Itinerary Overview – Semester in Israel, Palestine, Egypt & Jordan
August 27-31: Orientation at EMU
- Review of history in the region
- Discussion of the book The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan
- 9 hours of Arabic and Hebrew language
- Preparation for group life and travel
- Preparation to listen to multiple narratives, nonviolence and peacebuilding
September 1-6 Tel Aviv, Haifa, Akko, Jericho with Elad Vezana&Alaa’ Hamdan
- History and walking tour of Jaffa on 5000 year history
- History and walking tour of Tel Aviv and Zionism
- Visit Zochrot educational tour of Arab history and villages, and the Nakba
- Visit Peres Center for Peace
- Visit Beit Hagefen Jewish-Arab Center in Haifa
- Tour of Jericho
September 7-22 Arava Institute for Environmental Studies/Kibbutz Ketura
- Live on Kibbutz Ketura and learn about the kibbutz movement
- Study environmental peacebuilding, experimental orchards, green building, solar energy, biogas, water management, and other topics with Israeli, Palestinian and Jordanian professors
- 9 hours of Hebrew language
- Lectures on Judaism, Zionism and the Environment
- Desert Spirituality Workshops
- Snorkeling in the Red Sea in Eilat
September 23-October 13 Bethlehem with Holy Land Trust
- Live with Palestinian families
- Community work for students in Palestinian organizations
- Lectures on occupation, the wall, settlements, Christian Zionism, Palestinian politics, Christian-Muslim relations, Islam, poetry and music
- 15 hours of Arabic language training
- Day trip to visit Gaza border with speakers from Gaza and Bedouins
- Day trip to Hebron
October 13-18 Hike the Jesus Trail
- Hike from Nazareth to Capernaum with tours and overnights in Nazareth, Cana, Ilaniya and Capernaum
- Discussion of Biblical history and Christianity in context
October 18-19 Golan Heights with Elad Vezana & Alaa’ Hamdan
- Meals and dialogue with Druze families in Majdal Shams
- Visit border with Syria and learn history of the Golan Heights
- Visit Nimrod Fortress from crusader history
- Visit Bania Springs park
October 20-23 Jenin, Sebastia, Nablus and Ramallah with Elad & Alaa’
- Visit Jenin refugee camp and Freedom Theatre
- Visit the mosque in Jenin and learn from local Islamic leaders
- Bike from Jenin to Sebastia to Nablus with Siraj Tour guides
- Tour Nablus and its Samaritan community
- Tour Ramallah
- Visit Qalandia refugee camp and eat dinner with Muslim families
October 23-31 Tent of Nations
- Pick olives and learn from the Nassar family about their sustainable farm, their philosophy and the surrounding settlements
October 31-November 7 Fall Break/Individual Travel
November 7-16 and 19-22 Jerusalem
- 3 Religions: Dome of the Rock, Western Wall, Church of Holy Sepulcher
- Understand history of people living in Jerusalem
- Visit East Jerusalem, Shu’fat refugee camp and tour with Ir Amin
- Visit peace and human rights organizations to understand their work
- Understanding one state and two state options in 2017
- Understanding the history of Christian-Jewish Relations and anti-Semitism with Bat Kol Institute’s Sister Maureena Fritz
- 6 hours of Hebrew language
- Free time to explore Jerusalem arts and culture
- Visit Israeli Supreme Court
- Visit Yad Vashem and meet families of holocaust survivors
November 17-19 Hike Abraham Path
- Hike through desertfrom Arad to Masada
- Visit Dead Sea and Ein Gedi
November 23-25 Visit Israeli Settlement at Efrat
- Stay with host families and see life in a Jewish settlement
- Have a dialogue with Israeli Defense Forces
- Learn about dialogues between settlers and Palestinians
November 26-27 Neve Shalom
- Tour community and learn history of Neve Shalom
- Debrief on learning in Palestine and Israel
- Rest and process the experience in Israel and Palestine
November 28-December 11 Jordan and Egypt
- Spend 3 days with Bedouins at Wadi Rum and Petra
- Spend 7 days in Amman, visiting refugee camps and peace organizations
- Spend 3 days in Cairo
Lisa Schirch 