Itinerary

DATE

LOCATION

ACTIVITY

Tribe

Pre-day 1
Wednesday

St Louis
Area

Day 1
Thursday
One day of the Palestinian Tribe

En route

Students arrive at airport by 11:30 for a noon check-in
Depart St Louis layover in Detroit

Day 2
Friday
Start of the Jordanian Tribe

Amman

Layover in Paris
Arrive Amman
Bus to hotel; lite snack in the lobby and then to bed

Day 3
Saturday

Amman

AM: City Tour starting at the Jordan Museum
Mid-Day: The Roman Theater, Citadel Archaeological Museum
PM: Explore the Souk Area
Debrief the day; field journal

Day 4
Sunday

Amman

AM: Amal ou Salam School
PM: Jerash
Debrief the day; field journal
Church Readers are Luke and Brittany; Camille solo

Day 5
Monday

Amman

AM: Mabada tour, including Mosaic Church
PM: Explore and hike around the Mount Nebo area; dinner on your own in Amman
Debrief the day; field journal

Day 6
Tuesday

Petra

All day hiking and exploring in the Dana Nature Reserve Biosphere
Late PM: arrive at Bedouin Camp and explore followed by sunset, dinner and music with dancing
Debrief the day; field journal

Day 7
Wednesday

Petra

All day hiking and exploring Petra; Petra by Nite event
Debrief the day; field journal
Church Reader is Mesa

Day 8
Thursday

Petra

All day hiking and exploring Wadi Rum on camel, then by jeep and hiking until the sun sets; music and dancing event after dinner in Petra followed by retiring to your homestay

Day 9
Friday

Aqaba

AM:  Depart Petra area and explore Aqaba Tala Bay including a ride on a glass boat to explore the Red Sea
PM:  Aqaba Souk area / free time; dinner on your own in Aqaba Tala Bay Debrief the day; field journal

Day 10
Saturday
Start of the Ultra-Orthodox Tribe

Jerusalem

Day 11
Sunday

Jerusalem

Breakfast and prep for the d
ay; we will have a guide and bus
Yad Vashem
Israel Museum including lunch
Meet with Family Forum
Dinner
Debrief the day; church service
Church Readers are Will and Hannah; Barry solo

Day 12

Jerusalem

Breakfast at hotel and prep for the day; we will walk all day today and will have two guides with us
Explore the Old City of Jerusalem on foot, visiting al Aqsa Mosque, the Western Wall, and the Muslim Quarter
Meet the Imam of Al-Aqsa mosque on site
VR at the Kotel (split in 2 groups of 11)
We will talk about ancient and modern history, archeology, and politics
Lunch in the Old City
Garden tomb visit and private area for readings and reflection
Ma’alle film school
Dinner at hotel
Debrief the day; field journal

Day 13
Tuesday

Jerusalem

Breakfast at hotel and prep for the day; we will have two guides with us today on our bus
Today we explore the Via Delarosa route and walk from Gethsemane (including the tombs, time permitting) all the way to the Holy Sepulcher Church making stops at some of the 14 stations and at the Pool of Bethesda.
City of David (including the dry tunnel)
Visit Silwan and residents opposed to the dig
Dinner at hotel
Debrief the day; Testimony Meeting
Church reader is Camille

Day 14
Wednesday

Jerusalem

Breakfast at hotel and prep for the day; travel by bus with one guide
Depart to Masada (1.5 hour’s drive)
Hike up Masada (Usually takes an hour each way)
Hike Ein Gedi
Lunch included on Trail
Visit Qumran shortly
Enjoy some time floating at the Dead Sea
Return to Jerusalem
Dinner at hotel
Debrief the day and field journal
Note: Janessa Gans Wilder, CEO of the Euphrates Institute will join our group for the next week

Day 15
Thursday

Jerusalem

Breakfast at hotel and prep for the day; we will be walking all day today accompanied by two guides; Janessa to introduce the academic content of the day
Head to the Mount of Olives, have an overview of the city of Jerusalem
Afterwards, have a geo-political tour of Jerusalem, visiting some of the main sites in Jerusalem that are contentious
Lunch at East Jerusalem
Meet with Rabbi Daniel Roth, A professor of Religion and Conflict resolution
Visit Kids for Peace, an interfaith peace organization (Including peer meet)
Dinner at the house of Palestinian family in East Jerusalem; followed by debrief led by Janessa, sharing your plan for tomorrow’s ‘Jerusalem is Your Teacher’

Day 16
Friday

Jerusalem

Breakfast at the hotel when you wake up
“Jerusalem is Your Teacher” and free time until Shabbat dinner
Shabbat dinner with Jewish Families
Debrief and field journaling led by Janessa

Day 17
Saturday
Start of the Palestinian Tribe

Jerusalem

Breakfast at hotel and prep for the day; Janessa to introduce the academics for the day; we will have a guide with us along with a bus
Travel to Jericho (About an hour – 1.5 hour’s drive)
Visit Tel Jericho and the temptation monastery
Meet with a local resident of Jericho
Meet with Eco Peace at Ouja followed by a short hike and free time
Dinner at hotel
Debrief and field journaling led by Janessa

Day 18
Sunday

Bethlehem

Breakfast and church service; prep for the day and academics introduced by Janessa; we will have a bus and two guides
Continue to Ramallah, after lunch, take a walking tour in Ramallah and talk to locals. (About an hour – 1.5 hours drive)
Tomb of Arafat visit & talk with government official at the Mukataa
Note: this may be replaced with having ice cream with some students as arranged by Janessa
Meet with Sam Bahour, a well-known Palestinian businessman and activist
Drive to Bethlehem while debriefing the day led by Janessa
Dinner with host families
Evening time to journal using prompt from Janessa
Church Readers are Matthew and Sarah; Mesa solo

Day 19
Monday

Bethlehem

Breakfast with host family
Gathering together & group prep for the day; Janessa introduces academics; we will have a guide and bus
President Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb at Dar Al-Kalima University
        (or, if he’s not available, Vice President Dr. Nuha Khoury)
Meeting with Holy Land Trust Staff
         (ideally with Sami Awad if he is available)
Lunch at Afteem restaurant at Manger Square
Nativity Church followed by a walk around the Manger Square
Aida refugee camp and Dr Abdelfattah Abusrour at Alrowwad
Debrief and field journaling led by Janessa
Dinner with host families

Day 20
Tuesday

Tel Aviv
Beit Immanuel

Breakfast with host family and prep for the day; Janessa will introduce the academics; we will have a guide and bus
This morning, visit Wadi Fukin, a village outside Bethlehem and learn about Area C which covers 60% of the West Bank and the challenges its residents face but also learn about Wadi Fukin cooperation with Zur Hadasa, an Israeli town. (About 40 Min – 1 hour drive)
Visit Neot Kdumim for a short guided tour of the place (1 hour drive)
In the afternoon, travel to Tel Aviv for a Graffiti tour (30-40 min drive)
Dinner in Tel Aviv followed by a debrief led by Janessa

Day 21
Wednesday

Tel Aviv

Breakfast at the hotel and prep for the day; academic subject preparation by Janessa; we will be walking today with a guide
This morning we learn about the birth of Tel Aviv. Visit Nave Zedek, the first Neighborhood of Tel Aviv, and then we continue to the Diaspora Museum, ending the day at Rabin Sq.
Free afternoon in Tel Aviv, which must include one “Humans of Tel Aviv” interview
Dinner at hotel
In the evening meet with Dahlia Scheindlin, a well-known public opinion expert in Israel
Debrief and field journaling led by Janessa

Day 22
Thursday

Sea of Galilee

Breakfast at the hotel and prep for the day (dress modestly for the Basilica of the Transfiguration); we will have a guide and bus
Head towards Nazareth (2 hour drive)
Nazareth Village Tour followed by traditional first century meal at Nazareth Village (please schedule a tour and meal in advance thru Nazareth Village)
Visit the Basilica of Annunciation and, if time, walk in the market
Drive to Sepphoris (Zippori National Park; 35 minute drive)
Visit Sepphoris where Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi edited the Mishna and see the mosaics in the synagogue and the “Mona Lisa of the Galilee” (last entry at 3; park closes at 4)
Drive to Mount Tabor (45 minute drive), the traditional site of Jesus’s transfiguration and of Deborah’s defeat of the Canaanites
In the Franciscan Monastery at Mt. Tabor (which close at 5), visit the Basilica of the Transfiguration and look out at the Jezreel Valley from the viewing platform (“up to the right from the entrance to the church”)—one of the best views in Israel (like Mt. Nebo)—don’t spend much time in the church—spend most time in the viewing platform
Drive to guest house (20 min drive)
Dinner at hotel
CS Church service
Debrief the day and field journal
Church Reader is Alex

Day 23
Friday
Start of the Secular Tribe

Sea of Galilee

Breakfast at the hotel and prep for the day; there will be a guide and bus
Today we visit Kibbutz Misgav Am and we learn about the Kibbutz movement and its role in creating the state of Israel. (1.5 hour drive)
Visit Tel Dan Nature Reserve
Visit Banias (Including snacks)
Lunch at Druze village
Visit Mt. Bental
In the evening have a Shabbat dinner at the hotel including a discussion about the Jewish Shabbat with guide.
Debrief the day and field journal

Day 24
Saturday

Sea of Galilee

Breakfast at the hotel and prep for the day; bus and a guide
Drive to Gamla Nature Reserve
3 hours and 30 minutes to explore what interests you at the Gamla Nature Reserve
Depart Gamla
Lunch and drive back to guest house
Writing session at guest house
Free time to continue writing, relax, explore, do laundry…
Dinner at the hotel
Debrief the day and time to write essays

Day 25
Sunday

Sea of Galilee

Breakfast at the hotel and prep for day; we will have a bus and a guide with us today
Start the day hiking Mt. Arbel (30 Min drive) – including church service
Lunch in Tiberias
Half day Peace Building workshop at hotel
Dinner at the hotel followed by debrief the day and field journaling
Church Readers are Peter and Adrianna; Camille solo

Day 26
Monday

Sea of Galilee

Breakfast at the hotel and prep for day; we will have a bus and a guide with us.
Today we explore the sites around the Sea of Galilee.
Starting at Capernaum, known as the town where Jesus stayed during his ministry, then continue to Tabgha and the Mt. of Beatitudes. (40 Min drive)
Lunch over the Sea of Galilee
In the afternoon, take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.
Dinner at the hotel
Debrief the day and field journal

Day 27
Tuesday

Sea of Galilee

Breakfast at the hotel and prep for day; we will be accompanied by a guide and have a bus
Drive to Bethsaida (Beit Tsaida Azchi Reserve)—30 minute drive
Visit Bethsaida
Drive to Ginosar Museum (20 minutes)
Visit the ancient boat at Ginosar Museum
Lunch
Church Service on the shore of the Sea of Galilee
Window to finish academic work
Dinner at the hotel
Debrief the day and field journal
Church Reader is Kevin

Day 28
Wednesday

Tel Aviv
Beit Immanuel

Breakfast at the hotel and prep for day; guide and bus
We’ll begin the day driving from guest house to Muhraka (“the Scorching”) on Mt. Carmel
Visit Muhraka (“the Scorching”) on Mt. Carmel, the traditional site of Elijah’s confrontation with the Baal prophets.
Drive to the Baha’I Gardens
Visit the Baha’I Gardens
Lunch in Haifa
Drive to Caesarea Maritima
Visit the ancient city of Caesarea Maritima, explore the site where St. Paul was held prisoner and learn about the city’s Roman, Crusade, Muslim, and Jewish eras. (if time permits)
Start our way to Tel Aviv
Dinner at the hotel
Debrief the day; time to work on final field journal assignment

Day 29
Thursday

Tel Aviv

Breakfast at the hotel and prep for day; bus and guide
We will also visit a joint kindergarten run by a Sufi Imam and his Jewish wife
Today we start our tour from Jaffa, we learn about the town’s 4000 years of history, we walk around the different parts of Old Jaffa and visit St. Peter Church.
Lunch at Jaffa and free time to explore the shuk area.
Free afternoon in Jaffa/Tel-Aviv
Dinner at hotel followed by a farewell session with guide and course evaluations

Day 30
Friday

Elsah
Campus housing

Early Breakfast at the hotel (Coffee/tea & Cake/cookies/fruit)
Group bus transfer to airport (40 Min – 1 hour drive)
Arrive at airport for check-in
Depart Tel Aviv; arrive St Louis
Vans from airport to campus; overnight on campus in own dorm