HAPPY 62nd BIRTHDAY ISRAEL!

We have much to post, including a field study trip to Northern Galilee & the Golan Heights and a return trip to Jordan . . . but we have been very busy with kitchen duties. There is another short term group here for a couple of weeks, including the JUC board of directors. Our numbers for breakfast & lunch fluctuate, depending on whether or not they are on campus for meals or going on their own field study trips. But at times we are feeding up to 150 people! I'm glad to report that yesterday's lunch was our last preparation for large numbers. We have rented a car with a couple of students and we're going to Tel Aviv this afternoon, returning later tonight. But that's another blog post for later . . .

I am making this post because Israel is celebrating 62 years of independent statehood, and it is very exciting around Jerusalem! Events began Sunday at 7pm at the Western Wall for "Remembrance Day", which is like our Memorial Day. We had just returned from a trip to Mt. Hermon, but got to the wall just in time for the ceremonies to begin. After going through security, we found a place in the crowd to witness this somber remembrance. There was a military procession, and then a siren blew throughout the city. Everyone stood still & silent for one full minute. Then there were speeches by President Shimon Peres, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Gabi Ashkenazi. It was, of course, all in Hebrew, but it was beautiful! I have posted a link to YnetNews. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3877869,00.html The wooden covered walkway is the entrance for non-Muslims desiring to walk to the Temple Mount, which is dominated by the Dome of the Rock. The protective covering has been recently added to prevent people from being hit by stones thrown from the other side.

This period of remembrance continues for 24 hours into yesterday, Monday morning. We were in the kitchen preparing lunch but knew to go up on the roof at precisely 11am when the siren blew again and Jerusalem came to a virtual standstill for another full minute. Cars & busses stop, with some passsengers getting out and standing still & silent. I could see people on balconies, rooftops, inside glass windowed cafes standing perfectly still. It was extremely moving to see.

Monday evening there was a ceremony at Mt. Herzel (where Theodor Herzl, founder of the Zionist movement, is buried along with some past prime ministers and military personnel) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodor_Herzl. We didn't attend, but had been told that this ceremony marks the transition to the Independence/Birthday celebration. And what a party ensued!!! We walked down to Ben Yehuda Street in central Jerusalem and got in the middle of the extremely enthusiastic crowd for photos, music, food, beverages, and a visual of how important 1948 is to these people! Wonderful bands were playing, and people were spraying shaving cream, silly string, and "bebopping" each other on the head with huge inflatible plastic hammers. It was so much fun! We knew we had to get up at 5am today, but we stayed until about 11pm before heading back to campus. Winding our way through the crowd, I asked a couple of plain clothed girls if I could have my photo taken with them and their M16s. As soon as we got to our room, we heard fireworks and could see them through the trees from our bedroom window. For a better view, we ran up to the rooftop where other JUC folks joined us to watch the celebration in the sky over King David Hotel. We finally crawled into bed, with the sounds of celebration still being heard out in the city. As I was slumbering, more fireworks began! I just watched from our window, then put in my earplugs to get some sleep. I woke around 3am to go downstairs (and across the courtyard) to the bathroom and could still hear partying in the city! I'm tellin' ya' . . . they love their independence!!!

Tomorrow morning we'll get the short term group off to the Sea of Galilee until the weekend, and they depart Sunday evening. It's nice to just be "family" again, cooking for the students. There will be a military flyover President Peres' residence around 11:30am. Since he lives nearby, we'll interrupt lunch prep and go up on the rooftop for the airshow . . .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISRAEL!

Shalom y'all

JUC Easter Picnic

The Easter sunrise service at the Garden Tomb was over at 8:30am so we strolled back to JUC, walking around the perimeter of the Old City. The photo is taken just a short distance from campus. We crawled back into our unmade beds and took a nap before the BBQ and party on the JUC lawn at 3p. All of the staff and students, those living on & off campus, came for a feast of barbecued kabobs (thanks to Tim & Dr. Wright), assorted veggie dishes & salads, and delicious desserts! That's Abby helping Diane Wright serve iced tea & lemonade. Always the willing & cheerful servant, she is . . . and her husband!

It was a beautiful afternoon. Several of the students had manicured the lawn and pruned the garden. Children of some of the married students were there to enjoy an easter egg hunt. There were games and plenty of food & relaxed conversation to go around . . .

It was the perfect ending to a perfect Easter Sunday in Jerusalem!

Shalom y'all

Easter Sunday

Even though we had just returned from a field study trip to northern Galilee and the Golan Heights Saturday night, we went to bed early and got up at 4am to attend the sunrise service at the Garden Tomb. It was beautiful! There was a praise & worship team, complete with band instruments and we sang songs familiar to all of us. Most of those in attendance were from the States, with others from all over the world. But the majority of us were Christians, and it was a very joyous & peaceful service with an inspiring message. The speaker told of a book he had read titled "Events That Changed the World: Over 50 Major Events That Have Changed the World in the Past 100 Years". Then he talked about the resurrection of Jesus and how it is the single event in history that has changed everything for all eternity! It was very good. And it was wonderful to listen and participate while looking at an empty tomb, and feeling His presence all around us!

Some of the JUC students had attended the midnight service at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and they said it was not a pleasant experience. It was extremely crowded and rather chaotic. Though they were tired, they were glad they stayed awake for the Garden Tomb service. We took a photo of four of our guys. Apparently Todd was thinking Easter bunny!

We are glad we went, too! The video is not ours, but a representative one I found on youtube. I'm actually in it for a split second on the far left, but it's not worth trying to pinpoint it. It was just enough to be there!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z2R6PKrRUg

Shalom y'all!

Galilee, 20-23 MAR 2010

We boarded our bus at Jaffa Gate and headed out at 7:30am on Saturday, heading northwest to the Coastal Plain & Sharon Plain. Dr. Wright had to return to the states as his dad is ill, & Cyndi Parker took up his mantle with the "Physical Settings" field study . . . she did a good job! We took sooooooooooooooo many photos, but posted the best representative of each site. We still haven't had success putting captions on the individual photos, so you'll have to do the work! I made several posts for this trip, trying to put photos & related text on the same page . . .

Our first stop was Caesarea Maritime, Herod the Great's magnificent palace site on the Mediterranean. I'm not sure I've personally seen anything more beautiful! It has been one of the highlights of my trip thus far. He built it in 28 BC in honor of his beloved Ceasar Augustus and it was a challenge of nature, jutting out into the Med. But we're finding out that Herod liked challenges! The hippodrome (open air stadium for horse & chariot racing), a portion of the aqueduct (photo of Nat on top), and theater still remain through preservation. The theater still has concerts. I would love to go to one, listening & watching the sun set over the Med, but haven't found the schedule of events yet. A portion of the incredible harbor remains, and a dive shop is available for anyone wanting to see the underwater antiquities.

It was from Caesarea Maritime that a Roman Centurion, Cornelius, saw a vision that told him to send for Simon Peter (Acts 10). After Peter's arrival, Cornelius and his family became the first New Testament Gentile converts to the Gospel. The apostle Paul became a Roman prisoner after a riot against what he taught broke out in Jerusalem. When a plot to ambush and kill Paul was discovered he was immediately taken, under Roman protection, to Caesarea (Acts 21-23). Soon after his arrival in Caesarea. Paul's case was heard by Roman governor Felix. The governor, however, kept Paul a prisoner in the city for two years in the hope that money would be offered to secure his release (Acts 24:26-27). It was only after Felix was replaced as governor, and Paul requested that Caesar himself hear his case, that he left the city.

I wanted to stay, but we then traveled northeast through the Carmel mountain range to Mt Carmel & the Jezreel Valley (Yizre'el). From every vantage on this trip, we could see Mt. Gilboa, Mt. Moreh & Mt. Tabor. We could see Megiddo in the distance and TransJordan beyond. Periodically, we could see snowcapped Mt. Hermon as we travelled to the Golan Heights.

Galilee, 20-23 MAR 2010

Along our drive, we saw several first century tombs right on the highway!

After a day of climbing & hiking, we made our way to Ein Gev kibbutz on the Sea of Galilee. This is where we stayed the three nights of our trip. Our cabana room was right on the water's edge with Tiberias across the Sea. It was absolutely beautiful! A kibbutz (Hebrew for "gathering, clustering") is a community in Israel that was traditionally based on agriculture. Today, farming has been partly supplanted by other economic branches. Kibbutzim began as utopian communities, a combination of socialism and Zionism. In recent decades, many kibbutzim have been privatized and changes have been made in the communal lifestyle. A member of a kibbutz is called a kibbutznik. Ein Gev has about 250 residents, with tourism and agriculture comprising its two main income-generating activities. The facility we stayed in is an actual tourist resort.

Sunday after breakfast (the food at Ein Gev is wonderful), we went to the ruins of Beit She'an which sits 17 miles south of the Sea of Galilee. Destroyed by an earthquake in 789AD, it was excavated in the '20s & '30s, resulting in exposing one column. It was again excavated extensively in 1989. The ruins visible today are a spectacular sight (photo of us in front of excavated ruins). Here sat an Egyptian governor's residence, so it became known by some as "Little Egypt". Beit She'an is where the decapitated bodies of Saul & his sons were brought after they died in the battle of Mt. Gilboa, Saul committing suicide after being wounded (I Samuel 31).
We drove past Harod Springs (no photo), where God instructed Gideon to cull the 32, 000 men down to 300 after telling him, "You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands . . ." The final determination was down to the men who lapped their drinking water from their hands at the springs. It's a good read from the 7th chapter of Judges.

Galilee, 20-23 MAR 2010

Our next stop was Tel Megiddo, 25 times built & destroyed. King David built the 16th layer. The waterworks & stables were built by King Ahab for his many horses & chariots. British General Edmund Allenby conquered the Turks during a WWI battle here. The War of 1948 ended in the extensive plains of Megiddo in the Jezreel Valley, where many believe the battle of Armeggedon will take place. (Revelation 16:16 & 19:11-21) It was thrilling to contemplate, as believers will participate (v.14)! We took a photo of the site from the Tel. The landscaped farmland belies the Apostle John's revelation of blood as high as the horses' bridles.

We then drove to Nazareth and sat on a high overlook on the edge of town, over the Jezreel Valley. It is here that tradition says Jesus was taken by the crowd to be thrown down, and he ultimately walked right through the throng of people and went on his way (Luke 4:16-30). And sure enough, something quite good came from Nazareth. I took a photo of Nat on edge of the precipice.

On to Tzippori (Sepphoris) which governed as the capital of the Sea of Galilee until Herod Antipas moved the capital to Tiberias. We visited a Roman mansion which had lovely mosaics. And we saw ancient Cana in the distance. (No photos)

We drove up, up, up to the Turon Ridge and climbed, climbed, climbed a lookout built during the 1948 war. It provided an excellent view. We were not the only ones there though. An Arab family had apparently gone there for a picnic. They cranked up their music, the young started dancing, the men sat on a blanket and smoked their elaborate water pipe, and "Mama" fired up the grill! Well, that's all the JUC kids needed to see. One by one, they climbed down from the lookout and joined in the fun. Our bus driver, Hani, was delighted and broke out some snacks of his own. Soon it was one big party! After about an hour, we headed back to Ein Gev for another delicious meal and good night's sleep.

Day three started at Rosh Pinna in the Huleh Valley, an agricultural region in northern Israel. Rosh Pinna was founded in 1882 by thirty immigrant families from Romania, making it one of the oldest Zionist settlements in Israel. We then went to what remains of Tel Hazor (photo of Nat in front of part of the ruins), where Joshua defeated the king (and his kingdoms), ". . .not sparing anything that breathed, and he burned up Hazor itself." Joshua 11

We drove through Kiryat Shmona (no photo), on the western slopes of the Huleh Valley on the Lebanese border. The city was named for the eight people, including Joseph Trumpeldor, who died in 1920 defending Tel Hai (where we will return to this next weekend with another class field study & stay at a kibbutz). Kiryat Shmona's location close to the Lebanon border makes it a rich target for cross-border attacks. In the years 2000-2006, the locals enjoyed relative peace but suffered from loud explosions every few weeks because of Hezbollah anti-aircraft cannons fired at Israeli Air Force planes flying across the Israeli-Lebanese border. During the 2006 Lebanon War, the city was again the target of Hezbollah Katyusha rocket attacks. Approximately half of the city’s residents had left the area, and the other half who remained stayed in bomb shelters. During the war, a total of 1,012 Katyusha rockets hit Kiryat Shmona.

Galilee, 20-23 MAR 2010

We went to Tel Dan, identified with the Biblical city of Dan, the northernmost city in the Kingdom of Israel and known as Laish prior to its conquest by the tribe of Dan (Judges 18). It is a lush, beautiful place with lots of foliage, flowers, springs, flowing water, and a very refreshing wading pool! Including in the remains is the only mud brick arched gate in existence . . . for those interested. Jeroboam set up a cultic site here (I Kings 12). Got a photo of Nat rummaging through this site. From north facing embattlement trenches and a lookout, we saw the remains of a destroyed Syrian tank from one of the wars.

Our next stop was another favorite of mine, and mentioned in the gospels of Matthew & Mark. Caesarea Philippi, named for Caesar Augustus & Herod's third son, Philip. The territory first belonged to Cleopatra, but the beautiful remains are attributed to the Herod Family. Say what you want about Herod the Great & Sons, but they were absolutely ingenious when it came to building palaces! Caesarea Philippi reminded me of Petra, as the remains we saw are carved into the red rock mountain . . . absolutely stunning! Caesarea Philippi wasn't anything like I had pictured it in my mind all these years . . .

Galilee, 20-23 MAR 2010

We then went to the excavation site of Omrit. Located in the northeast corner of the Huleh Valley on the foot of the Golan Heights, the ancient site of Omrit sits atop a foothill of Mount Hermon. After a brushfire cleared the area and revealed some interesting hewn stone in 1998, archeologists from Macalester College of St. Paul, Minnesota began excavating. Thus far excavations have yielded three phases of Roman temple construction approximated at mid first century BC, 20BC and first century AD. It sits on the Roman road to Damascus and it is curious to ponder whether Saul of Tarsus had made it this far before his encouter with the Lord? We had a lot of fun crawling all over the site looking for treasures. I did find a small piece of marble which is interesting because it is not a stone native to the area and any marble had to be brought in from Greece or somewhere, but left it for the Macalester students. Nat gathered up some seeds of Israel's variety of our Texas bluebonnet . . . except much larger! Since the pods are still green, not sure if the seed will be viable but going to try them and see.

We drove past areas where battles took place in the 1967 "Six Day War" & the 1973 "Yom Kippur War". In both conflicts Israel won, pushing the border to Damascus and both times giving it back to Syria . . . mistake? Israel did keep areas atop the Golan Heights, primarily 2 extinct volcanoes which, allow excellent viewing and military vantages in regard to keeping an eye on any future military buildups. Plus, there is an additional buffer zone (DMZ) which is enforced by UN troops. During peace negotiations after '73 war, it is said Prime Minister Golda Meier gave Defense Minister Moshe Dayan strict instructions to "Keep the volcanoes." It was already dark when we arrived this site, but we'll be going again and take photos.

Another good night's rest, and we checked out of our rooms after breakfast on Tuesday. I made my way down to the water's edge, at least dipping my toe in the Sea of Galilee. I didn't test walking on the water. Nat never got in, but sure had fun saying, "I swam today where Jesus walked." Before leaving the area we went to Ein Gev Harbor, which is part of the kibbutz operation, and went out onto the Sea in one of their boats. We anchored in the middle of the Sea while Cyndi pointed out the physical settings around us as they relate to the Bible and places Jesus & his disciples would have been. Different political systems surrounded the Sea in that day. Locals would most likely cross the Sea by boat to avoid taxations on land, from one area to another.

On to Kursi, and the ruins of a Byzantine monastery. This is another site where tradition has Jesus healing the demon possessed. Cyndi used this opportunity to remind us that Matthew's gospel was written to the Jews, Mark wrote to the Romans, and Luke to the Greeks. Many times, depending on who Jesus was talking to as he traveled (even in regions surrounding the Sea of Galilee) He would caution the Jews, "Don't tell (what I have done for you) . . .", so as to not stir things up. Other times, He would say to the Romans, "Go tell . . .", because they weren't looking for a Messiah & Jesus then wanted to stimulate thought and discussion. I found this insightful. They not only grow huge "bluebonnets" in Israel, but take a look at the dandelion Nat is holding!

Galilee, 20-23 MAR 2010

On the drive to Capernum, we just had to stop and at least look at the Jordan River! Then on to Capernaum, where Jesus & the disciples spent much of their time while in Galilee. Matthew was a tax collector, and Jesus called him to follow here. The remains of Peter's home are here. A church has been built on top of it, but I was able to take a photo of part of it. All of the disciples, except for Judas, were from northern Galilee. Lots of good fishing at Capernaum! We've posted a photo of me with our leader & now good friend, Cyndi Parker! We're standing very near footprints of Jesus Nat discovered on the Sea of Galilee behind us . . . :)

We stopped the bus at a site where Jesus possibly taught His sermon on the mount. We sat in a wheat field while one of the students, Casey, recited the majority from memory. It was very enjoyable & peaceful. On the way back to J-Town, we drove through modern Tiberias & stopped at Mt. Arbel where everyone (but me) climbed down the steep cliff and explored the cave dwellings and then rock climbed back to the top. It would have been novice work for rock climber Natalie, but Nat had a great time!

Nat says that the Galilee is the only area of Israel he has seen so far that he would even consider giving up Texas to live in. Words are easy!

So, goodbye to Galilee until Thursday when we return with Dr. John Kaplan's "Historical & Social Settings of Modern Israel" class. This should be equally interesting as we travel the borders of Lebanon, Syria, & Jordan discussing the various military conflicts . . . just as long as we're not a moving target!

Shalom y'all

Easter & Passover in Jerusalem

Things are in high gear in J-Town as Easter & Passover are both being celebrated this week. The Old City is spit & polished and Israeli flags are flying high & proud!

Yesterday, after attending Palm Sunday services at Christ Church, we walked to the outside of the Old City eastern wall to watch the commemorative procession down from the Mt. of Olives and into the city. It wasn't a re-enactment with Jesus on a donkey, but a celebration with flags waving, drums beating, and the growing crowd singing & dancing. At the base of the mount, Nat & I saw a group of very enthusiastic people dancing their way down. I said, "I'd wager that the JUC students are involved in that!" And sure enough . . . by the time they passed us, they were yelling, "Nat & Shirley, come on with us!!!" So we did! It was so much fun! Tourists, local Believers, priests, nuns . . . all having the time of their lives celebrating the King of Kings! I noticed the streets & Via Dolorosa were lined with curious Jews. One Jewish policeman asked Nat to explain the palm branches we were waving. After a very good explanation, and a thank you from the officer, Nat said to me, "I should have said, 'You explain it to me . . . your people started it!' "

The crowd ended at the courtyard of St. Anne's Church (traditional site of Jesus' grandmother's house . . . Mary's mother). A live band was set up and the celebration continued. Nat & I finally gave up and made our way back to dinner. This evening is the beginning of Passover. For the past several weeks, the Jews have been systematically cleaning their homes and particularly removing any leaven. Stores have cleared their shelves for the week of any leavened products. Smoke is rising all over Jerusalem today . . . not from acts of violence, but as items removed from homes are burned. "Tradition, tradition!"

I would love to have been invited into a home for a seder meal, but alas, no. We had a pseudo sader (just fun to say) last Friday night as part of our shabbat. I enjoyed it, but not the same. We'll be gone on Good Friday for a three day field study to northern Israel, but will be back Saturday night. I'm planning to get up and join the crowds for the sunrise service at the Garden Tomb. Seems a shame to be here and not, huh?

Pesach Shalom y'all (Passover Peace)

Negev, Wadi Zin, Masada, Dead Sea, 06-08 MAR 2010

Negev, Wadi Zin, Masada, Dead Sea, 06-08 MAR 2010