A Program of pilgrimage and discovery Israel-palestine Jordan 2019

ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE: SEPTEMBER 19 TO 30, 2019 JORDAN EXCURSION (OPTIONAL ADD-ON) OCTOBER 1-5, 2019

Facilitators:

The Rev. Dr. Richard LeSueur Nedal Junaidi, Specialist Guide

Itinerary Summary :

Jerusalem (5 nights) Sea of Galilee (4 nights) (3 nights) Petra (2 nights) Wadi Rum (1 night) Tel Aviv (1 night) 16 nights, 17 days ______

Accommodation: Contact Phone Numbers

Jerusalem Sept 19-24 Olive Tree Hotel, Jerusalem 23 St. George Street, Jerusalem Phone: +972 2-541-0410

Sea of Galilee Sept 24-28 Kibutz Ein Gev Phone: +972-4-665-9800

Jerusalem, Sept 28-30 Notre Dame Pilgrim Centre 3 HaTsanhanim Road, Jerusalem Phone: +972 2-627-9111

Petra, Jordan Oct 1-3 Petra Guest House, Jordan Wadi Musa, Petra Phone: +962 3 215 6266

Wadi Rum Oct 3-4 Milky Way Camp Wadi Rum, Jordan

Tel Aviv Oct 4-5 Leonardo Art Hotel, Tel Aviv Eliezer Peri Street 9 Phone: +972 3-521-1777

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Land Agency NETours Mount of Olive Road #17, Jerusalem Phone: +972 2-532-8720

Meals indicated B – breakfast / L – lunch / D – dinner

Modest Dress (M) Men : long pants or zip-ons to cover legs Women : knees, shoulders & elbows covered

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Thursday, Sept 19 Day 1 Arrival at Ben Gurion Olive Tree D You arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport and are transferred to Jerusalem for a restful first night. Check into Olive Tree Hotel 5:30pm Group reception and welcome 6:30pm Dinner

Friday, Sept 20 Day 2 Introducing Jerusalem & Bethlehem Olive Tree BLD The day begins with an orientation briefing over coffee. We then travel around the walls of the and onto the Mount of Olives to overlook the city. “Walk about Zion, go round about her, number her towers, consider well her ramparts, that you may tell generations yet to come.” Psalm.48:12,13 We then enter the Old City to pray at the place holiest to Jews, the Western Wall, and then ascend the monumental staircase that once led up into the Temple in the 1st century. For lunch we drive south of Jerusalem into Bethlehem where we pass through the “Wall of Separation” in order to pray in the Basilica of the Nativity. “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to your word. For my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people.” Nunc Dimitis – ancient liturgical text Luke 2:29-31 Briefing: Orientation to Pilgrimage / Geographical Context of Jesus’ Ministry Jerusalem: Journey Around the Walled City: Mt Scopus, Mt of Olives Western Wall (M) Archeological excavations south and west of the Haram (Ophel) Lunch: Tent Restaurant, Beit Shour Bethlehem: Basilica of the Nativity, Grotto of St. Jerome (M) Milk Grotto Road Hafrada Wall (“wall of separation”) & Walled-Off Hotel

Saturday, Sept 21 Day 3 The Judean Desert Olive Tree BLD The day begins with an early departure into the silence of the Judean wilderness with a visit to the Monastery of St George, Wadi Qelt. “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil and he fasted forty days and forty nights.” We drive down onto the Jericho plain to stop at the Jordan River near the place where John baptized. “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness.” Mark 1:2-3 After lunch at Qumran we visit the remains of the “Qumran community” and the region where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered. Wadi Qelt / meditation in the wilderness Overview St. George of Choziba Monastery (M) Jordan River: Baptismal site, Meditation and Renewal of Baptism Vows Qumran (Dead Sea Scroll discovery) lunch and visit the excavations Free time: Ibrahim’s Shop, Palestinian Pottery Shop Guest Speaker: The “Not-So-Holy-Land” of Contemporary Experience

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Sunday, Sept 22 Day 4 Day of Sabbath Olive Tree BLD Sunday worship is with Arabic Anglican congregation at the Cathedral Church of St. George the Martyr, or the setting of your choice. After lunch we drive across the city into West Jerusalem to the Israel Museum to visit the Dead Sea Scroll exhibit and a model of first century Jerusalem. Quieter morning St George Cathedral – worship at 9:30am Meeting the ‘living stones.’ Lunch: Askadinya Restaurant Israel Museum: Model of 1st c. Jerusalem, Dead Sea Scrolls 6:00 Briefing: Holy Sepulchre (group check-in) 7:00 Dinner

Monday, Sept 23 Day 5 The Way of Christ Olive Tree BLD We then walk the ancient “Way of the Cross” to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Time will be given for some shopping in the . Lunch is at a Lutheran pilgrim centre. In the afternoon we continue through the Arab souk, out the Damascus Gate to consider an example of a 1st century rolling- stone tomb “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed.” John 20:1 7:00am Departure for Devotional Pilgrimage “Way of the Cross” (via Herod’s Gate) Holy Sepulchre : Coptic & Ethiopian Community (M) Lunch: Marionite Convent Guest House Free afternoon: Shopping and exploring the Old City 5:00 Tea and discussion with the Dean Hosam Naoum, Cathedral of St George 7:00 Dinner . . and pack for the Galilee

From Jerusalem to Galilee

Tuesday, Sept 24 Day 6 Travel North to Galilee En Gev Kibbutz BLD We travel north to the pastoral region of the Galilee via the ancient coastal city of Caesarea Maritima. From the heights of Mount Carmel we overlook the Jezreel Valley and the hills which shelter Nazareth. We travel on to spend the next four nights on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. “Jesus came to the Sea of Galilee, and as he was walking along the shoreline he saw two casting their nets into the sea, and he said to them, ‘Follow me.’” Matthew 4:18-19 Caesaea Maritima Lunch at Port’s Café Caesarea Muhraqa – Mt. Carmel (M) Arrival at the Sea of Galilee Kibbutz En Gev

Wednesday, Sept 25 Day 7 Nazareth En Gev Kibbutz BLD The day begins at the recent excavations of what was once a vast city near Nazareth, and yet never mentioned in the Bible. From Sepphoris we raise more questions than answers as we journey back to Nazareth to visit its ancient churches and other subterranean discoveries. “(Sepphoris) the ornament of all Galilee.” Josephus A.J. 18:27 “They returned to their home town of Nazareth in Galilee. The child grew and became strong; he was full of wisdom and God's blessings were upon him” Luke 2:39 Sepphoris Nazareth : Church of Annunciation / Sisters of Nazareth Excavations (M) 4

Lunch in Nazareth (Awtar) Mount Tabor : Devotional on Mt of Transfiguration (M) 6:30 Dinner 7:30 Evening Group speaker: The Kibbutz: An Evolving Communal Way

Thursday, Sept 26 Day 8 The North Shore of the Lake En Gev Kibbutz BLD The day is spent on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee at Capernaum, Tabgha and on the sea. Lunch is at the Mount of Beatitudes overlooking the lake, followed by a boat cruise on the sea of Galilee. The afternoon ends with a quiet hillside walk and Communion service above the lake. “Jesus went out and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him .. and he told them many things.” Matthew 13.1-3 Capernaum, Tabgha, Mensa Christi, Mount of Beatitudes (M) Lunch at Beatitudes Magdala (village of Mary Magdalene) The Galilee Boat discovery Boat trip on the Sea of Galilee Late afternoon reflection on hillside

Friday, Sept 27 Day 9 Hula Valley & Upper Galilee En Gev Kibbutz BLD We travel north to the headwaters of the Jordan River below Mount Hermon, and the place of Peter’s pronouncement at Caesarea Philippi. Turning east we proceed up into the Golan past the fortress of Nimrud. Lunch is at a Druze Village. “Then Jesus asked, Who do you say I am? and Peter replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16.15 Tel Dan Caesarea Philippi / Banias Lunch – Birket Ram (Druze region) Free time back at the Sea of Galilee

From the Galilee to Jerusalem

Saturday. Sept 28 Day 10 Travel to Jerusalem via Samaria Notre Dame BLD We travel south through the central highlands of Samaria to Sychar / Nablus and an ancient well to consider a special meeting between a woman and Jesus. After lunch we continue south past Shiloh and Taybeh. “A Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, ‘Will you give me a drink?’ John 4:7 Jacob’s Well Taybeh Check into Notre Dame, 7:00 Dinner

Sunday, Sept 29 Day 11 Hope of Peace Notre Dame BD The day begins making a devotional walk along the route of Palm Sunday; from the Mount of Olives to Gethsemane. In the afternoon we make a solemn visit to the Holocaust Memorial. Palm Sunday devotional walk (M) Bethphage, Dominus Flevit, Gethsemane Lunch in Ben Yahuda Holocaust Memorial (Yad va Shem) 5:30 Guest Presentation: Kids4Peace: A Way of Hope Dinner

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Monday, Sept 30 Day 12 Jerusalem the Golden Notre Dame BD We begin the day with a visit the Haram esh Sharif (the Temple Mount) and places of Christian significance north of the Haram. After free time in the Old City we travel along the route to Emmaus for a special act of worship and thanksgiving. Haram esh Sharif (M) St Anne’s Lunch on their own. Abu Gosh (Emmaus) in a Crusader Church (M) Special dinner at Nafoura Restaurant, . . and pack for home / or for Jordan.

Tuesday, Oct 1 Day 13 Day of Flight Home or Optional Four Day Excursion to Jordan

Travel to Jordan and Petra Petra Guest House BLD Travel to the Allenby Bridge and cross into Jordan. We begin devotionally on the heights of Mount Nebo where Moses and the Israelites (at the end of the Exodus) overlooked the land so long awaited. We then drive south along the desert highway to our hotel in Petra. “Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho, and the

Lord showed him the whole land.” Deuteronomy 34:1 Cross border into Jordan Mount Nebo Lunch en route Travel (via Desert highway) to Wadi Musa

Overnight Petra Guest House in Wadi Musa

Wednesday, Oct 2 Day 14 The Rose Red City of Petra Petra Guest House BLD After a hearty breakfast we will walk down through the narrow gorge that leads to the spectacular rock- cut forms of the ancient city of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage site. A guided introduction to the city will be given and then free time to explore this once thriving city that was lost to Western civilization for hundreds of years. Petra full day site visit with guided tour. Lunch at Basin Restaurant - People return to the hotel when they feel ready.

Thursday, Oct 3 Day 15 The Wadi Rum Milky Way Camp BLD After a leisurely start we will leave Petra to travel south into the Wadi Rum where we will be met by jeeps and taken into the desert to explore various features of ancient Nebatean wall drawings and see spectacular rock and sand formations. Lunch will be in the desert, and a late afternoon camel ride. Jeeps will take us to our desert camp. Drive to Wadi Rum Jeeps desert exploration Lunch in the desert Quiet meditation in the desert Camel ride and jeeps to camp.

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Friday, Oct 4 Day 16 Return to Tel Aviv Leonardo Art Hotel BD In the morning we leave the Wadi Rum to cross the Aqaba-Eilat border back into Israel. We will stop for a Dead Sea “float” and visit to the ancient fortress-palace of Masada. We then continue on to Tel Aviv to prepare for our journey home. Border crossing into Israel Yotvata Masada Ein Bokak: “swim” in the Dead Sea. Travel to Tel Aviv via Arad Pack for home

Saturday, Oct 5 Day 17 Transfer to Ben Gurion B This morning we are taken to the airport for our return trip to Canada.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. ______

Pilgrimage is a distinctive approach to travel that aims to facilitate vivid engagement with a land, its peoples, and its ancient stories at a depth that can be called “soulful.” While all travel contains elements of tourism, pilgrimage is different in its intention, design, pacing, collective rituals, and the principles that underlie the day-to-day experience. It is also fun, playful and by grace, transformational.

Includes:  All land transportation on air-conditioned buses  Professional Guides  Hotels  Meals (including most lunches)  All entrance fees to museums and sites  All fees for guest lecturers and specialist guides  Luggage handling at hotels  All resource materials  All tips & gratuities

Does not include:  Air transportation to/from Israel  Travel insurance (recommended)  Beverages with meals  Two lunches (Israel) 7

Program Highlights: Ancient Jericho – Tel es Sultan Church of the Resurrection / Holy Sepulchre Bethlehem : Church of the Nativity Way of the Cross – A Devotional Walk Dead Sea Scrolls Western Wall – “Wailing Wall” Ancient City of David excavations Caesarea Maritima Capernaum Jordan River – baptismal site Sea of Galilee boat excursion Qumran and Masada Kibbutz Ein Gev Tel Dan Nature Reserve Nazareth Yad va Shem - Holocaust Memorial Dead Sea “swim” Druze village on the slopes of Mount Hermon Mount Tabor - Transfiguration Mediterranean Sea – Via Maris Petra – The Lost City Wadi Rum safari & night in the desert

Unique Features.

Many tour programs to Israel count the day of departure as the 1st day of the “tour” even if one is leaving on an 8:00pm flight. Pilgrim Routes Travel will only count the first day of the pilgrimage as the first day in the destination where meals and accommodation are being provided.

Many tour programs to Israel and Jordan do not provide lunches. Pilgrim Routes Travel seeks to eliminate the frequent request made of tour participants on common tour experiences to pay for a lunch, or pay for tips, or pay for an entrance fee, etc. At Pilgrim Routes we have found that people prefer an experience where the costs are all included as much as possible.

Therefore you will find in this program that,  all lunches are included, except for two lunches when people will be on their own with free time  all tips and gratuities are included. A “hat” will not be passed at the end of the trip with pressure to generate a tip for the guide and driver. All tips are included.  participants in this program will be given access to significant settings often not available to other tour groups or agencies due to a number of long-term relationships with Jewish, Muslim and Christian residents.

Flights: Pilgrim Routes used to provide group-flight arrangements but found participants prefer to make their own flight arrangements; applying various award programs with their preferred carriers, or arrange an early arrival in Tel Aviv in order to reduce the effects of jetlag, or plan a European stop-over on the way back, etc. Therefore, participants make their own flight and travel insurance arrangements.

Canon Dr. Richard LeSueur has led or facilitated more than 45 excursions through the biblical lands of Israel and Jordan over the past 30 years. A former Lecturer and Course Director with St George’s College, Jerusalem. He most recently served as the Dean of the College.

For more information please contact

The Rev. Dr. Richard LeSueur Pilgrim Routes Travel Inc. P.O. Box 8802 Canmore, Alberta Canada T1W 0C1

Email: [email protected]