2/26/11 This morning we drove from Jerusalem (2500 ft. above sea level) into the Judean Desert, and down to the Dead Sea (1378 ft. below sea level). It was quite a plummet, not to mention a dramatic change in landscape (and to think such a transformation occurs in a country roughly the size of New [...]

2/25/11 We began our day with a visit to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial and history museum, and had the privilege of meeting with a Holocaust survivor afterwards. For many, especially those whose relatives suffered in the Holocaust, this experience was a highlight of the trip. The museum itself is pretty amazing. It is constructed [...]

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 [...]