Journey to Israel  & Petra
"An Exploration of the Interaction of Psychology, Major World Religions and Culture"
(9 Days)

Departure Date: May 12, 2010-May 20, 2010


Join us as we explore the land of Israel--one of the world's sacred lands, the holy land.  It is a focal point of
 the world where the major religions of the world reside along with its people, their values and cultural beliefs.

 On this tour we will explore the nexus of psychology with religious beliefs, culture and behavior.  We will explore
human nature as we examine peace and conflict.

Israel is the place where tradition and innovation create a unique culture. We begin our exploration of the
country and its people and culture in UNESCO World Heritage site,
Tel Aviv--a major metropolis with Bauhaus-style architecture.  

We will continue on to Bethlehem, Nazareth and Haifa where the world headquarters for the Bahai
 faith is located. We will visit the Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found and
where the Essene Jews resided. We will spend considerable time in Jerusalem
where the world's major religions reside as well as the Papal Embassy; and, we will end our exploration in
one of the Seven Wonders of the World--Petra.

 Itinerary

Day 1
Overnight Flight to Israel

Day 2
Arrival in Tel Aviv

After you are settled enjoy a walking tour of Jaffa, an ancient port city. This is the place
where the prophet Jonah started his journey before ending int he belly of a whale;
and, where Andromeda was tied to a rock as a sacrifice to a sea monster
before being saved by Perseus.

Day 3
Tel Aviv and Haifa

Sightseeing of Tel Aviv
 Tel Aviv was the first Hebrew City. We will visit the city's trademarks including Robin Square, Independence Hall and Rothschild Boulevard.

Transfer to Haifa via Caesarea and Acre
 On the route to Haifa, we will stop in Caesarea to view the dramatic ancient ruins by the sea.
We will see the ancient theater and the Hippodrome. We will then travel to the UNESCO
World Heritage Site of Acre to visit Crusaders' Hall.

Arrive in Haifa.

The Bahai Headquarters, Haifa
Image Credit:

 Built on the slopes of Mount Carmel, Haifa offers a glimpse into the past, with some of
the most ancient remains in the region. Among the stops you will see Haifa Bay, Mount Carmel
 and the Hanging Bahai Gardens.  You will also see Elijah's Cave, where he hid from King Ahab
 and found the false Baal prophets.

Day 4
Haifa

Excursion to Nazareth, Tiberius and the Sea of Galilee
 Visit the famous place that is  told in stories about "Jesus of Nazareth." Visit the Church
of the Annunciation and Old Synagogue with Mary's well, a holy Christian site where Mary
was told that she would be the mother of Jesus. Stop in Cana, site of Jesus' first miracle and the
place cited in many artists renditions of the wedding at Cana (Veronese et al.). Continue on
north to explore Mount Eremos (the Mount of the Beatitudes).

Boat Ride on the Sea of Galilee from Tiberius to ancient Capernaum
Visit the Roman ruins, including an ancient synagogue and the House of St. Peter.  In Tabgha,
see the site where the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish took place as you make
 the final ascent to the summit of the Mount of Beatitudes.

Meet with Students at a local University
 If possible, we will get the opportunity to have an exchange with students at a local university.
This is subject to confirmation of arrangements.

Day 5
Hanokdim Village

Transfer to the Dead Sea region
See Mount Carmel for the last time as you depart Haifa and drive along the Jordan Valley
toward the Dead Sea between Israel and the West Bank. Travel south to Qumran and visit
the Quarantal Monastery, the site where the first Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947.
 If time permits, you may enjoy floating on the Dead Sea.

Bedouin Dinner & Camp
We will spend the night in a Bedouin camp and have an authentic Bedouin dinner,
including a camel ride, tea service and a chance to interact the residents.

Day 6
Jerusalem

Arrive in the Holy City of Jerusalem
We will stop at the Fortress of Masada, which served as the stronghold of the last resistance against the Romans.  We will be able to journey up to the fortress by cable car and explore the site before continuing on to Jerusalem.

Walking Tour of the Mount of Olives
See a spectacular view of the city and visit several churches, including the Church of Pater Noster, the Church of Dominus Flevit and the Chapel of Ascension before entering the Garden of Gethsemane.

Day 7
Jerusalem

Jerusalem and the Dome of the Rock
Image Credit:

Excursion to Bethlehem
Visit the birthplace of Jesus.  Tour the Church of Nativity, the
 Milk Grotto and the Shepherds' Fields.

Free Time
Explore museums and historical sites with your instructor. Jerusalem is known as the
 City of Peace.  Next to Mecca and Medina, it is considered the holiest place on earth.
Sites worth exploring include the Kibbutzs, near Galilee, Monastery of the
Cross, the Golden Gate (old city gates), Damascus Gate and outdoor market
 Dome of the Rock and more.

Day 8
Jerusalem

Walking Tour of the Old City
Visit the Temple Mount, one of the holiest sites for Jews and Muslins. Walk through the Jewish
 Quarter to the Western Wall and the Via Dolorosa (the path of Jesus to his crucifixion) to the
 Church of Holy Sepulcher. Visit the Muslim, Christian and Armenian Quarters prior to
arriving at the Oriental Bazaar.

Free Time
Explore museums and historical sites with your instructor.


Day 9
Return to the U.S.
or take extension
Jordan & Amman

Jordan and the Jordan Valley
Travel over the Sheikh Hussein Bridge on your way to Jordan.
Stop in the Greco-Roman city of Jerash before arriving in Amman, the capital of Jordan.
 Jordan possesses relics of some of the world's oldest civilizations.

Day 10
Petra

On the way to Petra, explore Madaba, the City of Mosaics and St. George's Church.
 Next, travel to Mount Nebo, the burial place of Moses.Continue on to Wadi Mujib.  

Entrance to Petra
Image Credit

Arrive in Petra
This is one of the newest Seven Wonders of the World. Enjoy a magical tour of
Petra by night.

Day 11
Petra & Amman

Sightseeing Tour of ancient Petra
 A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.
Return to Amman for your lasst night in Jordan.

Day 12
Return to the U.S.
Take flight home.


 Download Price Quote Below:
Israel_Study_Tour_Price_Quote.pdf

 Download Brochure Below:
Brochure-2010 Israel Study Tour
___
For more information, please contact Dr. Rosalyn M. King at:
 roking@nvcc.edu;
____

 Enroll online.  Tour Number: 443816

To Enroll Online:
1. Visit www.eftours.com and click on the tab “Parents/students”
2. Click on the circle which reads “Enroll”
3. Enter the Tour ID 443816...then follow the directions.

To Enroll Over the Phone:
1. Simply call 1-800-665-5364 (customer service)
2. Note the ID number 466273 and provide information and credit card payment.


 Hotels

May 13, 2010 to May 14, 2010

Hotel Gilgal
7 Nes Ziona Street
Aviv Israel, Tel Aviv
0097235111000

____

May 14, 2010 to May 16, 2010

Hotel Gallery
61 Herzl Street
Haifa 33504 Israel
972-4-8616161


____

May 16, 2010 to May 17, 2010

Kfar Hanokdim
(Bedouin Camp/Resort Between Arad and Masada)
Arad Israel


View Video Slideshow of Camp

____

May 17, 2010 to May 20, 2010

Jerusalem Gate Hotel
43 Yirmayahu Street
Jerusalem 94467 Israel
+972-2-5008500

******DO NOT STAY AT THE JERUSALEM GATE HOTEL.  THEY HAVE BEDBUGS!!
Nice Lobby and Great Food!




For great transportation in Jerusalem contact:
 Moshe Taxi  at 050-7742271
Email: moshetaxi@gmail.com


 Study Abroad Requirements:

Major Study Questions

What is the role of religion in influencing human nature and culture?
What do the world religions have in common?
What are the conflicts that currently exist between cultures?
How can Israel as a seat of the world's major religions achieve diversity, unity, and peace without conflict within a diverse culture of people who reside there?
Is there a collective identity in Israel?
How is Israel working toward peace and tolerance?
What is the contrast between Israel and Jordan?
What role can the field of psychology play in achieving a one world community in this region of the world?

All tour members will  answer the above questions and may designate an additional study
question of their choice around the study theme--the interaction of
 psychology, world religions, culture and behavior; and other aspects of life in Israel, including history,
 art, archaeology, architecture, political or social system , symbolism, values,
 education system, etc.  

Study tour members are studying on-line and visiting links about the
places to be visited. Students can also sign up for course credit for this tour.
If you are not taking this course for credit, there will be several required half-day meetings in
 late April to early May in preparation for study abroad. During the study tour you will keep a
journal and take photos for a photographic journal on your studies and experiences.
At dinner, we will spend some time discussing the events of the day.

 Students will be responsible for developing a report on their specific content area(s).
 We will then compile our tour findings with pictures, essays and descriptions for publication
on the course Web site for public education and viewing.  Tour participants will receive an
EF backpack and  journal for the trip. Students will be asked to write up their summary
descriptions on the trip back home for submission before departing the airport in the US or no
 later than 2 weeks after the trip.

Use this course web site and the tour web site for study.  Enter tour site by going to:
 www.eftours.com.  Enter Tour Number: 443816.

On the EF site, you will find links, suggested reading, suggested movies.  
Read destination profiles, pack for your tour and travel smart sections.
Pay particular attention to sections on appropriate clothing to take, money/currency, etc.


 IMPORTANT TRAVEL LINKS

CIA-World Fact Book
Exchange Rates
Passport Services
US Department of State
US Embassies


 Related Learning Links



Baptism Site of Jesus Christ
This is the official website of the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ. This unique site is where 2000 years ago Jesus came to see John to be baptized by him: Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him (Matthew 3:13). According to the Bible, it is just beyond the Jordan (John 3:26) i.e. on the East Bank of the River Jordan in what is now the modern day Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The Bible says clearly: These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing (John 1:28).

Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution
The  work of the institute of conflict resolution and analysis at George Mason University.

CIA-World Factbook-Israel
Provides detailed information on Israel, including demographics of its citizens, economy and more.

CIA-World Factbook-Jordan
Provides detailed information on Jordan, including demographics of its citizens, economy and more.

Culture of Israel
An overview of the culture and ethnicities of Israel.

Human Nature: Views from Major World Religions
A selection of websites and writings on the topic.

Integrating Science and Spirituality
Science, Psychology, Philosophy, Spirituality and Religion

Israel Wonders
Take a virtual tour of Israel.

Just Vision, Inc.
Through award-winning media, community outreach and an array of educational tools, Just Vision informs, connects and engages people in Palestinian-Israeli civilian efforts to resolve the conflict nonviolently.  See the trailers for their documentaries--Encounter Point and Budrus.

Map of Israel with History

Palace of Peace and Reconciliation: Pyramid of Peace, Embassy of Kazakhstan in Israel
The Pyramid of Peace expresses the spirit of Kazakhstan, where cultures, traditions and representatives of various nationalities coexist in peace, harmony and accord.

Pope Benedict XVI in Israel and the Holy Land
A blog.

The Jewish Virtual Library
The most comprehensive online Jewish encyclopedia in the world, covering everything from anti-Semitism to Zionism. So far, more than 13,000 articles and 6,000 photographs and maps have been integrated into the site.

Theology Network: World Religions
An overview of the major premises.

UNESCO-Education and Interfaith Initiatives
                  To educate young people in a spirit of peace and tolerance, solidarity and intercultural and
                   interfaith dialogue.

World Spiritual Traditions: Theosophical Perspectives
Writings on the world religions.


Haifa

                                                                                                      Photo Credit

The Bahai Faith
The International Website of the Bahai Faith.

Bahai Shrine and Gardens-Haifa
A monument and headquarters of the Bahai faith and its founders.

Haifa Travel City and Hotel Guide
About Israel's 3rd largest city and northern capital sitting between the mediterranean sea and the Carmel mountain.

The Life of Bahá’ u’ lláh
A Photographic Narrative about the life of one of the founders of the Bahai faith.

University of Haifa
The University of Haifa spreads along a Carmel Mountain ridge southeast of the city of Haifa and is surrounded by the Carmel National Park. The University was established in 1963 under the joint auspices of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Haifa Municipality. In 1972, it gained academic accreditation as a separate institution from the Council for Higher Education.
The University of Haifa is the most pluralistic institution of higher education in Israel: sons and daughters of both veteran cities and development towns, kibbutzim and moshavim, new immigrants, Jews, Arabs, and Druzes, IDF officers and security personnel—all sitting together on the bench of knowledge in an atmosphere of coexistence, tolerance, and mutual respect.


The Bedouins

A History of the Bedouin People
Historical account of this once nomadic peoples.

Bedouin Religion and Expressive Culture
Although a few Bedouin societies in Jordan have remained Christian since the early Islamic period, the vast majority of Bedouin are Sunni Muslims.

The Bedouin in Israel
An overview of Israel's Bedouin citizens.

The People of Jordan-The Bedouins
About the Bedouin people and their contributions in Jordan.

The Bedouin Tribes of Petra
The photography and study of the Bedouin people by Vivian Ronay of Washington, DC.


The Kibbutz

Focus on Israel-Kibbutz
It is almost a century since a small group of young Jewish immigrants from eastern Europe, inspired by Zionist and socialist ideals, set up the first kvutza ("group" in Hebrew, renamed kibbutz, "community" when membership grew) on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

The Kibbutz in Historical Perspective: A Review Essay
An essay on the history of the Kibbutz by Henry Near.

The Kibbutz Movement
The Kibbutz movement is the largest communitarian movement in the world today.  The first Kibbutz was founded in1910.  By the end of 1997m there were 270 Kibbutzim with a population  of 120,000.


 Readings

A Plan for Israel

A Walk Through the Old City of Jerusalem

Bahai Gardens in Israel Impress all Religions

Bibliography for Antiracism, Diversity and Reconciliation

For the Good of all its people, Israel must pursue diversity. (Amitai Etzioni,
The Guardian, April 2008)

On Israeli Culture-The Psyche of its People. (Steve Israel)

Reconciliation and Peace-building in Israel: The Role of Religion and Interreligious Dialogue
 (Dr. Ron Kronish, Rabbi)

Religion, Identity and Mideast Peace (David Rosen)

The Evolutionary Psychology of Religion. (Steven Pinker, Harvard University)


What was Israel Doing When the World Religions Emerged? (Penny Warren, B.A., M.A., DD.)


 Videos

12 Tribes of Israel-Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg

Adonai El Shaddai-Joel Chernoff

Amman

Baruch Adonai-Paul Wilbur New Year's 2009 Concert in Finland

Baruch Adonai El Shaddai Medley-Dance and Song

Bedouin Music

Bedouin Music-Oud Instrumental

Bedouin Music

Blessed Are You- Paul Wilbur

Budrus-A Just Vision Documentary Film (3 minute trailer)

Christian Sites in Northern Israel

Cool Facts About Israel

Cool Facts About Israel (New Version)

Duke Professor Writes About Lost Tribe of Israel

Easter Celebrations Start in Jerusalem

Encounter Point-A Just Vision, Inc., Documentary Film (7 minute trailer)

Hallelujah-Jonathan Settel

Hebrew Music-Elohim natan lecha bematana

Hebrew Rap

Holy, Holy, Holy, Worthy- Paul Wilbur

Lost Tribes of Israel-History Channel

Messianic Dance-Baruch Adonai

Messianic Dance-Yahweh

Jericho, The Oldest City in the World

Jerusalem-Armenian Quarter-The National Geographic (Pt.4)

Jersualem, I will Put my Name There-Amazing Revelations

Jew and Gentile-Joel Chernoff Live

Jordan, Petra, Amman, Karak, Dead Sea

King Solomon Era Wall Found in Jerusalem

Lord God of Abraham-Paul Wilbur

O Jah- Let god Arise-- Paul Wilbur

O Little Town of Bethlehem

One World Religion

Paul Wilbur-A Night of Extravagant Worship

Paul Wilbur-Praise Adonai

Paul Wilbur Concert: Kadosh Kadosh, Part 1 of 7

Paul Wilbur, Dance with Me

Paul Wilbur, Entrare a Jerusalem

The Shout of El-Shaddai-Song by Paul Wilbur

Petra, Jordan (Part 1)

Petra, Jordan (Part 2)

Petra-The Rose Red City

Pope Benedict: Pray for Peace in Jerusalem

Praise Adonai-Song by Paul Wilbur

Praise Adonai (New Version) by Paul Wilbur

Robi Visits Gaza-Scene from Encounter Point
(Documentary Film about the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict)

Roni Roni Bat Zion-Song by Paul Wilbur

Ruah Fest-Paul Wilbur

Ruah Fest II-Paul Wilbur

Schindler's List-Jerusalem of Gold

Shalom Jerusalem-Song by Paul Wilbur

Sharon Wilbur-Out of Zion

Tour of Jerusalem from Jaffe Gate to the Holy Sepulchre

The Faces and Places of Israel in the 21st Century

The Story of Amman

The Travel Linguist-Hebrew 101

Tel Aviv

Visit Israel, You'll Never Be the Same