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 Participants in this tour will explore the religious diversity and cultural richness of Israel and Palestine. We will investigate holy sites, listen to devotees, observe religious practices, delve into group beliefs and values, and ponder the religious experiences of the peoples of Israel and Palestine. Special attention will be given to the diversity of Jewish life, the vibrancy of Islam, and a selection of the indigenous Christian communities of Israel and Palestine. How have such lusciously flowered religions survived, adapted, and blossomed in the ‘desert’?
Religious Diversity in Israel and Palestine, June 11-26, 2010 Tour Purposes:
1. To discover the religious diversity in Israel and Palestine (I/P)
2. To explore the impact of the I/P conflict on religious practice and devotion.
3. To consider the religious resources for a just resolution to the conflict in I/P. Inter-religious and Inter-cultural Exploration of the Holy Lands is not a religious pilgrimage–although our time in Israel and Palestine may be profoundly spiritual. It is not a political fact-finding mission–although everything is political in Palestine and the State of Israel. And it is definitely not traditional tourism–although we will swim in the Dead Sea; shop in the Old City; munch on Arabic salad; and devour falafel. We will visit Yad Vashem and the Wailing Wall, Mt. Olives, and Mt. Gerizim; marvel at the Harem al Sharif’s Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosques; meet a “good Samaritan”; fall silent at the burial site of the Patriarchs; gaze at the birth and burial sites of Jesus; admire the mosque and the wisdom of Omar; eat fish from the Sea of Galilee; weep at the Valley of Tears; and celebrate life. Intended Participants:
1. Anyone interested in the interculturalism and religious diversity of the Druze, Jews, Muslims, Christians, Samaritans, and Bahá’í;
2. Those who are concerned for the peace and welfare of Israelis and Palestinians;
3. Individuals; couples; teachers and students; and families—parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and teenagers;
4. All who are interested in learning, changing their minds, and changing the world, from youth to senior citizen in good health sufficient to endure high temperatures, long bus rides, and extensive walking on uneven pavements and rough paths. American Tour Leader
Dr. Paul Parker has been a professor at Elmhurst College (Elmhurst, Illinois) since 1987 where he teaches courses in Christian social ethics, world religions, and religion in America. Paul is a passionate advocate for religious pluralism and regularly leads university students overseas to study the religions of India, Turkey, and Jordan. You may contact Dr. Parker by phone (630-617-3559), email (
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), or the U.S. Post at: Elmhurst College, 190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst, IL 60126. Dr. Pauline M. Coffman studied in Beirut as an undergraduate and has returned many times since then to visit and to lead traveling seminars to Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Israel/Palestine (sponsored by the Middle East Task Force of Chicago Presbytery.) She has held administrative positions with McCormick Theological Seminary and North Park University, and is active in the Israel Palestine Mission Network and the Syria Lebanon Network of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. Itinerary (subject to change)
Friday, June 11
Depart USA Saturday, June 12
Jerusalem Sunday, June 13
Observe Christian worship in the Old City.
Visit the Wailing Wall; Harem al-Sharif; and Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Monday, June 14
Visit Yad Vashem and the Sabeel Ecumenical Center for Liberation Theology. Tuesday, June 15
Meet Jewish groups and individuals such as the ultra orthodox (haredim); the Eda Haredit; settlers; peace activists; and secular Jews. Wednesday, June 16
Swim in the Dead Sea. Thursday, June 17
In Bethlehem, walk to “the Wall” and go through a check-point with Palestinians.
Visit Rachel’s Tomb; the grand Mosque of Omar in Bethlehem and the first mosque of Omar outside Bethlehem; Church of the Nativity; and Bethlehem University. Friday, June 18
Visit the Greek Catholic Church of Bethlehem and the Greek Orthodox Church of Beit Jala.
Visit a refugee camp.
Visit a settlement. Saturday, June 19
In Hebron, visit the Tomb of the Patriarchs; the glass factory; and Islamic Charitable Society. Sunday, June 20
Observe worship in Ramallah and visit representatives of Christian groups.
Visit al the Mukata and the Edward Said Conservatory for Palestinian music. Monday, June 21
In Nablus, visit the Samaritan museum on Mt. Gerizim; Joseph’s Tomb; the Greek Catholic Church; and take a walking tour of Old Nablus. Tuesday, June 22
In the Golan Heights visit the Druze village of Majdal Shams and the Druze human rights organization, al Marsad.
Visit the “Valley of Tears.”
In Nazareth, visit the Church of the Annunciation and local Muslim activists. Wednesday, June 23
In Ibilin, visit Mar Elias Educational Institution.
Visit Druze village, Daliyat el-Carmel and its recently renovated (2008) mosque. Thursday, June 24
Explore Haifa’s Bahai Gardens and Bab’s memorial in Acer. Friday, June 25
In Tel Aviv, visit of the Holon Samaritans, and then free time for the beach or to visit the Maronites, Coptics, or attend Shabbat services at a local synagogue. Saturday, June 26
1:00 a.m. Departure
Arrive in Chicago, Saturday afternoon Cost: The price per person is: $2100 US Dollars
The price include the following:
1- All accommodation in double room on H/B basis (breakfast and dinner included)
2- All transportation, per itinerary
3- All entrance fees, per itinerary
4- All activities mentioned above
5- English speaking tour guide The Price does not include the following:
1- Any other service not described above
2- Tips
3- All lunches
4- Individual airport transfers , and flight tickets Communication :-
The Inter Religious and Inter cultural Exploration is being organized by Siraj Center . Please contact us if you need further information. Dr. Parker by phone (630-617-3559), email (
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), or the U.S. Post at: Elmhurst College, 190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst, IL 60126.
Iliana Awwad
Siraj Center
program coordinator
Email:
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Phone: +970 2 274 8590
For more information about the program, visit our websites: http://www.sirajcenter.org Download the Registration Form here |
