Leader: Dr. Hollisa Alewine Coordinator: Joan Pennington Guide: Rabbi Eitan Levy Facilitator: Blossoming Rose April 14-25, 2019

Transcription

1 Leader: Dr. Hollisa Alewine Coordinator: Joan Pennington Guide: Rabbi Eitan Levy Facilitator: Blossoming Rose April 14-25, 2019 The Creation Gospel's choice of Biblical Tamar as a base for our tours, which celebrate both Passover and Tabernacles, is not random. Soon we will also add Shavuot. Tamar is the southernmost boundary of Israel that will be established when the tribes are restored to their inheritance in the Messianic Age. Ezekiel 47 gives a beautiful description of the Arava desert as does Isaiah 35. In the blossoming desert around Tamar, Israel takes a step home. There she will prepare each year by drinking from the river that flows from the Temple. The step-by-step journey begins among the nations of exile. What if other sheep hear Yeshua's voice and yearn to celebrate the biblical feasts in the Land of Israel, yet they have no pedigree in hand? It doesn't matter because. Thus says the Lord GOD, "This shall be the boundary by which you shall divide the land for an inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel...the south shall extend from Tamar as far as the waters of Meribath-kadesh, to the brook of Egypt and to the Great Sea. You shall divide it by lot for an inheritance among yourselves and among the aliens who stay in your midst, who bring forth sons in your midst. And they shall be to you as the native-born among the sons of Israel; they shall be allotted an inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel. (Ezek 47) Notably, Solomon used Tamar as a fortress to guard southern Israel and its trade routes. It was Solomon who first prayed for the nations who would turn toward the Holy Temple and pray. He asked that their requests and return be accepted by the Father. Blossoming Rose at Tamar is a wonderful step that connects both native-born Israel and the "strangers" who return. By going up to celebrate the feasts in Israel, you are cooperating with Yeshua, Moses, and Elijah. And, as the famous Rabbi Kook stated, the redemption continues onwards. The redemption from Egypt and the complete redemption of the future is one, uninterrupted act. Moses and Elijah work to bring the same single redemption. One begins, and one concludes; together they complete a unit... The spirit of Israel listens to the sounds of redemptive activity, the result of all events, until the full sprouting of salvation, it is fullness and goodness." Returning to the southern boundary of Israel is prophetic, and it explains the Mount of Transfiguration where Moses and Elijah spoke with Yeshua. Yeshua was sacrificed at Passover, he was taken away just before Shavuot, and he will set up his Kingdom at Sukkot. Yeshua is the Strong Hand and the Outstretched Arm that connects the Feasts...until Elijah is standing at the door. Until that day, we take obedient steps HOME from our lands of captivity. If you can accept it, Elijah has

2 already come. After all, at the Transfiguration, when the disciples looked up, it was only Yeshua who stood there. He is our Passover and our Sukkot. At Passover and Sukkot 2019, our tours and volunteer activities will focus on the biblical teaching of resurrection. We will study the process of death, burial, post-mortem experience, and two resurrections from Genesis to Revelation. Specific sites along the journey will offer the opportunities to stand on the ground where biblical events and prophecy of the nations will take place Are you coming? TOUR LEADER: Dr. Hollisa Alewine Hollisa Alewine began her career teaching high school students for seven years before becoming a federal law enforcement officer. She earned her Bachelor of Science and first master s degree in Secondary Education from Texas A&M- Texarkana. While she continued her career with the Bureau of Prisons, she completed a second master s degree in Religious Education and another in Theology in Rabbinic Studies, as well as a doctorate from Oxford Graduate School. She has been a television programmer at God s Learning Channel and Hebraic Roots Network while she travels to teach at conferences and other venues. Her Creation Gospel workbook series is an ongoing project, and she has recently started a new book series called BEKY Books (Books Encouraging the Kingdom of Yeshua.) TOUR COORDINATOR: Joan Pennington Joan Pennington has visited Israel over twenty times since 1996 and has led both small and large groups in personalized studies throughout the Land. During her many travels in Israel, Joan has spent time immersed in the local environment becoming quite accustomed to the way of life among the people and the Land. In doing so, she brings a unique atmosphere to a tour with a bit of adventure and an unfolding of Israel's unforgettable personality. Joan has also served as both a short and long-term volunteer at Biblical Tamar Park, the area of the Land to which she feels a strong soulful tie and describes to others as "home." Joan owns and operates Yad Institute of Kinesiology and Bridge Spring Balancing of Saluda in South Carolina. TOUR GUIDE: Rabbi Eitan Levy Rabbi Eitan grew up in Denver, Colorado, skiing and going to football games. During his time in New York, while attending college, he became observant and decided to move to Israel fulfilling the two-thousand-year hope of the Jewish people to return home. His bachelor's degree is in philosophy from the Yeshiva, and he eventually earned his ordination as an Orthodox rabbi. After getting married and having a few children, he decided to become a tour guide. He lives in the small town of Tekoa, home of the biblical prophet, Amos, along with his wife and three little boys. His background gives him an ability to relate to people from diverse backgrounds and communicate ideas across cultural and religious divides. His passion is to share his love of Israel and Judaism with the groups he guides.

3 TOUR FACILITATOR: Blossoming Rose DeWayne A. Coxon is the founder and president of Blossoming Rose. He received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University and served as a public-school teacher, minister, college instructor and administrator from Shortly thereafter he founded Blossoming Rose, an organization whose mission is to bless Israel through various programs, including the maintenance and restoration of the 55-acre Biblical Tamar Park. He has visited Israel over 150 times and his knowledge of Jewish, Christian and Muslim history gives him a unique perspective on contemporary events taking place in the Middle East. Blossoming Rose is the curator of the archaeology site at the Park. Rob Coxon serves as the Executive Director and is the contact person for tour leaders.

4 Day 1: (Sunday Apr. 14) --- USA to Israel ITINERARY To begin our journey, we will leave our home city and fly to Israel. Meals will be served during our flight. (Please arrive at the airport three hours early.) Day 2: (Monday Apr. 15) --- Israel Jerusalem We will land in Israel at Ben Gurion International Airport, and our group will have a bus waiting for us to take us to Jerusalem where we will be served dinner and get our first night s sleep. Any one arriving early can go to the Gloria Hotel inside Jaffa Gate and enjoy the Old City. Day 3: (Tuesday Apr. 16) --- Temple Mount, the Burnt House, Mount of Olives, and the Garden of Gethsemane The Temple Mount is where the first and second temples were built and where the Jews believe the third temple will be built. We will see the Dome of the Rock where the first temple might have been built. The Burnt House Museum is a museum resembling an excavated house from the Second Temple Period situated six meters below the current street level in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. In the afternoon, we ll drive to the Mount of Olives and walk down the Bethany Road, where Yeshua walked when he raised Lazarus from the dead. The Road ends at the Garden of Gethsemane where we will go into the Gardens. The olive trees are reputed to be from the time of Yeshua. There will be time to shop after the tour is completed. Our first day in Jerusalem will be busy, and we will have seen many of the historic sites before we go to our hotel for dinner and a leisure evening. Day 4: (Wednesday Apr. 17) --- Nachal Pratt, home of the Prophet Jeremiah in Anatot. We will begin the day in Nachal Pratt, which is an Oasis in the Desert with crystal clear spring water that collects in many pools along the length of the stream. Many of the pools are shaded by fruit trees like fig and mulberry. We will be surrounded by wildlife of all kinds. In the spring the wildflowers are like rainbows. We will continue to the home of the prophet Jeremiah in Anatot and then return to the Old City where we can go to some of our favorite places or shop at the beautiful Mamilla Mall. We may have time to do some volunteer work at a food charity for the poor. We will return to our hotel, blessed to have spent the whole day viewing so many new and unusual things that are not common to most tours. Day 5: (Thursday Apr. 18) --- Talpiot Jerusalem, Rachael s tomb, Tomb of the Patriarchs, tel Sheva, and Tamar After our last hearty Israeli breakfast in Jerusalem, we will board our bus to continue our adventure, stopping for a marvelous view of Jerusalem from Talpiot. We will continue to Rachael s tomb, outside Bethlehem, and then drive to Hebron where we

5 will go into the Tomb of the Patriarchs, and we ll see other sites. Beersheva will be our next stop where we will go into tel Sheva where the wells of Abraham are located. It will be just a short ride south until we drive into Biblical Tamar Park and move into our rooms before dinner. This is where we will celebrate the ancient rites of the Jewish Passover. Day 6: (Friday Apr. 19) - Biblical Tamar Park, and Miriam s Spring We ll awaken with the feel and anticipation for our Seder. We ll begin the day by working to clean the kitchen (in a Jewish way) taking the necessary time to prepare for the Passover Seder. We ll experience the excitement of being in the Land on the first evening of Passover. This day is open to HaShem to lead us in preparing together for this great event. We will take a break after lunch and then board our bus to visit Miriam s Spring, a sacred place to Jewish people near to the place that Moses battled and cursed the snakes that bit the Israelites. After we return to Tamar, we ll dine together for our Seder meal, after which, Dr. Alewine will present a teaching in the Sukkah around the camp fire. Day 7: (Saturday Apr. 20) --- Shabbat at Tamar and Mount Hor The morning will bring the feelings that come with the Shabbat stillness of the desert as we see the sun rising over the red Jordanian mountains. The desert birds will be chirping as they seek their food. We ll go to the dining room for a cup of American coffee and breakfast. Dr. Alewine will do a teaching on the resurrection from her book, 50,000 Degrees and Cloudy: a Better Resurrection. It is a day of rest on the Sabbath and we will take time to visit some wilderness places around Tamar or just stay and rest at Tamar. Those who wish can board the bus after lunch to go see Mt. Hor, the burial place of Aaron. The Israelites spent part of their 40 years in the wilderness in and around the great oasis of Tamar, the largest in the Arava. Those who want to, can climb Prayer Mountain, to the west of Tamar, or spend time exploring the buildings at the Park and tel Tamar. There are some historic pictures and writings in the British building, on the top of the tel, and in the Israeli bomb shelter under the tel that can be viewed. We will all join in thanksgiving before the evening dinner, and later spend time around the camp fire in the Sukkah, sharing stories about our experiences. Day 8: (Sunday Apr. 21) --- Biblical Tamar Park We will begin the day with an American cup of coffee and serve ourselves at the breakfast bar. We ll start out with a tour of the archaeology site after which, those who wish to green the desert will go to the west side of the Park where trees are being planted to form a wind break at the boundary. Some may wish to beautify the Park by raking and cleaning. Still others may wish to walk the short distance to Prayer Mountain for a time of meditation. The Park Supervisor, Alan Vanderkolk, and Joan will share the vision of Biblical Tamar Park while we sit around the campfire in the Sukkah after dinner.

6 Day 9: (Monday April. 22) - Caesarea, Megiddo Valley, Nazareth, and Tiberius Our touring day will begin at 8 am as we board our bus to Caesarea where we will wade in the Mediterranean Sea and see the ancient walls King Herod built in this seaport city. This City was one of the ancient wonders of the world and it later became a Christian city. We will discuss some of the conflicts between Gentiles and Jews during the first centuries of Christianity and we ll reflect on Cornelius (Acts 10)) and the subsequent emergence of Christianity into the non-jewish communities. Next, we ll drive to Mt. Carmel and consider Elijah s role in the resurrection (I Kings 18) and then continue through the Megiddo valley into Nazareth and finally settle into our rooms at our hotel. There will be time after dinner to walk along the shore of the Sea. Day 10: (Tuesday Apr. 23) --- Mount Arbel, Capernaum, Mt of Beatitudes, Galilee, Golan Heights, and Caesarea Philippi The sun will shine in our windows reflecting the waters of the Sea of Galilee. We will eat breakfast and begin our day at Mount Arbel, the most awesome place in the Galilee. We will then visit the home of Peter and the ancient synagogue where Jesus worshipped. Then we ll continue north to the Mt. of Beatitudes where Yeshua preached followed by a Galilee boat trip. Our lunch may be in a Druze village cafeteria in the Golan Mountains near to the border of Lebanon. We will walk to the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Caesarea Philippi where Yeshua asked his disciples Who am I? We will then board our bus to go back to our hotel. There will be an opportunity to shop and relax. Day 11: (Wednesday Apr. 24) --- Jerusalem, Bet Shean, and airport Today will be our last day in Israel and we will drive from Tiberius back to Jerusalem. We will stop at Bet Shean, where the wheat kibbutz is located. This is also the place where King Saul was killed by the Philistines and his body hung on the wall. We will then revisit places in the Old City where we can stop to meditate and visit. We can wander through the Jewish quarter to the Zion area where King David s tomb is located. At 6:30 pm, we ll meet in Mamilia Mall to be bussed back to the airport for our flights home. Day 12: (Thursday Apr. 25) --- Flights Home We will arrive back in the USA in the morning, having gained the seven hours back that we lost when we arrived in Israel. We will check through customs and go to our connecting flights home. Shalom!

7 TRIP INFORMATION Included in Tour: Not included: Hotels *Flight/trip Insurance Breakfast *Lunches Dinner (except April 24) *Airline ticket National Park pass *Jericho Excavation Masada Gondola Galilee Boat All tips (except housekeeping) All meals at Biblical Tamar Park Bus transfer to and from Ben Gurion Airport Land Only Price: $2,495 (airfare not included) Single Supplement: $695 (if available) Airline ticket: See note below You will be notified by when there are sufficient registrations to buy your airline ticket. If you would like to use the Blossoming Rose travel agent, the information is below. Blossoming Rose will provide group transportation to and from Ben Gurion Airport at the designated times. If you arrive or depart outside of these times you will be responsible for your own transportation to and from Jerusalem and Biblical Tamar Park. This itinerary is subject to change. The cancellation fee is based on the total tour price, and is: 181 days or more = $100; days = $250; days = 50% of total tour price; days = 75% of total tour price; 30 days or less = 100% of total tour price. Refund may take up to 4 weeks. Trip insurance is recommended. Reserve your place immediately by paying the $500 deposit on-line at Balance is due 120 days prior to departure. For additional information on flight tickets, contact: Jodi Coxon Blossoming Rose, Cedar Springs, MI jcoxon@blossomingrose.org Office: Joan Pennington Owner of Yad Institute of Kinesiology joanpennington@hotmail.com Cell: Carol s Travel Centre, Inc. Carol Lenger Carolstravelcentre@comcast.net