DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

EMJC - ISRAEL 2027
March 4 to 13, 2027

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THURSDAY MARCH 4

Check-in to your hotel in Jerusalem to enjoy dinner and a good night’s sleep.

Dinner and Overnight: – Jerusalem

FRIDAY MARCH 5

Begin the day in the City of David, the birthplace of the city of Jerusalem, the place where King David established his kingdom, and where the history of the People of Israel was written. See the strongest physical connection between the stories of the Bible and reality, the place where the Holy City started. Sit on the southern steps of the Temple, used by hundreds of thousands of pilgrims 2,000 years ago as they ascended to the Temple Mount. Continue to the Mount of Olives. Visit the garden of Gethsemane and see its ancient olive trees, remembering Yeshua’s agony in prayer for us. Continue to Proceed to Gordon’s Calvary and the Garden Tomb. Shabbat services TBD.

Dinner and Overnight: - Jerusalem

SATURDAY MARCH 6

We will then visit the mountaintop fortress of Masada overlooking the Dead Sea. Less than 40 years after Yeshua was crucified, Jewish rebels took over Masada. In contrast to Yeshua’s instruction to “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s” (Luke 20:25), the rebels believed in zero-tolerance for Roman rule. The rebels were surrounded by the Roman army, and took their own lives rather than become slaves. This act has made Masada a symbol of the human spirit’s yearning for freedom and gives a greater understanding of this era of conflict that was the backdrop to Yeshua’s ministry. The oasis of Ein Gedi on the shore of the Dead Sea combines a wild, natural setting, history and archaeology. Nakhal David and Nakhal Arugot flow year-round through deep canyons surrounded by lush vegetation – a sharp contrast to the surrounding desert. This is where David took refuge from King Saul. Afterwards, we will descend to the lowest point on Earth and take advantage of the hot springs, mineral waters, and mud baths, and enjoy the desert climate, bathe in the healing waters of the Dead Sea.

Dinner and Overnight: - Jerusalem

SUNDAY MARCH 7

Visit the Yad Vashem Israel’s Holocaust Museum, remembrance and education center which is an emotional and heartrending experience. Seeing the exhibits and remembering the Holocaust gives the more than one million individuals, world leaders and dignitaries who pass through its doors annually a meaningful way to commemorate the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. We will then stroll the path that descends to the Emek Tzurim National Park located on the slopes of Mt. Scopus as you approach Nahal Kidron (the Kidron Valley). On the way the route passes between sacred sites, archaeological remains and various observations points that look out onto the city of Jerusalem. Prepare to be “Awestruck” at the Western Wall, the last remnant of the Jerusalem Temple Yeshua knew, destroyed 2,000 years ago by the Romans. Walk through the Western Wall Tunnel – the original Western Wall of Herod’s Temple Mount over which Jerusalem of later eras was constructed, walking along 1,445 feet of the original, enormous 2,000-year-old Herodian stones, seeing the lofty Warren’s Gate, a street and other finds, and a fascinating interactive model. Visit the spot where Abraham offered Isaac in sacrifice on Mount Moriah, the Temple Mount. Continue on to Mahane Yehuda the largest open market in Israel. Walking through the market’s alleyways has always been a good opportunity to meet Jerusalem and its fascinating human mosaic.

Dinner and Overnight: - Jerusalem

MONDAY MARCH 8
After breakfast before exiting Jerusalem stop at Mount Scopus to view what lies ahead, as it is one of the few places from which both the Dead Sea and the Dome of the Rock can be seen. Renew your immersion/baptism at Qasr el Yahud, located near Jericho and the Dead Sea on the Jordan River. Continue to Beit Shean, historical gem that unfolds the fascinating story of a rich period full of changes, was the capital of the Decapolis cities, through which word of Yeshua’s miracles and teachings spread (Matt. 4:25, Mark 5: 20). It has also been a scene of tragedy: more than a millennium earlier, the Philistines hung the body of Saul from its ramparts.

Dinner and Overnight: - Sea of Galilee

TUESDAY MARCH 9

Visit to Mt. Beatitudes where Yeshua gave his “Sermon on the Mount” (Matt.5). Continue to ancient Magdala, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, home to Mary Magdalene. At Capernaum – known as Yeshua’s “own town” (Matt. 9:1) – “walking where Yeshua walked” takes on thrilling new meaning. As you sit on the stone benches of Capernaum’s ancient synagogue, you’ll be reminded that right here, Yeshua taught (Mark 1:21; John 6:59) and healed a man possessed by an evil spirit (Mark 1:23-27). It was in the synagogue on this very spot, whose foundations you can still see, which Luke says was built by the centurion whose servant Yeshua later healed (Luke 7:3-5). Yeshua also raised from the dead the daughter of this synagogue’s leader (Luke 8:49-53). Stop for a breathtaking overview of the Sea of Galilee and the scenes of Yeshua’s Galilee ministry that you will be visiting over the next few days from the Arbel Cliff.

Dinner and Overnight: – Sea of Galilee

WEDNESDAY MARCH 10

We will start our day with a visit to the site of ancient Caesarea Philippi, where Yeshua demanded to know of His disciples who people were saying He was. Next we will climb up to the Golan Heights and remember the Road to Damascus. Continue along Israel’s border with Syria and stop at Mount Bental, one of the volcanic cones that created the Golan Heights, for a panoramic view of Israel, Syria and Lebanon.

Dinner and Overnight: - Sea of Galilee

THURSDAY MARCH 11

Then you will enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. We will break and enjoy a St. Peter’s Fish Lunch. Next see Korazim, an archaeological site of the city condemned by Yeshua (together with Bethsaida and Capernaum) for rejecting him.

Dinner and Overnight: - Sea of Galilee

FRIDAY MARCH 12

Proceed to Har Bracha, a Torah-based community which is located on Mount Gerizim in the Shomron. Har Bracha is mentioned in the Book of Deuteronomy: “When God your Lord brings you to the land which you are about to occupy, you must declare the blessing on Mount Gerizim…” (Deuteronomy 11:29). Continue to Tel Shiloh, in the territory of the tribe of Ephraim, the children of Israel brought the Tabernacle (Josh. 18:1), making Shiloh a religious center for the Israelites before Jerusalem. It was from Shiloh that the Ark was taken into battle and temporarily lost to the Philistines.

Dinner and Overnight: Tel Aviv

SATURDAY MARCH 13

After breakfast drive to Caesarea, an excavated city built by Herod the Great 2000 years ago. It served as the administrative capital of Judea for over 600 years. Wander through the lanes of ancient Jaffa and enjoy the galleries, and the picturesque fishing port. Farewell dinner at an Israeli restaurant before parting ways.

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