Sabeel-Tree of Life Journey, April 11 - 21

SABEEL - TREE OF LIFE JOURNEY 2013

”CAN ANYTHING GOOD COME OUT OF NAZARETH?”
”COME AND SEE!”

When Philip tried to encourage Nathaniel to follow Jesus, Nathaniel said disparagingly and maybe with prejudice, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Too often people dismiss the Land of Promise, saying, "Can anything good come out of that place that has known so much war and conflict?" Wisely, Philip said to Nathanel, "Come and See." (John 1: 43-46)

In this journey we hope to find an answer to that question in the remarkable voices of conscience -- Muslim, Jewish and Christian -- with whom we will meet, and so come and see for yourself whether or not anything good can come out of that troubled land.

To Israel and Palestine
April 11-21

Extension to Jordan
April 21-25 (26)

This is a rough sketch of the kinds of activities and visits we hope to include in our journey. Some of the activities listed below may not be possible on the days in which they are listed, but this will give an idea of the kind of itinerary we will establish. While some will have to return earlier, for others there will be the opportunity to stay for the extension tour of Petra, Wadi Rum and Aqaba in Jordan.

Thursday, April 11, 2013: Depart from JFK

Friday, April 12: Arrive in Tel Aviv. Check into Paradise Hotel http://www.paradisebethlehem.com/ in Bethlehem

Sat. April 13: At 9am visit Shepherd’s Field School, an Orthodox school in Beit Sahour to meet with George Saadah and the students and Tamer and his music students. Lunch at Falafel place in Beit-Sahour. Visit to the water well with Jane Hillal of the Alternative Research Institute and Imad Atrash from Palestine Wildlife Society. Visit a shepherd family living in the caves. Overnight with host families in Beit Sahour or Paradise Hotel.

Sunday April 14 . Attend Worship Service with Host Families. Afternoon, visit Church of Nativity, Shepherds Field and other sacred places in and around Bethlehem with host families. 6:00pm Candle light services at the Shepherd field cave with host families. 7:30 pm Dinner and meeting Rami Elhanan from the Parent’s Circle. Overnight at Paradise Hotel.

Monday April 15: 9:00 AM Visit Bethlehem University to meet with students and faculty. Early lunch at Bethlehem University with school of Hotel Management. After lunch visit Tent of Nations and plant olive trees. Dinner with Host Families at Tent Restaurant in Beit Sahour with Debka dances performed by local youth. Overnight at Paradise Hotel.

Tuesday April 16: Early departure from hotel to visit Hebron with the Christian Peacemaker Team at 9 AM and South Hebron Hills with Yehuda Shaul of Breaking the Silence. Visit glass factory in Hebron. Meet with Prof. Oren Yiftachel to tour Palestinian village that was depopulated with residents forced to leave their village and homes as.the settlers are building a new Settlement on the top of the village. Evening meeting with Sahar Vardi of American Friends Service Committee Overnight at Paradise hotel

Wednesday, April 17: Early departure for Nazareth and Sea of Galilee. Visit Hand-In-Hand Schools (one hour and half). Visit the Baptism site on the Jordan River. Visit Nazareth Academic Institute founded by Abuna Elias Chacour. Meet with Muslim leaders from Nazareth. In afternoon, visit Mar Elias to meet with Abuna Elias Chacour.. Visit with Bishop Giocento Boulos Marcuzzo in Nazareth. Overnight at Ein Gev on Sea of Galilee http://www.eingev.com/

Thursday April 18 Morning service on the Mt. Of Beatitudes, visit Capernaum, and then travel to the north to meet with Prof. Oren Yiftachel’s father at the Kibbutz. This will be an opportunity to learn more about the Kibbutzim movement. Travel to the Golan Heights to meet Dr Taiseer Maray from “Golan for Development” Overnight at Golden Walls Hotel in Jerusalem, near the Damascus Gate. http://www.tulipinnjerusalem.com/

Friday April 19 Early Departure, Visit Taybeh and meet with Maria Khoury. Return to Jerusalem to Meet with Naim Ateek of Sabeel at Sabeel offices in Jerusalem. Visit sacred sites in Jerusalem including Garden of Gethsemane, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Western Wall, and Al Aqsa Mosque . Free time in Jerusalem until 6 PM. Dinner and after dinner meeting with Jeff Halper of Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions Overnight at Golden Walls Hotel in Jerusalem

Saturday April 20: Visit Jericho, stopping by informal Palestinian settlement in E1. Visit Dead Sea, Hishom’s Palace with Tiyospaye meetings at base of “Mt. of Temptation” or at Dead Sea. Early supper to say farewell to those flying back home and overnight in Golden Walls Hotel in Jerusalem.

Return Flight will be in the morning of April 21st.

The rest of the group will continue to Jordan

Extension to Jordan

Visit to Jerash, Petra, Wadi Ram and Aqaba April 21-25 – 5 days, 4 nights

Sunday April 21: Cross King Hussein Bridge to visit Jerash and Madaba and then continue on to Petra. Overnight in hotel at entrance to ancient city of Petra www.moevenpick-hotels.com

Monday April 22: Full day visit in Petra Overnight in Moevenpick Hotel

Tuesday April 23: Petra to Wadi Rum. 2 hour jeep ride Overnight in Bedouin Camp
www.jordantracks.com

Wednesday April 24 Wadi Rum to Aqaba Overnight in Marina Plaza Hotel http://www.marinaplazahotel.com/

Thursday April 25th Aqaba to Amman (Return flight will be very early on the morning of the 26th)

Land Expenses for Israel-Palestine Only

$2390 for double room
$2855 for a single room

Land Expenses for Israel, Palestine and Jordan Extension

$3575 for a double room
$4345 for a single room

For further information and to apply, please send email message to:

fccol@snet.net or davidwgood@snet.net

The Tree of Life Educational Fund (a 501c3 non-profit) is a ministry initiated and supported by The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, Connecticut. Further information can be found on the website, www.tolef.org