2/24/11 The Chilean Miners and their families, who were invited to tour the Holy Land, are staying in our hotel! Some of us saw them at breakfast (they are so gracious with their holas and smiles), as we were reading an interview with Bernard Lewis that ran in the Jerusalem Post this morning (we just met with him Sunday). Our [...]

2/23/11 After we checked out of Kibbutz Lavi, one of the members, Esther, was kind enough to give us a tour. Although the houses were small, the grounds were beautiful, with gardens, play areas, a mosaic of the 12 tribes (over which they place chuppahs for weddings), and a lovely synagogue. People who live the rest of their lives on [...]

2/22/11 Our day began with Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus preached his famous Sermon on the Mount in a natural amphitheater overlooking the Sea of Galilee. It was an unbelievably peaceful setting on a cool, sunny day. Next was Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. In a church there, we [...]

Greetings from Israel! Our World Affairs Council group of 31 has had a full and fantastic first couple days!   2/20/2011 We kicked off our first night here in Tel Aviv with a Welcome Reception and a special briefing by Prof. Bernard Lewis, one of the world’s leading authorities on Islam and the Middle East, and Buntzie Ellis Churchill, [...]