The Western Wall, Jerusalem, Israel

$2,975.00 per person, based on double occupancy
Single Room Supplement: $325.00

Important. Please note: Itinerary subject to change if local conditions necessitate.

Day 1: Saturday, November 1: ARRIVE ISRAEL

Time for changing money and such. Transfer to hotel along the coast.

Day 2: Sunday, November 2: LIGHT TO THE NATIONS

We will visit Beit Immanuel and meet with Pedro Santos who is the guide for the Heritage Centre at Beit Immanuel? OR Diaspora Museum? In the afternoon we visit the ancient seaport of Jaffa where Jonah sailed from and Peter had his vision about the Gentiles. We end our day at Caesarea, site of the conversion of Cornelius, where we consider the tension between Jews and Gentiles during the New Testament period. Return to hotel along the coast.

Day 3: Monday, November 3: THE JEZREEL VALLEY

Our first stop of the day is the Carmel ridge, where we visit Muhraqa, site of the confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. At nearby Megiddo (Armageddon of the New Testament), we examine the different strains of Apocalyptic thinking which fl ourished at that time. On the way to Tiberias we visit Nazareth, the site of the early phase of Jesus' life and ministry. Four nights stay along the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Day 4: Tuesday, November 4: AROUND THE SEA

Today we focus on some of the different aspects of Jesus’ ministry of this region of Galilee - the Jewish background to his teachings, the Sabbath healings etc - as well as the various religious parties and their importance for understanding the synoptic Gospels. In connection with these themes we visit Chorazin, the Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum, the Tabgha area and take a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. Overnight in Galilee.

Day 5: Wednesday, November 5: UPPER GALILEE

Today we explore the upper regions of Israel to the foot of Israel’s tallest mountain. We climb up onto the Golan Heights to visit an ancient village at Katzrin where we see how people lived in the first century. After travelling along the Israeli-Syrian cease-fire lines, we come to Caesarea Philippi. It was here that Peter confessed Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. Then we continue to the nearby nature reserve of Dan. During a walk through the reserve, we will discuss biblical imagery such as living water and visit the Old Testament city of Dan. If time permits, we will go up on the lower slopes of Mt Hermon to discuss the transfi guration and stop briefly at a Crusader castle there. Overnight in Galilee.

Day 6: Thursday, November 6: GALILEE

This day is set aside to visit the remains of the some of the earliest synagogues in the Galilee. At Gush Halav and Kfar Shema we examine the liturgical life of the Jews of Galilee and the role played by the synagogue. In particular we will examine what place the reading and study of the Scriptures played in the Second Temple Period. On the highest mountain in the Galilee, Meron, we discuss the importance of Moses and the Exodus from Egypt in Jewish religious thinking and its influence on Jesus in the Gospels. `At the end of the day we stop at the Roman temple of Tel Kedesh to compare and contrast Jewish views of worship and holiness with that of paganism in late antiquity. If time permits we will view the Hula Valley from Nebi Yusha or the Horns of Naftali. Overnight in Galilee.

Day 7: Friday, November 7: FIRE AND WATER

We travel south to Jerusalem and on our way, we stop at various sites in the Jordan Valley including the Biblical city of Beth Shean to examine the recent excavations of its Roman-Byzantine period when it was the location of Scythopolis, one of ten cities of the Decapolis. On our way to Jerusalem we hope to stop at the Jordan River and if conditions permit the town of Jericho. Finish day with a Shabbat dinner at Christ Church. Six nights stay at Christ Church, Jerusalem.

Day 8: Saturday, November 8: THE DESERT AS A REFUGE

The Judean Wilderness as the site of religious and political refuge is the focus of today’s programme. After an early start we visit the site of the fortress of Masada, used by Herod the Great and later a Zealot stronghold. In the area of Ein Gedi, where David hid from Saul, we take time to swim in the Dead Sea. We then go on to visit the Ein Gedi nature reserve where we can stroll through the beautiful reserve or cool off under the waterfall! Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 9: Sunday, November 9: RACHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN

Begin the day with morning worship at Christ Church. Directly after lunch, we will begin to examine the connection between Jesus and the Jewish people with a visit to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial museum, including the Childrens’ Memorial. We will then visit Ein Kerem the birthplace of John the Baptist and then go on to Bethlehem the birthplace of Jesus (conditions permitting). Here we will discuss the prophetic background and meaning of Jesus’ birth. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 10: Monday, November 10: JERUSALEM IN JESUS’ TIME

Today we explore Jerusalem of the Herodian period immediately prior to and during the life of Jesus. In connection with our teaching material we visit the Herodian Estates in the Jewish Quarter, the area of the Temple Mount, the Western Wall, Ophel Gardens, Southern Wall excavations or other sites in the Jewish Quarter. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 11: Tuesday, November 11: FREE DAY

Time for rest, shopping, visiting local museums, or for the energetic, a walk on the old city walls of Jerusalem. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 12: Wednesday, November 12: IN THE STEPS OF JESUS

The day begins with a brief teaching on the historical framework for the events of the last week of Jesus’ earthly life. After viewing the Old City from the top of the Mount of Olives we will walk down to Dominus Flevit, the site that commemorates Jesus’ weeping over Jerusalem. Afterwards we continue onto the Garden of Gethsemane, and then visit the Holy Sepulchre. We will celebrate communion at the Garden Tomb. This evening we celebrate a Passover meal very much like the one Jesus shared with his disciples during the last supper. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 13: Thursday, November 13: DEPARTURE

We depart today for our return to the U.S.

Tour Features and Conditions

Responsibility


CST 2013363-40