HarvestNet Institute has partnered with Shoresh Study Tours, the oldest tour ministry in Jerusalem. We will have an air-conditioned passenger bus, a professional driver, and our outstanding Israeli Tour Guide David Westlund will escort us from the Negev in the south to Dan in the far north. The whole of the Land will be our classroom as we discover the Bible afresh – in 3-D from Dan to Beersheva.
Join us for the pilgrimage of a lifetime! You will gain insight and clarity in Israel from 4 perspectives:
- Biblically - Archeologically - Historically - Contemporarily
ITINERARY Tentative – Sunday evening departure with Monday evening arrival
Sunday, May 4 - TRAVEL
The Group Flight will depart from Cleveland on Sunday evening with arrival in Israel on Monday.
Day 1: Monday, May 5 - ARRIVAL
The Group Flight will arrive in Tel Aviv in the late afternoon. We will meet our tour guide and bus driver at the airport, then enjoy the Mediterranean Beach and check into our hotel in Tel Aviv.
Overnight in Tel Aviv Hotel at the Mediterranean Sea
Day 2: Tuesday, May 6 – LAND OF PROMISE
- Joppa on the Mediterranean Sea where Jonah tried to escape his calling to warn the people of Nineveh and visit the location of Simon the Tanner’s house
- Experience the Valley of Elah, where David slew Goliath
- Explore Abraham’s Well at Tel Be’er Sheva National Park
Overnight in Beersheva
Day 3: Wednesday, May 7 - INTO THE WILDERNESS WITH THE PATRIARCH
- Visit the founder of the modern State of Israel, David Ben-Gurion’s memorial gravesite with a spectacular view overlooking the Wilderness of Zin at Sde Boker. Next, we will take a short hike to a beautiful oasis in the Zin Canyon where Moses struck the rock in disobedience. Then visit The Fountain of Tears exhibit in Arad. We will arrive at The Dead Sea in time to go for a float in the therapeutic mineral rich waters.
Overnight at the Dead Sea Spa Hotel
Day 4: Thursday, May 8 - THE DESERT AS A REFUGE
This morning - Masada! One of Herod the Great’s magnificent fortresses and the last Jewish stronghold to fall captive to the Romans. Then we’ll visit the beautiful subtropical oasis of Ein Gedi, where David hid from Saul. Then experience the Qumran caves, home to the most exciting archaeological discovery ever made in Israel – the Dead Sea Scrolls. We will enjoy dinner and Bedouin hospitality at Abraham’s Tent. Then ascend to Jerusalem - the city of the great King! After checking into our rooms at Christ Church Guest House, there will be an optional walk to the Western Wall.
Overnight at Christ Church Guest House, located in the Old City of Jerusalem
Day 5: Friday, May 9 - DISCOVERING JERUSALEM’S HERITAGE
We will begin our day exploring the Western Wall Tunnels, Judaism’s most holy site; next we will survey the excavations at the base of the wall of the Temple Mount and discuss Pentecost on the Southern Steps where Jesus walked. Then we will tour Yad VaShem, the Israel Memorial Museum to the Holocaust. Time permitting, we will enjoy Ben Yahuda Market. Tonight, we will celebrate Shabbat with a special meal.
Overnight at Christ Church Guest House
Day 6: Saturday, May 10 - IN THE STEPS OF JESUS – Crucifixion, Burial, and Resurrection
Early this morning, there will be an optional opportunity to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Then we will officially begin our day by taking a short walk to the new archaeological site which is the probable Pavement and Judgement Seat where Jesus was tried. Then explore Mount Zion where we will visit the traditional site of David’s Tomb and the Upper Room. Then we will experience the Garden of Gethsemane and the empty tomb of Jesus at the Garden Tomb, where we will share a time of prayer and reflection. Tonight, we will see a dramatic light show at the Tower of David. Overnight at Christ Church Guest House
Day 7: Sunday, May 11 - FREE DAY IN JERUSALEM
You will be provided with ideas of what to do and see on your Free Day in Jerusalem. Back at Christ Church, we will gather in the picturesque courtyard for a tour of the Heritage Center and learn how Christ Church impacted the development of Jerusalem and the history of Protestantism in the Middle East and helped prepare the way for Jewish people to return to Israel. This evening, we will complete our understanding of the role of the Lamb of God by celebrating a Jewish Passover Meal together. Overnight at Christ Church Guest House
Day 8: Monday, May 12 - ISRAEL’S HEARTLAND
This morning, we will gather at the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view and group photo. Then leaving the hills of Jerusalem, we will drive north through the heartland of Israel to explore the ruins of Shiloh which was where the Tent of Meeting and the Ark of the Covenant resided for over three hundred years. After a spectacular view overlooking the Jordan Valley, we’ll enjoy Ein Harod’s Spring – where Gideon elected his small army.
Overnight at Magdala Hotel on the Sea of Galilee
Day 9: Tuesday, May 13 - AROUND THE SEA OF GALILEE – The Life of Jesus and His Disciples
Today we will explore significant sites as we try to picture the Galilee ministry of Jesus and the lives of His disciples. The first site will be the Primacy of St. Peter where Jesus appeared after His resurrection on the beach then we will experience the city Capernaum. We will also have time for meditation and prayer at the traditional site of the Mount of Beatitudes then we will set sail on the Sea of Galilee and visit Kibbutz Ginosar to see a fishing boat from the time of Jesus. Back at our hotel we will survey the Magdala Synagogue at the archeological park on the grounds where we are lodging. Overnight at Magdala Hotel on the Sea of Galilee
Day 10: Wednesday, May 14 - LIGHT TO THE NATIONS
We will begin our day with a drive up the Golan Heights to Banias in the far north of Israel. We will visit the site known as “the gates of hell” in the region of Caesarea Philippi; where Peter made his famous confession that Jesus is the Messiah. Our next stop is the Nature Reserve of Dan, where we will enjoy a pleasant walk by a stream that is the main source of the Jordan River. At Dan we will also see the incredible archeological site including the place of pagan worship and city gate from the time of Abraham. There will be an optional opportunity to be baptized* in the Jordan River. Overnight at Magdala Hotel on the Sea of Galilee
Day 11: Thursday, May 15 - JESUS’ HOMETOWN and the MEDITERRANEAN COAST
Today we will visit Nazareth Village and examine Jesus’ home life, town, and early ministry. After a drive overlooking the beautiful Jezreel Valley, we will arrive at Mount Carmel and enjoy its spectacular view over the north of Israel. Here we will study Elijah’s defeat over the prophets of Baal and have time for meditation and prayer. Next, as we continue south along the Mediterranean Sea shoreline, we will experience the fabulous remains of the Roman city of Caesarea Maritima, the location from which Paul left the shores of Israel. After a farewell dinner at a seaside restaurant, we will drive to Ben Gurion Airport for our Group Flight to arrive home on Day 12: Friday, May 16
Space is limited. Itinerary subject to change as conditions necessitate. *Baptism is additional $10
CONTACT: Sylvia Neptune, HarvestNet Institute Administrator for Israel Study Tours – sylvianeptune@gmail.com
Tom Hare, HarvestNet Ministries Executive Director - thomas.m.hare@gmail.com
NOTE: Most days on this itinerary involve a regular amount of walking and/or climbing. Therefore, this trip cannot generally accommodate those who have significant difficulty with climbing stairs or walking half a mile at a time. Please be in contact with the trip leaders if you have any concerns about this.