Join Metropolitan New York Synod of the ELCA led by Bishop Paul Egensteiner and Pastor Khader Khalilia on a 11 Days Solidarity & Accompaniment in the Holy Land June 10 – 20, 2025 from New York, NY (JFK)

Day 1: Tuesday Departure from USA
Depart for your overnight flight to the Holy Land. Meals will be served on board.

Day 2: Wednesday Arrival Hotel Transfer
Arrive at Tel Aviv Airport meet your guide at the Airport, dand rive to your Hotel in Galilee for dinner and overnight Tiberius. (D)

Day 3: Thursday Nazareth/ Cana/Mount Tabor
Start our visit to the Church of Annunciation and Cana of Galilee, with the opportunity to renew marriage vows. A visit to Mt. Tabor, the Mt of Transfiguration follows. Dinner and overnight in Tiberius. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Friday Sea of Galilee
On a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee, we will celebrate Holy Communion. We will visit the Mount of Beatitudes, the church of Multiplications of Fish & Loaves, Capernaum. Dinner and overnight in Tiberius. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Saturday Haifa/ Caesarea
Depart the Galilee area via the coastal plains, visit Meggido, then drive to Stella Marris at Mount Carmel to visit the church of Prophet Elijah, after lunch, we continue south to visit Caesarea Maritima, and from there we continue our way to Jerusalem. Continue to Bethlehem through Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Sunday Shepherd’s Field/ Bethlehem
Start the day with worship with the local ELCJHL congregation. Visit the shepherd’s field, the church of Nativity, the old city of Bethlehem, and Mount Herodian. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Monday the Dead Sea area
Full-day tour in the Dead Sea area, River Jordan, Qumran, and float in the Dead Sea, view the Good Samaritan Inn, St. George in the Judean Wilderness. Visit the old city of Jericho Elisha Spring and view Mount Temptation Monastery. Chance to meet with the ELCA YAGM (Young Adults in Global Mission). Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Tuesday Bethlehem, ELCJHL School
Today we will visit the local ELCJHL school. In the afternoon we will visit the Tent of Nations, have lunch, and chance to plant trees. Visit the Walled off hotel, and walk by the Bethlehem Refugee Camp. Optional dinner with local Christian families or dinner and overnight in Bethlehem. (B, L, D)

Day 9: Wednesday Mount of Olives/ Mount Zion
Start our day visiting Augusta Victoria Hospital and Lutheran World Federation on top of Mount of Olives, Walk the Palm Sunday Path, the church of Gethsemane, and the Kedron Valley. Visit the last Supper room, Mount Zion, Saint Peter in Gallicantu, and the Shrine of the Book & Model of Jerusalem time of Jesus. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem (B, L, D)

Day 10: Thursday Old City of Jerusalem
Visit the Wailing Wall, Temple Mount, Dome of the Rock & Al Aqsa Mosque, then visit the church of St. Anne and Pool of Bethesda, Via Dolorosa, and Church of the Holy Sepulcher. We will meet with ELCA and ELCJHL leaders. We will enjoy some free time in Jerusalem. Dinner at a Tent restaurant and enjoy traditional Palestinian folklore music and dance, overnight in Bethlehem. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Friday Departure
After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport for our flight home or take the optional extension to Jordan. (B)