Following the list of travel opportunities that may be of interest, which are forwarded below in this email, is an article that I recommend you not miss reading.
Best,
Kris
---Forwarded Message---
Date: Wed, 29 Jun 2005 19:31:24 -0500
Sender: ELCA Mid-East Networking List <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
From: Ann Hafften <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Travel opportunity update 050629
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
June 29, 2005
>From the ELCA Middle East Networking List...
Visiting the churches and the people of Palestine and Israel is a primary
component of the ELCA's campaign, Peace Not Walls - Stand for Justice in the
Holy Land. The list of available trips is normally on the Middle East
Connections web site - check it often.
Meanwhile the Israeli Ministry of Tourism promotes tours by Christians. This
article appeared in "Ha'aretz" a few weeks ago, and since it's no longer
available on the web site, I'll provide it below.
Upcoming opportunities to visit Palestine and Israel
July 17-30 -
The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) is coordinating a
summer work camp to rebuild the home of the Hamdan family. ICAHD will be
joined by Israeli, Palestinian and international volunteers, activists and
NGO representatives to rebuild the home along with the family and the
community of Anata. Additionally, participants will join tours of Jerusalem,
the West Bank, the Negev desert, and the area of the "Triangle" in northern
Israel discussing "facts on the ground" in respect to both the Occupation of
the Palestinian territories and the consequences of the wall on each side.
Discussions, dialogue, lectures and panels by leading Palestinian and
Israeli NGO representatives will also take place at Beit Arabiya in Anata,
the peace center rebuilt two years ago in ICAHD's summer work camp. For more
information go to www.icahd.org
October 2005 -
Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions study tour. ICAHD facilitates a
study tour to Israel and Palestine over nine days in October 2005.
Participants will be based in Jerusalem and Bethlehem with unique
opportunities to hear analysis from key leaders on both sides of the divide.
Learn about ICAHD's projects including "Daila," the outreach center to
Israeli society, and houses ICAHD has re-built for Palestinian families.
Meet with Bat Shalom, New Profile, the Christian Peacemakers Team, Sabeel
and Wi'am. See checkpoints, settlements, Israeli-only highways and the Wall.
Visit people from villages divided by the Wall. Contact ICHAD at this e-mail
address - [EMAIL PROTECTED] - for more information.
October 8-17, 2005 -
American Friends Service Committee Faces of Hope - Olive Harvest Delegation.
An opportunity to observe and participate in the nonviolent resistance
movement against Israeli occupation, brings together Palestinians, Israelis,
and internationals to support the Palestinian olive harvest. Participants
will meet the Palestinians and Israelis who are working nonviolently for a
peaceful future. The delegation will include an extended home-stay in a
Palestinian village and meet with Israelis and Palestinians with a variety
of viewpoints on the conflict. For information see this web page:
http://www.afsc.org/israel-palestine/activism/Delegation.htm
Oct. 15 - November 2005
Volunteering during the Olive Harvest at Augusta Victoria. You are welcome
to join us during the olive harvest. If you are planning to visit Jerusalem
as a pilgrim or tourist, please consider dedicating a half day or more to
volunteering in the Lutheran World Federation's olive groves on the Mount of
Olives. It is a marvelous experience! Students and others here for a
longer period could split their time between olive picking in the early
mornings and/or late afternoons and exploring Jerusalem and its environs
during the rest of the day. E-mail for information: [EMAIL PROTECTED] or
visit the web site: http://www.lwfjerusalem.org/olive_oil.htm
October 21-30, 2005 -
International olive pickers invited by Palestinian YMCA/YWCA, Civil
International Solidarity with Palestinians. Recently the olive harvest has
been overshadowed by Israeli policies of repression, confiscation of
agricultural lands, and aggression against Palestinian farmers by Israeli
settlers. The wall has separated many farmers from their lands. The
objective of the YMCA/YWCA program is to mobilize people for olive picking,
especially in areas close to Israeli settlements, to help Palestinians
harvest trees with international support. Besides picking olives, the
program features an educational component. For detailed information go to
the web site: http://www.ej-ymca.org/site/Display-High.cfm?HighID=1 - to
make reservations, contact Rami Bahbah, the Joint Advocacy Initiative of the
East Jerusalem YMCA and the YWCA of Palestine campaigns officer via email
at: [EMAIL PROTECTED] or by phone at (+972) 2 6282593.
Early November 2005 -
Fellowship of Reconciliation Peace-Builders delegation. Learn from
Palestinians about their nonviolent resistance to the occupation and from
Israeli peace activists about their work for a just end to the occupation.
Meet a wide range of Israelis Palestinians from across the cultural,
religious, and political spectrum and see how the Separation Wall impacts
Palestinian communities & livelihoods. Stay in Palestinian and Israeli homes
and visit religious and cultural sites. To learn more contact: FOR
Interfaith Peace-Builders, (202) 244-0821, 4545 42nd St. NW, Suite 209,
Washington, DC 20016. E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - on the web:
www.forusa.org/programs/ipb
Nov. 17-23, 2005 -
"Faces and Places of Living Hope" Discovery Tour: Meet local artists and
craftspeople. Stay at the new International Center of Bethlehem - an
ecumenical oasis of hope and hospitality. Explore Bethlehem, including
Church of the Nativity, Jerusalem's Old City, including Church of the Holy
Sepulchre and Via Dolorosa. Worship and enjoy fellowship with the
congregation of Christmas Lutheran Church. See the Separation Wall and talk
with local and international leaders who are visioning change. Visit Dar
al-Kalima School and Wellness Center (an intercultural institution).
Deadline for registration is September 9. If you wish to be considered for
this tour, please visit this web site link:
http://www.gtd.org/BethlehemDiscoveryTourPacket.doc or contact Kate Peer at
800-747-2255 ext-134, or e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Nov. 18-30, 2005 -
St. Matthias Lutheran Church, Easley, S.C., is sponsoring trip to the Holy
Land, visiting both ancient Biblical sites and the places where Jesus lived
and worked. This unique itinerary including Jericho, Bethlehem, Mt. Meron,
Augusta Victoria Hospital and the Arbel overlook. Departing from
Washington/Dulles. Call Pastor Charles Fritz or Jo Prostko at 864-859-0639
or e-mail your questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] We are excited about
sharing this wonderful experience and look forward to traveling with you!
The trip is posted on this web site:
http://www.mtstravel.com/tours/hltourHLF05.html
Dec. 16-30, 2005 -
"In the Steps of the Magi" A Christmas Pilgrimage to Bethlehem, beginning at
Jerash and ending in Bethlehem. Hiking tour through Jordan, Israel and
Palestine (Full session: December 16 through 30, Half Session: December 23
through 30). The art of pilgrimage was a spiritual tradition that once
flourished within the Christian community and in almost every other
religious tradition. The "In the Steps of the Magi" tour is an attempt to
rekindle the humility and grace of this tradition while helping to expose
participants to the peoples and cultures of the Middle East. Pilgrimage is
still a highly esteemed tradition in the Middle East tradition for which
Christians and Muslims share a deep respect. In 2000 the Journey of the Magi
was co-sponsored by the Middle East Council of Churches. For information,
use this e-mail address: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Dec. 28, 2005-Jan. 18, 2006
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary Presents Two Tours to Israel.
Leader - the Rev. Dr. Lamontte M. Luker, Professor of Hebrew Scriptures. The
Holy Land Today: A Cross-Cultural Immersion. Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -
phone: 803-461-3230.
May 20-30, 2006
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary tour, leader - the Rev. Dr. Lamontte
M. Luker, Professor of Hebrew Scriptures. 175th Anniversary Study Tour of
Israel - In joint recognition of the anniversaries of the seminary and
Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Columbia S.C. Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -
803-461-3230.
[From "Ha'aretz]
"Getting tight with the Bible Belt," By Nathan Guttman
WASHINGTON - MK Benny Elon (National Union ) invests more time and effort
than perhaps any other Israeli in nurturing the relationship with
Evangelical Christians in the U.S. As minister of tourism during the
intifada, Elon promoted visits by Evangelical churches to Israel, and he
continues to attend their conferences and speak out against diplomatic
compromise on the Land of Israel.
In Elon's view, it is a productive relationship; Evangelical churches in the
United States, with a combined membership of more than 50 million, are the
closest thing to the Yesha Council of settlements on the other side of the
Atlantic. Church leaders believe the Land of Israel belongs to Jews, and
that only after the Jews settle the land will Jesus be able to return. There
is a minor argument, of course, over what will happen in the end of days -
the Evangelicals believe Jews will either cease to exist or will convert to
Christianity - but this argument is on hold for now.
(...) at the major annual conference of evangelistic broadcasters in
Anaheim, California, Elon introduced his soon-to-be-released book, "God's
Covenant with Israel: Establishing Biblical Boundaries in Today's World."
The book, which is being published in English, is a first attempt to
formulate in writing the points of agreement and cooperation between Israel
and Evangelical Christians in the United States. For Elon, it is also a
first attempt to join politics and the Bible in the discourse between the
two sides.
"I don't play it objective," says Elon, referring to his book. He says that
in his numerous encounters with Christian believers around the U.S., he has
felt a breach between the cold discussion of political and diplomatic
issues, and the spiritual religious experience, as expressed in outbursts of
"Hallelujah" and "Amen" by believers. Elon feels that he is now tying
together the loose ends and essentially giving religious-biblical
underpinnings to his diplomatic doctrine.
The book appraises four way stations in which, Elon says, a covenant was
made between God, the People of Israel and the Land of Israel: Shechem, Beit
El, Hebron and Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. It describes his life as a
resident of Beit El and depicts for readers the territories as a land of the
Bible, the same Bible that his readers read and believe in. Elon sees this
approach as part of a chain of values that can link Israel with Americans -
"If Sharansky is going for democracy and shared values and Netanyahu is
going for the war on terror, then I am going for the Bible," he says.
The third side
Aside from emphasizing the Jewish-Christian partnership in the matter of the
Bible and the Land of Israel, Elon's book also devotes extensive discussion
to the third side - the Muslims. "I try to strengthen the Jewish-Christian
common denominator, which has a scathing dispute with Islam," he says. "I'm
not proposing to burn down mosques or make provocations, but neither am I
suggesting that the common enemy be disregarded."
As Elon sees it, while Christians and Jews agree on a single historical and
chronological outlook, Islam rejects it and proposes an alternative. This is
particularly true when it comes to the issue of choice. The Muslims, Elon
writes in his book, do not accept the historical story according to which at
each stage God chose one and rejected the others, and therefore the People
of Israel, the descendants of Jacob, are the chosen people.
The National Religious Broadcasters (NBR) association is one of the fastest
growing media umbrella groups in the U.S. Although the 1,700 broadcast
organizations that belong to the NBR represent a wide range of trends and
attitudes, it is the primary working tool of the Evangelical churches in the
U.S. The radio and television stations affiliated with the organization
broadcast to tens of millions of believing Christians throughout the U.S. -
many in the southern U.S.'s Bible Belt.
Member organizations commit to uphold a "statement of faith and code of
ethics" that includes the tenets of Evangelical faith, as well as a sort of
journalistic ethical code, the components of which are somewhat similar to
like-minded documents found elsewhere in the broadcast industry. Except that
every section of the NBR code relates to a verse from the holy writings,
from which it is derived.
Israel has viewed the American Evangelical community as a significant source
of support for more than two decades. What began as a marginal dalliance
between groups in the Israeli right and leaders of the Evangelical Church
has become one of the primary channels of contact between the official State
of Israel and American Christians. Along the way, this alliance has
succeeded in overcoming more than a few hurdles - the established Jewish
community in the U.S. at first responded coolly to the closer relations
while expressing reservations about the rightist approach of the
Evangelicals in American politics - an approach that is alien to most of the
Jewish community; nor did the previous (Democratic) administration have much
fondness for this church.
However, shifts in the American and Israeli political maps, as well as the
intifada, which damaged Israel's standing in the international community,
removed most of the hurdles that stood in the way of the closer links
between Israel and the Evangelicals. They were the only group to support
Israel without reservation in the past few years, and one of the only groups
to send delegations of tourists - church members - to Jerusalem at a time
when the hotels stood empty. In addition, the fact that the Presbyterian
Church took an especially critical line toward Israel in the conflict and
that other movements considered taking steps against Israel placed the
Evangelicals at the forefront of support for Israel.
Liberal Jews are still uncomfortable with the alliance between Israel and
the Evangelicals, who represent all that the traditional political and
social values of the Jewish community are not. They also warn that in the
long term, this closeness will harm Israel's status and image in the
American mainstream and among its ruling elites. But the American Jewish
establishment has taken the approach that this is not a time to be picky
about the choice of friends and allies.
Finding the heartland
The strength and sentimentality of Evangelical support for Israel was
evident this week at the NRB gathering in Anaheim, where Glen Plummer, the
outgoing chairman of the organization, spoke about the subject. Palmer
summed up in a single forceful sentence his political outlook: "There are a
few thick-headed people who are saying that Israel is the repressor, that
Israel is Goliath and the Palestinians are David. Listen to me - it's all
nonsense."
In Benny Elon's conversations with Evangelicals, he attempts to build a sort
of parallel between America and Israel, a parallel that relates to the
concept of "heartland." In American politics, the term usually refers to the
American south and midwest, the simple America that believes in God,
maintains high conservative values and is light years away from the America
of New York and Los Angeles. It is the America that sent George W. Bush to
the White House. "The Israeli heartland is Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem, and
just as the Americans suddenly discovered their heartland when they saw the
results of the recent elections, I believe that they will now discover our
heartland, as well," says Elon.
But his objective is not necessarily the enlistment of millions of Christian
believers in a struggle against the disengagement plan. Elon wishes to hold
these forces in reserve for the big upcoming struggle over the future of the
Land of Israel. "We have to exploit this for the long term," he says, "for
another year or two, when they will have 100 or 200 Congressmen who can
support the annexation of Judea and Samaria. I am not in favor of
last-minute action meant to save a single settlement."
It should be noted that this political prediction is controversial. The
political might of the Evangelicals in Congress at present is minimal and
even if, as Elon claims, they are joined by Jewish legislators and other
supporters of the Greater Land of Israel, it is still hard to envision
hundreds of Congressmen voting in favor of annexation of the territories to
Israel.
The key question that still remains unanswered relates, then, to the ability
of the Evangelical Church to supply the goods and aid its friends in the
Israeli right. When the administration formulated its new approach to the
Middle East two years ago and devised the road map, an attempt was made to
enlist Christian believers in the struggle on behalf of the Land of Israel
and against the administration's program. Billboards called on believers to
phone the White House and tell the president that they do not agree with the
division of the Land of Israel.
There were some who amused themselves with the notion of President Bush
being afraid to lose the votes of his most devoted supporters in the
election and therefore withdrawing the road map. Then again, no such thing
happened - Bush promoted the road map and the two-state vision and the
Evangelical Christians voted for him anyway.
In the second term, will Bush be more attentive to his constituency and
become a supporter of the Greater Land of Israel? Elon believes so. He
understands the political needs of the president that prevented him from
exhibiting such an approach in his first term, but now he feels that Bush,
liberated from the political pressures of reelection, "will go back to
himself," as Elon puts it. "There is a good chance that in his second term
he will be with us and will not give a darn. I am betting on it. I believe
that the legacy he wants to leave behind him will be one of the leaving a
biblical mark on the Land of Israel."
---- --- ---- ----
If you have received this bulletin directly from us, it is because you
subscribed to the ELCA Middle East Networking List. Please forward this
bulletin to others who are interested in a just peace for Palestine and
Israel.
To Join (or Leave) this List, go to www.elca.org/middleeast
Ann Hafften
Coordinator for Middle East Networking
Division for Global Mission, ELCA
www.elca.org/middleeast
800-638-3522, ext. 6466
"The Church must work even when nothing is changing."
Bishop Munib Younan, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land
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