|
 13 June 2010 – 09 August 2010
June 13th – July 11th 2010 (first month)
July 12th – August 09th 2010 (second month)
Come and celebrate Palestine! The Palestinian Summer Celebration is a unique annual program that gives people from all over the world the chance to encounter the life, culture, and politics of Palestine. Learn Arabic and study Palestinian history at Bethlehem University, spend time with local families and volunteer with a community organization.
The Palestinian Summer Celebration 2010 will take place in Bethlehem from June 13th to August 09th. The program consists of two terms: June 13th to July 13 th , and July 12th to August 09th. Program participants can choose to stay for one or both terms. The celebration is organized by Siraj Center for Holy Land Studies in partnership with Bethlehem University (www.bethlehem.edu) and the U.S.-based Society for Biblical Studies (www.sbsedu.org). Program participants will have the opportunity to meet and learn with accomplished speakers, experts, activists, and officials. NEW: Raed About Participants Victoria Close & Megan Shudde & Isobel Whitting Experience 2009 participant Nathan Dannison's Siraj experience 2008 ! Program:FIRST TERM (June 13th to July 11th 2010): Sunday 13th June 2010: Arrival Guests will arrive at Siraj Center in Bethlehem, where they will be introduced to their host families. Dinner and overnight with host families. Monday 14th June: Orientation day
We will begin bright and early at Siraj Center, where participants will be briefed on the customs of the region and the layout of Bethlehem—restaurants, health services, and public transport. We will visit Shepherd’s Field and The Church of the Nativity. In the afternoon, we will tour Bethlehem University and find out more about class offerings. Dinner and overnight with host families. Tuesday 15th June – Friday 18th June: Classes and volunteer work.
On Tuesday morning, representatives from local organizations will introduce themselves and pick volunteers. For the rest of the week, volunteers will go to the office in the mornings and attend classes in the evenings at Bethlehem University. Dinner and overnight with the host families. Saturday 19st June: First Day Tour – Hebron
We will tour the old city of Hebron and meet with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT Palestine) organizations committed to peace and reconciliation in Palestine. We will visit traditional glass and pottery factories, Ibrahiemi Mosque, The Tombs of the Patriarchs, and converse with locals. On the way back to Bethlehem we will stop at the Tent of Nations to hear stories about the conflict. In the evening, we will have a barbecue in Beit Sahour. Overnight with host families. Sunday 20nd June: Free Day Monday 21rd June – Friday 25th June: Classes and volunteer work.
AM: Volunteer work.
PM: Classes at Bethlehem University. Saturday 26th June: Second Day Tour – Jerusalem
We will explore the Mount of Olives and the Old City of Jerusalem, Al Aqsa Mosque, the Western Wall, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. In the afternoon we will meet with the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) for a tour and lecture regarding the geo-political situation in Jerusalem. After that we will go to B’Tselem—an Israeli NGO committed to documenting and educating the Israeli public about human rights abuses in Occupied Territories—and meet leading figures in the fight for human rights. Dinner and overnight with host families. Sunday 27th June: Free Day From Monday 28th June – Friday 2th July: Classes and volunteer work.
AM: Volunteer work.
PM: Classes at Bethlehem University.
Saturday 3th July: Third Day Tour – Jericho and the Dead Sea
On this day-trip we will visit the world’s oldest continuously thriving city—Jericho—whose settlements date back to 9000 BCE. In the early morning we will hike Wadi Qelt, the Mount of Temptation, and Tel Jericho. In the afternoon we will splash and float in the famous, salt-dense and mineral rich Dead Sea. Dinner and overnight with host families. Sunday 4th July: Free Day Monday 5th July – Friday 09th July: Classes and volunteer work.
AM: Volunteer work.
PM: Classes at Bethlehem University.
Saturday 10th July: Fourth Day Trip – Ramallah
We will tour the city of Ramallah—an exciting political scene, home to many human rights organizations, broadcast centers, and artists. We will meet with students of Birzeit University and representatives from The Right of Education Campaign. In the afternoon there will be time to visit galleries, eat ice cream, and stroll Rukab Street. Dinner and overnight with host families.
Sunday 11th July: Free Day SECOND TERM (July 12th to August 09th): Monday 12th July – Friday 16th July: Classes and volunteer work.
AM: Volunteer work.
PM: Classes at Bethlehem University.
Saturday 17th July and Sunday 18th July: Fifth Day Trip – Nazareth and Galilee
We will travel to Nazareth and Galilee for an overnight excursion, and participants will learn about the current state of Israel and the 1948 catastrophe. Along the way we will meet with Ittijah, a coalition of Arab community organizations, tour destroyed and unrecognized villages, see Haifa, Jaffa, and Akko, and visit a number of holy sites. We will return to Bethlehem late on Sunday night for dinner and overnight with host families. Monday 19st July – Friday 23th July: Classes and volunteer work.
AM: Volunteer work.
PM: Classes at Bethlehem University.
Saturday 24th July: Sixth Day Trip – Negev
On this day trip we will be escorted by an Israeli organization to the stunning Negev desert, where we will learn about the Bedouin culture and visit unrecognized Bedouin villages. While in the Negev, we will see holy and historical sites, too. Dinner and overnight with host families. Sunday 25th July: Free Day
Monday 26th July – Friday 30th July: Classes and volunteer work.
AM: Volunteer work.
PM: Classes at Bethlehem University.
Saturday 30th July: Seventh Day Trip – North of the West Bank
In the Northern West Bank, we will tour the cities of Qalqilieh, Tulkarem and Jinin. In Jinin, we will visit the Arab American University. We will also meet with local organizations and officials, see refugee camps, and learn about regional living conditions. Dinner and overnight with host families. Sunday 1th August: Free Day Monday 02 August – Friday 6th August: Classes and volunteer work.
AM: Volunteer work.
PM: Classes at Bethlehem University. Saturday night Siraj will host a farewell party with guests and host families.
Monday 09th August 2009: Departure.
Other Activities:
Hiking. Participants will be able to take short and long hikes while in Palestine, enjoying wonderful outdoor experiences. Half-day trips. During the week, participants can visit the rural areas of Bethlehem and Palestine for authentic village experiences. All visits will be organized by Siraj Center. |
