Tiberias is a city on the western shore of
the Sea of Galilee (also called the Kinneret), in
the Lower Galilee area of Israel. Established in 20
AD, it was named in honor of the emperor Tiberius.
Since the 16th century, the city has been considered
one of Judaism's Four Holy Cities, along with
Jerusalem, Hebron and Safed. In the 2nd–10th
centuries, Tiberias was the largest Jewish city in
the Galilee and the political and religious hub of
the Jews in Israel. It has been known for its hot
springs, believed to cure skin and other ailments,
for thousands of years.
Beit Yeshua
2014
Trip to Israel
Home
SEPTEMBER
September 6 - 17
TRIP TO
ISRAEL
TIBERIAS
Mount of Beatitudes
Capernaum
Jordan River Baptism
Kinneret Boat Cruise
Tel Dan
The HYDES
Megiddo
Caesarea Maritima
TEL
AVIV
JERUSALEM
Western Wall
The Old City
Gethsemane
The Garden Tomb
The SURANS
Israeli Food
The Shuk
The Judean Desert
Masadda
The Dead Sea
Qumran
Camel Ride & Meal
IDF BASE
Isaiah 62
6I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night:
ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,
7And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.Psalm 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: may they prosper who love you.
Thanks to Duke Peeler for sharing his photos from the 2014 trip to Israel
Trip to Israel - 2014
A number of the folks from Beit Yeshua joined Cathy Hargett and Highway To Zion from September 6 to 17, 2014, for a trip to Israel. For some of our group, this was their first trip, the second trip for others, and even the third trip for some. Cathy has taken groups to Israel for many years and does a wonderful job of planning the trip. Flying has a tendency of being the hardest part of the trip due to the amount of time necessary for the flights
Doing some Israeli Folk Dance and grabbing a bite to eat helps the time pass more quickly between flights
Dancers: Celia, Cathy, Janice and Myrl
The group finally arrives at the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, ISRAEL To see Jonathan Lovelace's video of the sunrise over the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) - CLICK HERE The group meets with Israeli tour guide Pamela the next day and tour Tiberias and the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) area Jonathan reads scripture and prays on the Mount of Beatitudes 
The Mount of Beatitudes refers to a hill in northern Israel where Yeshua/Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount. The Mount of Beatitudes is on the north-western shore of the Sea of Galilee, between Capernaum and Gennesaret. A Byzantine church was erected near the current site in the 4th century, and it was used until the 7th century. Remains of a cistern and a monastery are still visible. The current Roman Catholic Franciscan chapel was built in 1938. To see Jonathan Lovelace's video from the Ancient Jewish Boat, the Mount of Beatitudes and Capernaum - CLICK HERE The 4th Century Synagogue or the "White Synagogue" at Capernaum Capernaum is frequently mentioned in the Gospels and was Yeshua's main base during his Galilean ministry. Capernaum was originally a fishing village and was inhabited continuously from the 1st Century BC to the 13th Century AD. It is located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee and had a population of about 1,500. Archaeological excavations have revealed two ancient synagogues built one over the other. A Catholic church at Capernaum is built over the home of Peter. Myrl, Janice and Celia at the synagogue in Capernaum A view of the Kinneret - Sea of Galilee Janice and Celia enjoy their first trip to Israel No matter how many times you go to Israel, you have to be baptized in the Jordan River The Jordan River is a 156 mile-long river in Israel flowing into the Dead Sea. Israel borders the river to the west, while Jordan lies to its east. The river has significance in Judaism and Christianity as the site where the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land and where Yeshua/Jesus of Nazareth was baptized by John the Baptist
The mikveh was an important part of ritual purity for Jews as they prepared for temple worship. Even Yeshua participated in mikveh (baptism) as he began His ministry. In churches around the world, baptism is a part of a person's walk with the Lord with some churches baptizing children and others only baptizing after a person makes a profession of faith in Yeshua. In the traditional Jewish mikveh, the person wasn't immersed by someone else, but instead immersed themselves. Some time of reflection and introspection before the group goes into the Jordan Duke, Myrl, Paul, Susan, Jonathan, Andi, Cayla and Alex enter the river as a group
Unlike in the church, an original Jewish mikvah (or baptism) consisted of self-baptism
To see Jonathan Lovelace's video from the Jordan River Baptism site - CLICK HERE No trip to the Tiberias area would be complete without a boat cruise on the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) The Sea of Galilee (also called Kinneret, Lake of Gennesaret and Lake Tiberias), is the largest freshwater lake in Israel, and it is approximately 33 miles in circumference, about 13 miles long, and 8.1 miles wide. The lake has a maximum depth of approximately 141 feet. At about 705 ft below sea level, it is the lowest freshwater lake on Earth and the second-lowest lake overall (after the Dead Sea) The lake is fed partly by underground springs although its main source is the Jordan River which flows through it from north to south.
Myrl leads the group in some Israeli Folk Dance 
The Tel Dan Nature Reserve in northern Israel (Left to Right) Robbie, Gloria, Lady, Celia, Janice, Myrl and Cathy (standing) To see Jonathan Lovelace's video from the Tel Dan area of Northern Israel - CLICK HERE A little more than a mile from Kiryat Shmona is the Tel Dan Nature Reserve and site of an important archaeological dig. To the west is the southern part of Mount Lebanon; to the east and north are the Hermon mountains. Tel Dan is about 50 acres in size and is located in the Golan Heights near Mount Hermon, the tallest mountain in Israel. The city dates back nearly 4,000 years to the days of the Canaanite rule. As a border town of the kingdom of Israel along the main trade route between Damascus and the Galilee, and the Dan River, one of the three main sources of the Jordan River, Dan was an important strategic outpost. Consequently, it became a battleground between Israelite forces and invaders from the north, such as the Assyrians. Today, the area is a nature reserve filled with poplars, eucalyptus, oak, pistachio and many other varieties of trees, ferns and flowers. Eucalyptus trees, which are not native to Israel, were originally brought into the country to help drain the swamps and are now being removed from some natural areas. (Left) Celia, Janice and Paul; (Right) Susan, Jonathan, Cayla, Paul and Andi 
A look at one of Israel's borders from Tel Dan Caesarea Philippi (Banais) Caesarea Philippi was an ancient Roman city located at the southwestern base of Mount Hermon. The city is mentioned in the gospels of Matthew, and Mark. The city was located within the region known as the "Panion" (the region of the Greek god Pan) or Banais. Today, the city, now no longer inhabited, is an archaeological site located within the Golan Heights. In the Gospels, Yeshua is said to have approached the area near the city, but without entering the city itself. It was here that Yeshua asked his closest disciples what they thought of him. Accounts of their answers, including that of Peter, are found in the Books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Here Peter made his confession of Yeshua as the Messiah and the "Son of the living God".
The group stops to grab a bite to eat; No trip to Israel would be complete without a falafel 
Duke and Myrl pose - revealing the beautiful landscape of Israel The group heads to the home of Richard & Carolyn Hyde for dinner
There's even an opportunity for some Israeli Folk DanceCarolyn & Elaina Hyde lead the group in a time of praise and worship
The group had dinner on the terrace of the Hyde's home overlooking a moon-lit Sea of Galilee
Check out Richard & Carolyn Hyde's ministry - Heart of God Ministries - CLICK HERE Megiddo is a tel (hill) in modern Israel near the Kibbutz of Megiddo, known for its historical, geographical, and theological importance especially under its Greek name Armageddon. In ancient times Megiddo was an important city-state. It is also known alternatively as Tel Megiddo (Hebrew). Megiddo is made of 26 layers of the ruins of ancient cities in a strategic location at the head of a pass through the Carmel Ridge, which overlooks the Jezreel Valley. Megiddo was a site of great importance in the ancient world, as it guarded the western branch of a narrow pass and an ancient trade route which connected the lands of Egypt and Assyria. Because of its strategic location at the crossroads of several major routes, Megiddo and its environs have witnessed several major battles throughout history. For millions of Christians, Megiddo is the Armageddon of St. John's Revelation, where the forces of Good will defeat the forces of Evil in the Final Battle at the End of Days. Tel Megiddo The problem of supplying water to large cities, a serious issue even in times of peace, could become acute in times of siege. Megiddo's main water source was located at the foot of the mound, beyond the city's fortifications. In order to ensure access to the spring from within the city, a hidden gallery was built on the slope of the mound in the 19th or 9th c. B.C. This gallery was later blocked and replaced by an elaborate water system which remained in use in the Assyrian city of the 7th c. B.C. The water system, which consists of a square shaft 115 ft deep, the bottom of which opens into a tunnel bored through rock for 330 ft to a pool of water. Visitors leave through the original entrance to the spring, which brings them out at the foot of the tel. The entrance to the Tel Megiddo water system The group rests as they exit Tel Megiddo - waiting for the entire group to catch up A view from the nearby valley from the Carmelite Monastery on Mount Carmel - What a breathtaking view Jonathan and Cayla check out the Aqueduct near Caesarea Maritima The old city of Caesarea required a steady flow of running water. Initially its waters came from the local wells. However, as the population grew to several hundred thousand people, a large scale aqueduct was required to bring the water from a distance. The aqueduct was built in several phases, starting from King Herod. The first aqueduct was built by Herod (37BC to 4BC), at the time the new city was founded and dedicated to the Roman Caesar, Augustus. It brought the water from the southern side of Mount Carmel, at Shummi, about 10KM to the north east of the city. The water flowed on a single raised canal, and in one section it is dug into the rock (at Jiser-e-zarka, an Arab village north of Caesarea). Later, additional aqueducts were built. The aqueduct continued to supply water for 1200 years. During the ages it was repaired several times. Caesarea Maritima Caesarea Maritima (Caesarea of the Sea) was a city and harbor built by Herod the Great about 25–13 BC. Herod constructed a palace, public buildings, a Roman-styled theatre, an amphitheater and hippodrome and other entertainment facilities. Today, its ruins lie on the Mediterranean coast of Israel about halfway between the cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa, on the site of Pyrgos Stratonos ("Straton's Tower"). Caesarea Maritima was named to flatter Caesar. The rock-cut ornamental pool at the palace Tel Aviv and the beautiful Mediterranean Sea Tel Aviv or Tel Aviv-Yafo is the second most populous city in Israel, after Jerusalem, with a population of over 414,600. It is located on the Mediterranean coast in central-west Israel, within Gush Dan, Israel's largest metropolitan area, containing 42% of Israel's population. It is also the largest and most populous in Gush Dan, which is collectively home to 3,464,100 residents. Tel Aviv was founded by the Jewish community on the outskirts of the ancient port city of Jaffa (Yafo) in 1909. Immigration by mostly Jewish refugees meant that the growth of Tel Aviv soon outpaced Jaffa's, which had a majority Arab population at the time. Tel Aviv and Jaffa were merged into a single municipality in 1950, two years after the establishment of the State of Israel.
The port at Joppa, or Jaffa - near Tel Aviv The group stops by and visits with Avi Mitzrachi at Dugit Outreach Center in Tel Aviv The group moves on to Jerusalem Jerusalem, located on a plateau in the Judean Mountains between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea, is one of the oldest cities in the world. During its long history, Jerusalem has been destroyed at least twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times. The oldest part of the city was settled in the 4th millennium BC. In 1538, walls were built around Jerusalem under Suleiman the Magnificent. Today those walls define the Old City, which has been traditionally divided into four quarters—known since the early 19th century as the Jewish, Christian, Armenian and Muslim Quarters. Modern Jerusalem has grown far beyond the Old City's boundaries. The Bible relates how King David established the city as the capital of the united Kingdom of Israel and his son, King Solomon, commissioned the building of the First Temple.
A view of the Mount of Olives with the numerous graves on the right side of the tel/hill The Kotel or Western Wall inside the Old City of Jerusalem The Western Wall, or Kotel, is located in the Old City of Jerusalem at the foot of the western side of the area known as the Temple Mount. The Temple Mount is the holiest site in Judaism and is the place to which Jews turn during prayer. Parts of the wall are remnants of the ancient wall that surrounded the Jewish Temple's courtyard, and is the most sacred site recognized by the Jewish faith outside of the Temple Mount itself. Just over half the wall, including its 17 courses located below street level, dates from the end of the Second Temple period, commonly believed to have been constructed around 19 BCE by Herod the Great.
Alex and Doug praying at the Kotel 
To see Jonathan Lovelace's video from the Western Wall, Mount of Olives and the Garden Tomb - CLICK HERE An Arab neighborhood on the hills of Jerusalem Inside the Old City of Jerusalem: (Left) The Pool of Siloam; (Right) Jaffa Gate 
Sites around the city (Left) A Bar Mitzvah boy is carried through the city; (Right) Gloria poses with some IDF Soldiers 
The Kidron Valley is the valley on the eastern side of The Old City of Jerusalem, separating the Temple Mount from the Mount of Olives The Eastern Gate seen from the Kidron Valley The Eastern Gate (or Golden Gate as it is called in Christian literature) is the oldest of the current gates in Jerusalem's Old City Walls. According to Jewish tradition, the Shekhinah (Divine Presence) used to appear through this gate, and will appear again when the Messiah comes (Ezekiel 44:1–3). The Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent sealed off the Eastern Gate in 1541. Jewish tradition teaches that Suleiman the Magnificent sealed off the Eastern Gate to prevent the Messiah's entrance.
The Church of All Nations 
The Church of All Nations, also known as the Church or Basilica of the Agony, is a Roman Catholic church located on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem,
next to the Garden of Gethsemane. It enshrines a section of bedrock where Yeshua/Jesus is said to have prayed before his arrest.The Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives Gethsemane is a garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem most noted as the place where Yeshua/Jesus prayed (while his disciples slept) the night before his crucifixion.
Some of the olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane are over 2000 years old 
Pausing for a time to worship in the Garden of Gethsemane beside of the Church of All Nations Spending some time at the Garden Tomb 
The Garden Tomb is a rock-cut tomb in Jerusalem which was unearthed in 1867 and has subsequently been considered by many Christians to be the site of the burial and resurrection of Yeshua/Jesus. The Garden Tomb is adjacent to a rocky escarpment which (since the mid-nineteenth century) has been proposed by some scholars to be Golgotha (also known as Skull Hill and Gordon's Calvary).
Visiting Shmuel and Pamela Suran, founders of Chazon Yerushalayim The group prays for Shmuel and Pamela and their ministry 
Chazon Yerushalayim: CLICK HERE and Jerusalem Vision: CLICK HERE Time to get something to eat - anyone for a Shawarma? A shawarma is a meat preparation, where lamb, chicken, turkey, beef or veal are placed on a spit (commonly a vertical spit in restaurants), and may be grilled for as long as a day. Shavings are cut off the block of meat for serving, and the remainder of the block of meat is kept heated on the rotating spit. Although it can be served in shavings on a plate (generally with accompaniments), shawarma also refers to a sandwich or wrap made with shawarma meat. Shawarma is usually eaten with tabbouleh, fattoush, taboon bread, tomato, and cucumber. Toppings include tahini, hummus and pickled turnips. Food all over Israel includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables A visit to the Shuk or open air market in Jerusalem Mahane Yehuda Market, often referred to as The Shuk by locals, is a marketplace (originally open-air, but now at least partially covered) in Jerusalem, Israel. Popular with locals and tourists alike, the market's more than 250 vendors sell fresh fruits and vegetables; baked goods; fish, meat and cheeses; nuts, seeds, and spices; wines and liquors; clothing and shoes; and housewares, textiles, and Judaica. In and around the market are falafel, shawarma, kibbeh, kebab, shashlik, kanafeh, baklava, halva, zalabiya and jerusalem mixed grill stands, juice bars, cafes, and restaurants. The color and bustle of the marketplace is accentuated by vendors who call out their prices to passersby. On Thursdays and Fridays, the marketplace is filled with shoppers stocking up for Shabbat, until the Friday afternoon sounding of the bugle that signifies the market will close for the Sabbath. Time for some shopping and mingling with the locals Jonathan, Andi and Cayla demonstrate their ability for blowing shofarot A visit to the Jerusalem Prayer Center To Visit their Website: CLICK HERE The Judean Desert east of Jerusalem The Judaean Desert is a desert in Israel that lies east of Jerusalem and descends to the Dead Sea. Off to spend a day in the desert ... The rolling hills of the Judean Desert A stop at the Ein-Gedi Nature Reserve Ein Gedi, just aside the Dead Sea in the Judean Desert, not too far from Jerusalem, is one of Israel’s premier hiking spots, featuring spectacular beauty, varied landscapes and botanical gardens. There’s no doubt that Ein Gedi Nature Reserve is one of the most beautiful places in Israel. Not too far from Jerusalem, yet it feels worlds away, Ein Gedi is, of course, one of the most popular escape spots for Israelis who take advantage of the reserve, botanical gardens, and the Dead Sea. On to Masada Masada is an ancient fortification in the Southern District of Israel situated on top of an isolated rock plateau on the eastern edge of the Judaean Desert, overlooking the Dead Sea. Herod the Great built palaces for himself on the mountain and fortified Masada between 37 and 31 BCE. According to Josephus, the Siege of Masada by troops of the Roman Empire towards the end of the First Jewish–Roman War ended in the mass suicide of the 960 Sicarii rebels and their families hiding there. (Left to Right) Celia, Janice, Greerman, Meryl, Gloria, Lynda, Alex, Doug and Cathy The group had to take a cable car from the bottom of the mountain to get to the top Looking from the plateau down to where they had started - notice the really small grove of trees at the bottom Pamela leads the group around the ruins atop the plateau - explaining each part From there they moved on for a dip in the Dead Sea The Dead Sea, also called the Salt Sea, is a salt lake bordering Jordan to the east and Israel to the west. Its surface and shores are 1,401 ft below sea level, Earth's lowest elevation on land. The Dead Sea is 1,004 ft deep, the deepest hyper saline lake in the world. With 34.2% salinity (in 2011), it is also one of the world's saltiest bodies of water. Cayla, Andi & Jonathan (right side of photo) enjoy floating in the saline water Mud from the Dead Sea is supposed to be good for your skin - just ask Andi, Cayla and Jonathan Thanks to Duke Peeler (shown in blue shirt) for sharing some of the best photos from this trip for the Beit Yeshua Website While in the area, the group stopped by Qumran for a view of the ancient ruins there (Left to Right) Pamela, Cathy, Robby, Gloria, Jonathan, Lynda, Andi and Alex Qumran is an archaeological site in the West Bank managed by Israel's Qumran National Park. It is located about a mile inland from the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea. The Hellenistic period settlement was constructed about 134-104 BCE or somewhat later, and was occupied most of the time until it was destroyed by the Romans in 68 CE or shortly after. It is best known as the settlement nearest to the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were hidden. The day ended with a camel ride in the desert followed by a Bedouin-style meal The group (including Lynda, Doug, Celia and Jancie) get dressed in Biblical-style costumes 
Even though camels are seated when they are mounted, it can still be a little challenging to keep from falling off 
Getting washed up after the camel ride
Getting ready for the Bedouin-style meal inside of a tent in the Israeli desert Israeli food is always AWESOME Thanks to some good friends at Christian Friends of Israel, some of the men from the group get invited to visit an Israeli IDF Base The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are the military forces of the State of Israel and consist of ground forces, air force, and navy. An order from Defense Minister David Ben-Gurion, on 26 May 1948, officially set up the Israel Defense Forces as a conscript army. The Israel Defense Forces differs from most armed forces in the world in many ways. Differences include the mandatory conscription of women and its structure, which emphasizes close relations between the army, navy, and air force. Since its founding, the IDF has been specifically designed to match Israel's unique security situation. The IDF is one of Israeli society's most prominent institutions, influencing the country's economy, culture and political scene.
A variety of hand weapons are used by the Israeli military One of the IDF soldiers shows talks about one of the weapons they use Gun enthusiasts Paul and Jonathan enjoy getting to hold one of the weapons 
Sharing a meal together A large group of IDF soldiers Susan & Paul say the blessings over candles, bread and wine 
Come to Israel - You'll never be the same! Interested in going to Israel? Check out HIGHWAY TO ZION, Charlotte, NC - CLICK HERE
Highway To Zion Director Cathy Hargett takes groups to Israel yearly
A very special "Thank You" to Duke Peeler for sharing his photos from the 2014 trip to Israel
Thanks to Jonathan Lovelace for his videos from the 2014 trip to Israel
To see Jonathan Lovelace's video highlights from the 2014 Israel Trip - CLICK HERE
To see photos from the 2005 Trip to Israel - CLICK HERE To see photos from the 2011 Trip to Israel - CLICK HERE The 2011 Trip to Israel includes many more photos on 14 different Beit Yeshua Webpages
