Israel and Jordan
Faculty: Bob Harder
Class Meeting Time: Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Trip Dates: May, 2026
Cost: $2,400
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Highlights
Step beyond the classroom and into the lands where faith, history, and culture collide. This course will take you on an immersive journey through Israel and Jordan where you will walk the paths of Jesus and dip into the waters of the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan River, the Dead Sea, and the Red Sea. You will explore the breathtaking landscapes of the Bible and stand in the places where Scripture came to life. This class will be more than just history, however—it is also about engaging with the present. As we navigate the beauty and complexity of the Holy Land, we will meet with local Israelis and Palestinians, listening to their stories to gain a deeper understanding of the realities of the conflict that shapes this region today. If you are ready to challenge your perspective, grow in your faith, and experience the Bible in a way you never have before, this adventure is calling your name! We will start both our course and travels in Israel (Palestine), walking where Jesus walked – but we’ll also walk where Jesus would walk if he were here today, listening to Orthodox Jewish Rabbis, Muslim Clerics, Palestinian refugees, and Zionist Israeli settlers. We will study the history and culture of the Holy Land from the time of Jesus to the present day. We will try to unpack and understand the complexities of geopolitics, religions, wars, humanitarian crises, occupation, and oppression within the context of what Jesus meant when he said “blessed are the peacemakers.”
We will travel for nine days to Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Haifa, the Sea of Galilee, and Samaria, to Nazareth, Nablus, and Capernaum, and then on to Jerusalem, Jericho, Hebron, Bethlehem, the Jordan River, and the Dead Sea. From there we will travel south to the Red Sea and cross over into Jordan at Eilat. We will spend nine days exploring and experiencing Jordan’s rich history and culture, including swimming in Red Sea at Tala Bay, a jeep tour in the Wadi Rum desert, a visit to a Bedouin camp within the Petra archeological reserve, Ghor al Mazra’a village, Bethany beyond the Jordan, the baptism site of Jesus, Mt. Nebo - where Moses looked out across the Holy Land, Ajloun Castle, Miriam’s house, visits to Sodom and Gomorrah to see the salt pillars and Lot’s Cave Monastery, and a visit with Palestinian refugees and Christian relief and development agencies in Amman. We will also visit the Za’atari refugee camp and learn about the entrepreneurial activities of the tens of thousands of Syrian refugees, and engage in service opportunities with several different ministries.
Tentative Itinerary
Day 1 | Leave PDX |
Day 2 |
Arrive in Ben Gurion International Airport, Tel Aviv Haifa Telos historical briefing Mosque visit with Muslim cleric |
Day 3 |
Depart for Nazareth Nazareth Market Tour Capernaum Mt. of Beatitudes Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee |
Day 4 |
Depart for Jerusalem Meeting with Israeli journalist, briefing on Israeli politics Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum |
Day 5 |
Tour Old City of Jerusalem Bethlehem Bible College with Palestinian pastor Banksy Museum |
Day 6 |
Church of Nativity Visit Dheisheh refugee camp Visit Israeli settlement Visit Tent of Nations |
Day 7 |
Tour of Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood East Jerusalem Visit Jacob’s Well, Nablus |
Day 8 |
Visit Hebron with former Israeli soldiers Meeting with Palestinian activists Visit glass and ceramics factory |
Day 9 |
Jericho Mt. of Temptations visit Western Wall at sunset Shabbat dinner with Jewish family |
Day 10 |
Text study with Jewish Orthodox Rabbi Visit Israeli community on the Gaza Border (Netiv Ha’Asara) with Roni Keidar |
Day 11 |
Tel Aviv-Jaffa Walking tour Parents Circle with Robi Dalemin and Layla |
Day 12 |
Visit Masada, travel south to Eilat in order to enter Jordan Arrival at Jordan Border, Tala Bay for swimming in the Red Sea |
Day 13 | Aqaba to Wadi Rum desert for a jeep tour |
Day 14 |
Rum Village Bus to Bedouin Camp within the Petra archaeological reserve Afternoon hike, little Petra |
Day 15 |
Ghor al Mazra’a village: crafts and lunch Bethany beyond the Jordan, the baptism site of Jesus Mt. Nebo, where Moses looked out across the Holy Land |
Day 16 |
Visit Ajloun Castle Lunch at Miriam’s house |
Day 17 |
Visit site of Sodom and Gomorrah salt pillars Lot’s Cave Monastery |
Day 18 |
Day in Amman, shopping and free time Flight from Amman to Portland |