Virtual tours during COVID-19
In these difficult times, during which travel is virtually impossible, and when we may find ourselves isolated at home, I invite you "to visit" Israel virtually, through participating in a fascinating lesson, incorporating photos and videos from one or more tourist sites, plus Jewish texts, primary and secondary sources, and song or poetry. Ideal for your synagogue/temple or Federation, or for Jewish day school faculty or parents. Contact Ilan now to discuss your needs or select one of our ready-made tours.
Tour 1: Israel 101 - An introduction to the Land, People and State of Israel. Perfect for beginners, for introducing Israel to younger children or for multi-generational groups.
Tour 2: Israel 202 - Similar to Israel 101, but with an emphasis on inclusivity and different groups living in the Land of Israel, the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, and Israeli law and government. Perfect for beginners+, for introducing Israel to high school students or for multi-generational groups.
Tour 3: Yerushalayim, Jerusalem, Al Quds - a live tour exploring the connection of the Abrahamic religions to the Holy City. Visit the Jerusalem Archeological Park, the Kotel (Western Wall) Plaza, Rooftops Lookout, overlooking the Haram al-Sharif/the Temple Mount, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Includes video footage of the Via Dolorosa and from inside the Church, and original music to help us on our spiritual journey. Join Second Temple pilgrims as they celebrate in the city, walk in the footsteps of Jesus and understand why Haram al-Sharif is holy to Muslims. Ideal for inter-faith groups.
Tour 4: Jerusalem Archaeological Park - a live tour from the field of one of the most fascinating tourist sites in Israel. Step back 2000 years ago to the time when the Second Temple stood and walk in the footsteps of our ancestors who came here on pilgrimage three times a year/walk in the footsteps of Jesus.
Tour 5: Castel and the Jerusalem Archaeological Park - During this virtual tour/lecture we will examine the siege of Jerusalem in 1947-8 and the first major battle to open the road to the city when Zionist forces attacked the Arab village of Castel. We will explore how Israeli society remembers those who fell in the battles and celebrates Jewish access to the city today. We will also walk in the footsteps of Jewish pilgrims who "went up" to the city during the time that the Second Temple stood.
Tour 6: The end of the Great Revolt and the aftermath of the Bar Kochba Revolt - During this virtual tour/lecture we will explore the lesser visited site of Herodium. We will "meet" King Herod and examine the first of three "mop-up" military operations of the Roman Empire against Judean forces. We will learn about the Bar Kochba Revolt, including how the Zionist movement and the State of Israel grappled with the legacy of the event.
Tour 7: Jerusalem United/Divided: Past, Present and Future - During this virtual tour/lecture we will deconstruct and critically analyze the slogan "Jerusalem is the eternal, undivided capital of the State of Israel and the Jewish people" through exploring key milestones and sites related to changes to the city's administration over the last century. We will learn about:
a) the deep Jewish connection to the city, while we visit Haas Promenade, overlooking the Old City;
b) the Arab siege of Jewish Jerusalem in 1947-8, through visiting the Mt. Zion cable car museum, Batei Machase Square and the Bell Outpost;
c) the "Seam Line" (between West and East Jerusalem) during 1948-1967, through exploring Mandelbaum Gate and the Israeli-held enclave at Mt. Scopus;
d) the 1967 Israeli seizure of East Jerusalem, through exploring the battle at Ammunition Hill and the capture of the Temple Mount/Sacred Esplanade and the entire Old City;
e) current issues surrounding Israeli administration of the city, including Israeli settlement in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, and the building of a wall segment of the Israeli barrier built in territory seized in 1967, including inside Jerusalem, and
f) finally, potential solutions to the question of the future of Jerusalem.
Tour 8: Monasteries and monasticism in the Judean Desert - Join us on this learning pilgrimage as we visit the area of John the Baptist, of Elijah the Prophet and of Jesus. Explore the land of hermits and of seeking God. Visit: Qasr al-Yahud baptismal site on the banks of the Jordan River; the monastery of Dir Hajla (St. Gerasimus); the archaeological site of Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered; Nebi Musa, and an overlook over the Saints John and George of Choziba Monastery (St. George Monastery).
Tour 9: Devotion and commitment in the Holy Land - Join us on this learning pilgrimage as we revisit the narratives which changed the world and meet those who devote their lives to a cause greater than themselves. Visit: Mary's Spring, the Church of the Visitation and the Church of St. John the Baptist in Ein Karem; Our Lady of the Ark of the Covenant in Kiriyat Yearim, and the Benedictine Monastery in adjacent Abu Ghosh (and Emmaus Nicopolis), and the Trappist Monastery in Latrun.
Tour 10: The Twisted Road to Independence - Join us as we visit the Museum of Undergound Prisoners in Jerusalem's Russian Compound where we will learn about and critically examine the worldviews and activities of the three Zionist paramilitary groups active in British Mandate Palestine-Land of Israel.
Session 11: The State of Israel vs. Benjamin Netanyahu - During this Zoom session we will examine: the corruption cases against Netanyahu, for which he was charged with breach of trust, fraud and bribery, as well as the "submarines and shares" case in which he was not investigated as a suspect; reasons for the protests, including economic issues (triggered by the pandemic crisis), political instability (four elections in just two years), the inchoate nature of COVID-19 restrictions and enforcement mechanisms, and "diminishing democracy"; the different protesters (anti-corruption, economic, liberal-leftist, and international), and Israeli police, and Likud and other political responses to the protests which have now lasted more than half a year.
Session 12: The Abraham Accords - During this Zoom session we will examine: the agreements between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco; controvery surrounding the deals, and the effect of the deals on Israeli politics on annexation (and whether critiques of annexation might still be relevant), the Trump peace plan, the Arab Peace Initiative, other peace plans and the Palestinian arena.
Session 13: What does the Torah have to say about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict - During this Zoom session - available for people of faith and text learning backgrounds - we will explore Jewish texts and textual analysis. Through the eyes of Jewish textual commentators the Rambam, Ramban and the Netziv, and the Jewish philosopher Yeshayahu Leibowitz, we will explore the actions of Shimon and Levi in the context of the rape of their sister Dina, and the reaction of their father Jacob to their actions. In what way might we apply lessons from this Biblical episode to news and current affairs?
Tour 1: Israel 101 - An introduction to the Land, People and State of Israel. Perfect for beginners, for introducing Israel to younger children or for multi-generational groups.
Tour 2: Israel 202 - Similar to Israel 101, but with an emphasis on inclusivity and different groups living in the Land of Israel, the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, and Israeli law and government. Perfect for beginners+, for introducing Israel to high school students or for multi-generational groups.
Tour 3: Yerushalayim, Jerusalem, Al Quds - a live tour exploring the connection of the Abrahamic religions to the Holy City. Visit the Jerusalem Archeological Park, the Kotel (Western Wall) Plaza, Rooftops Lookout, overlooking the Haram al-Sharif/the Temple Mount, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Includes video footage of the Via Dolorosa and from inside the Church, and original music to help us on our spiritual journey. Join Second Temple pilgrims as they celebrate in the city, walk in the footsteps of Jesus and understand why Haram al-Sharif is holy to Muslims. Ideal for inter-faith groups.
Tour 4: Jerusalem Archaeological Park - a live tour from the field of one of the most fascinating tourist sites in Israel. Step back 2000 years ago to the time when the Second Temple stood and walk in the footsteps of our ancestors who came here on pilgrimage three times a year/walk in the footsteps of Jesus.
Tour 5: Castel and the Jerusalem Archaeological Park - During this virtual tour/lecture we will examine the siege of Jerusalem in 1947-8 and the first major battle to open the road to the city when Zionist forces attacked the Arab village of Castel. We will explore how Israeli society remembers those who fell in the battles and celebrates Jewish access to the city today. We will also walk in the footsteps of Jewish pilgrims who "went up" to the city during the time that the Second Temple stood.
Tour 6: The end of the Great Revolt and the aftermath of the Bar Kochba Revolt - During this virtual tour/lecture we will explore the lesser visited site of Herodium. We will "meet" King Herod and examine the first of three "mop-up" military operations of the Roman Empire against Judean forces. We will learn about the Bar Kochba Revolt, including how the Zionist movement and the State of Israel grappled with the legacy of the event.
Tour 7: Jerusalem United/Divided: Past, Present and Future - During this virtual tour/lecture we will deconstruct and critically analyze the slogan "Jerusalem is the eternal, undivided capital of the State of Israel and the Jewish people" through exploring key milestones and sites related to changes to the city's administration over the last century. We will learn about:
a) the deep Jewish connection to the city, while we visit Haas Promenade, overlooking the Old City;
b) the Arab siege of Jewish Jerusalem in 1947-8, through visiting the Mt. Zion cable car museum, Batei Machase Square and the Bell Outpost;
c) the "Seam Line" (between West and East Jerusalem) during 1948-1967, through exploring Mandelbaum Gate and the Israeli-held enclave at Mt. Scopus;
d) the 1967 Israeli seizure of East Jerusalem, through exploring the battle at Ammunition Hill and the capture of the Temple Mount/Sacred Esplanade and the entire Old City;
e) current issues surrounding Israeli administration of the city, including Israeli settlement in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, and the building of a wall segment of the Israeli barrier built in territory seized in 1967, including inside Jerusalem, and
f) finally, potential solutions to the question of the future of Jerusalem.
Tour 8: Monasteries and monasticism in the Judean Desert - Join us on this learning pilgrimage as we visit the area of John the Baptist, of Elijah the Prophet and of Jesus. Explore the land of hermits and of seeking God. Visit: Qasr al-Yahud baptismal site on the banks of the Jordan River; the monastery of Dir Hajla (St. Gerasimus); the archaeological site of Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered; Nebi Musa, and an overlook over the Saints John and George of Choziba Monastery (St. George Monastery).
Tour 9: Devotion and commitment in the Holy Land - Join us on this learning pilgrimage as we revisit the narratives which changed the world and meet those who devote their lives to a cause greater than themselves. Visit: Mary's Spring, the Church of the Visitation and the Church of St. John the Baptist in Ein Karem; Our Lady of the Ark of the Covenant in Kiriyat Yearim, and the Benedictine Monastery in adjacent Abu Ghosh (and Emmaus Nicopolis), and the Trappist Monastery in Latrun.
Tour 10: The Twisted Road to Independence - Join us as we visit the Museum of Undergound Prisoners in Jerusalem's Russian Compound where we will learn about and critically examine the worldviews and activities of the three Zionist paramilitary groups active in British Mandate Palestine-Land of Israel.
Session 11: The State of Israel vs. Benjamin Netanyahu - During this Zoom session we will examine: the corruption cases against Netanyahu, for which he was charged with breach of trust, fraud and bribery, as well as the "submarines and shares" case in which he was not investigated as a suspect; reasons for the protests, including economic issues (triggered by the pandemic crisis), political instability (four elections in just two years), the inchoate nature of COVID-19 restrictions and enforcement mechanisms, and "diminishing democracy"; the different protesters (anti-corruption, economic, liberal-leftist, and international), and Israeli police, and Likud and other political responses to the protests which have now lasted more than half a year.
Session 12: The Abraham Accords - During this Zoom session we will examine: the agreements between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco; controvery surrounding the deals, and the effect of the deals on Israeli politics on annexation (and whether critiques of annexation might still be relevant), the Trump peace plan, the Arab Peace Initiative, other peace plans and the Palestinian arena.
Session 13: What does the Torah have to say about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict - During this Zoom session - available for people of faith and text learning backgrounds - we will explore Jewish texts and textual analysis. Through the eyes of Jewish textual commentators the Rambam, Ramban and the Netziv, and the Jewish philosopher Yeshayahu Leibowitz, we will explore the actions of Shimon and Levi in the context of the rape of their sister Dina, and the reaction of their father Jacob to their actions. In what way might we apply lessons from this Biblical episode to news and current affairs?
