Kafr Kanna
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| Kafr Kanna כַּפְר כָּנָּא كفر كنا Kefar Kanna |
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  Kafr Kanna
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | Israel |
| District | North |
| Founded | |
| Incorporated | 1968 |
| Area | |
| - Total | 10.6 km² (4.1 sq mi) |
| Population (2005) | |
| - Total | 17,600 |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+2) |
| - Summer (DST) | IDT (UTC+3) |
Kafr Kanna (Arabic: كفر كنا, Kafr Kana; Hebrew: כפר כנא, Kefar Kanna) is an Arab town in the Galilee region of Israel that is associated with the New Testament village of Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine[1].
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[edit] Religious significance
The town is identified by Christians as the town of Cana, where Jesus performed a miracle at the Marriage at Cana. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia of 1914, a tradition dating back to the 8th century identifies Cana with this town.
The town also contains the tomb of the Jewish sage, Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel, the Nasi (prince) of the Sanhedrin (legislative body of Ancient Israel), who became president of the Sanhedrin in 50 CE.
[edit] History
The settlement of Kana was mentioned in the Amarna Letters, and was known in the times of the Roman-Jewish historian Josephus. As with many Jewish towns in the Galilee, the town took in Jewish refugees fleeing Roman persecution in Jerusalem and Judea[2]. The village flourished in the 16th century, as it lay on the trade route between Egypt and Syria.
[edit] Demography
Kafr Kanna achieved local council status in 1968. In 2005, there were 17,600 residents,[3] 83.5% of whom were Muslim and 16.5% Christian.
[edit] Sports
The local football (soccer) team, Maccabi Kfar Kana, plays in the Nationwide League and is a member of the Maccabi sports association.
[edit] Notable residents
- Jamal Zahalka, resident, Knesset member, Balad party.
- Wasil Taha, resident, Knesset member, Balad party.
- Abdulmalik Dehamshe, resident, former Knesset member, United Arab List.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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