read more...]
ANCIENT CHURCHES OF THE EAST IN AMERICA
Christianity has many branches, some going back nearly two thousand years. When asked if they can name some major denominations, American Christians typically think of Protestantism, Roman Catholicism and Anglicanism (churches in communion with the Church of England). To a lesser extent some might think of the Eastern Orthodox Churches (such as that of Greek or Russia). But … [Read more...]
CATHOLIC MISSIONS OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS
The first westerners to arrive in most of the Rocky Mountain states were, not surprisingly, Catholic missionaries: Spanish missionaries into the southern Rockies and French missionaries into the northern Rockies. Just as they did in Texas and California, these early Catholic explorers left behind a string of missions, many of which are the oldest churches (and often oldest … [Read more...]
THE BEST CHURCHES IN EUROPE THAT YOU’RE NOT SEEING
Few continents fire the imagination of the traveler as much as Europe. Every year, millions of visitors from around the world descend on the heart of Western Civilization, intent on exploring its thousands of years of history and culture. And no trip to Europe is complete without visiting at least one historic church, and there are thousands to choose from. The problem is, … [Read more...]
SEVEN EXCELLENT MOVIES TO WATCH ON INDEPENDENCE DAY – CIVILIAN EDITION
America’s 243rd birthday is fast approaching, with all of the barbecues, parades and fireworks that that entails. But for those planning on taking in a movie or two on this Independence Day, what to watch? Well, thankfully, Hollywood has produced nearly a century of films to stir the patriotic fervor of every American’s heart. But which ones to watch? As a movie lover, I … [Read more...]
SEVEN EXCELLENT MOVIES TO WATCH ON INDEPENDENCE DAY – MILITARY EDITION
From the earliest days of Hollywood, movies about war have proved to be one of the most prolific and popular cinematic genres; and with America’s military history, there is no shortage of stories to tell. From the American Revolution to the modern day wars in the Middle East, Hollywood has covered everything in perhaps over a thousand films. But there are a few that stand out … [Read more...]
AMERICA’S TALLEST BATTLE MONUMENTS
America has fought in many battles and in many wars. And like its European counterparts during the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, America commemorated its military history with countless memorials. The United States is packed with them. Tens of thousands of monuments, from life-sized statues of heroes in the town square to immense obelisks that overlook aging … [Read more...]
AMERICAN MILITARY MONUMENTS IN THE PACIFIC (remembering World War II in the Pacific)
The United States military has fought in the conflicts in the Pacific as early as the 19th century. However, it wasn’t until the massive campaigns against Japan during World War II that Americans became familiar with the region. Today some of the greatest battles of the War in the Pacific have achieved legendary status in America’s military history, and many of these are now … [Read more...]
