Bethsaida 2011
From Faith Futures
This page is part of the Bethsaida Then and Now project.
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25 YEARS + 25 AUSSIES + 25 AMERICANS
12-25 June 2011
It is mid-winter in Australia, but high summer in Israel. A group of 25 volunteers from Charles Sturt University & St Francis Theological College in Brisbane will join with 25 volunteers from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. The Aussies and their North American colleagues will join forces to mark the 25th annual season of the Bethsaida excavations.
- On their way to Bethsaida, the Aussies will spend a week in Jerusalem - with ample time to explore its unique mix of historical and religious sites. We shall be staying at historic Ecce Homo Convent, right next to the beginning of the Via Dolorosa.
- During the two weeks on the dig we are based at the Nof Ginosar Holiday Village on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. This offers excellent facilities, with accommodation options ranging from dormitory rooms and triple rooms, to twin-share and private rooms.
- While travelling to and from Ginosar, and on the weekend that occurs during the season, there will be opportunities to visit selected sites in the Galilee as well as other parts of Israel.
- There will also be opportunities to meet with local Jewish and Christian communities in the Galilee and in Jerusalem.
- After the tour concludes participants may choose optional packages to visit Jordan and Egypt, or to travel on to Europe.
Numbers are limited to 25 persons, with 10 places reserved for undergraduate students of Charles Sturt University and another 15 places available for others wishing to participate in this special experience. Early registration is strongly recommended.
Itinerary
The proposed itinerary is outlined, but the final arrangements are always subject to change according to local circumstances.
Friday, June 3 - Depart Brisbane in the evening and travel to Dubai via Singapore for onward transfer to Amman.
Saturday, June 4 - Arrive Amman mid-morning and transfer to Ecce Homo Convent in the Old City of Jerusalem. Afternoon and evening free.
Sunday, June 5 - Worship with Arabic congregation at St George's Cathedral. Visit Mt Olives for overview of Jerusalem. Lunch by own arrangements. Afternoon visit to Israel Museum. Evening free.
Monday, June 6 - Visit Church of the Paternoster on the Mt Olives, then walk to Gethsemane via Dominus Flevit and Church of all Nations. Lunch by own arrangements. Afternoon walking tour through Jewish Quarter to the southern steps of Temple ruins (Davidson Center) and then to the City of David. Evening free.
Tuesday, June 7 - Early morning visit to the Haram, the Western Wall, and the Western Wall Tunnel. Lunch by own arrangements. Afternoon visit to Yad Vashem.
Wednesday, June 8 - Morning visit to Bethlehem in morning. Lunch by own arrangements. Presentation from ICAHD/PASSIA/Sabeel in afternoon (details to be confirmed).
Thursday, June 9 - Early morning visit to Qumran and Masada, followed by opportunity to swim in the Dead Sea. Lunch by own arrangements. Late afternoon presentation from Palestine Media Watch (or similar Israeli organisation).
Friday, June 10 - Morning free and lunch by own arrangements. Mid-afternoon pray the Via Dolorosa ending in Holy Sepulchure. Evening free.
Saturday, June 11 - Depart Jerusalem via Abu Gosh, Tel Aviv/Joppa and Nazareth Village. Arrive Ginosar late afternoon. Evening free.
Sunday, June 12 - Morning worship with Anglican community in Nazareth. Visit local holy sites. Lunch by own arrangement. Afternoon visit to Cana, Sepphoris and Mt Tabor.
Monday, June 13 - Friday, June 25 - Two weeks on the Bethsaida Excavations (see below for typical daily schedule)
Saturday, June 25 - Morning departure from Ginosar for transfer to Amman. Special packages are available for tours in Jordan and Egypt as well as connections to other destinations.
Optional side trips: On the weekend of June 18/19, optional visits will be arranged to local sites such as Mt Beatitudes, Chorazin, Capernaum, and Tabgha; and to nearby major sites such as Megiddo and Caesarea (to SW) or Hazor and Dan (to NE).
Cost
The all-inclusive cost for the 2011 Bethsaida tour is A$6,999.00. This figure includes the two weeks on the site at Bethsaida, based on twin-share accommodation. For costs with different accommodation packages, please contact Mission Travel Group.
Exclusions from tour price: Lunches (unless otherwise indicated), gratuities and incidental expenses (including optional side trips, entry to some national park sites).
Forms
Download the following forms for further information, including the form needed to register your interest with Mission Travel Group:
- 2011 Tour Flier (2.3MB)
- Registration Form (732KB)
- Combined Flier & Registration Form (1.8MB)
- Bethsaida Volunteer Information 2011 (yet to be published)
Daily schedule at Bethsaida dig
Our work requires various levels of physical conditioning, but there is a job for everyone. Tasks include digging, sifting dirt, washing pottery and finds and sorting and cataloguing finds.
Work days are Monday - Friday
- 5:30am - Depart Ginosar for Bethsaida
- 6.00am - Work commences
- 9:00am - Breakfast at the site (45 min break)
- 11.00am - Popsicle break
- 12.30pm - Depart site for return to Ginosar
- 1:00pm - Lunch at the hotel
- 4:30pm - “Pottery reading”
- 7:00pm - Dinner
- 8:00pm - Evening Lecture
How to reserve your space at Bethsaida in 2011
If you would like to be part of this experience, you can register an expression of interest by contacting MISSION TRAVEL GROUP:
Email: info@missiontravel.com.au
Freecall: 1300 554 654
Web: http://www.missiontravelgroup.com.au
605 Camberwell Rd, Camberwell VIC 3124
Please direct all enquiries about the tour, travel arrangements, etc to the friendly and experienced staff at Mission Travel Group.
