Encounter has brought over 400 Jewish leaders from diverse religious and political backgrounds on one and two-day journeys to Bethlehem, Hebron, and East Jerusalem.

Registration is now open for the
October 30-31 trip to Bethlehem.

To apply:
Download this application and
submit it by email to
benj@encounterprograms.org
by October 12, 2008.

Applications will be accepted on
a rolling basis, and the trip
may fill before the deadline.

Open Bethlehem Tour, October 30-31 (Thurs-Fri)
For Rabbinical Students, Jewish Educators, and other Jewish Leaders
Mandatory Orientation: Sunday, October 26
Mandatory Debriefing: Sunday, November 2
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! To apply, Download this application and submit it by email no later than October 12, 2008.


GA Bethlehem Tour, November 20-21 (Thurs-Fri) [Tentative]
For participants in the General Assembly conference
Mandatory Orientation & Debriefing to be coordinated with applicants


Advanced Hebron Tour, December 18 (Thurs)
For anyone who has already participated in at least one Encounter Tour
Mandatory Orientation: Sunday, December 14
Mandatory Debriefing: Sunday, December 21


Open Bethlehem Tour, Early January, date TBD (Thurs-Fri)
For Rabbinical Students, Jewish Educators, and other Jewish Leaders
Mandatory Orientation: TBD
Mandatory Debriefing: TBD


RA Bethlehem Tour, February 5-6 (Thurs-Fri) [Tentative]
For participants in the annual Rabbinical Assembly conference
 and JTS & UJ students studying in Jerusalem.
Mandatory Orientation: TBD
Mandatory Debriefing: TBD


CCAR Bethlehem Tour, February 22-23 (Sun-Mon) [Tentative]
For participants in the annual Central Conference of American Rabbis conference
 and HUC students studying in Jerusalem.
Mandatory Orientation: TBD
Mandatory Debriefing: TBD


Bethlehem Tour, March
Details to be announced
Mandatory Orientation: TBD
Mandatory Debriefing: TBD


Open Bethlehem Tour, April, date TBD (Thurs-Fri)
For Rabbinical Students, Jewish Educators, and other Jewish Leaders
Mandatory Orientation: TBD
Mandatory Debriefing: TBD


Pilot Salfit Tour, May, date TBD
For Rabbinical Students, Jewish Educators, and other Jewish Leaders
Mandatory Orientation: TBD
Mandatory Debriefing: TBD

Thursday, Nov. 17
8:00 - Depart from parking lot of Liberty Bell Park/Gan Hapa'amon

9:00 - 9:45 - Arrive at The Hope Flowers School, in El-Khader, Opening Circles with small groups

9:45 - 10:45 - Presentation by Ibrahim Issa, Director of Hope Flowers School

11:15 - 12:15 - Meet Zoughby Zoughby, Director of Wiam Center

12:15 - 1:00 - Tour of Separation Barrier in Bethlehem area with Zoughby Zoughby

1:00 - 1:30 - Lunch at Bethlehem Hotel

1:30 - 2:30 - Meet Holy Land Trust Staff (Sami Awad and Husam Jubran)

2:30 - 3:00 - Minhah

3:00 - 4:45 - Panel: The Personal Stories of Palestinian Grassroots Activists

5:00 - 6:00 - Circle II

6:00 - 7:30 - Games and Interactive Activities with Palestinians from Holy Land Trust and Wiam Center.

7:30 -7:45 - Ma'ariv

8:00- 9:00 - Dinner at The Tent restaurant in Beit Sahour

9:00 - 10:00 - Palestinian traditional music and dancing

10:00 - People escorted to host family homes or the Bethlehem Hotel

Friday, Nov. 18th
7:00 - 7:30 - Breakfast in Palestinian homes or in hotel

7:30 - 8:15 - Shaharit at Bethlehem hotel

8:15 - 10:15 - Presentation: An Overview of current issues in the Israeli - Palestinian Conflict, Khalid el-Ghindi, Palestinian Authority Special Negotiation Unit

10:30 - 11:30 - Travel to Anata

11:30 - 1:00 - Lunch and Presentation at Beit Arabiya Peace Center in Anata by Salim Shawamreh, activist & Anata resident