Israel and Jordan
February 23 - March 8
Join Dr. Jim Aageson, professor of New Testament and early church history, and fellow alums on a fascinating trip to Israel and Jordan. You will see the places where Jesus walked and many other amazing sites in modern day Israel and Palestine. From the sacred city of Jerusalem to the serenity of Galilee and the desolation of the Dead Sea, you will experience the world of Jesus both then and now. Crossing into Jordan, you will visit the modern capitol city of Amman and the ancient stone city of Petra, amazing in its stark beauty. For all those who have longed to learn about the Holy Land, its ancient significance and modern challenges, this is your opportunity!
Jim Aageson is currently Dean of Arts and Sciences and Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Concordia College. He is ordained in the ELCA and a member of the ELCA Convocation of Teaching Theologians. Jim has degrees from Pacific Lutheran University, Luther Seminary, Union Seminary in Virginia, and Oxford University. He also served parishes in Great Falls and Anaconda, MT. His academic interests focus on the history and thought of Early Judaism, Pauline studies, and early post-New Testament Christianity. His books include Written Also for Our Sake: Paul and the Art of Biblical Interpretation, In the Beginning: Critical Concepts for the Study of the Bible, and Paul, the Pastoral Epistles and the Early Church. He has contributed numerous essays to other books and journals. He has traveled extensively in Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, and Greece and has taught in Greece. He is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature and the Catholic Biblical Association, where he also serves as an associate editor of the Catholic Biblical Quarterly.
Day 1 (Feb 23) - Departure
Our journey begins as we board our transatlantic flight to Israel.
Day 2 (Feb 24) - Tel Aviv
Upon arrival at Tel Aviv International airport, we meet our tour leader and coach driver. Time permitting; we drive to the Old City of Jaffa for a short walking tour. Then we proceed to the White City of Tel Aviv, where we take a walking tour of the World Heritage Site. The White City was constructed from the early 1930’s until the 1950’s, based on the urban plan by Sir Patrick Geddes, reflecting modern organic planning principles. The new town of Tel Aviv is an outstanding example of new town planning and architecture in the early 20th century, then transfer to our Tel Aviv hotel for overnight. D
Day 3 (Feb 25) - Tiberias
After breakfast starting the morning at Peres Center for Peace. Then we travel along the Mediterranean shoreline to visit Caesarea. We visit the sites of Caesarea, including the Roman Theater and the virtual presentation in the new Visitors Center. Then, we head to Nazareth, where we visit the Church of Annunciation. Our day ends as we drive, via Cana of Galilee, to Tiberias for over-night.Overnight is in Tiberias Dinner and overnight is in Tiberias. B /D
Day 4 (Feb 26) - Tiberias
Our day begins with travel to the Mount of Beatitudes. North of the Sea of Galilee, atop the Beatitudes Mount, lies a beautiful church with an octagonal dome that represents the 8 “Beatitudes” of the sermon when Jesus Christ blessed His disciples 2000 years ago (Mathew 5). From this mount we can view Tabgha and Capernaum. We enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. After the boat ride, we enjoy a traditional St. Peter Fish meal.
Overnight is in Tiberias. B/L/D
Day 5 (Feb 27) -Jerusalem
We leave Tiberias and journey south to Jerusalem, as our motor coach takes us through the Jordan Valley. Our first stop is the Baptism site of Yardenit on the Jordan River. We drive to see Zippori. Ancient Zippori, also known by its Greek name Sephoris, was first mentioned in Josephus Flavius’ description of the reign of Hasmonean king Alexander Jannaeus. We view the stunning mosaic, known as the Mona Lisa of Galilee. Next we visit the tel of Bet Shean, where the bodies of King Saul and his sons hung from the city gates (I Sam. 31). We spend some time at the luxurious Roman city of Bet Shean. We visit Harod Spring (Gideon’s spring), where Gideon chose his army of 300 by observing how they drank from the spring (Jg. 7). Our next stop is Jericho, the ancient Canaanite city destroyed by the power of God. It is the oldest known inhabited city in the world. Waters from the Spring of Elisha (II Kings 2) are also in this area. After stopping at the Valley of the Shadow in the Judean hills, we travel up to the holy city of Jerusalem. B/D
Day 6 (Feb 28) - Jerusalem
After breakfast, we enter the Old City of Jerusalem, via the Dung Gate, while ascending to the Temple Mount. We view the Dome of the Rock and El Akza Mosques, the holiest places for both Jews and Muslims. We head to the Western Wall. Most holy for the Jewish are the remains of the wall that surrounded the Temple Mount. We enter the Old City and walk the Via Dolorosa to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. We visit the Lutheran World Federation site on the Mount of Olives. We continue to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the Jewish memorial to the murdered six million in the Holocaust, which contains the world’s largest repository of information on the Holocaust, then back to hotel for dinner and overnight. B/D
Day 7 (Mar 1) - Bethlehem
This morning we visit the archeological site of the City of David and Hezekiah Tunnel. Then continue to Bethlehem, and meet with Pastor of Christmas Lutheran Church. We enjoy lunch with Christian friends, and visit an olive wood store. Dinner and overnight is in Bethlehem. B/D
Day 8 (Mar 2) - Jerusalem
In the morning we will visit Church of Nativity and shepherd’s fields. Then back to Jerusalem, and ascend the Mount of Olives for a view of Jerusalem, overlooking the Old City. The mount is covered in olive trees, cemeteries and churches commemorating the Christian events of Jesus. After we take in all the sights, we proceed to visit the Garden of Gethsemane. The entrance to the Garden of Gethsemane has ancient olive trees believed to date back to the times of Christ. Continue to Mt. Zion, where we visit the Last Supper Room and King David’s Tomb. Then, we see the Israel Parliament and the Menorah, symbol of the Jewish state, which was donated by the British to the Jewish people in 1956.We visit the Israel Museum to see the Shrine of the Book and Scale Model of Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight. B/D
Day 9 (Mar 3) - Dead Sead
Following breakfast we visit Qumran. The Hidden Scrolls found in the caves in 1947 exposed the secret life of the Essense, a small ultra religious sect, who hid there from the Roman enemy. Then we proceed to Masada, 500 meters high, above the Dead Sea. The fortress of Masada is set on a giant cliff. The castle, built by King Herod, is 600 m. in length and 300 m. in width, and 2000 years old. A cable car takes the visitors up to the cliff, to an unforgettable tour of the palaces, the warehouses and resident areas, the water complex, the impressive fortified system and to most fascinating views of the Judean desert. We end our day at the Dead Sea with an opportunity to float in the sea. End the tour with a farewell dinner in Dead Sea hotel tonight. B/D
Day 10 (Mar 4) - Petra
After breakfast we drive to Allenby Bridge and cross the border into Jordan, en route to Petra. We stop on Mount Nebo (the alleged burial place of Moses) to enjoy the panoramic view of the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea and the Jordan River. The old church on top of the mountain with its well preserved large pieces of Mosaic dates back to the Byzantine era. We proceed to visit the World Heritage Site of Um er-Rasas (Kastom Mefa’a). It contains remains from the Roman, Byzantine and early Moslem periods (end of 3rd to 9th century AD). Um er-Rasas is a master piece of human creative genius, given the artistic and technical qualities of the mosaic floor of St. Stephen’s Church, a unique and complete example of stylite towers.(might be moved to March 6 to allow for later departure from Dead Sea) It is strongly associated with monasticism and with the spread of monotheism in the whole region, including Islam. Dinner and overnight is in Petra. B/D
Day 11 (Mar 5) - Petra
Today is a full day exploring Petra. We take a time to walk to the gates of Petra, where horses are waiting to take us on a short horse ride to the beginning of the Siq, after which we have to walk through a narrow canyon to the first great monument where the treasury is revealed, the Roman Theater and Royal Tombs. Dinner and overnight is in Petra. B/D
Day 12 (Mar 6) - Amman
After breakfast we drive to Wadi Rum and where we take a jeep ride in the desert and have tea with the Bedouins before we continue on to Amman. This evening we attend a Jordanian church. We meet the members of the church and participate in a Bible study. B/D
Day 13 (Mar 7) - Amman
After breakfast, we depart Amman and drive to the 12th Century Castle of Ajloun and explore the vaulted chambers and ramparts linked by subterranean passages. Then we visit spectacular Jerash, one of the best preserved Roman cities in the Middle Eastwe visit the Museum and Citadel with remains from the Roman, Byzantine and Islamic periods, and here also have a panoramic view over the city. We return to Amman this evening where we celebrate an end to our journey with dinner in Tawaheen Al Hawa restaurant. B/D
Day 14 (Mar 8) - Return
This morning, we depart for the airport for our return flight home.
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Trip Price
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Total Tour
Cost from Fargo
Cost from Minneapolis
Deposit with registration
Single Supplement
Final Payment due 11/16/2012 |
$ 4289.00
$ 4089.00
$ 500.00
$ 680.00
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Please contact Ed-Ventures regarding your flights to let them know your preferred departure city, Fargo or Minneapolis. You will also need to contact them if you are leaving from an alternate location.
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Tour Inclusions
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Exclusions
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• Land transportation via private, deluxe air-conditioned motor coach
• Accommodations: Double occupancy accommodations in the following or similar accommodations:
• 1 overnight at Mercure Hotel Tel Aviv
• 2 overnights at Ginnosar Kibbutz in Galilee
• 5 overnights at Dan Boutique Hotel in Jerusalem
• 2 overnights at Petra Panorama
• 2 overnights at Hotel Geneva
• Meals: Meals as indicated in the itinerary (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner)
• Sightseeing: Admission to all activities indicated in the itinerary including:
• Services of a professional tour guide and manager throughout the tour
• Luggage handling of one bag per person
• All taxes and tips for provided services except as noted in exclusions
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• Meals, other than as indicated above
• Beverages, except for juice, tea, coffee and water with breakfast and coffee, tea and water with dinner
• End of tour tips for coach drivers and tour guides
• Items of a personal nature, such as passport fees |
Insurance
Ed-Ventures can provide additional insurance covering
cancellation, life insurance, health insurance, and baggage if requested. All travelers with Concordia Alumni Travel are covered under Concordia's travel insurance through
Educational and Institutional Insurance Administrators, Inc. The following services are provided:
Medical Services
- Referral to English-speaking doctors
- Advance payment of medical expenses
- Guarantee of hospitalization fee
- Medical evaluation
- Medical case monitoring
- Medical records and medication shipment
Personal Services
- Passport and visa requirements
- Immunization requirements
- Political/Environmental warnings
- Currency information and ATM locations
- Global weather information
- Emergency message transmissions
- Telephone translations
- Rental car return
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In Route Services
- Lost or stolen luggage and personal effects
- Lost or stolen travel documents or tickets
- Emergency cash transfer
- Trip interruption
- Insurance/Claims coordination
Legal Services
- Referral to Local Attorney |
Contact
Karen Carlson
Director of Alumni Relations
218.299.3734
carlsonk@cord.edu
Registration
Make checks payable to Ed-Ventures, Inc and mail to:
Ed-Ventures, Inc.
320 Elton Hills Drive
PO Box 7086
Rochester, MN 55903-7086
Phone 800.658.7128
Registration Form
Health Form