DAY 13 (DAY 8 OF ISRSEL TOUR) – SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27: YAD VASHEM, BETHLEHEM, SHEPHERD’S FIELDS, THE “SHEPHELAH” (LOWLANDS OF JUDAH) – SOCOH/ELAH VALLEY, BETH SHEMESH/SOREK VALLEY

We were greeted with bright sun this morning, a nice change from yesterday. Temps were in the low 60s by afternoon. It was a day filled with emotion (at Yad Vashem), fun, and more adventure. We read Psalm 48 as we left at 7:30.

Yad Vashem

Located in west Jerusalem is Israel’s Holocaust Museum and Memorial, Yad Vashem. We first visited the Valley of the Communities where Shlomo shared his personal story of losing 12 family members in the 1940s in Vilna, Poland.  We also walked through the Avenue of the Gentiles (those who helped save Jews, e.g. Oscar Schindler, Corrie ten Boom), and the Children’s Memorial. On our own, we spent about an hour in the museum itself. It was a moving experience.

Shepherds’ Fields & Bethlehem

We drove from Yad Vashem to Beit Sahour where the Shepherds’ Fields are located. Descending into a small cave, we recalled the wonder of the birth of Jesus. We read from Luke 2 and sang a few carols. Moving to the Shepherds’ Chapel, we sang a few more carols. The harmonious worship was wonderful! Following a great lunch, we drove to Bethlehem and enjoyed an olive wood shop and store.

Socoh/Elah Valley

In mid-afternoon, we descended down to the Shephelah (Lowlands) of Judah. This is a region characterized with rolling hills and west-to-east valleys. We climbed the unexcavated site of Socoh where we saw the whole battle between David and Goliath unfold (1 Samuel 17). As a bonus, we enjoyed the gorgeous blue lupins in bloom on top of the site.

 
“I enjoyed so much about today. First, to hear Shlomo share his personal story about the Holocaust was meaningful. Then to sing Christmas carols in Bethlehem was so wonderful. It was another great day… thank you Dr. John for such a great trip!”  (Tour Member)
Fog Jerusalem Israel Tour John DeLancey
Beth Shemesh/Sorek Valley

Driving north, Beth Shemesh was our last site of the day. Walking to the top of the site, we recalled the life of Samson who grew up in Zorah on the north side of the Sorek (Judges 13-16). How first wife was from Timnah, just 4 miles west in the valley. We then read from 1 Samuel 6 about the return of the Ark of the Covenant from the Philistine city of Ekron. This was yet another story we could see happening before our eyes!

We drove back to our hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and an optional walk on the Promenade. Tommorrow is our last full day here in Israel!

 

DAY 14 (DAY 9 OF ISRAEL TOUR) – MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28: WESTERN WALL & TUNNEL, SOUTHERN WALL EXCAVATIONS, CITY OF DAVID, HEZEKIAH’S TUNNEL, MT. OF OLIVES, A FEW FREE HOURS, FAREWELL DINNER, NIGHT FLIGHT HOME

YAD VASHEM Israel Tour John DeLancey
Shepherds' Fields Israel Tour John DeLancey
YAD VASHEM Israel Tour John DeLancey
Elah Valley Israel Tour John DeLancey

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