This unique pilgrimage to the Holy Land will allow you to explore the Christian faith in the Israeli-Palestinian context. We will hear from a wide spectrum of voices across Israeli and Palestinian society. We will visit ancient holy sites as well as experience the vastly different realities of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities in the midst of a conflict zone, and how those differences present both opportunities and obstacles for peacemaking. We will also enjoy service opportunities alongside Israeli and Palestinian counterparts, giving participants an opportunity to build new relationships and experience the deep faith and vibrant cultures of the people in the Holy Land.
*Please note the itinerary below is only a draft and will likely change closer to the trip.
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Join us on the first night as a group to enjoy a meal and get to know each other. You will be introduced to the Telos staff and review the trip program for the week.
Whether you're an expert on the Israel/Palestine or you're new to this topic, we'll spend some time exploring a multi-narrative history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in order to ground us for the upcoming experiences throughout the trip.
We'll visit the serene Mt of Beatitudes and read the Sermon on the Mount.
We'll continue the day with a visit to the archelogical ruins of Magdala on the Sea of Galilee.
At the end of the day we'll take a relaxing boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.
We will meet again to continue the historical briefing of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
A local guide will take us on a tour of the sights and smells of the market - with stops at a family spice shop, the community mosque, an ancient Synagogue and the Church of Annunciation.
After our arrival in Jerusalem we'll share a dinner with Israeli guests from different areas of civil society. This is a great chance to get to know locals and ask questions about their perspectives.
We'll visit Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust Memorial and take a guided tour with a local Israeli in order to better understand this dark period of history and the important role Holocaust trauma plays in Jewish Israeli society today.
We'll meet as a group to learn and process our understanding of antisemitism throughout history until today and how it relates to the modern Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israeli settlements are a controversial topic in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We'll discuss the recent political history of settlements and then visit an Israeli settlement to better understand the perspectives of these communities.
We'll walk down the Mt of Olives stopping along the way for teachings and bible readings, and will finish at the garden of Gethsemane.
A local Jerusalemite will guide us through the magical old city of Jerusalem, sharing the history and stories of the different people that have inhabited this holy place. On the tour we will visit many beautiful and interesting places including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Christian quarter.
We'll visit the Western Wall which is the holiest site in Judaism due to it's proximity to Temple Mount. On Friday night at sunset, we'll experience groups of Jews coming to pray, sing and dance at the wall to welcome in the Shabbat (the Jewish day of rest).
The group will be welcomed into a local Jewish family's home to share a Shabbat meal.
We'll visit a Palestinian brewery to taste some delicious beer and hear about the challenges of owning a business in the West Bank.
We'll be welcomed into the home of a local Muslim family to share stories and experiences over a homemade Palestinian dinner.
Our last meeting of the trip will be with a joint organization of Israeli and Palestinian bereaved parents who have lost a direct family member to the violence of the conflict and instead of choosing revenge advocate for reconciliation.
We'll take some time as a group to reflect on our experiences and wrap up the trip before heading to our final group dinner!
Jerusalem 
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