Trip to Israel with Rabbi Feldman

It's not too late to get onto an Israel tour for Spring 2019. 

April 28-May 13 2019 / $3595.00

The First Fruits of Zion 2019 Historical Geography Tour to Israel is full, but Rabbi Feldman's tour still has available spots. Tour begins April 28 including 20 sites in the "West Bank" and a study tour of the rarely visited Biblical heartland from the times of the conquest and following. Visit Joshua's altar,  Sebastia, Joseph's tomb with IDF escort, South Jericho, the Micmash Pass, Shilo, Elon Moreh, Hebron tombs of Patriarchs and Matriatchs, Tel Remeiydah (ancient Hebron) and little known and rarely visited Tomb of Jesse!

Top it all off with Independence Day in Jerusalem! 

Israel Study Tour - April 28 – May 13, 2019

Hosted by Rabbi Jerry Feldman – forfeldman@aol.com

All Inclusive Land Package: Hotels, Guides, Entrances, Breakfasts, Dinners Price: $3,595 (excludes tips and lunches)

(Special Airfares available from either Kansas City or Reagan Washington DC)

Suggested itinerary (subject to changes):

Sun. April 28 - Depart KC - Arrive Ben Gurion Mon. April 29 at 4:20 pm. - overnight Tel Aviv Dan Panorama Hotel

Tues. April 30 – Jaffa: Ancient site of Jonah’s departure and the Vision at Simon the Tanner’s house, Independence Hall – We begin where we need to begin, at the site of the Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel by Ben Gurion on May 14th, 1948.  Antipatris – site of the capture of the Holy Ark by the Philistines and Paul’s imprisonment on way to the Roman port of Caeserea and deportation to Rome. Caeserea Maritima – Magnificent Roman port city with palaces, theaters and Hippodrome. Mt. Carmel – site of Elijah’s battle with Baal. Bet Shearim – Burial caves and extraordinary sarcophagi of the Rabbinical sages included Yehudah HaNasi (compiler of the Mishnah). Mt. Arbel – Sky High view of the Sea of Galilee and site of one of the last hold outs against Rome - Overnight Sea of Galilee (Maagan Kibbutz)

Wed. May 1 – Early start to Tombs of Rabbis Akiva (religious leader of second revolt against Rome and discuss the alienation of Jewish Yeshua followers ever since. Also, Rabbis Maimonides and Luzzato – study the meaning of Sages in Rabbinical Judaism.  Migdal – home of Miriam (Mary) of Magdala and view the ancient synagogue that Yeshua would have attended. Tabgha – traditional site of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes and see the seven springs. Eremos Cave (only on this tour) – probable authentic site of teaching the disciples the Beatitudes. Church of the Primacy where the resurrected Yeshua appeared and re-established Peter in his calling. Very special location. Capernaum – Home town of Peter and view the magnificent 4th c. synagogue built on the original 1st c. one at the time of Yeshua. St. Peter’s Fish Lunch. Korazim (cursed by Yeshua) with its prominent basalt synagogue and the only “Seat of Moses” ever found. Bethsaida - time permitting, we will attempt to visit “both” sites; one recently in the news (Roman ‘Julias’). Kursi – site of the deliverance of the Gadarene demoniac (pigs ahoy)! Susita (Hippos), spectacular Roman Decapolis City not available to the public (one of my favorite places for unusual teaching).  After an amazing and long day, we will enjoy our Sea of Galilee Boat cruise before dinner- Overnight Maagan Kibbutz (the most beautiful hotel right on the Sea of Galilee). The flowers and the birds are without comparison!

Thurs. May 2 – Ascend the Golan Heights and visit Gamla (Masada of the north) where a last stand against the Romans ended in the death of 4000 Jews. A dramatic site and due to a recent road, we will visit one of the oldest synagogues in the world, (daven) pray, remembering the prayers they prayed before their martyrdom. Valley of Tears: Yom Kippur War tank battle Site (Oz 77 Kibbutz Elrom) that saved Israel. On to Caeserea Phillipi, the place of Peter’s confession but much more! Dan Reserve with its breathtaking waterways and the ancient Biblical sites of 9thc. BCE in the City of Dan (where the “House of David” tablet discovered) along with Jeroboam’s northern altar, and the preserved Abraham Gate entered when he came for his nephew Lot. Misgav Am - The most northern and mountain top kibbutz 100 feet from the Lebanon border. Panoramic sky-high view of Hezbollah headquarters, Syria, and 170,000 missiles pointed directly at us! Overnight Sea of Galilee: Maagan Kibbutz (so lovely in the evening)!

Fri. May 3 – Spiritual City of Tzfat. Experience heaven on earth as we observe the Sabbath in this Torah observant religious city. But first, shopping at the Artist Colony, visit 500-year-old (and still functioning) architecturally beautiful Synagogues, a lecture at the Mikveh Center and for men a water immersion in the famous Rabbi Ari Mikveh – attend Erev Shabbat Orthodox Synagogue service - overnight Tzfat

Sat. May 4 - Shabbat, morning service Breslavian Synagogue, beautiful hotel Shabbat lunch and afternoon Shabbat studies. After dinner, traditional Motzei Shabbat visit with hundreds of “the faithful” to the Tomb of R. Shimon bar Yochai, author of the Zohar, source of the Kabbalah - Overnight Tzfat

Sun. May 5 – We begin in Tzippori. This expansive excavation reveals the “Pittsburgh” of ancient Roman controlled Israel. Evidence reveals a thriving Jewish world in the midst of Roman theaters and villas. Vast water cisterns and “plumbing” boggle the mind. We will see the magnificent synagogue floor mosaic. Yeshua and his father Joseph likely worked as builders here. On to En Harod and the Spring of Gideon and the “lapping” dog story! Bet Shean is next, the largest and best-preserved Roman Decapolis City. Gilgal Argaman - Driving down the Jordan Valley we arrive at perhaps the most significant evidence of the crossing into the land after the 40-year wilderness journey from Egypt, A 2 ½ ft. wall in the shape of a foot, the size of three football fields! View perhaps the very memorial site of the 12 stones taken from the Jordan River (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAbApbASU2E). Following the path of the Israelites, we now enter Samaria, the Biblical Heartland (erroneously referred to as the West Bank). Elon Moreh (Mt. Kabir) - we will ascend and stand where Abraham received the covenant promise of the Land of Promise – overnight Eshel HaShomron

Mon. May 6 – Mt. Ebal (Mt. of Cursing) - We begin the day at one of the highlights of this special tour. We “hike” to Joshua’s Altar (visited by few). Significantly it is in the middle of another massive “Footstep”, hmm...! Sebastia - the Roman name for the town of Samaria visited by Yeshua. It is also the site of Omri, Ahab and Jezebel’s Palace, and the burial place of John’s head. Mt. Gerizim (Mt. of Blessing) to visit the Samaritan Village, Museum, Samaritan High Priest, ascend and view Shechem (see Jacob’s Well Church and Joseph’s Tomb). On to Har Bracha and visit HaYovel where 1000’s of Christians tend to the vineyards. Joseph’s Tomb - with IDF escort, late night we visit (for the road warriors)! Overnight Eshel HaShomron

Tuesday. May 7 – We begin with a visit the community of Shilo and the Shilo Children’s Fund with David Rubin - 1500 young students at this center for victims of terrorism. We will hear his own horrifying and miracle story of surviving terrorism as he then guides us to the ancient site of “The Tabernacle” which stood for 369 years as the site of the Presence of HaShem in the midst of Israel. Truly a Holy site! Ai - With special arrangements we visit the newly excavated site and tell the story of arrogance and pride that brought defeat as the second city HaShem commanded to take after Jericho. Micmash Pass- view the escarpment climbed by Jonathan and his armor bearer. Rock climbers be amazed! Beit El - hosted by Aaron Lipkin (our tour agent and son of Avi), the site of Jacob’s dream and Jeroboam’s altar. But it is much more and perhaps the most engaging site on our tour. Archaeologists are not even talking about this site yet, but we will! Overnight Jerusalem- or Jericho (TBD)

Wed. May 8th – Kaysir El Yehud - on the Jordan River, the traditional site of Yeshua’s immersion and also the site of the Israelites Jordan River crossing. Jericho - We will visit the ancient site of Jericho and challenge the archaeological “experts”! We meet and hear “Taysir Abu Saada’s” story, “Once an Arafat Man” (a driver and trained assassin for Yasser Arafat and infiltrator for killing Israeli Jews) to a Yeshua confessing former Islamist. He has created a humanitarian and spiritual Oasis in the Oasis City of Palms! Lunch and gift shop follow. On to Herod’s Jericho (rare visit). St. George’s Monastery – Huddled deep in Wadi Qelt, amazing example of the Christian Monastery tradition in Israel. Up to the Holy City of Jerusalem (and I mean up)! But first, Genesis Land for a desert meal with the Patriarch Abraham, arriving on Camels (all aboard)!  Quick hotel check-in and walk to the Old City for the opening evening celebration and fireworks and light shows for “Independence Day”!!! Jerusalem – a six-night stay, exclusive Dan Panorama Hotel (5 Star Hotel)!

Thurs. May 9 – Oskar Schindler’s grave and on to the ancient City of David (the Ophel), for a 9:00 appointment beginning with an exhilarating 3-D film. Down to the excavations and then Hezekiah’s Tunnel to the Pool of Siloam. From there underground stairway (above ground at the time of Yeshua) to the Temple Mount and the Southern Wall excavations and Monumental Staircase. Kotel (Western Wall) - to pray. If we can get scheduled, visit below in the Kotel Tunnels – dramatic excavations and the bedrock of the Temple Mount. Burnt House - one of my favorite museums and holograph viewing of the history of the times of the destruction of Jerusalem (that part is not my favorite). Temple Institute and learn about the history of the Tabernacle and the Temples and view the preparations for the rebuilding of the Temple and reinstitution of the sacrifices and Priestly roles.  After dinner, again Israel Independence Day Celebrations and shopping! - Overnight Jerusalem

Fri. May 10 – “Passion Narrative” starting on the Mount of Olives. After a stop at the traditional Chapel of Ascension. Visit “Pater Noster” (Our Father prayer site). we stop for the Panorama View of Jerusalem and listen to its story. From there we walk downward to the Dominus Flavit Church where Yeshua prayed over Jerusalem and view “ossuaries” of original Jewish Yeshua followers. Garden of Gethsemane and Tomb of the Virgin. On to Church of St. Peter Gallicantu where Peter hears roosters and see Caiaphas’ House and prison cells where Yeshua likely was incarcerated before his trial the next day. Upper Room and David’s Tomb. There we hope to be greeted by Boaz Michael from first Fruits of Zion to explain the likelihood that this was originally an Essene Seminary turned into the first Messianic Synagogue by the original Yeshua followers. Next, Kishle, the newly identified authentic place of “The Trial” which changes the route of the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross)! We walk the “new” route to the place of crucifixion and resurrection the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.  Walk through the Old City (marketplaces) through the Damascus Gate to the “other” site, the Garden Tomb. Late dinner allowing for Erev Shabbat prayers at the Kotel first – Overnight Jerusalem

Sat. May 11 – Optional Dead Sea Day (extra cost TBD): Masada - desert fortress and last holdout of the Jews against Rome, En Gedi: Desert Springs and oasis for a wonderful swim in the pools David himself enjoyed, Qumran (discovery of the Dead sea Scrolls), Dead Sea swim – Evening Light and Sound show (for whole tour group) at the Citadel of David - overnight Jerusalem

Sun. May 12 - Visit Hebron including Caves of Machpelah and tombs of the Matriarch s and Patriarchs, Ancient Hebron excavations (Tel Remeiydah) and see the actual footsteps of Abraham where he entered the city, rarely visited Jesse’s Tomb (David’s father), Tekoa or Efrat to meet with Rabbis who are engaging in Jewish/Christian dialogue, Herodium and stand over the Tomb of the despot Herod on his mountain top monument to the greatest enemy to the Jewish people as we look over Bethlehem, No tour without Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum as I reminder of how Israel has become all that we have experienced. Sobering but ends with hope – last evening and Overnight in Jerusalem

Mon. May 13 - After a fantastic breakfast, 8:30 am bus departure for the airport. Plane departs for the US at 12:20 pm. Arrive Kansas City at 9:35 pm.