Category Archives: Middle East 2014

Jerusalem and the Galilee

After a week of various independent travel experiencesAfter a week of various independent travel experiences, all 30 members of our cross cultural made our way back to Jerusalem. Coming back to a now familiar city almost feels like returning home after a semester of almost never … Continue Reading ››

Independent Travel

April 5, 2014 Spring break came a week later for those of us across the pond, but it brought the same feelings of joy and freedom.  After completing an intensive course in biblical history at Jerusalem University College, we appreciated the week of independent travel. Small groups of travelers departed Jerusalem for Tel Aviv, Eilat, the Galilee, … Continue Reading ››

The Bible in context

Again time has elapsed. We have just finished a two week intensive course at Jerusalem University College which mostly consisted of extensive field trips to biblical sights. The focus of this program was to look at the influence that geography, archeology and history have on biblical interpretation. Our time at JUC has been so rewarding. The … Continue Reading ››

Eyes and ears open

Judean wildernessIt's been a busy couple of weeks over here in Israel. Throughout our three weeks in Beit Sahour we took Arabic classes, which helped us to interact with our host families and people on the street in a new way. We were no longer just … Continue Reading ››

Palestine

What does oppression feel like? What happens if we label the relationship between Israel and Palestine as apartheid, and how does that title change our experience and perception of the region, and America's own involvement? Are our host families, generous to a fault in welcoming a complete stranger into their homes and filling our plates … Continue Reading ››

Joining the biblical story

IMG_2492On our first morning in Giza, only a few hours after our 30 hours of travel to Egypt ended, our bus shoved its way through the dusty streets. Everyone with a window seat stifled gasps, fearing first that we would ram into  truck full … Continue Reading ››