JWST Israel Trip – Summer Session II, 2013
Dates: July 7-22, 2013
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Sunday, July 7: 1:15 PM departure from LAX on El Al Airlines flight #006
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Monday, July 8: 1:45 PM arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel
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Monday, July 22: 1:10 AM departure from Ben Gurion Airport on El Al flight #005, arriving
LAX 6:35 AM
Costs:
- Tuition for 3-credit summer session II course
- $1000 course fee
- Course books/materials
Course fee Includes:
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Round trip airfare on El Al Airlines as per the itinerary (attached)
“Meet & Greet” service at Ben Gurion International Airport for group flight
One group transfer from and to Ben Gurion International Airport for group flight
All group transportation in Israel on private chartered bus as per the itinerary
All hotel accommodations – triple occupancy- as per the itinerary
All site admissions and programs as per the itinerary
Israeli breakfast every morning plus 12 additional included meals
Keshet Israel Tour Educator
Customized Sourcebook
Keshet Hat & T-shirt and insulated water bottle holder
Keshet Luggage Tags and Map of Israel
Accommodations
Hotel
Dates
Hotel
Dates
Tal Hotel, Tel Aviv
July 8 - 9
Inbar Hotel, Arad
July 15 - 16
Lev Yerushalayim Hotel, Jerusalem
July 9 - 14
Kibbutz Ein Gev Guest House
July 16 - 19
Ramon Inn, Mitzpeh Ramon
July 14 - 15
Bet Shmuel Guest House, Jerusalem
July 19 - 21
Loyola Marymount University
Study Tour in Israel
July 7 - 21, 2013
Itinerary
(As of Oct 28 - Subject to Change)
Date
Sunday
July 7
Monday
July 8
Tuesday
July 9
Program
Meals/Overnight
1:15 PM departure from LAX on El Al Airlines flight #006
Welcome to Israel
1:45 PM arrival at Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport.
Airport Snack
● Head to Tel Aviv and at Independence Hall where the State of Israel was declared
by David Ben Gurion in 1948, examine the struggles leading up to the birth of the State
of Israel
● Check-in and relax at our hotel; dinner and evening on your own in Tel Aviv, Israel’s
“city that never sleeps”. Enjoy the Tel Aviv beaches just down the street from our
hotel.
Dinner on own
The Tribes of Israel
● Explore Old Jaffa and learn about St.Peter’s vision. Introduction to the common
roots and divergance of Judaism & Christianity
● Head Tel Bet Shemesh, see the recently uncovered archeology and examine the
Biblical account of Samson and the conflict with the Philistines to better understand
the transition from the tribal nomadic life style of early Israel to the agrarian and
town/city dwelling life style and its impact on the development of a national "Israelite"
consciousness.
● From the strategic height of Tel Azeka we'll examine the biblical stories of the
transition from tribal autonomy to a centralized center and monarchy, the Biblical
debate between the command for a King, and Samuel’s reticence and ultimate
capitulation. Revisit the Biblical accounts of David & Goliath, the conflict between King
Saul (and not yet king) David and David's ascendency to the monarchy.
●View of the active archeological site Tel Qayefah, identified as a likely location of
Biblical Shaarayim which was apparently a major urban center
during the period associated with the united monarchy of David & Solomon.
● Ascend to Jerusalem - begin our exploration at the Haas Promenade with the
magnificent views & the Biblical accounts of binding of Isaac and David’s establishment
of the city as the capital of the People of Israel 3,000 years ago.
● Check-in at our guest house in Jerusalem; dinner & evening on your own.
Tal Hotel
Tel Aviv
Packed Lunch
Dinner on own
Lev
Yerushalayim
Hotel Jerusalem
Wednesday
July 10
Thursday
July 11
The Kingdom of Israel
● Step back 3,000 years to the days of King David and the days of the First Temple at
the City of David (where Jerusalem began) and see the latest archeological finds
including the ancient water systems (dry option available)
● Next, explore the rich traditions of Mt. Zion – traditional burial place of King David
and traditional location of the Last Supper and the Pentecost Experience.
● Enter the Old City for lunch and shopping on your own.
● In the afternoon, explore the Old City including the rooftops and the Cardo.
● At the Davidson Southern Temple Mount Archeological Park step back 2,000 years
to the days of the Second Temple.
● Private prayer and contemplation time at the Kotel (Western Wall)
● Evening and dinner on your own in Jerusalem
Roots of Christian Faith
● Early morning visit to the Temple Mount *- explore its place in Jewish, Christian and
Muslim traditions.
● Head to Mt of Olives where we will learn about Jewish, Christian and Muslim
Messianic expectations associated with this area.
● Focusing on the events of “Passion Week”, walk down the slopes to the Garden of
Gethsemane and the Church of the Agony
● Enter the Old City of Jerusalem to walk the stations of the Via Dolorosa (The Way of
the Cross) and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher traditional site of the crucifixion
and resurrection of Jesus
Lunch & dinner
on your own
Lev
Yerushalayim
Hotel Jerusalem
Lunch & dinner
on your own
Lev
Yerushalayim
Hotel Jerusalem
●Visit the Garden Tomb which recreates the atmosphere of the crucifixion and
resurrection site as described in the Gospels.
Friday
July 12
Saturday
July 13
From out of the Crucible
● Visit and stand in solemn memory at Yad Vashem, Israel’s central memorial to the
victims of the Holocaust including the Children’s Memorial, the Avenue of the
Righteous and the historical museum. Explore the place of the Holocaust in
contemporary Jewish identity & in Christian – Jewish relations and dialogue.
●After Yad Vashem we’ll celebrate the vibrancy of life in Israel by exploring and having
lunch on your own at the famous bustling open-air Machane Yehuda market.
● Head to Maaleh Adumim to meet Ethiopian Jewish immigrants in their home. Hear
the remarkable story of their journey home from Africa to Israel
● In the early evening, return to the Old City and join thousands at the Kotel (Western
Wall) in welcoming the Sabbath with song, dance and Kabbalat Shabbat prayers
(weather permitting)
● Walk back to our guest house for Sabbath dinner.
With Yehudah Amichai in Jerusalem
● Enjoy the special atmosphere of Shabbat in Jerusalem with a guided walk via
Lunch on own
Shabbat Dinner
at Hotel
Lev
Yerushalayim
Hotel Jerusalem
Lunch and
dinner on own
the Hinnom Valley to Mt. Zion, using poetry of Yehudah Amichai as a guide
Including poetry from before and after the Six Day War.
● Continue to Jaffa Gate and the Tower of David Museum and see the model of 19th
century Jerusalem and learn about Jerusalem through the ages.
● Lunch , afternoon and evening on your own to explore Jerusalem.
Sunday
July 14
Lev
Yerushalayim
Hotel Jerusalem
Sharing the Land…Then & Now
Lunch on own
● Visit to Bethlehem and Church of the Nativity. Meet local Palestinian
Arab Christians* and learn about the complex identity issues they face as
Dinner at Hotel
Christians living amongst the Muslim majority in Nazareth and the challenges that
they face as Palestinians.
Ramon Inn
Mitzpeh Ramon
● Lunch on your own in Bethlehem
● Head south - dig the past with your own hands at an archeological adventure at Tel
Maresha/Beit Guvrin, dated to the Hellenistic Period at the nexus point of the ancient
struggle between the Idumeans and the Judeans. Meet with site archeologist Dr. Ian
Stern*.
● Continue to the Negev highlands for check-in and dinner at our hotel. Sunset
overlooking the natural wonder that is Makhtesh Ramon.
Monday
July 15
Make the Desert Bloom?
● Optional (and awesome) dawn hike at Nahal Havarim.
● Return to the hotel for breakfast.
● Descend (by bus) deep into the Makhtesh and explore (on foot) some of its
wonders; learn how this geological marvel formed over millions of years.
● Visit the tomb of Israel’s founding Prime Minister David Ben Gurion
overlooking Nahal Tzin and examine his vision of “making the desert bloom”
● Head to the Yerucham "Development Town" for home hospitality lunch at the
homes of local residents*, many of whom are immigrants from North Africa and the
Middle East.
● Continue to Kfar HaNokdim Bedouin Ranch for a camel trek, Bedouin hospitality and
dinner.
● Head to nearby Arad for a few hours of sleep before our early morning departure to
Masada.
Tuesday
July 16
What Price Freedom?
● Pre-dawn hike via the Roman Ramp up to Masada where the last Jewish
fighters faced the mighty Roman Empire 2,000 years ago. After sunrise, tour
atop the mountain where we will examine the troubling issues presented by the
Massada story and archeology. Descend via the “Snake Path” or cable car.
● Breakfast at the Masada Visitors Center
● Relax and float in the Dead Sea
● At Qumran, learn about the diverse collection of texts known as the Dead
Sea Scrolls which date from the 3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE. Explore
Home
Hospitality
Lunch
Bedouin Dinner
Inbar Hotel
Arad
Dead Sea Lunch
Dinner at
Guest House
Guest House
Kibbutz Ein Gev
the diverse Jewish society of those centuries to better understand the shared
backdrop of early Christianity and post Temple Judaism
● Stop at the newly re-opened Quasr El Yahud Baptismal site at the Jordan
River, traditionally associated with the activities of John the Baptist and the
entry of Joshua & the tribes of Israel into Canaan
● Continue north through the Jordan River Valley. Check-in and dinner at our
Kibbutz Hotel on the shores of the Kineret. (Sea of Galilee)
Wednesday
July 17
Jesus of Nazareth
● Explore the Ministry of Jesus in the area of the ancient Jewish fishing villages around
the Sea of Galilee.
● Stop at the Mt of Beatitudes remembering the teachings of Jesus
Lunch on own
Dinner at
Guest House
● Visit Capernaum the home base of Jesus ministry.
● Visit the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, where Christian tradition
remembers the visit of the Angel Gabriel to Mary. Meet local Israeli Arab
Christians* and learn about the complex identity issues they face as
Guest House
Kibbutz Ein Gev
Arabs living as a minority amongst the Jewish majority in Israel and as Christians
amongst the Muslim majority in Nazareth.
● Continue to Bir El Maqsur * for home hospitality and to meet local residents
and community leaders. Learn about the challenges they face as
Muslim Arabs living as a minority amongst the Jewish majority in Israel.
● Return to our guest house for dinner and evening session
Thursday
July 18
Friday
July 19
Land of Borders
● Delve into the complex security and water issues on the Golan Heights, with a
nature hike at the headwaters of the Jordan River at the beautiful Tel Dan Nature
Reserve, which also incorporates the ancient Biblical City Dan.
● Stand at Israel’s border with Syria overlooking Mt. Hermon where some remember
the Transfiguration.
● Continue to the “mighty” Jordan River for a rafting adventure.
● Meet IDF soldiers* guarding Israel’s northern border dinner
● Head to Tiberias for dinner and to sail the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) as the Jewish
fisherman who became the disciples of Jesus did 2,000 years ago.
Rome & Jerusalem
● Ascend to Tzfat, and meet a Kabalistic artist in his studio for an
introduction to Jewish spirituality and its expression through art.
● Explore the narrow alleyways and synagogues of Tzfat and learn how the
mystical traditions that emerged in Tzfat 500 years ago continue to impact the
Jewish world.
● Time on your own for shopping and lunch.
● Travel through the Jezreel Valley (Valley of Armageddon)
● Visit the ancient Roman Aqueduct and capital at seaside Caesarea. Explore the
complex relationship between Biblical & Roman Pagan civilizations with a visit with to
Lunch on own
Tiberias Dinner
Guest House
Kibbutz Ein Gev
Lunch on own
Shabbat Dinner
at Guest House
Bet Shmuel
Guest House
Jerusalem
the Roman theater and remains of the palace where Paul might have been arraigned
before being sent to Rome for trial.
● Ascend to Jerusalem; celebrate our re-arrival with an overview of the city from
Hebrew University at Mt. Scopus
● Check-in at our Guest House
● In the early evening, head to the Old City and join thousands at the Kotel (Western
Wall) in welcoming the Sabbath with song, dance and Kabbalat Shabbat prayers OR
option to attend prayers at a local Synagogue
● Walk back to our guest house for Sabbath dinner.
Saturday
July 20
With S.Y. Agnon in Jerusalem
● Enjoy the special atmosphere of Shabbat in Jerusalem walking through the
streets of Central Jerusalem, using the writings of Nobel Prize Laureate
Shmuel Yosef Agnon as a guide, exploring the Jerusalem of over 100 years ago,
its differences and similarities to today.
● Lunch, afternoon, dinner and evening on your own to explore the city
Sunday
July 21
Rooted in the Land
● Briefing on current diplomatic and security issues
● Head to the multi-media Herzl Museum to learn about the father of Political Zionism
Theodor Herzl and his vision of a Jewish State.
● Lunch and shopping time on your in Jerusalem
Lunch & dinner
on your own
Bet Shmuel
Guest House
Jerusalem
Lunch on own
Farewell Dinner
● Visit the Israel Museum including the Model of Second Temple era
Jerusalem and the Shrine of the Book
● Later, at the Neot Kedumim Biblical Gardens, explore the intimate
connection between the Bible and the land.
● Final summary session and farewell dinner before heading to Ben Gurion
International Airport
Monday
July 22
1:10 AM departure from Ben Gurion International Airport on El Al flight #005 arriving
LAX 6:35 AM
- Program will be staffed by a Keshet tour educator.
- All breakfasts plus underlined meals are included in the package price.
* Subject to availability
This itinerary is proprietary to Keshet and is intended for the promotion of and to inform those considering joining
this Keshet trip. It is not to be transmitted to any other party without prior authorization from Keshet.