Israel 2024
Visiting the Birthplace of Self-Governance
What better place to learn, understand, and be equipped to apply the true meaning of self-governance than its birthplace in the Holy Land?
This trip will take us to locations across the country, from Jesus’ home base near the Sea of Galilee, to the desert where David hid from Saul, to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. We will walk in the very places described in Scripture that give us direction on how and why we should pursue a life of self-governance in service to the Lord and for fellow citizens.
More than ever, we must have clarity on who we are, where our beliefs come from, and how they’re applicable in everyday life as citizens in this republic.
The trip will take place from May 5, 2024, through May 16, 2024. (We will depart the U.S, on Saturday, May 5, putting us on-ground in Israel on Sunday, May 6. We will depart Israel and land back in the U.S. on May 16.)
Our estimated cost per person for this once-in-a-lifetime experience in Israel – including round-trip flights, hotel accommodations, three meals per day, and travel in Israel – is approximately:
▪️ Economy Airline Seating: $5,050.00 per person
▪️ Economy Premium Airline Seating: $6,610.00 per person
▪️ Business Class Airline Seating: $11,590.00 per person
Note: These prices are reliable estimates but subject to change. We will have the exact pricing once airlines make tickets available for our travel dates. This is a “pass-through” trip; Texas Scorecard is organizing and leading, but not making money on, this educational voyage to Israel.
Space on this trip is limited to just 30 spots. Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Seats are reserved based on our receipt of your deposit. Contact our development director for details.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
PAYMENT DUE DATES?
Please contact our development director at israeltrip@texasscorecard.com for details. Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Seats are reserved based on our receipt of your deposit.
Due Now: $500 per person. This is refundable until July 31, 2023.
Aug. 1, 2023: An additional $500 per person
[By Aug. 1, 2023, at least $1,000 per person should have been paid.]
Oct. 1, 2023: $1,000 per person
Dec. 1, 2023: Total balance due based on your seat selection for the flight.
HOW/WHEN DO I MAKE A DEPOSIT TO SECURE MY SPOT?
A refundable deposit of $500 per person is required to secure your seat. It becomes non-refundable on July 31, 2023.
WHERE DOES THE TRIP START / FINISH?
The trip will begin and end in Newark, NJ. You are responsible for getting yourself to Newark on time for the departure, and then home from Newark.
WHAT OTHER EXPENSES?
Your payment covers airfare to and from Newark, NJ, to Tel Aviv, all ground transportation in Israel, hotels, and three meals per day, plus gratuities.
You are responsible for your own “spending money” for souvenirs and gifts, as well as eating separately from the group.
You are responsible for getting yourself to Newark on time for the departure, and then home from Newark.
WHAT IS THE CLOTHING / ATTIRE?
Men and women are encouraged to dress in a conservative fashion.
COVID-19 VACCINE?
Israel does not require tourists to have received a COVID-19 shot to enter the country.
WHO IS THE TOUR GUIDE?
Your American discussion leaders will be Tim Dunn and Michael Quinn Sullivan. We will also have a licensed Israeli tour guide with us providing important historic and cultural insights.
HOW PHYSICALLY DEMANDING IS THE TRIP?
This a “fully engaged” trip. You will be unpacking what you see, experience, and learn for months afterwards!
On the one hand, this can be considered a physically demanding trip. Very few of the historic sites in Israel are accessible to those with severe physical limitations or impairments.
You will definitely get in your “steps” and you should view this trip as an excuse to up your daily walking now to get ready!
On the other hand, we scheduled the trip in such a way as to maximize your flexibility. We will stay four nights in one hotel in the Galilee region, one night in a hotel at the Dead Sea, and the remainder of the nights will be in a third hotel in Jerusalem. You will be free to “waive off” on a day.
On the Itinerary
Megiddo: Over 20 layers of history from different civilizations, including Solomon’s stables.
Dead Sea: Landlocked hyper saline lake residing below sea level
Mt. Carmel: Site where Elijah called out the false prophets
Gideon Spring: Old Testament zealot story
Tel Dan: The main spring feeding the Jordan river where a golden calf was place in a false temple. Also, the site where the only historical evidence of the House of David was found
Beth Shean: Ancient Roman city where Saul’s body was hung following his defeat in battle
Jericho: City Joshua and the Israelites conquered after crossing the Jordan River
Be’er Sheva
Valley of Elah: Site of the battle between David and Goliath
Beth Shamesh: Site where the Ark of the Covenant was returned to the Israelites from the Philistines
Shiloh: Site of ancient Jewish tabernacle
En Gedi: Probable cave where David hid from Saul and cut a part of his coat
City of David: Original city that David took over and built his palace
Tunnels of Hezekiah: Water tunnels leading into the City of David (VERY optional!)
Western Wall & Tunnels: Originally a part of the outer wall surrounding the Second Temple, now the holiest site in Judaism
Caesarea Philippi: Another source of water for the Jordan River, and one of the places Jesus referred to as hell during his teaching
Shepherds Fields
Caesarea by the Sea: King Herod the Great’s palace and Hippodrome on the Mediterranean
Valley of Tears: This valley, in the Golan Heights, was where one of the largest tank battles in history took place during the Yom Kippur War in 1973
Pig Jump: Probable site where Jesus cast demons out of a man and into a group of pigs
Chorazin: Another small village where Jesus based much of his ministry
Capernaum: Town serving as the center of Jesus’ operations and home to Peter
Mt. of Beatitudes: Location of Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount
Peter’s Primacy: Site where Jesus laid out a breakfast of bread for His disciples after the Resurrection
Jordan River: Baptism site of Jesus
Zippori (Sepphoris): Ancient wealthy business center near Nazareth with multiple mosaics from the time of Christ
Ancient (“Jesus”) Boat: Excavated ancient boat has been restored and preserved
Bethlehem: Site of the birth of Jesus
Pool of Siloam: Site where Jesus healed the blind man
Bethesda Pool: Site where Jesus heals the paralytic man, next to the Church of Saint Anne
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Top of Mount of Olives: overlook ancient Jerusalem and discuss Bethany (Lazarus, Mary, Martha)
Garden of Gethsemane: site where Jesus sweat blood in anticipation of His coming sacrifice, after which He was arrested
Palace of Caiaphas: where Jesus was taken first after being arrested
Herod’s Palace: where Jesus was taken to appear before Herod
Antonia Fortress Chapel: Site of Jesus’ trial
Church of the Holy Sepulchre: possible site for Jesus’ crucifixion and burial
Garden Tomb: possible site for Jesus’ crucifixion and burial
Valley of Gahenna: valley outside Jerusalem that Jesus often referred to as hell during his teachings
Magdala: Recently excavated zealot stronghold that was destroyed by the Romans
Gamla: Zealot stronghold in the Golan Heights that the Romans laid to siege to and eventually destroyed
Qumran: Site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found
Masada: Mountaintop fortress of King Herod the Great later occupied by the last of the Jewish Zealots who were eventually defeated by Rome
Burnt House: Excavated ancient house from the Second Temple period showing the city was burned during the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans
Yad Vashem: Holocaust Museum/Memorial
Shrine of the Book: Home of the Dead Sea Scrolls