On Eagles' Wings:
A Journey into the Heart of the Modern State of Israel

Radio Show Host Michael Medved, in association with the Israel Studies Institute is proud to offer an unparalleled look into the very essence of the State of Israel.  Like Michael's radio show, you'll go well beyond the superficial coverage that you receive from the networks and cable news during your 8 day trip to the State of Israel.

The tour will offer:

• Ongoing commentary and insights by acclaimed radio talk show host Michael Medved
• A comprehensive interfaith tour of the Holy Land
• For Christians, a chance to understand the Jewish roots of Christianity
• For Jews, a chance to understand the roots of Christianity in the Holy Land
• For Jews and Christians, the chance to understand each others past and present, and an opportunity to discuss our shared futures
• An in-depth view of Israel's main sites from Masada in the South to the Lebanese border in the North
• Encounters with people and institutions that shape the country
• Special Sabbath (Shabbat) experiences
• Commemoration of Tisha B'Av, Judaism's national day of mourning, commemorating the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BCE and the Second Temple in 70 CE
• Insights into the current challenges facing Israel from within and without
• A chance to experience the Spirit of Israel

Israel receives more press coverage per capita than any other country on the planet.  On this tour, you'll go beyond the images that you see from your homes in the U.S. and gain a deeper understanding of what's really happening in the country today, and how it will impact the world, the U.S., and your own life. 

Add to all of this the chance to understand the Jewish and Christian underpinnings of Israel as the Holy Land and as the Modern Jewish State, from both historical and religious perspectives, and you'll be sure to go home with an understanding and appreciation of the country that very few people ever have!

On Eagles' Wings:
The Itinerary

Friday, July 20

Arrive in the afternoon from New York, and travel "up" to Jerusalem.  We'll travel straight to the Mt. of Olives for a magnificent panorama of the Old and New cities, and then settle into the hotel as the Jewish Sabbath descends on the city.  After a group dinner, get to know the other members in the group through a guided activity.  Overnight: Jerusalem.

Saturday, July 21

On this rest day, either experience a traditional Jewish Sabbath service in a synagogue or join a walking tour in one of the Jerusalem neighborhoods adjoining the hotel.  In either case, experience the difference between a regular commercial weekday and the Sabbath day in the capital of the Jewish State.  After the "havdala" ceremony, marking the end of the Sabbath, travel to to "Genesis Land" in the desert,  where we will sit in a tent and try to imagine life in the time of Abraham.  Bake "pita" bread the way it has been baked for millennia.  Overnight: Jerusalem.

Sunday, July 22

Travel below sea level to the Dead Sea area and choose one of four options: a biblical overview of the Judean desert, monastic living in Dir Hajla, the caves and Essene village of Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, or hike the desert oasis and waterfalls of Ein Gedi.  Join together for a tour of Masada, where the Jewish zealots held out against a vastly larger Roman army followingly the destruction of the 2nd Temple a generation after Jesus' death.  After a swim in the Dead Sea (the lowest point on earth), enjoy a desert barbeque in the wilderness and reflect on the birth of the Jewish nation on the desert and the life of Jewish prophets and Christian saints in the desert.  Participate in a "kumsitz" (literally: "come sit") and sing familiar songs by the campfire.  Overnight: Jerusalem.

Monday, July 23

Back in Jerusalem, experience the Old City in depth.  Participate in four activities: ascend to the Temple Mount, imagine Jerusalem in the time of David and Solomon at the First Temple Museum, walk on the street where Jesus and the Jews of his time walked on their way to the Temple at the Southern Wall excavations, and enjoy a lecture by one of the archaeologists who are re-constructing Jerusalem's history by digging in the Old City and the City of David.  After lunch in the Old City, return to the hotel and prepare for Tisha B'Av, the Jewish fast day that commemorates the destruction of both Temples and eat the pre-fast meal.  At sunset, walk solemnly around the Old City walls and witness the sea of people that converges on the Western Wall to mourn the destruction, even after 2,000 years.  Read sections from the Book of Lamentations that captures the mood of the Jewish nation after its religious and political centers had been destroyed. Overnight: Jerusalem.

Tuesday, July 24

This morning we have two meaningful options: Either join in a traditional commemoration of the fast day by sitting on the floor and reciting "kinot" (dirges) lamenting the destruction of the Holy Temple and other persecutions of the Jewish people over the centuries, or walk in the steps of Jesus during the Passion on the Mount of Olives and Gethsemane, continuing along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, finishing up at the Garden Tomb.  In the afternoon, hear a lecture by one of Israel's most important historians about the threats to the Third Jewish commonwealth (the State of Israel) today from Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and the Palestinian Authority.  Visit the national military cemetery at Mt. Herzl, contemplating the price that has been paid to establish and sustain the State, and then enjoy the "break the fast" meal back at the hotel.  Overnight: Jerusalem.

Wednesday, July 25

Tour Yad Vashem, Israel's national Holocaust memorial.  Continue to the Biblical "tel" (archaeological site) of Shilo for a meeting with historian and philosopher Dov Berkowitz.  Hear a lecture from a leader of an Israeli pre-army preparatory institution (yeshiva) and try to understand the impact of universal army service on the lives of Israeli youngsters.  Continue to the Galilee for our visit up North.  Overnight: Galilee.

Thursday, July 26

On the border with Lebanon, visit Kibbutz Malkieh and get a strategic update of the current situation as well as the results of the 2006 Lebanon War.  Travel to the Golan Heights.  Choose from one of four options: visit the Byzantine/Talmudic village of Qatzrin and its archaeological ruins, including an ancient synagogue, see the strategic stronghold of Mt. Bental and Oz 77 to hear about the Battle for the Golan Heights in the 1973 Yom Kippur War with Syria, hike to one of the area's canyons and waterfalls, or view an audio-visual presentation on the Golan Heights and visit the Golan Wineries (plus a wine tasting, of course!).  Finish the day in Tiberias, where we'll cruise the Sea of Galilee and enjoy dinner featuring "St. Peter's Fish" (among other options).  Overnight: Galilee.

Friday, July 27

In the morning, visit the sites that commemorate the early life and ministry of Jesus, including the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth, Capernaum where Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law, and the Mt. of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.  Travel back to Jerusalem via the Jordan Valley, arriving in time to prepare for our final Sabbath in Jerusalem. Overnight: Jerusalem.

Saturday, July 28

Enjoy a restful Sabbath, choosing either to join Jewish Sabbath services at a local synagogue, to walk around the city on your own, or simply to rest and take it easy.  In the afternoon, meet with soldiers who fought in last summer's Lebanon War.  In the late afternoon, participate in a special "3rd meal" dinner with Michael Medved's nephew, whose wedding will have been celebrated two days prior.  Part of the meal is the "7 Blessings" ceremony, where the bride and groom receive traditional blessings as part of the grace after meals.  After havdala, free time to pack, shop, etc.  Overnight: Jerusalem.

Sunday, July 29

Morning departure from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport.

Safe travels and L'Hitraot (see you again soon!)