27, 2015
This extraordinary adventure started with a short filmmaking workshop followed by a school week working on a service project with students at Tamrat El Zeitoun, the first Arab Waldorf school in Israel. We stayed at Kibbutz Harduf, home of Israel’s pioneer Waldorf school, where our evenings were spent working on our video and getting to know members of the Harduf community.
For more information, visit the website we created for the school: tamratelzeitoun.org
And check out the video for the school, which was filmed and produced by the students:
The sightseeing tour begins in the Galilee with lunch and a tour at Beit Uri, an anthroposophical residential community for developmentally disabled children and adults. From there we will enjoy six days full of hikes, history, sites, food, scenery, friendships and unforgettable experiences.
Don’t miss this trip that will become a wonderful tradition for US Waldorf high school students.
Student participants are required to raise a portion of the expenses themselves. They will be assisted with fundraising tools and ideas.
Saturday, June 13: USA to Israel
Sunday, June 14: Arrival in Tel Aviv
LODGING: Jutka’s guest house with private group rooms at Kibbutz Harduf
Monday, June 15: Film Boot Camp Part 1
Students will make a video about their service project at Tamrat El Zeitoun and their experiences traveling in Israel. Students and World Wise Adventures will share the video on social media to promote global awareness and support for Tamrat El Zeitoun, the first Arab Waldorf school. The Boot Camp Par
t 1 teaches skills and tools of the trade.
We will be staying at a beautiful guesthouse on the grounds of Kibbutz Harduf, (the oldest Waldorf School in Israel) operated by Jutka Harstein, whose restaurant offers delicious organic vegetarian cuisine from her cookbook!
LODGING: Jutka’s guest house with private group rooms at Kibbutz Harduf
Monday, June 15 through Friday, June 19:
Volunteer Service Work at Tamrat El Zeitoun (Arab Waldorf School)
Potential service actitivies include
LODGING: Jutka’s Guest House at Kibbutz Harduf, Waldorf School in the Lower Galilee
Saturday, June 20: The Galilee and Golan
Mt. Arbel Look out over the entire Galilee onto the Golan Heights and climb down the cliffs on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, stopping to explore ancient caves along the way.
Lunch at Beit Uri, an anthroposophical residential home for about 120 mentally challenged people aged between 6-55, runs a special needs school for younger members and for the adult community there are a variety of rehabilitation studios producing high-quality handicrafts, as well as a resident-managed café serving wonderful sustainable food.
Tzippori is an ancient Roman/Jewish city with a story that includes tolerance, cooperation, and the codification of the first Jewish law book. The site includes a Roman theatre, mosaic floors and water tunnels to explore.
Havdalah service with our guide, Gary Kamen. Havdalah is a Jewish ceremony that marks the symbolic end of Shabbat and ushers in the new week. The ritual involves lighting a special candle with several wicks, blessing a cup of wine and smelling sweet spices.
Sunday, June 21: Jerusalem
Old City of Jerusalem morning walking tour.
Jewish Quarter and the Cardo The Cardo was a double-columned main thoroughfare that traversed many Roman cities from north to south. Jerusalem’s Cardo starts at what is today the Damascus Gate in the north, traversing the city southwards up to today’s Zion Gate.
Western Wall (Kotel) The holiest site in the world for Jews, the Western Wall’s history dates back 2000 years, when it was part of a vast renovation project of the Second Temple, initiated by King Herod. Today, The Western Wall is a center of mourning over the destruction of the Temple and Israel’s exile.
Muslim Quarter, the largest and most populated of the four quarters in the Old City, was developed by Herod the Great, organized by the Christian ByzantineEmpire, and then occupied by the Christian Crusaders. This area today preserves some of the finest medieval Islamic architecture.
Holy Sepulchre Church is identified as the place of the crucifixion and the tomb of Jesus.
Dome of the Rock Mosque (Qubbat as-Sakhrah) The most famous Islamic site in Jerusalem is an impressive and beautiful edifice that can be seen from all over Jerusalem.
Jerusalem Promenade Take in the views of the Old City and modern Jerusalem from this panoramic lookout point.
Monday, June 22: Jerusalem
Israel Museum, lunch and scavenger hunt
Mahane Yehuda, “The Shuk” the vibrant and exciting outdoor market
Yad Vashem Israel’s Holocaust Memorial on Mt. Herzl.
Temple Mount, one of the most important religious sites in the Old City of Jerusalem, has been used as a religious site for thousands of years by Jews, Christians, Roman Catholics and Muslims.
City of David – Hezekiah’s water tunnel hike.
The security barrier. Take a walking tour of East Jerusalem and see the security barrier.
Jerusalem at Night Take in the sights and sounds of Jerusalem’s popular downtown area.
Jerusalem Lodging, June 20-23: Sunset View Apartment
The Sunset View property, located in the upscale community of Holyland in the heart of Jerusalem, has six spacious, private bedrooms and 2.5 Bathrooms.
Tuesday, June 23: Masada, Dead Sea and Bedouin Experience
Masada (Hebrew for fortress) is a place of gaunt and majestic beauty that has become a symbol as the place where the last Jewish stronghold stood against Roman invasion.
The Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, is about 400 meters below sea level and has the world’s highest concentration of minerals.
Bedouin Experience After a hearty feast, we’ll learn about Bedouin life and culture and then spend the night in an authentic Bedouin tent and wake up for a camel ride in the desert.
Overnight – Chen HaShayarot (Bedouin tent)
Wednesday, June 24: Camel Trek and the Agriculture in the Desert
Desert Camel Trek Enjoy the desert from the back of a camel!
Shvil HaSalat (the Salad Trail) Learn about how Israel made the desert bloom, followed by a hands-on culinary experience.
Hiking at Natural Cliff Formations at the Ein Ovdat Preserve Learn about the ancient significance of this desert oasis, and prepare for a brief, but challenging ascent out of the gorge!
Return to Tel Aviv
Thursday, June 25- Friday, June 26: Tel Aviv
Film Boot Camp 2 – Editing
Edit the film with the students and teachers at Masachim, an innovative Tel Aviv high school that leverages the study of communications – television, film and new media – to create a unique and nurturing alternative educational framework for youth-at-risk.
Final Discussion and Dinner Time to share and reflect on the experience.
LODGING: Hayarkon 48 Hostel, Tel Aviv
Saturday, June 27: Return to US