Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime study tour to Israel. For 12 days, we will explore the world of biblical and rabbinic Judaism and study with one of our most outstanding adult-learning faculty, Dr. David Bernat. Traveling the length and breadth of the country, we'll visit an ancient Israelite altar in the south at Beersheva and one of the largest Canaanite cities in the north at Hazor. We'll explore the earliest synagogues in the world and wrestle with why some had pagan symbols as major artistic motifs. We'll see how the Essenes followed their radical way of life at Qumran and study the Mishna at Tel Hazor. In Jerusalem, we'll discover how geography and topography dictated how the city was built and later conquered. We'll walk through the ruins of Herodian mansions where the Jewish elite of Jerusalem lived and see the charred remains of the Romans' invasion. Daily study sessions will complete the learning experience. All this, while also swimming in the Dead Sea, enjoying the beauty of the Galilee, relaxing at a luxury hotel on the rim of a giant desert crater and spending Shabbat in Jerusalem. Dr. David Bernat is assistant professor of Biblical Studies at Wellesley College and has been a popular member of the Hebrew College Me'ah faculty since 1998. Dr. Bernat has led this study tour in the past and received top ratings from participants for his scholarship, teaching skills, and convivial personality. He will be joined by Dudu Cohen, an archeologist and Bible scholar from Hebrew University of Jerusalem who is also a licensed tour guide. A representative of Hebrew College will also accompany the study tour.
Day 1 New York, NY
We depart from Boston and New York on an overnight flight to Tel Aviv.
Day 2 Jerusalem
We arrive at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport, where we will be met and transferred to Jerusalem. Welcome stop along the Haas Promenade before checking into the group hotel. After settling in, we enjoy dinner and an orientation/study session. (D)
Day 3 Jerusalem
We will explore the Old City of Jerusalem by wading through Hezekiah's Tunnel. After a rest and late afternoon study session, we will welcome Shabbat at the Kotel (Western Wall) and enjoy a group Shabbat dinner at the hotel. (B, D)
Day 4 Jerusalem
Today we have an opportunity to enjoy a relaxing Shabbat with free time to rest up, explore Jerusalem or attend services at one of Jerusalem's many synagogues. Shabbat lunch at the hotel is included. In the afternoon there will be an optional walking tour of Yemin Moshe and the Valley of Hinnom. Later in the day, we will meet for a study session at the hotel, followed by an evening at leisure to enjoy the city on our own. (B, L)
Day 5 Mitzpe Ramon
We begin our day by participating in a workshop about archaeological exploration as practiced in Israel by participating in a "Dig for a Day" at Tel Maresha and studying with site archaeologist Bernie Alpert. In the late afternoon we'll depart for the Negev, stopping along the way to study the Bar Kochba revolt at the caves at Tel Goded. We will stay overnight at the beautiful Ramon Inn at Mitzpeh Ramon, including a nighttime desert orientation and stargazing. (B, D)
Day 6 Dead Sea
We rise early in the morning for a sunrise hike and study session on the edge of the giant Ramon Crater. After breakfast we drive north to Tel Sheva (near Beersheva), the site of a Biblical era well, altar and storage houses. We will continue to the Dead Sea region and visit Qumran to see where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered and to explore the lifestyles and ideologies of various sects that existed during the Second Temple period. Dinner and overnight at the Dead Sea. (B, D)
Day 7 Tiberias
This morning we rise early and climb (or go by cable car) to the top of the fortress of Masada where Jewish defenders made their last stand against the Romans in 73CE and enjoy a dip in the salty Dead Sea, lowest point on earth, before heading north. We continue toward the Galilee, stopping in Beit She'an on our way, a marvelous Roman period city. We check into our hotel in Tiberias and enjoy dinner near the shores of the Kinneret. (B, D)
Day 8 Tiberias
Today we visit Tel Hazor, one of the oldest and the largest archeological sites in Israel. The findings at Tel Hazor span 3000 years of ancient civilization, including the Canaanite and First Temple periods. Following lunch (on our own), we continue to the Tel Dan Nature Reserve, located at the foot of the Golan Heights. We enjoy the wonderful nature trail and learn about the ancient city of Dan, fortress and shrine center of the Northern Israelite Kingdom. The famous "House of David" monument was unearthed at the excavation of the ancient city of Dan. (B, D)
Day 9 Tiberias
This morning we drive to the Golan Heights and head to the ancient synagogue at Katzrin dating from the period of the Second Temple. This is one of the best-preserved synagogues in the Golan. We also visit the Golan Archeological Museum and study its artifacts, including some from nearby Gamla. This afternoon, we visit Kfar Nahum (Capernaum) and the remains of its ancient synagogue as well as the Mt. of Beatitudes. Both are important early Christian, New Testament sites. (B)
Day 10 Jerusalem
On our way from northern Israel to Jerusalem, we stop at the Beit Alpha Synagogue-with its world-famous mosaic floors discovered in 1929-located in the Beit She'an Valley. We continue to Jerusalem to prepare for Shabbat. We welcome Shabbat and enjoy a festive Shabbat dinner at the hotel. (B, D)
Day 11 Jerusalem
Shabbat in Jerusalem is special and there will be many ways to discover the spirit of the day. You will have an opportunity to experience Shabbat in one of Jerusalem's neighborhood synagogues, explore more of the city on your own or rest up. Prior to the conclusion of Shabbat we will gather for a study session at the hotel which is followed by an evening at leisure. (B, L)
Day 12 Jerusalem
We will continue our explorations in the Old City of Jerusalem with visits to the Davidson Center and Rabbinic Tunnel. We will discover the Herodian Quarter, underground excavations of mansions where elite members of Jewish society resided. In the afternoon we will get a close look at a sampling of up-to-the-minute projects in the Biblical archeology of Jerusalem. (B)
Day 13 Jerusalem
Day at leisure in Jerusalem. Visit with friends and family, sightsee (we will provide a list of suggestions), shop or choose a neighborhood and explore on your own. This evening we will have a wrap-up study session followed by a special farewell dinner in one of Jerusalem's popular eateries. (B, D)
Day 14 New York, NY
In the morning we will leave Jerusalem for Ben Gurion Airport for our flights back home. (B)
