Alternative Travel Listing

Listing Updated August 2010

Sabeel Fall 2010 Witness Trip
October 14 – 23, 2010 (Program and Registration info: www.fosna.org )
Worship with Palestinian Christians; Meet and reflect with Palestinian Christians and Muslims as well as with Jewish Israelis and internationals who partner with Sabeel in non-violent resistance to the breaking of international and humanitarian law; Experience the realities of the Palestinian community living under Israeli Occupation: the Wall, settlements, checkpoints, confiscated and demolished homes, refugee camps, and environmental degradation; Learn about the loss of civil and property rights of Arab Israeli citizens.

Lutheran Educator Holy Land Tour and International Education Conference.
September 25 - October 4
Join Lutheran educators from Australia, USA, Palestine, and other parts of the world to discover the many ways in which challenges facing schools and Christian communities are met with hope and vision. Land trip cost from $1232. For further tour, conference and registration information, go to http://palestinetrip2010.blogspot.com

Partnership Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Turkey and Greece.
October 4-19, 2010
Join Pastor Paul Rowold on a faith-deepening, 16-day journey through a land which Biblical actions of God and actions of faith today have made holy. The trip includes visits to many major sites, worship with Palestinian Christians at the Lutheran church in Bethlehem, and a beautiful Aegean cruise to Santorini, Patmos and Crete. $4995 from Montana, other departure cities possible. Email Paul.Rowold@gmail.com  for more information.

Dumbarton’s Holyland Pilgrimage
October 9-21.
Together we’ll visit Palestinians and Israelis who are working for peace and reconciliation. We’ll pick olives, share Shabbat dinner, hike, cook, and tour as well as have good discussions with local people, experts and among ourselves as we have religious and cultural experiences that will help us understand the Holyland today. Cost is $1,400, which includes Christian guides, entrance fees, friendly accommodations (most in Bethlehem), breakfast and dinner (local food and vegetarian friendly), in-country transportation, and more. Cost does not include airfare. A deposit of $260 is required by to reserve space. Payment due September 10. For more information contact: Rev. Doris Warrell at 202-238-0245 or dew818@starpower.net

Wisconsin Lutheran Bishop Burnside Delegation
October 20 -- November 6, 2010
The Rev. Bruce Burnside, bishop of the South Central Synod of Wisconsin and chair of the ELCA Middle East Ready Bench leads a delegation to the Holy Land, Oct. 20- Nov. 6,2010. Travelers will encounter ancient sites and living stones, as the biblical narrative is brought together with the stories of the people who live in the land today, Israelis and Palestinians, Christians, Muslims and Jews. The trip includes participating in the olive harvest, staying with farmers in Palestinian villages, visiting a Palestinian refugee camp and an Israeli settlement, seeing the ministries of the Lutheran World Federation and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, and meeting with Rabbis for Human Rights, the Sabeel Palestinian Liberation Theology Center and many other organizations working for justice and peace. Time is made for daily reflection and prayer; size is limited. Contact Bishop Bruce Burnside, bruceb@scsw-elca.org  or 608-270-0201.

Where Jesus Walked: a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Egypt.
October 9-26, 2010
See the ancient Holy Stones and meet the Living Stones, the people of the Holy Land, as we visit Jerusalem, the sites of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, Nazareth, Betron and Bethlehem, where we visit Lutheran Ministries. Visit Masada, swim in the Dead Sea, sail the Sea of Galilee. Our days include devotions, scripture readings at the holy sites and time for reflection. Extend your trip to the pyramids of Egypt. Details: www.pilgrimageholyland.blogspot.com .

Western Pennsylvania Conference, United Methodist Church
October 10-23, 2010
Visit holy sites, peace advocacy organizations and individuals, humanitarian projects, Palestinian families.  Leader: Tina Whitehead (now in Israel volunteering with Sabeel). Cost (dependent on airfare): $2900. Contact Info: Diane Miller – diane.miller@wpaumc.org 

Group Travel Tours
These fall tours arranged by Group Travel Directors, Minneapolis, have space available. Details: www.gtd.org , click Find a Tour, Middle East. Direct inquiries: contact Janet Tollund, 952-885-2133 or 800-747-2255 (Ext. 133), jtollund@gtd.org  

October 8-17, “The Holy Land,” sponsored by New Covenant Lutheran Church and led by Pr. Steve and Patti Kruse.
$3699 from Phoenix.

October 31-November 12, “Steadfast Hope: People and Places of the Holy Land” led by Pr. Marthame Sanders of Presbyterian Church (USA), includes olive harvest festival, olive picking, soap making, and visits to Nazareth, Bethlehem, Jerusalem. $3200 from Atlanta, plus $190 roundtrip MSP-ATL. More info: Peter Mann, pgmann@brainerd.net, 612-839-6990.

November 1-11, “The Holy Land,” see both historical sites and today’s living stones, led by Jack Mithelman, Grand View University campus pastor, Des Moines. $3499 from Chicago O’Hare.

November 4-16, “The Holy Land Today: People, Places, Politics,” led by Pr. Curtis Zieske, Trinity Lutheran Church, Albert Lea, Minn. Visit the holy sites, but also meet the people and learn of their daily joys and struggles and our Christian presence in the Land of Jesus. Give a few hours to harvesting olives at the Lutherans’ Augusta Victoria Hospital on Mount of Olives. Group limited to 15. $3275 from MSP. More info: Pr. Zieske: tlpastor@msn.com  

November 11-22, “A Journey of Faith in the Land of Jesus,” led by ELCA Pr. Elizabeth Yates of Stephens City, Va.. $3139 from Washington Dulles.

Christian Peacemaker Teams--Delegations
October 5-18, 2010
November 16-29, 2010
Delegates will meet with Palestinian and Israeli human rights representatives and peace workers in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, and visit Palestinian families whose home and livelihoods are threatened by expanding Israeli settlements. They will travel to the city of Al Khalil (Hebron) and the village of At-Tuwani in the South Hebron Hills and experience firsthand CPT's work alongside Israeli and Palestinian partners. They will challenge the structural violence of the Occupation through nonviolent public witness. Fundraising espectation: $2750 US/$3200 Canadian. See the website for information: http://www.cpt.org/participate/delegation 

Crossing Borders
These custom-created travel experiences to Israel and Palestine feature visits to Biblical and historical sites along with meetings and dialogue with various local community leaders and members, especially among Christian Palestinians. For further details, contact either the tour leader or Crossing Borders, 800-990-6811, 952-995-9585, info@crossingborders.com

Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF) Pilgrimages scheduled for 2010
HCEF carries out a Living Stones Pilgrimage Program that brings Christians to the Holy Land to get to know the Holy Land Christians (the Living Stones) by sharing their daily lives, culture, obstacles and faith. Meeting and connecting with the Living Stones of the Holy Land can educate pastors and the faithful about their Mother Church in a personal way. All pilgrimages are coordinated with the local churches. To organize a pilgrimage or join one of the pilgrimages listed above (based on availability), or want more information, contact: Gail Freeman, Pilgrimage Coordinator toll free - 866-871-4234 or by Email - gfreeman@hcef.org

Global Exchange
As the Israeli military continues to place Palestinian towns, villages and refugee camps under siege, Palestinians continue to resist the 41-year Occupation of their land. GX's delegations to Palestine/Israel strive to further the US public's understanding of the region's history and realities by giving participants first-hand exposure to the aspirations and frustrations of Palestinians living under Occupation, the dimensions of the human rights crisis under Israeli rule, as well as the perspectives of Palestinians and Israelis who are working for a just peace and end to the occupation. More info:  http://www.globalexchange.org/tours/byCountry.html#15

Fair Trade Olive Harvest 2010
October 1-11, 2010 
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has ensued for sixty years, while Israel's forty year occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip is the longest in modern history. Travel to Palestine and Israel, and learn how fair trade cooperatives are restoring hope and providing economic alternatives to a population under occupation. Harvest olives with Fair Trade farmers, use organic farming practices, witness the community building strengths of Fair Trade cooperatives, and cultivate a greater appreciation of Palestinian traditions, food and people.

For application and more information please visit :- http://www.globalexchange.org/tours/1072.html
For more information please contact :- middleeast@globalexchange.org

Prospects for Peace with Justice
December 04 - 14, 2010
Our fact-finding delegations to Palestine & Israel strive to further the U.S. public's understanding of the conflict and the region's realities by giving people first-hand exposure to the human rights abuses occurring in the Occupied Territories. Participants have the opportunity to hear a diverse spectrum of Palestinian and Israeli voices and learn about their understanding of the conflict and hopes for a solution.  Learn more at http://www.globalexchange.org/tours/1074.html

Interfaith Peacebuilders
October 31 - November 13, 2010 Delegation
Co-Sponsored with the Resource Center for Nonviolence
Delegation Leaders: Ilise Cohen and Scott Kennedy
This delegation will provide an opportunity to participate in the Palestinian olive harvest season — generally a time of great community activism, where people of all ages from Palestine, Israeli peace and justice groups, and international groups join farmers as they reap their harvest. It is international support that makes the harvest possible in many cases. You will hear from Palestinian farmers and learn of the importance of agriculture to the Palestinian economy and culture. As with other delegations, you will also meet additional Israelis and Palestinians working for peace and justice. Click the link for more info: http://www.ifpb.org/del35/default.html

Alternative Tourism Group (ATG) and Siraj Center for Holy Land Studies
The Nativity Trail
October 7-18, 2010
December 13-24, 2010
Come and walk from Nazareth to Bethlehem and follow the steps of the Holy Family. Come and discover Palestine and the Holy Land. Come and meet the people. Come and meet the culture of the land. For more information: www.sirajcenter.org

Study Tour to Israel & Palestine
November 2010
Experience Travel Tours (ETT) was established in 1999 and specializes in issue-based tours taking participants to places difficult to access on one’s own.  This study tour facilitates a way for people to see several historic and beautiful places in what has been known for centuries as The Holy Land and cherished by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, but now torn apart by tragedy. Travel will take us through several different geographical areas as we visit the Judean Desert, the Mediterranean Sea, mountainous areas, the Jordan valley and the plains. Participants meet with local people and hear their stories. Our aim is to help to bring understanding of the nature of the Occupation and what must be done to achieve a just and sustainable peace for all people groups.
Contact info: Pam Martin - assistant to tour leader Linda Ramsden
  Experience Travel Tours
  PO Box 539
  Dorking RH4 9FU
  England
  Tel for Pam: 01235 764754
  Email: info@experiencetraveltours.org

Travel to the Holy Land with Bright Stars of Bethlehem
January 7-15, 2011
Travel to the Holy Land with Bright Stars of Bethlehem! Led by Les Schmidt and accompanied by new BSB VP Beth Nelson Chase, this trip will introduce travelers to the ministries in Bethlehem supported by BSB, and visit some of the major sites of the Holy Land.

United Methodist Volunteers in Mission Team to the Holy Land
January 9 - 21, 2011
Make your Volunteer in Mission trip a unique experience by combining your service project with visits to holy sites and meeting the indigenous Christian community in the land of Jesus. Learn about the history, the people, and experience Middle Eastern hospitality. Meet Janet Lewis, GBGM missionary serving the area. We are recruiting a combined North Central and North Eastern Jurisdictional UMVIM team to go to the Holy Land in January of 2011. Write Lorna Jost to get a copy of the brochure:
umvim-ncj@brookings.net . We will be arranging a similar trip to take place in Sept. 2011.

In the Footsteps of Jesus
January 26-February 5, 2011
Jeff & Janet Wright: <wright@frii.com> or 970/217-3065
Many of the first-century realities that shaped Jesus’ life and ministry continue to shape the lives of contemporary Palestinians and Israelis. In addition to exploring the holy stones – the historic places and sites that have defined our faith – participants will engage the Living Stones: Jews, Muslims and Christians who live in the land. Explore Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Capernaum, Hebron and more; visit Qumran, the wall of Jericho, the Sea of Galilee and more; meet and discuss differing perspectives with Muslim, Christian and Jewish leaders. We will be accompanied by a professional guide. For more information: http://www.heartoftherockies.org/filestore/in%20the%20footsteps%20tour%20announcement%202011.pdf.
 

Sabeel 8th International Conference
February 23-28, 2011   (Program and Registration info will be posted at: www.fosna.org )
   "Challenging Empire: God, Faithfulness, and Resistance"
    Confirmed Keynote Speakers: Richard Horsley is the Distinguished Professor of Liberal Arts and the Study of Religion at the                   Univ. of Massachusetts, Boston, and author of Jesus and Empire: The Kingdom of God and the New World Order. Ched Meyers is an     "author, organizer and advocate who has for 30 years been challenging and supporting Christians to engage in peace and justice           work and radical discipleship."  For more information please email: conf2011@sabeel.org or call 972-2-532-7136 (in Jerusalem).