This trip is an opportunity to experience the reality of life, faith and struggle in Palestine. We will spend 11 nights in Bethlehem and 2 in Nazareth meeting Palestinian Christians and Muslims, listening to their stories and challenges as well as seeing their resilience and hope. This pilgrimage will take us to historic holy sites but most importantly will connect us with God's people who are working for justice and human rights. The journey is facilitated by Rev Ashlee Wiest-Laird, Pastor of First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain, who has lived in Bethlehem and worked with Sabeel Liberation Theology Center and The Middle East Council of Churches in Jerusalem.
Why go? Because, as Omar Halaby- director of Sabeel in Jerusalem- writes,
people who are believers in justice and nonviolence are needed! This delegation is open to all people of faith/conscience who have all levels of knowledge/experience of Palestine.
Sample Itinerary Highlights:
(Please note that itineraries are created specifically for each trip and that the trip can be customized to specific interests of those participating. )
*Connect with amazing people, Palestinian Christians and Muslims & Israeli Jews, who are working for justice.
*Experience Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Hebron, Jericho, Nablus, the Galilee, Nazareth
*Engage with organizations such as Wi'am Conflict Transformation Center, Sabeel Liberation Theology Center, B'tselem, Tent of Nations, Zochrot, Dar-al Kalima University, Community Peacemaker Team, Lajee Center and Al-Rowwad Cultural Center, To Be There, Military Court Watch, Mar Elias School
*Encounter the religious sites and the realities on the ground. For example, the Church of Nativity, Holy Sepulchre Church, Al Aqsa, Western Wall, Dead Sea, Jesus' Baptism Site, Sea of Galilee, Capernaum; Mt
Gerizim, Al-Ibrahimi Mosque, Hebron Glass Factory, Walled off Hotel, Refugee Camps and Israeli Settlements, the Apartheid Wall
*Worship at Christmas Lutheran Church and/or connect with a local faith community as desired and have free time in Bethlehem
"Traveling to Palestine with Ashlee really helped me to understand the region and the people to a degree that I would have never reached otherwise. I experienced joy and horror in about equal measure; both are essential to shaping my current views, and not just about Palestine. Go. You will not regret it. --Nancy C.
You must have a valid passport. If you are from the USA or another exempt country a visa is not required, however you must apply for a ETA travel document prior to travel. If you are from a country that requires a visa you must apply early enough to receive the document before the trip.
Pricing varies depending on the number in the group. Airfare is purchased directly by each individual.
A $500 deposit is required to assure your place on the trip. If for any reason we do not travel this will be returned.
