Rain Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 (edited) If you were going to go to church one Sabbath in Israel would you go to the Galilee branch or the Jerusalem ward? Why? Edited March 2, 2016 by Rain
Robert F. Smith Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 4 minutes ago, Rain said: If you were going to go to church one Sabbath in Israel would you go to the Galilee branch or the Jerusalem ward? Why? If my only choice for one Saturday Sabbath was between going to the branch in Tiberias, or to the BYU-Jerusalem Center Branch, I'd probably choose the more intimate setting of the one in Tiberias. However, I would never visit Israel and stay for such a short time that I could not attend both, as well as the Tel Aviv Branch. It might also be nice to cross the Jordan again and visit the Amman Branch 2. 2
Rain Posted March 2, 2016 Author Posted March 2, 2016 1 hour ago, Robert F. Smith said: If my only choice for one Saturday Sabbath was between going to the branch in Tiberias, or to the BYU-Jerusalem Center Branch, I'd probably choose the more intimate setting of the one in Tiberias. However, I would never visit Israel and stay for such a short time that I could not attend both, as well as the Tel Aviv Branch. It might also be nice to cross the Jordan again and visit the Amman Branch 2. Unfortunately I only have 13 days and that was pushing it. This trip has been in the planning stage for 4 years so I'll take what I can get. So why the one in Tiberias over the Jerusalem center? Because you like smaller branches in general or is there just a different feel to it for you? Would you suggest the Amman branch over the others?
Rain Posted March 2, 2016 Author Posted March 2, 2016 (edited) OK, other questions. What are your must see things? Keep in mind that I will have a young adult son with me that is not interested in spiritual things so we will have to mix the spiritual with fun things. My hope, that I have had for the last 10 years is that one day he will be softened by the spiritual things, but I understand that he has his agency and that may never happen. Would you travel north from Tel Aviv over to the sea of Galilee and then to Jerusalem or would you do day trips from Jerusalem? Would you hit or skip Petra with the time we have? I also will have an 18 year old daughter. Are there areas where you would not go? Edited March 2, 2016 by Rain 1
Okrahomer Posted March 3, 2016 Posted March 3, 2016 Dinosaurs had just gone extinct when I visited Israel, but I still remember our visit to a Kibbutz. (http://kibbutzprogramcenter.org) I also loved Caesarea. (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caesarea). Heck...I loved everything we saw and did there! 2
Robert F. Smith Posted March 3, 2016 Posted March 3, 2016 4 hours ago, Rain said: Unfortunately I only have 13 days and that was pushing it. This trip has been in the planning stage for 4 years so I'll take what I can get. So why the one in Tiberias over the Jerusalem center? Because you like smaller branches in general or is there just a different feel to it for you? Would you suggest the Amman branch over the others? Going to the Jerusalem Center will be like being in a fancy BYU ward, while Tiberias will include the local members from Galilee -- nothing like a student ward. Trust me. Galilee Branch Hashomer Street 13 TIBERIAS, 14265 Israel 3
Robert F. Smith Posted March 3, 2016 Posted March 3, 2016 (edited) 4 hours ago, Rain said: OK, other questions. What are your must see things? Keep in mind that I will have a young adult son with me that is not interested in spiritual things so we will have to mix the spiritual with fun things. My hope, that I have had for the last 10 years is that one day he will be softened by the spiritual things, but I understand that he has his agency and that may never happen. Would you travel north from Tel Aviv over to the sea of Galilee and then to Jerusalem or would you do day trips from Jerusalem? Would you hit or skip Petra with the time we have? I also will have an 18 year old daughter. Are there areas where you would not go? Don't miss Petra. Just get an early morning start from Amman. Don't miss Qumran, or Massada (the hike up is spectacular). Don't miss the West Wall outside the Temple compound, where all the Jews are in constant prayer. Don't miss the Temple Mount itself (the Muslim Noble Sanctuary), with the Mosque of Omar (Dome of the Rock), where the Temple once stood. Don't miss the various gardens of Gethsemane. or the nearby Orson Hyde Garden and Plaque on Mt Olivet, with his 1841 prayer of dedication of Palestine to the final gathering of the Jews. Thirteen days is enough time to hit the high points. Your son and daughter will be in awe, and won't forget. Edited March 3, 2016 by Robert F. Smith 4
Rain Posted March 3, 2016 Author Posted March 3, 2016 2 hours ago, Okrahomer said: Dinosaurs had just gone extinct when I visited Israel, but I still remember our visit to a Kibbutz. (http://kibbutzprogramcenter.org) I also loved Caesarea. (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caesarea). Heck...I loved everything we saw and did there! Thanks. Caesarea is one of the places I have hoped to go to. 1
Rain Posted March 3, 2016 Author Posted March 3, 2016 15 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said: Don't miss Petra. Just get an early morning start from Amman. Don't miss Qumran, or Massada (the hike up is spectacular). Don't miss the West Wall outside the Temple compound, where all the Jews are in constant prayer. Don't miss the Temple Mount itself (the Muslim Noble Sanctuary), with the Mosque of Omar (Dome of the Rock), where the Temple once stood. Don't miss the various gardens of Gethsemane. or the nearby Orson Hyde Garden and Plaque on Mt Olivet, with his 1841 prayer of dedication of Palestine to the final gathering of the Jews. Thirteen days is enough time to hit the high points. Your son and daughter will be in awe, and won't forget. Thank you. I had forgotten about the Orson Hyde garden and didn't know about the plaque. Or that there were more than one garden of Gethsemene. I appreciate you mentioning Amman as well. I'm trying to loosely plan things at the moment so I can make overnight reservations and figured then I could plan more of the itenerary around those places. My youngest, 14yo, son will be going as well. I am most excited about him going. With Old Testament in seminary he is starting to really think about these places. His teacher is even teaching a little bit of Hebrew.
Rain Posted March 3, 2016 Author Posted March 3, 2016 Another question that I hadn't thought to verify till now. I have understood for years that church at the Jerusalem center was on Saturday. Is this correct? Is that the case with the other branches, including the Amman? I'm now wondering schedule-wise if the Amman branch wouldn't be best assuming we go to Petra. What differences would I see in it and the Galilee branch? I must admit that I really have no knowledge of Jordan at this point. Is one in Hebrew and the other in Arabic?
Robert F. Smith Posted March 3, 2016 Posted March 3, 2016 29 minutes ago, Rain said: Another question that I hadn't thought to verify till now. I have understood for years that church at the Jerusalem center was on Saturday. Is this correct? Is that the case with the other branches, including the Amman? I'm now wondering schedule-wise if the Amman branch wouldn't be best assuming we go to Petra. What differences would I see in it and the Galilee branch? I must admit that I really have no knowledge of Jordan at this point. Is one in Hebrew and the other in Arabic? Amman has two branches, one Arabic, the other English. Amman is the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Both would meet on Sunday. The Israeli branches all meet on Saturday. If you stay in Tiberias Saturday evening, you could combine that with a Galilee tour, Nazareth, the Huleh Valley marshes, and perhaps the amazing synagogue at Magdala. I recommend that you rest on the Sabbath in Tiberias, and go for a walk by the Sea of Galilee. 1
jana at jade house Posted March 3, 2016 Posted March 3, 2016 (edited) We very much liked Masada, and Bethlehem. Jericho felt like a tourist trap. But it was a short pit stop. Himself covered himself in black gunk at the Dead Sea and thought it was great. I don't do salt water. We did only day trips from Jerusalem, having a lovely car and driver was a plus for us. I guess the BYU Jerusalem experience was amazing for us because our ward is a tiny struggling EU unit. To have that many people, a choir, great organ music, and that view was a big deal to us. If you have that every Sunday, I suppose it would not be as wow. In Jerusalem, concentrated onthe area around the West Wall where our hotel was. Everything was a short walk away. Some people get a spiritual bang out of Jerusalem....there is even a syndrome associated with this sudden pious fever. I would say the most spiritually touching places were the West wall, where I was alone (!!!!!) one rainy sabbath friday afternoon, and the Garden Tomb, run by volunteers and is quiet and restful after the mobs everywhere else. We were there in a slow season and it still was very crowded in some places. It was interesting to see the competition between belief systems. All the reverence and kissing of and crowding around replicas of relics was a bit over the top for me.... The most emotional time was going to the Yad Vashem holocaust memorial. If you have never been to a Holocaust memorial, this is a must. The guide books say three hours. We were not halfway through in three hours. But then, we live here and we are living the history of where we live through the artifacts. Be careful where you go. I am not sure today how safe Bethelem is for instance. If you get caught up in a mess and are on the wrong side of the line , the embassy can not get help to you. Read the embassy or consulate warnings and be careful. Oh and automatic weapons and masked men are everywhere. If you aren't used to weaponry hanging off teachers and soldiers on every corner, it can be a bit freaky. much of what Robert F Smith is mentioning I agree. Edited March 3, 2016 by jana at jade house added thought 3
Tacenda Posted March 4, 2016 Posted March 4, 2016 (edited) Wow Rain, you are a good planner! It has always been my dream to go to The Holy Land. Maybe I'd better make plans now! Edited March 4, 2016 by Tacenda
Garden Girl Posted March 4, 2016 Posted March 4, 2016 Rain... What wonderful resources RFS and Jana are... wonderful suggestions from them... I wouldn't worry about your son being non-spiritual... treat it from a historical angle vs spiritual. Maybe something will touch his heart spiritually and surprise you, but this seems to be just as historical as spiritual... Do have a wonderful time... GG
Guest Posted March 4, 2016 Posted March 4, 2016 1 hour ago, Garden Girl said: Rain... What wonderful resources RFS and Jana are... wonderful suggestions from them... I wouldn't worry about your son being non-spiritual... treat it from a historical angle vs spiritual. Maybe something will touch his heart spiritually and surprise you, but this seems to be just as historical as spiritual... Do have a wonderful time... GG To add to GG...the closer relations are between parent and child, the more as children get older they are able to accept the concept of a loving God. Also as time passes and their own children begin to come along, they will remember the love of their parents and understand why as they are consumed by the love for their own children. Spiritual matters or feeling are not on a time clock and never expire. Besides countless numbers have visited the Holy Land and despite not being "Spiritual", have felt the power of the place and the history. The only regreat is I wish I were going to such an inspiring place; enjoy!
Rain Posted April 11, 2016 Author Posted April 11, 2016 On 3/3/2016 at 9:11 PM, Robert F. Smith said: Don't miss Petra. Just get an early morning start from Amman. Don't miss Qumran, or Massada (the hike up is spectacular). Don't miss the West Wall outside the Temple compound, where all the Jews are in constant prayer. Don't miss the Temple Mount itself (the Muslim Noble Sanctuary), with the Mosque of Omar (Dome of the Rock), where the Temple once stood. Don't miss the various gardens of Gethsemane. or the nearby Orson Hyde Garden and Plaque on Mt Olivet, with his 1841 prayer of dedication of Palestine to the final gathering of the Jews. Thirteen days is enough time to hit the high points. Your son and daughter will be in awe, and won't forget. OK, our trip looks like it could be pretty ruins heavy. My husband and I are more interested in that than the kids so we will have to take them into account. Sadly, I am going to miss Petra. I tried every which way in how to do it because it looks fascinating, but it just isn't going to work out for us. Maybe I will have to take a trip just to Amman some day. Now Qumran. Why did you mention that over some other places like Beit She'an or Akko? What I have been able to see from this side of the screen isn't as impressive as other places so it makes me wonder what there is about it that you would place it before them?
Robert F. Smith Posted April 11, 2016 Posted April 11, 2016 2 hours ago, Rain said: OK, our trip looks like it could be pretty ruins heavy. My husband and I are more interested in that than the kids so we will have to take them into account. Sadly, I am going to miss Petra. I tried every which way in how to do it because it looks fascinating, but it just isn't going to work out for us. Maybe I will have to take a trip just to Amman some day. Now Qumran. Why did you mention that over some other places like Beit She'an or Akko? What I have been able to see from this side of the screen isn't as impressive as other places so it makes me wonder what there is about it that you would place it before them? Maybe because I slept in Wadi Qumran one nite so long ago. That also gives you an opportunity to take a dip (or float) in the Dead Sea. You might do better visiting the Shrine of the Book in Jerusalem to understand what Qumran really is, as well as visiting the Rockefeller Museum in East Jerusalem. But you'll get tired of museums after awhile. Sooner or later, you need to see impressive ruins in this or that place. Children especially like that.
Rain Posted April 11, 2016 Author Posted April 11, 2016 1 hour ago, Robert F. Smith said: Maybe because I slept in Wadi Qumran one nite so long ago. That also gives you an opportunity to take a dip (or float) in the Dead Sea. You might do better visiting the Shrine of the Book in Jerusalem to understand what Qumran really is, as well as visiting the Rockefeller Museum in East Jerusalem. But you'll get tired of museums after awhile. Sooner or later, you need to see impressive ruins in this or that place. Children especially like that. Oh, I definitely plan on ruins and I think the kids will like it. I just have to figure out how much is overload and which take priority. I made a google sheet and put on it a possible itierary and the color coded it and there is a lit of brown for ruins. I'm debating between a northern and coastal Abraham Tours and renting a car/seeing the sites ourselves right now for the North. Both have pros ans cons. If we rent the car we will take it to Jerusalem and ideas for the day include Yardenit baptismal site (or perhaps another you might suggest?), Qumran, Dead Sea, Beit Shean National Park, and Gan Hashlosha National Park. I will also need to return the rental car. So I'm trying to figure out what to cut. We will have seen Acre, Caesarea, Capernaum and perhaps other sites near Nazareth before heading to Jerusalem.
Robert F. Smith Posted April 11, 2016 Posted April 11, 2016 2 hours ago, Rain said: Oh, I definitely plan on ruins and I think the kids will like it. I just have to figure out how much is overload and which take priority. I made a google sheet and put on it a possible itierary and the color coded it and there is a lit of brown for ruins. I'm debating between a northern and coastal Abraham Tours and renting a car/seeing the sites ourselves right now for the North. Both have pros ans cons. If we rent the car we will take it to Jerusalem and ideas for the day include Yardenit baptismal site (or perhaps another you might suggest?), Qumran, Dead Sea, Beit Shean National Park, and Gan Hashlosha National Park. I will also need to return the rental car. So I'm trying to figure out what to cut. We will have seen Acre, Caesarea, Capernaum and perhaps other sites near Nazareth before heading to Jerusalem. Sounds good, and you only have limited time, so you can't see everything. Save some for next time. 1
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