The Israelite commander Barak depicted in a mosaic in the ancient Huqoq synagogue in northern Israel. Photo: Jim Haberman

A new US-Israel initiative will preserve an ancient Galilee synagogue known for its internationally acclaimed mosaics while making the previously inaccessible archaeological site available to the public through digital reconstructions, films, and educational resources.

The Judeo-Christian Heritage in the Galilee Project was announced on July 9 at Huqoq in the presence of US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and representatives of Israeli and American institutions, according to a July 13 press release from the US Embassy in Jerusalem and the W. F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research.

The ancient synagogue at Huqoq has attracted international attention since archaeologists began uncovering its mosaic floors in 2012. However, the site has never been open to visitors.

The new initiative will combine archaeological excavation and conservation with digital engagement and public interpretation, laying the groundwork for the synagogue’s eventual opening while allowing people to explore it remotely in the meantime.

The project will produce a dedicated website, a three-dimensional reconstruction of the synagogue, documentary films, educational resources, and other interpretive content. Conservation and development of the physical site are expected to continue over the coming years.

“As Huqoq enters this important new phase, the United States is proud to partner with Israeli institutions to preserve one of the region’s most significant archaeological treasures while making its remarkable story accessible to people around the world,” Huckabee said.

“This initiative reflects our commitment to preserving shared cultural heritage through international cooperation and education,” he added.

Excavations at Huqoq, directed by Prof. Jodi Magness of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, revealed a Late Antique synagogue containing mosaic floors distinguished by their preservation, artistic quality, and unusually varied subject matter.

The mosaics combine biblical narratives with rarer scenes that have prompted continued scholarly research. According to the project organizers, the discoveries have changed scholars’ understanding of Jewish life and visual culture in the Galilee during the Roman and Byzantine periods.

“The discoveries at Huqoq have transformed our understanding of Jewish life in Late-Byzantine Galilee,” Magness said. “It is exciting to see the site entering a new phase that preserves these remarkable remains while making them accessible to broader audiences.”

The W. F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research will implement the project with funding from the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the US Embassy in Jerusalem.

The initiative forms part of Freedom 250, a State Department program commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States through international partnerships focused on heritage, education, and cultural exchange.

The project brings together the Israel Antiquities Authority, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund, the University of North Carolina’s Huqoq Excavation Project, the Yigal Allon Centre, and other Israeli partners.

The Israel Antiquities Authority is leading efforts to stabilize and protect the synagogue’s fragile remains ahead of possible future public access. KKL-JNF, which owns and manages the land, is working to develop Huqoq as a major heritage destination in northern Israel.

“Conservation ensures that archaeological discoveries become lasting public heritage,” said Israel Antiquities Authority Director Eli Escusido. “Our responsibility is to protect these exceptional remains for future generations.”

A dedicated exhibition about Huqoq is also currently on display at the Yigal Allon Centre, providing a more immediate public window into the archaeological site.

The Huqoq initiative is the first phase of the broader Judeo-Christian Heritage in the Galilee Project, a two-year effort to preserve and interpret Jewish and Christian heritage sites across northern Israel. Future phases are expected to expand to other locations, including the ancient site of Bethsaida.

“Archaeology reveals the past,” said project director Dr. Shua Kisilevitz of the Albright Institute. “Heritage makes it part of our future.”