Faith in the Face of Empire: A Leadership Program in Palestine. April 11-23, Days

Transcription

1 Faith in the Face of Empire: A Leadership Program in Palestine April 11-23, Days Hosted by: The Reverend Dr. Mitri Raheb Accompanied by: John Lindner & Bruce Rigdon This program offers new and creative ways to understand and respond to the unfolding dilemmas and tragedies of the Israel/ Palestine conflict. It raises the possibility of some quite different strategies for resisting the power of empire and supporting those who both struggle against it and suffer its daily injustices and violence. This is not just another good educational tour, but a potentially groundbreaking program during which new insights and strategies may be developed for the movement.

2 DAY-BY-DAY PROGRAM MON 11 APR Depart USA Depart JFK or Chicago on your transatlantic, overnight flight via Turkish Airlines. (Meals inflight) TUE 12 APR Arrive Tel Aviv Connect in Istanbul with the continuing flight to Tel Aviv. Arrive Tel Aviv, meet the bus and guide for transfer to. Light snacks at hotel check-in. Lutheran Guesthouse/Grand Hotel (D) WED 13 APR Orientation and tour of. Meeting/Welcome Ms. Vera Baboun, the first woman Mayor of. Afternoon Presentation by Dr. Jad Isaac environmental expert and Executive Director of the Applied Research Institute-Jerusalem (ARIJ). Our Story: The Palestinian Narrative, Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, President, Diyar Consortium Pastor, Christmas Lutheran Church. Dinner at Il Illiyeh Restaurant followed by debriefing. THU 14 APR Morning transfer to Hebron and meet with Prof. Dr. Daoud Zatari, Mayor of Hebron. Visit Ibrahimi Mosque. Lunch with Ecumenical Accompaniment Volunteers and touring the old city of Hebron. Dinner at Il Illiyeh Restaurant followed by debriefing. 8:00P Meet with Breaking the Silence, an organization of veteran combatants who have served in the Israeli military since the start of the Second Intifada and have taken it upon themselves to expose the Israeli public to the reality of everyday life in the Occupied Territories. FRI 15 APR Tour Efrat Jewish Settlement with a resident. Meeting with Ambassador Hind Khouri, an economist and former PLO representative to France. Afternoon Hiking from Battir, a world heritage site and a village with cultural and political significance, to Makhrour Beit Jala. Dinner with Nathan Stock, Director of the Carter Center/Ramallah. Mr. Stock holds a bachelor s degree in international relations from Colgate University and a master s degree in international peace and conflict resolution from American University s School of International Service. SAT 16 APR Leave to Jericho and the Jordan Valley. Jordan Valley briefing on water and environmental issues by a Friends of the Earth affiliated organization. Tour with Zochrot, an Israeli non-profit organization promoting awareness of the Palestinian Nakba ( Catastrophe ), the 1948 Palestinian exodus. Dinner at Il Illiyeh Restaurant. SUN 17 APR 10:30 AM Morning Worship at Christmas Lutheran Church. Lunch at Il Illiyeh Restaurant. Friends, I invite pastors, church leaders, religious journalists, and other professional people committed to the Holy Land struggle to participate in a leadership program based on my latest book Faith in the Face Empire. The aim of this program is to gain a deeper understanding of the current realities in Israel-Palestine today in the wake of the Gaza war as well as viewing the Holy Land through a new, biblical hermeneutical lens. This opportunity is open for people already interested in the region, who are committed to making a difference and investing in hope. Events of have included the failure of the American peace initiative, the Gaza War, the Israeli elections and the changing context of the Middle East as a region. All of these events combined are changing the atmosphere and impact questions of where do we Tour of Solomon s Pools and the new Palestinian Heritage Museum in Artas Village. Dinner at a nearby restaurant. MON 18 APR Morning tour of Jerusalem and conversation with Daniel Seideman. Danny is the founder and director of Terrestrial Jerusalem (TJ), an Israeli nongovernmental organization launched in January 2010 that promotes an Israeli-Palestinian permanent status peace agreement by working to ensure that an agreement is possible on the issue of Jerusalem. Drive to Tel Aviv. Dinner in Tel Aviv with Dr Alon Liel. Dr. Alon Liel is the former Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and an International Relations lecturer at Tel Aviv University and the Herzliya Interdisciplinary Center. Dr. Liel held numerous positions in the Foreign Ministry, including the Israeli Ambassador to South Africa, Consul General in Atlanta, Foreign Ministry Spokesman, and Charge d Affairs of Israel in Turkey. TUE 19 APR Visit Al-Aqsa Mosque, meet with Prof. Dr. Mustafa Abu Sway, Dean, College of Da wah and Usul Al-Din, and College of the Qur an and Islamic Studies. Meet in the Old City of Jerusalem with Dr. Bernard Sabella, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and the Executive Director of the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). Free time in Old City. Meet with one of the new Palestinian members of the Knesset. WED 20 APR Special Program (details to be announced) Dinner at Il Illiyeh Restaurant followed by debriefing THU 21 APR Morning: tour Taybeh village and Taybeh Beer Brewing Company and Taybeh Winery. Meet with Karios Palestine author, Dr. Michael Sabbah, the former Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. go from here on the journey toward peace, human rights and building bridges of understanding. I believe my recent book provides a framework for considering many of the hard questions we now face. The Palestinian Christian community in the Kairos document sent out a cry to the Christian community abroad saying Come and See. This is an invitation to come and see the facts on the ground, to listen to diverse narratives, to be inspired by ministries of hope, and to consider future directions for advocacy and support in the wake of all that has happened this year. I hope you will join me for this program of faith and learning. Mitri Raheb Lunch at the Latin Patriarchate in Taybeh. Travel to Ramallah. Afternoon: visit Rawabi, the newest Palestinian city under construction and meet with Mr. Bashar Masri, a Palestinian-American entrepreneur and co-founder of Rawabi City. Meeting before dinner with Dr. Varsen Aghabikian at the PLO Negotiations office. Dinner meeting with Palestinian business and political leaders in Ramallah. Return to. FRI 22 APR Morning: Diyar Ministries Tour with Angie Saba. Meeting with students of Dar Al-Kalima University College of Arts and Culture. Afternoon free time. Dinner and final meeting with The Rev Dr. Mitri Raheb. SAT 23 APR Return to USA Early departure with box breakfast for transfer to Ben Gurion for flight check in and departure at 9:50A. (B, meals in-flight) Code: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Itinerary subject to change. Speakers subject to availability.

3 PROGRAM CONDITIONS PAYMENT SCHEDULE: Your reservation and deposit of $400 per person are requested immediately to fulfill the group deadline requirements. Note that space is limited and reservations are taken on a first come, first served basis. A second payment of $1000 is due December 8, Final payment is due February 5, For credit card payment Group Travel Directors accepts Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. REFUND POLICY: All cancellations must be in writing. There is no refund for partial or unused land arrangements. Note: Airline tickets will be issued well in advance of departure and may be nonrefundable. The following penalties will apply: Up to December 7, $100 per person administrative fee plus any unrecoverable deposits; December 8, 2015 March 27, 2016 Deposit plus any unrecoverable payments to hotels, tour operators or airlines; March 28, 2016 or after No refund. CHANGES TO GROUP FLIGHTS: The group airfare contract for this tour may not allow travelers to make any date or itinerary changes. If you are considering other dates or cities, please submit your request in writing well in advance to secure the best rates and schedule, but no later than December 8, A minimum fee of $175 per person will apply for changes to group flights in addition to a possible airfare increase. LATE BOOKINGS: Passengers registering within thirty days of program departure will be charged a $50 per person fee. Program payment in full is required before we can request and confirm space. This fee does not cover any additional airline or ground service charges. WHAT S INCLUDED? AIRFARE: Round-trip economy class airfare from JFK or Chicago via Turkish Airlines or other ARC/IATA approved scheduled carrier. ACCOMMODATION: Eleven nights accommodation at the Lutheran Guesthouse of with overflow to the Grand Hotel. MEALS: Breakfast and dinner daily with six lunches as outlined in the itinerary. GROUND TRANSPORT: Transfers and transportation by deluxe motorcoach. PROGRAMMING & SIGHTSEEING: Extensive programming and sightseeing throughout; speakers honoraria and entrance fees included. PORTERAGE: Luggage handling of one piece per person. EXPERT GUIDES: An experienced Englishspeaking tour guide from arrival in Tel Aviv through departure from Tel Aviv. GRATUITIES: Gratuities to drivers and guides (for your convenience, $144 per person has been included). TAXES: Airport/foreign departure taxes (currently $490 per person). ALL THE INFO YOU NEED: Comprehensive documentation including travel accessory, bag tags, name tags, flight and land itineraries, destination literature, customs information, travel tips and more. COST SUMMARY *$ 3995 Group Flights From JFK or Chicago Gratuities ($144)... Included Airport Taxes ($490)... Included *Costs per person based on double occupancy in USD Optional Individual Supplement Single Room (in addition to base tour cost)... $275 Costs: The tour cost is per person based on current airfare from JFK or Chicago, double occupancy, tariffs and currency valuations as of June 2015, a minimum of 22 travelers, and subject to confirmation. While we will do everything possible to maintain the listed price and/or itinerary, they are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control. Single room supplements may have limited availability and are on a request basis only. Items Not Included Fuel surcharges and/or tax increases levied since the pricing of this program. Beverages other than coffee/tea at breakfast. Any meal or sightseeing item not listed in the program. Items of a personal nature. Optional insurance for health, baggage, and trip cancellation/interruption is not included and highly recommended. Please refer to the Travel Insurance section. Passport fees. A passport valid six months beyond date of reentry to the U.S. is required. No entry visa is required for U.S. citizens; non-u.s. citizens may require an entry visa. PRE-EXISTING medical conditions and other circumstances are covered when insurance is purchased at the time of reservation / deposit. Contact Travel Insured for more info RESERVATION APPLICATION APPLY ONLINE AT: G# OR CLIP AND MAIL Lindner/Rigdon : Palestine April 11-23, 2016 (G#160401) Group Travel Directors 2000 W 98th Street, Minneapolis, MN (Name as it appears on passport) 1. Male Female Date of Birth First Name MIddle Name Last Name Month/Day/Year 2. Male Female Date of Birth First Name MIddle Name Last Name Month/Day/Year Address (no P.O. boxes) Tel. (Day) (Eve.) City_State Zip Code Roommate_ I will pay the supplement for a single room. Advise if we can assign you a roommate or single supplement. GTD can assist in finding roommates; however, this cannot be guaranteed and the supplement may apply. FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS (please check one) I/We will take the group flights from JFK. I/We will take the group flights from Chicago. I/We will need assistance with flight arrangements from airport to join the group. I/We will make all of my own flight arrangements. Please contact GTD for land- only rates. DEPOSIT/TRAVEL INSURANCE (please check one) Please reserve space(s) for me/us; we choose the following deposit option: $ $624 per person inclusive of travel insurance. $ $400 per person without travel insurance. I/We decline now, but understand it can be purchased later without the pre- existing waiver. Please make checks payable to Group Travel Directors G# I/We have read and understand the conditions of this brochure. Parent or guardian signature is required for travelers under age 18. Signature Date Signature Date Form of Payment Check Charge my deposit(s) to Credit Card # Exp Security Code Name as it appears on credit card: /140/KP

4 GTD TRAVEL INSURANCE Travel insurance is included as an option with the initial tour deposit and is highly recommended. GTD offers a competitive policy from an independent company. By purchasing insurance at the time the tour deposit is made, you can be covered for events that may cause you to cancel or interrupt your trip, i.e., pre-existing medical conditions (certain restrictions apply). If you decline travel insurance at the time of reservation, you may purchase it within 14 days with the preexisting conditions waiver or you may purchase it later without the pre-existing conditions waiver. You may contact Travel Insured International for further information before making your decision: GTD TRAVEL INSURANCE INCLUSIONS Trip Cancellation...up to Tour Cost* Trip Interruption...up to 150% of Tour Cost** Travel Delay...$750 Missed Connection...$300 Baggage...$1,000 Baggage Delay...$200 Medical Expense...$50,000 Evacuation/Repatriation...$500,000 Accidental Death...$10,000 Political Emergency Evacuation...$100,000 ID Theft Resolution Services...included Assistance Service...included * a maximum of $4000 per person ** a maximum of $6000 per person Cost of this optional GTD Travel Insurance is $224 per person. Additional coverage provided as needed; the full cost of your tour must be covered. Once purchased, travel insurance is non-refundable. NOTE: Residents of Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Washington will receive a statespecific Description of Coverage, which can also be requested by calling Conditions and Responsibility Group Travel Directors (GTD) provides customized travel planning throughout the world for group travelers who have a variety of reasons and goals for travel. The goals and/or opinions of these groups do not reflect or imply the position of GTD in any matter. Brochure contents may not be duplicated without permission from GTD. In offering these travel arrangements, Group Travel Directors, Inc. (GTD) acts solely as an agent for the sale of air transportation and other travel related services. GTD maintains no control over the personnel, equipment or operations of any entity furnishing services, products or accommodations. GTD assumes no responsibility or liability for, and shall not be expected, asked or required to pay for any injury, damage, expense, personal injury, property damage, inconvenience or any other loss experienced by reason of: (1) any intentional, wrongful, negligent or unauthorized act or omission on the part of any supplier, its agents or employees; (2) any defect, breakdown or other failure of any vehicle, equipment, service, product or other instrumentality which is owned, operated or otherwise used by a supplier; (3) any intentional, wrongful, negligent, or unauthorized act or omission on the part of any other party not under the direct control of GTD; (4) financial problems causing nonperformance by any supplier; or (5) any other cause, condition or event whatsoever beyond the direct control of GTD. GTD cannot guarantee any rates, bookings or reservations of any supplier. Your retention of tickets, reservations or bookings after issuance shall constitute a consent to the foregoing provisions. All prices quoted are subject to change if airlines or ground operators increase their prices, the U.S. dollar is devalued significantly against foreign currencies, the group falls below minimum numbers, or a fuel surcharge, government tax or user s fee is imposed. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the owners at all times. GTD reserves the right to withdraw from any tour any tour member whose conduct is incompatible with the interests of the group as a whole. The above Conditions and Responsibility also covers the group leader(s) and their respective organizations. NOTE TO OUR TRAVELERS: Please be assured that GTD continually monitors industry events, such as airline strikes and bankruptcies, etc. If any such events affect your program, you will be notified. At the time this program was developed there was a U.S. State Department Travel Warning in effect for this destination; please refer to the following website for current information or call Group Travel Directors. tw_1764.html For more information, contact: John Lindner tel: lindnerjb@gmail.com or Group Travel Directors 2000 West 98th Street Minneapolis, MN tel: or fax: groups@gtd.org

5 About our Host Mitri Raheb Born and living in, Palestine, the Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb is a powerful advocate for peace in the Arab-Israeli conflict. He is the President of Dar al-kalima University College in.(www. daralkalima.edu.ps) and President of Bright Stars of, NFP, the U.S. organization that supports the vision of creating programs based on arts, culture and identity. He serves as the Senior Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in as well as the President of the Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. The most widely published Palestinian theologian to date, Dr. Raheb is the author of several books translated into more than ten languages. His most recent book, Faith in the Face of Empire was launched in the U.S. in early On a regional Middle Eastern level Dr. Raheb, as the President of Diyar Consortium ( has led several civil society research initiatives on Religion and State and the contribution of Palestinian Christians to society. The work of Dr. Raheb has received wide media attention from major international media outlets and networks including CBS, HBO, CNN, ABC, BBC, ARD, ZDF, DW, BR, ORF, Premiere, Raiuno, Stern, The Economist, Washington Post, Boston Globe, and Newsweek. An internationally acclaimed multi-lingual author, Dr. Raheb is a widely sought keynote speaker around the world. His writings and work have received several international awards, including the German Media Award that is usually given to heads of state (including President Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela); the Aachener Peace Prize; the International Mohammad Nafi Tschleibi Award; the Wittenberg Award; and more. He is married to Najwa and has two adult daughters. Additionally, two experienced leaders will accompany the group, both with over four decades of experience of engagement with the region: John Lindner is the former Associate Dean for External Relations, Yale Divinity School, as well as former ecumenical staff of the PCUSA, the NCCCUSA and the WCC. Bruce Rigdon is former professor of Church History at McCormick Theological Seminary; Sr. Pastor of Gross Pointe Memorial Presbyterian Church; as well as President of the Ecumenical Theological Seminary of Detroit. The program will be based in in comfortable accommodations in the Lutheran Guesthouse and a local hotel with many of the meals at the award winning Il illiyeh Restaurant at the International Center of. The Leadership Program will include visits to various parts of the occupied West Bank of Palestine and to Jerusalem where the group will meet with outstanding religious, academic and political leaders for briefings and discussions. It is important to note that this program is organized in a travel seminar/conference format, so opportunities for tourism will be limited. The price is based on a minimum of twenty-two travelers. In the event enrollment falls under the minimum, an increase of $200 per traveler will apply (with seventeen to twenty-one travelers). Speakers listed in the brochure have been invited, although the program is subject to change.