Journey Home to Israel

Daily Journal for Thursday, November 1, 2007

Bible Lands: Today's tour of the "land flowing with milk and honey”" was through the region surrounding the Sea of Galilee included Mount Carmel, a holy mountain considered the site of Elijah's contest with the priests of Baal; Megiddo, the ancient site of many battles; and Cana, home to the Franciscan Church built over the spot believed to be where Jesus turned water into wine. The Jezreel Valley, which Jesus must have passed through many times as his family traveled between Nazareth and Jerusalem, provided the backdrop and the hairpin-turns for the day’s travels on a gorgeous sunny day.

Fellowhip Project: The tour's 114 participants visited Migdal Ohr ("Tower of Light"), a children's community supported through two Fellowship programs, On Wings of Eagles and Guardians of Israel. At a luncheon hosted by Migdal Ohr's, Rabbi Yitzchak Dovid Grossman, the visionary behind the extraordinary ministry which includes nurseries, day care centers, elementary-through-high schools and job training, explained that the 6,000 children housed on the campus receive what they need most: unconditional love. "We emphasize the need to love your brother like yourself," explained Rabbi Grossman. The young girls and boys delighted the captivated visitors with singing.

Wedding Vows Renewed: Sixteen couples on the tour renewed their wedding vows at Cana by reaffirming their life's commitment to one another. Rev. Jerry Clark, Fellowship director of church relations, who performed the poignant ceremony in the chapel of the Franciscan Church, blessed the couples saying, "May your joys be sweet as spring flowers that grow, as bright as a fire when winter winds blow, as countless as leaves that down in the fall, as serene as the love that keeps watch over all." Another highlight at Cana was the tour group singing "Blessed Assurance" and “"Amazing Grace."

Today's Highlight: Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, founder/president of The Fellowship, addressed the evening dinner to thank the tour participants for their support of Israel and The Fellowship. He updated the supporters on The Fellowship’s latest project of improving bomb shelters in Israel’s northern region. "It is because of caring Christians like you from across America that we can change history," he said. Following his talk, in which he spoke of the necessity of both Christians and Jews learning to love one another, without suspicions, he personally visited with each tour participant.

ITINERARY FOR NOV. 2: Many tour participants plan to arise early to view the stunning sunrise on the Sea of Galilee before the three busloads head to view the ancient synagogue in Capernaum which was the center of the Galilean ministry of Jesus. From there the group will travel to the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount, before enjoying lunch and a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Baptisms in the Jordan River a highlight of every Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land will precede a memorable and worshipful Shabbat dinner with Rabbi Eckstein.