Fall Pilgrimage

October 21-November 2, 2023

On this trip we will do a deep dive into education and youth services for the Palestinian community both in Israel and Palestine.

View the Fall Pilgrimage Itinerary

Trip coordinators are Pilgrims of Ibillin Board of Directors Rev. Gail Doerring and Executive Director Essrea Cherin.

Rev. Gail Doering, a member of the Presbyterian clergy, in addition to half a dozen visits to the Holy Land, spent a 3 month sabbatical in Israel, studying the theology of hope and how it is maintained in the face of conflict, oppression, and occupation. Essrea Cherin, the co-founder of the Boulder-Nablus Sister City Project, is a conflict resolution professional and has worked in the region for almost 20 years. Both have led groups to the region multiple times.

We will visit entities that are ‘off the beaten track’ of many Holy Land tours: heartwarming and inspirational places such as a Bedouin camp and school, Hope Flowers in East Jerusalem, Seraj Libraries and Hope School. We will also visit holy and historical sites of great significance, in addition to time in nature and built in opportunities for contemplation and prayer.

What contributes to a Living Stones Pilgrimage’s often most meaningful moments are those chances to connect with the people of the Holy Land — and we will have many of these, to hear their stories and to deepen our understanding of a fraught land.