Sea of Galilee, Israel

A child crosses a winding street in the historic quarter of Zefat, an artist’s colony and center for Jewish mysticism. The mountain town is also home to Ha’Ari Synagogue, dedicated to a 16th century Jewish sage, and Messiah Lane, where, according to town lore, an old woman sat every day for decades, drinking tea and patiently waiting for the Messiah.  (Susan Spano / Los Angeles Times)

A Franciscan church rises on the Mount of the Beatitudes, the traditional site of Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. From here, the view of the Sea of Galilee is stunning. The Galilee area is where Christ’s ministry began. On the northern shore of Palestine’s great freshwater lake, he performed miracles, Christians believe, and recruited disciples.  (Susan Spano / Los Angeles Times)

Mosaics tell the story of one of Christ’s miracles, in the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes along the Sea of Galilee.  (Susan Spano / Los Angeles Times)

Mt. Hermon provides a magisterial backdrop for the orange grove at the Pausa Inn, a favorite for Israeli foodies near the Lebanese border. “It’s a very peaceful place, unless there’s a war,” owner Einat Rothem says.  (Susan Spano / Los Angeles Times)

The Golan Heights rise behind the Sea of Galilee. The lake is a popular weekend getaway spot for Israeli families, yuppie couples, hikers, mountain bikers, windsurfers and other latter-day walkers-on-water.  (Susan Spano / Los Angeles Times)

The terrace at Decks overlooks the Sea of Galilee in Tiberias. The hot spring resort was built by Herod Antipas, the Jewish king who governed Palestine for the Roman Empire during Christ’s lifetime.  (Susan Spano / Los Angeles Times)