Israel Retreat
November 2027

Depart Los Angeles on your international flight to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport. Airlines, flights, and times are subject to change.

• Depart Los Angeles (LAX)
• International flight to Ben Gurion (TLV)
• Secure your ETA-IL travel authorization before departure

Arrive at Ben Gurion, gather your luggage, and be greeted by your Philip's House representative. Transfer to David's Harp Hotel in Netanya on the Mediterranean — near where Jonah set sail and where Peter saw the vision that changed history (Acts 10).

• Welcome greeting at Ben Gurion Airport
• Transfer to Netanya on the Mediterranean
• Overnight: David's Harp Hotel, Netanya

Begin at Caesarea Maritima, the Roman harbor city of Cornelius, Philip, and Paul. Ascend Mount Carmel where Elijah called down fire, then tour old Nazareth with Pastor Saleem Shalosh.

• Caesarea Maritima — amphitheater & aqueduct
• Mount Carmel — Elijah's altar, views of Armageddon
• Old Nazareth — Joseph's carpenter shop & the synagogue of Luke 4
• Overnight: David's Harp Hotel, Galilee

Walk through Capernaum, the hometown of Jesus, and take a boat cruise on the very water where He walked. Explore the hillside of the Sermon on the Mount, Tabgha, and close with baptism renewal at Yardenit on the Jordan.

• Capernaum — synagogue & Peter's house
• Boat worship on the Sea of Galilee
• Mount of Beatitudes & Primacy of Peter, Tabgha
• Baptism renewal at Yardenit, Jordan River

Climb Mount Arbel, where Jesus often prayed, with panoramic views of the Sea of Galilee. Tour Magdala's first-century synagogue, enjoy St Peter's Fish on the shore, and visit Bethsaida — home of Peter, Andrew, John, and James.

• Mount Arbel — climb & panoramic Galilee views
• Magdala — first-century synagogue & encounter center
• Lunch: St Peter's Fish at Migdal
• Bethsaida — home of the apostles
• Overnight: David's Harp Hotel, Galilee

Follow Jesus' path north to Caesarea Philippi, where He declared “Upon this rock I will build my church.” Hike the rapids of Banias Falls, meet Lt. Col. Eyal Dror of the IDF Good Neighbor Project, and plant a tree at Kibbutz Snir beneath Mount Hermon.

• Caesarea Philippi — where Jesus launched the church
• Banias Falls — headwaters of the Jordan (Psalm 42)
• Lt. Col. Eyal Dror — IDF Good Neighbor Project
• Tree planting at Kibbutz Snir
• Overnight: David's Harp Hotel, Galilee

Drive south toward Jerusalem. Visit Tel Shiloh, where the Tabernacle stood for 369 years, and JH Israel's leadership center. Arrive in Jerusalem and check into the Gloria Hotel, steps from the Jaffa Gate.

• Tel Shiloh — where the Tabernacle stood
• JH Israel ropes course & leadership center
• Overnight: Gloria Hotel, Old City Jerusalem

Take communion at the Garden Tomb, then ascend the Mount of Olives for your first panorama of the Old City. Follow the Triumphal Entry to Gethsemane, then walk the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

• Garden Tomb — communion at the empty grave
• Mount of Olives — Rehavam Overlook panorama
• Gethsemane — Church of All Nations & garden
• Via Dolorosa & the Church of the Holy Sepulcher

Enter the Jerusalem of Abraham and David in the City of David excavations. Wade Hezekiah's wet tunnel (or take the dry route), emerge at the Pool of Siloam, and trace the first-century Pilgrim Road up to the Temple.

• City of David — David's palace & ancient walls
• Hezekiah's Wet Tunnel or Dry Tunnel (your choice)
• Pool of Siloam & the Jerusalem Pilgrim Road
• Overnight: Gloria Hotel, Old City Jerusalem

Ascend the Temple Mount, pray at the Western Wall, and sit on the Southern Steps where Jesus taught. Step into the Upper Room on Mount Zion, then close at Notre Dame with its resurrection evidence and Pentecost mural.

• Temple Mount — the Foundation Stone
• Western Wall & the Southern Steps
• Upper Room — Last Supper & Pentecost
• Notre Dame — Shroud exhibit & Pentecost mural
• Overnight: Gloria Hotel, Old City Jerusalem

Drive east to Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were prepared and discovered. Continue to the desert oasis of En Gedi, where David hid from Saul, then float in the buoyant waters of the Dead Sea — the lowest point on earth.

• Qumran — home of the Dead Sea Scrolls
• En Gedi — David's oasis & desert waterfall
• Dead Sea float — you can't sink!
• Overnight: Gloria Hotel, Old City Jerusalem

Reflect at Yad Vashem and see the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Shrine of the Book. In the afternoon, drive to Ashdod to join Beit Hallel Congregation for their Shabbat service and dinner with Pastor Israel Pochtar — your last meal in the Holy Land.

• Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial
• Dead Sea Scrolls at the Shrine of the Book
• Shabbat dinner & service with Beit Hallel, Ashdod
• Evening transfer to Ben Gurion Airport

Your overnight flight departs just after midnight and — thanks to the time zones — you arrive home the same day. You now have friends in Israel, a part of you left in the Land, and a new prayer for the peace of Jerusalem.

• Overnight flight returns to the USA
• Arrive home — Saturday, Nov 20
• Join the Philip's House alumni community