“Building Bridges...”
A very special tour of
Jordan ♦ the Palestinian West Bank ♦ Israel
October 31 - November 16, 2009

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TunisUSA's founder, Jerry Sorkin's interest in cultural bridge building goes back to his days as an undergraduate and grad student at PENN. While pursuing his studies in Middle East studies and Arabic, Jerry started a dialogue group between Israelis and Palestinians. Mind you, this was in the late 1970's and early 1980's when the concept of dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians and Jews and Arabs was almost unheard of. Jerry's efforts expanded to a broader community of participants beyond the university and as some of these participants returned to their home countries, Jerry maintained his contacts and continued expanding his drive to build bridges, always with the belief that peace will only come when the two sides can better understand and respect each other as people.

Jerry organized and led a mission in June 1993, during the Oslo period, to meet with PLO Chairman Yassar Arafat to encourage him to recognize Israel, a recognition that resulted three months later on the White House lawn in September 2003. Jerry has also organized numerous musical concerts featuring prominent Arab and Jewish and Israeli and Palestinian musicians, as well as forums to bring together Israelis and Palestinians and Jews and Arabs based on their common professional interests.

TunisUSA will now be carrying on Jerry's interest with this inaugural tour to the Middle East. Hosted by Jerry - who is conversant in Arabic, Hebrew and French - this special tour will begin in Jordan, where participants will not only see the Roman ruins of Jerash, the awe inspiring city of Petra and other historical sites, but the opportunity to meet numerous people who make the Kingdom of Jordan a progressive, westernized country and one with diplomatic recognition of Israel.

From Jordan, the tour will go to the West Bank where our Palestinian hosts will provide the opportunity to see the historical sites of this region of the Palestinian territories, but again, an opportunity to meet numerous Palestinians who through their businesses, their civic involvement or their personal desire to live in peace will share their goals and the obstacles they often face to bringing a positive outlook to their lives.

Following three nights in the Palestinian territories, the tour will travel through many areas of Israel providing the opportunity to see this small country's dynamism, to learn about its ancient and contemporary history, as well as meet numerous Israelis who will have varying perspectives on the prospects for peace.

This very special tour will include accommodations in deluxe hotels and the opportunity to meet and participate in a cultural bridge building experience in a way that few travelers will ever experience! Participants will be faced with a diversity of opinions on the history, the present and the future of the Middle East. As this tour is designed to learn about the region and its people in a way that few opportunities can provide, participants are asked to maintain the upmost objectivity as well as recognizing the fact that history can be told in different ways based on how it has been learned, perceptions of people can be formed based on personal experiences, some terminology can be offensive, politically incorrect and/or politically preferred, depending upon who is using it. Most importantly, there are no sides in the Middle East that are entirely right or entirely wrong.

It is in this spirit of hope in the future that TunisUSA and Jerry Sorkin offer this unique opportunity to learn and build bridges in the Middle East.

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Saturday, October 31 - arrival in Amman, Jordan
This evening upon your arrival in Amman, you will be met at the airport by your English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel in Amman, the Crowne Plaza. After having an opportunity to check into your room, we will have an orientation and opportunity to meet your fellow travelers, as well as dinner. Overnight in Amman. (D)

Sunday, November 1 - Amman area & Jerash
This morning you drive to the Baka Camp, a short 10km from your hotel. At the Baka Camp, you will have an opportunity to meet representatives of UNWRA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) and learn about the schools, clinicsand other support network provided by UNRWA. From Baka, you continue to Jerash, The city's golden age came under Roman rule and the site is now generally acknowledged to be one of the best preserved Roman provincial towns in the world. Hidden for centuries in sand before being excavated and restored over the past 70 years, Jerash reveals a fine example of the grand, formal provincial Roman urbanism that is found throughout the Middle East, comprising paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, handsome theatres, spacious public squares and plazas, baths, fountains and city walls pierced by towers and gates. the well preserved Roman city where you will visit the temples, theaters, Byzantine churches, colonnaded streets and the forum.

Following your touring of Jerash, you return to Amman, a sprawling city spread over 19 hills, or "jebels". Amman is the modern, as well as the ancient capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Known as Rabbath-Ammon during the Iron Age and later as Philadelphia, the ancient city that was once part of the Decapolis league, now boasts a population of around 1.5 million. Often referred to as the white city due to its low size canvas of stone houses, Amman offers a variety of historical sites. Your visit to Amman will include the Citadel, the National Museum, amphitheater, as well as an opportunity to visit the souqs (the shops) and the newer parts of Amman. For dinner we will be joined by some locals who will enhance our evening discussions. Overnight in Amman. (B, D)

Monday, November 2 - Amman/Madaba/King's Way/Kerak/Petra
After checking out of your hotel, you drive south approximately 40km to Madaba. Best known for its spectacular Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, Madaba is home to the famous 6th century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. With two million pieces of colored stone, the map depicts hills and valleys, villages and towns as far as the Nile Delta. Other mosaic masterpieces found in the Church of the Virgin and the Apostles and the Archaeological Museum, depict a rampant profusion of flowers and plants, birds and fish, animals and exotic beasts, as well as scenes from mythology and everyday pursuits of hunting, fishing and farming. Literally, hundreds of other mosaics from the 5th through the 7th centuries are scattered throughout Madaba's churches and homes. Continue along the scenic King's Highway through Jujeb valley to visit the Crusader Fortress at Kerak. Following your visit at Kerak, you continue south with a late afternoon arrival to your base near Petra, the beautiful Movenpick Petra Resort. The remainder of the afternoon is free, with dinner tonight at your hotel. Overnight in Petra. (B, D)

Tuesday, November 3 - Petra and Amman
Today your touring begins early and concentrates on the vast and impressive site of Petra, the Nabatean capital from the 2nd half of the second century, BC, through the year 3BC. The ancient city of Petra is one of Jordan's national treasures and by far its best known tourist attraction. Located approximately three hours south of Amman, Petra is the legacy of the Nabataens, an industrious Arab people who settled in southern Jordan more than 2000 years ago. Admired then for its refined culture, massive architecture and ingenious complex of dams and water channels, Petra is now a UNESCO world heritage site Your tour starts from the visitor's center by horseback to the Dam, where you dismount and continue your journey through the Siq to the Treasury, the theater, the Court, the Roman columns to the basin and to the monastery. Return to the visitor's center and drive back to Amman, traveling via Wadi Rum, a drive of approximately two hours through rugged scenery, where schedule permitting, you will have a wonderful view of the sunset. You return to Amman in the evening. Dinner and overnight in Amman. (B, D)

Wednesday, November 4 - Amman and the Dead Sea with meetings scheduled for day/evening
Today will be a day providing an opportunity to meeting with people in Jordan who will provide interesting insight into life in Jordan, political perspectives and a chance to meet some of the people who can share their visions of the future in Jordan and the region, as well as schedule permitting, trying to make an visit to the Dead Sea area, an area of Biblical importance. In Amman, visits will be made to the old Hijaz train station and Jabal Weibde, an old part of Amman that is undergoing renovation and gentrification. Meetings will be scheduled and where necessary, will alter the itinerary. Dinner and overnight in Amman. (B, D)

Thursday, November 5 - Arrival from Jordan to the West Bank
This morning, you cross the Jordan River to the Palestinian West Bank, where your Palestinian hosts will take over from the hosts in Jordan. You drive to Jericho, the oldest city in the world and the lowest spot on earth, visit historical places like Jericho, Hisham's Palace. Jericho was also the first city turned over to the Palestinian Authority by the Israelis in 1993, allowing the Palestinians to administer their own municipality. In Jericho, you will have the opportunity to meet with the Mr. Sami Musallem, the Governor of Jericho, to hear about the transition of Jericho since that time and thoughts on the future. Dinner and Overnight in Jericho, at the 5 star Intercontinental Hotel. (B, D)

Friday, November 6 - Ramallah and Bethlehem
After breakfast, you drive to Ramallah, where a meeting will be arranged with a Palestinian organization called Al-Haq, which deals with Human Rights. On the way back you will visit Arafat's Tomb and a possibility of a meeting with a parliament member, based on scheduling. Additional visits will be made in the area of Ramallah with a local business and representatives from the Palestinian university community. Following your visit in the area of Ramallah, you drive to Bethlehem. In Bethlehem, you will have the opportunity to visit many of the historical sites of this legendary town, including the Church of the Nativity, the Grotto, the Church of St Catharine and the St. Jerome caves where it is said that St Jerome translated the Old Testament to the Latin Language. You will also visit the Shepherd's Fields where it is said that the Angels appeared to the Shepherds announcing the "good news". Other activities while based in Bethlehem will include a meeting with Rev Dr. Mirti Raheb at the International Center of Bethlehem, the cultural performance center of Bethlehem. Dinner tonight will be traditional Palestinian cuisine in an enjoyable setting in Beit Sahour. Overnight in Bethlehem. (B, D)

Saturday, November 7 - Deheishe camp and Hebron
After breakfast, you depart for a short trip to the Deheishe refugee camp where you will have a tour of what started in 1948 as a tented camp of Palestinian refugees and learn about the stages of development of Deheishe to its present state through meeting with residents, including residents involved with the Ibdaa Dance toupe, which started in Deheishe. From Deheishe, you continue on to Hebron, an ancicent city on the West Bank, administered by the Palestinian Authority, but with a small enclave of ultra-religious Jews who are protected by the Israeli army. This makes Hebron a rather controversial town. You will meet some of the Palestinians of Hebron and visit the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee to know more about the situation in Hebron and the work that they do. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Ibrahimi Mosque (The Tomb of The Patriarchs), as well as an opportunity to meet with representatives of the CPT (Christian Peacemaker Team), to learn more about the work they are involved with. There will also be an opportunity to see glass blowing which is famous in Hebron and the region, prior to returning to Bethlehem. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem. (B, D)

Sunday, November 8 - Jerusalem/Nazareth
Drive to Jerusalem to meet with ICAHD (Committee Against House Demolitions) and learn about the situation in Jerusalem for Palestinians.

From Jerusalem, you drive north to Nazareth and our Israeli ground hosts will continue with your journey. Your travels will take you to the northern portion of Israel, a scenic and somewhat mountainous area that has both Arab and Jewish villages. Your base in the north will be a guesthouse in the region, one of many as the areas tourism development has tried to respond with environmentally friendly venues. Dinner tonight will be in Tiberias with the opportunity to hear about Israeli perspectives on the issues of the times... Overnight in Rosh Pina. (B, D)

Monday, November 9 - Golan Heights/Safed
Your travels today will take you through areas of the Golan Heights, a beautifully scenic area that came under Israeli control following the Syrian involvement in the June 1967 "Six Day War". You will learn about the importance of this region vis-à-vis the longtime issue of risks verses rewards of Israel returing the Golan as part of a possible Syrian-Israeli peace treaty. From the Golan, you continue to the community of Safed, which today, is home to largely an Orthodox Jewish community. You will have the opportunity to learn about the importance of Safed in Jewish history and its history prior to the establishment of Israel in 1948. You will have the opportunity to visit two of Safed's ancient synagogues and learn about the kabbalah followers, a somewhat mystical sect within Judaism that has Safed its main base. From Safed, you continue through scenic hills with a visit to Tel Facher, a former Syrian army camp. Tonight, dinner will be on our own, with numerous options to choose from. Overnight in Rosh Pina. (B)

Tuesday, November 10 - Acco (Acre)/Haifa/Caesarea/Tel Aviv
This morning you depart the Galilee region and head towards the coast, with your first stop being Acco, today a small port in northern Israel, but a port town that had strategic importance due to its location as an entrance to this Levantine trading area. Acco (today, in English: Acre) has been under many hands, from the Cannanite, Phoenicians, Greeks, the Romans, the Crusaders, the Arabs and the Ottomans, before being part of Israel as a result of the 1947 U.N. Partition of Palestine. Today, Acre is today, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a city mixed with both Arabs and Jews. You will have some free time to walk along the city's old harbor and visit the local market. From Acco, you drive south along the coast to Haifa, Israeli's third largest city and largest city in the north. Haifa is also a city of mixed, Jewish and Arab residents. You will have the opportunity to visit the Bahai Gardens for a panoramic view from Mt. Carmel and visit "AF AL PI CHEN", the naval museum of the illegal immigration to Israel at the time of the British mandate.

Continue to Caesarea to view the magnificent remains of Herod's city, the Roman capital and port and fortified Crusader town. Tour the Roman Theater and the renovated port area surrounded by 800-year-old walls. From Caesarea you drive south with later afternoon arrival to Tel Aviv. Your base is a hotel in the Tel Aviv marina district. Tel Aviv is Israel's dynamic city of art, sea and the Mediterranean atmosphere that has led to Israelis comparing their two major cities by saying, "Jerusalem Prays, while Tel Aviv Plays". Tel Aviv is an epicurean's delight with restaurants reflecting a myriad of ethnic cuisines and budgets. TunisUSA and Israeli hosts will provide you with numerous options for independent dining tonight. Overnight in Tel Aviv. (B)

Wednesday, November 11 - Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv is an open air museum of Bauhaus archicture. Your day of touring will be devoted to discovering Tel Aviv area's variety, including a visit to Independence Hall, where David Ben Gurion proclaimed the foundation of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948. You will also visit Rabin Square, a large public city square in central Tel Aviv named after Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was assassinated there in 1995. Then head to the Old Port of Jaffa, filled with artists' quarters, studios and art galleries, followed by a visit later in the day with a visit to the historical and now trendy neighborhood of Neve Tzedek. Dinner tonight will be in the Old Port of Jaffa, joined by Israeli guests. Overnight in Tel Aviv. (B, D)

Thursday, November 12 - Neve Shalom-Wahat al Salam/Jerusalem
This morning you drive to a village between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem whose residents are dedicated to living together, as Jews and Arabs. Neve Shalom-Wahal al Salam is a community equally divided between Jews and Arabs who share in the governance of the community, the educational system, underscored by the premise of equality and peace between the two people. We will have the opportunity to hear about the ups and downs that have come within the community and how the residents are influenced by political realities coming from outside their village. From Neve Shalom-Wahat al Salam, you continue on to Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B, D)

Friday, November 13 - Jerusalem
Jerusalem is a city that has importance to the three religions of Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Wars have been fought over the differences among these three religions. In today's Middle East, among people of all three religions who have accepted the premise of living together side-by-side, have also accepted the fact that Jerusalem, which today is Israel's capital, will ultimately be among the most delicate of issues. Both Israelis and Palestinians see their futures as having Jerusalem as their respective capitols. While this premise is still contentious and many on both sides refuse to accept this as an option, your touring will try to provide you with both an objectivity, as well as an understanding of Jerusalem through the eyes of the people who live here and have come to terms with accepting a shared Jerusalem as an ultimate reality. Your touring of Jerusalem today will focus on the Old City of Jerusalem, the sites that are so important to the people of Jerusalem and an opportunity to meet people who call Jerusalem their home.

In the afternoon, you will visit the area often referred to as "West Jerusalem, the distinction being that "West Jerusalem" is primarily Jewish in orientation, while "East Jerusalem" is Arab in its orientation. Your West Jerusalem visit will include a walk through Machane Yehuda, a large, bustling marketplace in a Jewish sector of Jerusalem. As it is Friday afternoon, the eve of the Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat), the market becomes particularly active as shoppers buy all sorts of fresh fruit and vegetables in preparation of their Shabbat dinners. On the Shabbat, which starts at sundown Friday and lasts through sundown on Saturday, nearly everything in west Jerusalem comes to a halt, from commercial activity to public transportation. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B, D)

Saturday, November 14 - Massada/Dead Sea/Jerusalem
This morning you head south from Jerusalem into the desert area with your first stop being Massada. This mountain top fortress plays a significant role in ancient Jewish history, as it was the site of Jewish zealots sacrificing their lives in their attempt to thwart the Romans in the first century, CE. This siege and sacrifice history has left a psychological perspective of many Israelis who have felt the threat of surrounding Arab armies of the region during the 20th and now, 21st centuries. You will have time to explore this site's archaeological remains as well as taking a cable car ride to the top where you can explore the ancient remains of Herodian's palaces and a synagogue.

From Massada you turn towards the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. Should you wish to take a swim in the heavily salted sea, time will be provided for swimming and to have lunch. Later this afternoon, as you return to Jerusalem, you will stop at a Bedouin camp to enjoy hospitality. Late day/early evening return to Jerusalem. As a contrast to the total shutdown of west Jerusalem for the Shabbat, the post-Shabbat atmosphere brings people out on the street and restaurants are busy. Jerusalem, like Tel Aviv, has a diversity of dining options in terms of cuisine and budgets. Your evening is free to enjoy Jerusalem independently. Recommendations will be provided. Overnight in Jerusalem. (B)

Sunday, November 15 - Jerusalem
Today's touring will concentrate on the new city of Jerusalem, beyond west Jerusalem. Your drive will take you by the Knesset (the Israeli parliament) and the Supreme Court. Then, pay a somber visit to Yad Vashem, a museum and memorial dedicated to the victims who died in the Holocaust. Visiting Yad Vashem is part of nearly every diplomatic visit to Israel, as it underscores the experiences that have led to the establishment of the modern state of Israel. Continue on to Mount Herzl, a military cemetery and museum honoring Theodore Herzl, the founder of the Zionist movement, a political movement that has underscored the drive and ultimate formation of the modern state of Israel. It is also the burial site of many Israeli leaders, including Yitzhak Rabin and Golda Meir. You return to your hotel with time to freshen up and relax. This evening's farewell dinner will be in a most enjoyable venue. Overnight in Jerusalem.(B,D)

Monday, November 16 - departure
An early morning transfer will be made from your Jerusalem hotel to take you to the airport outside of Tel Aviv for your early morning departure flight back to the US. (B)