Official Israel Tour Website

The official Israel Tour website is now live at http://www.briercrest.ca/israeltour/

Please go there for all the latest information on the tour!

Update

There are some exciting new developments in our plans for the Israel tour! First, I am happy to welcome professor Don Taylor as one of our trip organizers. Along with his expertise in the Old Testament, Don brings a lot of experience organizing overseas trips for Briercrest students. Both Don and I plan to travel to Israel with the group. I expect several other Briercrest community members will join us as well.

We have also confirmed that Yoni (Jon) Gerrish will be our tour guide once we arrive in Israel. Yoni is a licensed Israeli tour guide, and the Israel director of the Jerusalem Cornerstone Foundation (http://jerusalemcornerstone.org/), a Christian organization based in Jerusalem. Yoni comes highly recommended as a guide for academic trips designed for Christian colleges and seminaries.

The price for the trip will be around $4,000 CDN, with a $1,000 downpayment required by the end of September. The price includes airfare, all fees for our 12 day stay in Israel including room and half board (breakfast and dinner), all tips, bus transportation, and entrance fees. The final cost will depend on the strength of the Canadian dollar, final airfare prices, which won't be locked in until closer to the departure date, and the number of participants. (For every five additional participants the price will go down between $75-100 U.S.)

More information coming soon... (really!)

Plans for the Israel tour are coming along. We hope to have brochures with information on costs, deadlines and other details ready soon.

I apologize for the lack of updates over the last two months. My (lame) excuse: On November 14, the night of the Israel tour information meeting, I took my wife into the hospital. Our first child, Shoshana Abigail, was born just after 4:00 a.m. the next morning!

Israel Tour Information Meeting

Wednesday, November 14

Room 139, 6:15 p.m.

We will be talking about $, deadlines and, of course, the tour itself.

Briercrest Israel Tour: Tentative Itinerary (April 27-May 10, 2009)

Day 1 Mon Apr 27, 2009 – Depart Regina (flight details to be announced)

Day 2 Tue Apr 28 – Arrival and transfer to our hotel on the Mediterranean Sea (Overnight at Kibbutz Nahsholim at ancient Dor)

Day 3 Wed Apr 29 – CROSSROADS AND CONFLICTS

COASTAL PLAINS: After an Israeli-styled breakfast, we will explore the ancient Phoenician city of Dor where during temple times the murex snails and other shells were harvested for a special dye which colored the priestly garments. Afterwards we will follow one of the main land passages along the Eastern Mediterranean, which connected the super powers of the ancient world. One of our study themes will include trade and commerce from the days of Herod the Great and his seaport project at Caesarea. Here we will discuss some of the conflicts between Gentiles and Jews during the first centuries B.C. and A.D. We will reflect on the conversion of Cornelius (Acts 10) and the subsequent emergence of Christianity into the non-Jewish communities. Later we will travel to Mt. Carmel to consider Elijah and the prophets of Baal (I Kings 18). From here we will travel through the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo and Jezreel (the fortified city - I Kings 21:23). Our day will end with a scenic overview of the Sea of Galilee. (First of four nights on the Sea of Galilee at Kibbutz Nof Ginosar)

Day 4 Thu Apr 30 - TO THE SOURCES OF THE JORDAN RIVER

THE UPPER GALILEE and GOLAN: This morning we will journey to Israel’s border with Lebanon at the base of Mt. Hermon to enjoy the nature along the bountiful springs that form the upper Jordan River. Along the way we will explore the archaeological remains of Hazor (Josh 11:10-13) and Dan (1 Kings 12:25-33), where we will see the remnants of a temple site from the time of Jereboam. At the Banyas falls we will consider the words of Psalm 42, which lists several physical features and place names which remain to the present day. We will also give attention to the extent of Jesus’ ministry in this northern part of the country (Caesarea Philippi, Matt 16:13). At Nimrod’s Fortress we will enjoy a breathtaking overview of the Hula Valley and parts of south Lebanon and consider Jesus’ transfiguration, which likely took place somewhere in the foothills of Mt. Hermon above Caesarea Philippi. We will also take in perspectives of Syria from the heights of the Golan and time permitting we will finish this day with a visit to Gamla (often called the ‘Masada of the North’).

Day 5 Fri May 1 – STRINGING PEARLS WITH JESUS

AROUND THE SEA OF GALILEE: Today we will explore the deeper teachings of Jesus as he ministered around the lake. Sites will include: the region of Bethesda, Capernaum, the traditional Mt of Beatitudes, Tabgha, an ancient boat museum plus a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and more.

Day 6 Sat May 2 – THE BOYHOOD HOME OF JESUS

THE CENTRAL GALILEE: This morning we will begin with an overview from the top of Mt. Arbel as we travel towards Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus. We will also visit the nearby ruins of Sepphoris, once the capital of Herod Antipas’s Galilee, and the site of a prominent rabbinical community during the first centuries AD. This afternoon we will view some points of interest in the central Galilee mountain range. Time permitting we will visit the Baram synagogue.

Day 7 Sun May 3 – HIDING PLACES IN THE WILDERNESS

JORDAN VALLEY and DEAD SEA: After an early breakfast we will leave the Galilee and journey down the Jordan Valley towards the Dead Sea. Along the way we pause to view the excavations of Scythopolis, the capital of the Decapolis where we will experience an impressive Greco-Roman metropolis at the base of ancient Beit Shean where Saul and his sons were hanged on the city walls (1 Sam 31:8-12). Later we will view Qumran and discuss the important Dead Sea Scrolls which were found in nearby caves in 1947. At En Gedi we will view the region where David hid from Saul (1 Sam 24). We will finish this day at Masada, the imposing desert fortress palace built by Herod the Great in the southern Judean wilderness. (Overnight wilderness experience with camels)

Day 8 Mon May 4 - WELL DIGGERS and THE GREAT WILDERNESS

NORTHERN NEGEV: This morning we will get a glimpse at shepherding in the southern Judean hill country and northern Negev with a visit to ancient Arad (Num 21) to discuss many aspects of life during the early Bronze Age. Afterwards we will ponder the many facets of biblical rock and water imagery as we hike through the beautiful Zin Canyon (Num 20). Other sites will include Avdat, the principal farming center of the ancient Nabateans. (Overnight at Mitzpe Ramon)

Day 9 Tue May 5 - THE SHEPHELAH of JUDEA

WESTERN FOOTHILLS OF JUDEA: We will begin this morning with a breathtaking overview of the Ramon Crater, which is on the edge of the Paran wilderness region where the spies were sent out (Num 13). From here we will travel north to Be’er Sheva, where Abraham and Isaac made treaties with Abimelech (Gen 20-26). Afterwards we will continue into the Shephelah of Judea (lower western foothills) with a journey through ancient Philistine country along the coastal plains near Gath and Ekron. We will visit the Elah Valley where David and Goliath met in battle (1 Sam 17), and ancient Beit Shemesh, near the home of Samson. Afterwards we will ascend up to Jerusalem. Time permitting we will also view Tel Maresha at Beit Guvrin (also known as Eleutheropolis in the first centuries AD).

Day 10 Wed May 6 - THE ENVIRONS OF JERUSALEM

Today we will journey along some of the scenic heights of the Judean hill country to gain perspectives of important approaches to Jerusalem during biblical times. We will view the Central Benjamin Plateau to the north and ridge routes to Jericho as well as the area of Bethlehem to the south. Later at the Israel Museum we will view some of the Dead Sea Scrolls on display as well as a model of Jerusalem from the Second Temple period (New Testament times). Other sites to include are the Herodium near Bethlehem and Yad ve Shem (Holocaust Memorial).

Day 11 Thu May 7 - JERUSALEM THE HOLY

Today we will consider some of the most important historic and religious sites to Jews, Muslims and Christians. We will begin our day at the famous Western Wall, which is an open-air synagogue for the modern Jewish community. Afterwards we will ascend the nearby Temple Mount of Herod the Great, now also a sacred site for Muslims. From here we will walk along the traditional Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the prize of orthodox Christianity. Sites along this way will include the pools of Beit Zaita (John 5), and some existing portions of the Antonio fortress of Herod the Great.

Day 12 Fri May 8 - JERUSALEM THAT JESUS KNEW

During our journey today inside the walled Old City and its enchanting quarters we will inspect several important archaeological sites from Jesus’ day. One of these will be a wealthy high priest’s home (possibly the house of Caiaphas). We will conclude our day at the exciting Southern Wall Excavations (or Ophel Gardens), where some key New Testament passages are easily reconstructed. Time permitting we will also cool ourselves in Hezekiah’s Tunnel underneath the original City of David. Our afternoon will conclude with a time of reflection in the beautiful Garden Tomb.

Day 13 Sat May 9 - FREE DAY FOR REST AND SHOPPING

Day 14 Sun May 10 - DEPARTURE

Briercrest Israel Tour 2009

Plans are going ahead for a two-week tour of Israel in May 2009. The tour will be open to current students as well as alumni.

I will post a draft itinerary when I hear back from our tour operator in Israel. What I have seen is VERY exciting!

Update: Itinerary posted here.

A Possible Itinerary (April 28-May 11, 2008)

I am waiting for price quotes from a couple reputable tour companies based on the following sample itinerary. This is at least an idea of what the trip might look like. In future posts, I'll explain why these places are worth visiting. Stay tuned!

Day 1 – Depart Toronto for Tel Aviv (students will need to arrange for their own travel from Regina to Toronto) [I understand it is a lot cheaper to fly from Toronto. Otherwise a flight from Regina or even Calgary would be more convenient.]

Day 2 – Arrival and transfer to hotel in the Tel Aviv area.

Day 3 – The coastal plains from Tel Aviv to Tiberias

• Possible sites to include:
• Caesarea
• Mt. Carmel
• Dor
  
• Tel Megiddo
• Nazareth and Nazareth Village
  

Days 4-6 – Sea of Galilee, upper Galilee and the Golan Heights (nights at a Kibbutz hotel in the Sea of Galilee area).

• Possible sites to include:
• Mount Bental bunker
• Banias
• Tel Dan
• Baram
• Tel Hatzor
• Capernaum
• Mt. of Beatitudes
• Tabgha
• “St. Peter’s Boat” at Ginosar
• Bethsaida (Et Tell)
• Tiberias
  
• Gamla
  
• Arbel Cliffs
• Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee
• Cana
  
• Tzipori (Sepphoris)

Days 7-8 – Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, Judean Wilderness

• Possible sites to include:
• Beit Shean
• Qumran (including hike to cave 1)
• Ein Gedi
• Dead Sea swim
• Masada

Day 9 – The Negev, etc.

• Possible sites to include:
• Tel Arad
• Beer Sheva
• Machtesh Ramon
• Lachish
• Beit Guvrin/ Tel Maresha
• Ashkelon

Day 10 – The Vicinity of Jerusalem

• Possible sites to include:
• Viewpoints on the Judean hill country including the Benjamin plateau and the Shephelah.
• Bethlehem
• Herodium
• Mt. of Olives
• Mt. Scopus
• Yad ve Shem
• Model of Jerusalem

Day 11 – Jerusalem #1

• Possible sites to include:
• Western Wall
• Temple Mount
• Via Dolorosa
• Church of the Holy Sepulcher
• Garden Tomb

Day 12 – Day off in Jerusalem

Day 13 – Jerusalem #2

• Possible sites to include:
• Jewish quarter excavations (high priest’s home)
• Southern Wall excavations
• Western Wall Tunnel
• Hezekiah’s Tunnel
• City of David

Day 14 – Departure for Toronto