Remember and observe...

Shabbat is a special 25 hours in Israel. From sundown on Fridays until sundown on Saturdays + one hour, many Israelis celebrate Shabbat. Businesses close, work ceases, families spend time together, candles are lit, special meals are shared. 

Jerusalem is especially observant of Shabbat and a quiet peacefulness settles over the city for the holy day. As Shabbat begins, the mother of the home lights two candles representing “Remember” and “Observe” the Sabbath, (as commanded in the Scriptures) and prays a blessing over the sabbath. 

On this day, friends and family greet one another with “Shabbat Shalom”, wishing one another a peaceful sabbath rest. Many pray at the Western Wall before a special family meal. Braided challah bread is eaten to represent the specialness of this day. Families walk to their local synagogue for services on Saturday mornings.

Shabbat is one of our favorite times in Israel and we believe our nation and our churches would be blessed by a purer observance of a day of worship. May you have shabbat shalom in your life this week!

Night stroll in Jerusalem

Israel is a land of diversity. People from all over the world visit, live and work here. The major people groups are Jews and Arabs. Hebrew, Arabic and English are spoken and taught in the schools. As we walked to our hotel tonight we came across this street sign posted in the three major languages of this Israel. Abraham Lincoln Street is only one block long, but it is very nice that they named a street (intersecting with the famous King David Street) after an American president!

Shopping in Jerusalem

Jerusalem is an exotic place to shop! Jewelry, colorful needlework, enticing pottery, abundant scarves, wood carvings, bracelets, earrings, pendants…did I say jewelry?  

My friend, Neal, creates customized earrings in just a few minutes, while the customer enjoys drinking fresh squeezed pomegranate juice. His hands are skillful and quick from years of creating unique treasures. 

Pick you color, design, size and watch as Neal crafts a lovely gift for a loved one…or yourself!  What better way to spend an afternoon in the Old City of Jerusalem!

We are off...to the Jerusalem marathon!

We are packed and ready for our spring journey to Israel!

Before the group arrives, we will spend a say cheering on our friend Bridget Christie, as she runs in the Jerusalem Marathon! Where could a person run a more scenic and ancient race than through the Holy City?

Jerusalem is a mixture of the ancient and modern. Three religions share sacred space and the diversity of the people in Jerusalem is fascinating. We are thrilled to spend Holy Week with our traveling friends, visiting the places where Jesus walked, taught and gave Himself for all people.

We will update the blog, so stay posted for Holy Week 2016, from the land of the Bible!