Educational Journeys

Pilgrimage for Peace is a program that gives people from all over the world the opportunity to experience oriental Christmas in Bethlehem, and to celebrate it with the most hospitable families in the Holy Land. In addition to visiting all key religious sites—including the Church of the Nativity, Shepherd’s Field, Jerusalem, and the Sea of Galilee—program participants will also learn about the current movement for peace and justice in Palestine, by meeting with human rights activists and political officials. The Christmas Pilgrimage for Peace will provide all comers a rich encounter with the culture of our land, in a place unlike any other: the place where Christ was born.

Day One:– Arrival
• Night: Orientation and geopolitical presentation

Day Two:– Jerusalem
• Mt. of Olives, Chapel of the Ascension, Pater Noster church, Dominus Flevit, Gethsemane, Church of Agony
• Old city – Via Dolorosa , Western Wall, Dome of the Rock, Aqsa Mosque
• Sepulcher Church
• Meet with religious leaders

Day Three:– Jerusalem
• B' Tselem, Israeli Human Rights Organization
• Palestinian women organizations in Jerusalem
• Tour and meeting with Israeli Committee Against House Demolition
• Evening: Dabkeh Night

Day Four:– Jericho
• Hisham’s Palace
• Mt. Temptation
• Tel Sultan, ancient city of Jericho
• Dead Sea
• Evening: New Year festivals and party with locals

Day Five:– Free Day

Day Six:– Jaffa, Haifa
• Zochrot, meeting and tour of Jaffa
• Lunch at Ein Hod - unrecognized village
• Haifa – Mt. Carmel
• Bahi’ Gardens
• ITIJAH organization – Haifa
• Overnight in Tiberius

Day Seven– Tiberius
• Sea of Galilee – boat ride, Tagha, Capernaum, Jordan River, Mt. Beatitudes
• Evening: walking tour and markets

Day Eight:– Golan Hights
• Nazareth – Annunciation Church, St. Joseph Church, and Mary’s Well
• Visit Majdal Shams and meet with local organizations
• O/N Tiberius

Day Nine:– Nablus
• Refugee Camp
• Old city walking tour, handmade Olive Oil Soap Factory
• Turkish Bath
• Al- Najah University

Day Ten:– Bethlehem, Christmas evening celebration and annual patriarch procession
• Shepherd’s Field
• Old City walking tour Bethlehem
• Nativity Church & Milk Grotto
• Optional: Evening: Christmas eve – participate midnight Christmas service

Day Eleven:– Hebron
• Morning: Christmas day with the local families and lunch
• Old city walking tour
• Tomb of Patriarchs
• Ibrahimi Mosque
• Glass Handicraft Factory
• Evening: party with local families

Day Twelve:– Ramallah
• Bilin Society – wall resistance , meeting with popular committee
• Beir Zeit University
• Meeting with political leaders

Day Thirteen:– Culture of Bethlehem
• Cultural Fashion Show
• Palestinian Cuisine Class
• Evening: Palestinian showperformance

Day Fourteen:– Departure