Jerusalem Travel Forum

My wife and I are anticipating a trip to Israel in Jan/Feb 2009. I am protestant clergy, and am looking for some "on-my-own" touring time, as well as some time with an educational-type tour group. One of the tours I'm interested in is Shoresh tours, offered out of Alexander College (connected with Christ Church). Does anyone have any experience with this group or these tours?

Thanks!

I have had experience with Shoresh group some months ago: it was a tailor made program – not instant one. I got the impression they did a good job, better then at least one other Israel based operator of “theme” tours, I know. Shoresh are concentrated mostly in organizing tours for Christian groups of the Anglo Saxon world (ie: with special notice to protestant worshipers) but the group I met were not with any religious theme whatsoever (from Australia) and still the tour was well organized and guided. Also please note that Shoresh is not a totally commercial organization and has an educational aspect inherited in it, which I see as an advantage.

Enjoy.

Thank you for that... I'm looking for a tour which would be educational in nature. While we may spend some time visiting some tourist-style attractions, when we're on the tour, I want to learn about the culture of the people who lived during biblical times. These folks look like they do an excellent job, and my communication with them by email has been great.

I mostly wanted to hear from someone who had used them... thanks!

Shoresh/Alexander College tours are the absolute best way to see Israel. I have been on three Shoresh tours and every one was fantastic. My pastor and his wife have been involved with Shoresh for over 20 years, with part of that time serving as Directors of Shoresh-USA. The director of the ministry is the Rev. David Pileggi, who is the current rector at Christ Church, Jerusalem, the oldest protestant church in the middle east. You will find no one better in teaching the jewish roots of the Christian faith from the 1st century Hebraic context, and understanding scription from the perspective of 1st century jews and the culture of that era. You will learn about the land, the people, and the teachings of Jesus from the historial, archeological, cultural and scriptual prespectives. The Pileggis have lived in Israel for almost 30 years so they know the land and the people very well.

Additionally, you will find that the study tours are not limited to anglo protestants. Great effort has been made, and successfully so, to bring clergy and other leaders from various countries in Africa as well. In fact, later this year there will be a group of governmental leaders from a country in Africa on a tour.

You can also go to the Shoresh/Alenander College website and look at the recommendations link. The site is www.jewishrootschristianity.com.

I promise, you will not be disappointed!