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The spiritual and practical benefits for church leaders undertaking a pilgrimage to Israel will be to illuminate your path to walk confidently with God, in the footsteps of his Son. Ultimately, a pilgrimage to Israel is a life-transforming experience that can provide church leaders with renewed passion, confidence in their message, and a more profound love for God's Word, which in turn enriches their entire ministry. A faith-based tour of Israel offers profound spiritual rene

Yes, Israel is a very young country and knows how to allow college students to experience the trip of a lifetime. Israel has one the youngest demographics in the Western world, over 41% of Israelis are under 25! Our guides have organized and lead many college tours, we know how to ensure your college tour is fun ... and meaningful. Unique Activities Engaging discussions Social experiences Adventurous hikes Scavenger hunts Unique Stays Great food Tips for Students: Engage with

As of Nov 2025, United has resumed their direct flights to Tel Aviv from both Chicago and Washington DC. Chicago - Tel Aviv: Frequency : Flights operate approximately four times per week, generally on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Departure Time : Recent schedules show departure times between 9:15pm and 9:40pm Chicago time. Arrival Time : The flight arrives in Tel Aviv the following day, at 5:00pm to 5:20pm local time. Duration : The flight time for this direct fli

Jews are called the 'People of the Book' because of Judaism's deep reverence for holy texts, particularly the Torah, the Hebrew Bible, and the Talmud, the guide to Judaism. Judaism also has deep appreciation of education, both to as a means to contribute to their society and to ensure the survival of a small nation, vastly outnumbered by others. A crazy statistic is over 22% of the world's Noble Prize winners are Jewish, which is extra-ordinary as Jews generally only make up

The Holy Sepulchre, tradition holds that Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected , making it one the holiest and meaningful sites of pilgrimage for Christians. The Garden Tomb, discovered in 1867, is also a site believed by many,, primarily Protestants to be Jesus' burial place and resurrection. Both sites uniquely allow all pilgrims the space and time to reflect on the meaning of Jesus' life, teachings and resurrection. Recent archaeological work beneath the Holy Sepulc

Israel is world renown as an open and welcoming destination for Christian tourists , Over 2.5 million Christian tourists visit Israel each year. Israel highlights its historical and religious significance, and promotes tourism as a key part of its economy. The Israeli government also engages in faith-based diplomacy, particularly with evangelical Christians, who share a love of the Holy Land and its biblical significance. Factors supporting the idea that Israel welcomes Chri

Christmas and Easter are celebrated in the Holy Land as it is the birthplace of Christianity, home to the biblical sites where Jesus was born, lived, taught and rose to heaven. Celebrating in the region offers a unique, meaningful experience by connecting believers to the historical and spiritual roots of their faith, with significant events taking place in locations like Nazareth, the Galilee and Jerusalem.   Reasons for celebration in the Holy Land: Spiritual significance:

Yes, most of the Christian holy sites in Israel are considered authentic based on archaeological evidence, historical sources, and early Christian pilgrimage traditions . Vital holy sites like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Nazareth have strong historical and archaeological support. There are literally hundreds of other holy sites that are supported by traditions from Jewish-Christian communities and historical sources, that are mentioned in the Old Testament (the Tanac

Have you noticed you almost cannot turn on the news without Israel being discussed? Israel is consistently in the news due to a combination of deeply rooted historical and religious factors - most of the Western World considers Judeo-Christian beliefs as the primary base for religious and moral values. For this reason Israel has a significant geopolitical importance, and with a high degree of media accessibility and international political interest, reports from Israel are fr

Yes, Israel has a well-deserved reputation for having both good quality hotels and exceptional food . The country is known for its high standard of hospitality and a vibrant, diverse culinary scene that attracts global recognition.  Hotels Israel offers a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury five-star hotels with world-class amenities and spas to boutique hotels and budget-friendly options, many of which receive excellent guest reviews.  All of Israel's main citie

Christians should consider touring Israel primarily to bring the Bible to life . Many Christian pilgrims report a profound spiritual experience that changes their perspective on their faith and enhances their lives forever. It is widely considered a deeply vital dream for Christians to compete a spiritual pilgrimage by physically visiting the sites where key biblical events and the life and ministry of Jesus unfolded . This tour can strengthen faith and provide a new, more p

The Mount of Olives is important for its religious significance to the 3 great Abrahamic-faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The Mount of Olives associated with pivotal events in the life of Jesus, including his prayer in Gethsemane, his ascension into heaven, and prophecies of his second coming. It is also the holiest burial ground and pilgrimage site for Judaism, with numerous sacred churches, reflecting its long history as a sacred place.  Christian significance Je

Jerusalem is considered a holy city by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam because each of these three monotheistic religions has major foundational events, prophets, and sacred sites connected to the city, all stemming from their shared Abrahamic heritage. Israel welcome tourists from all these 3 global religions and has ensured that all religious sites are very well maintained, accessible and open for all to worship. Festival days are exuberantly celebrated throughout Jerusale

Numerous international airlines are once again flying directly to Israel. As competition heats up again, especially from the U.S. prices are also now decreasing rapidly, with reports of 20-50% savings in 2026.  Fares for round-trip flights on the Tel Aviv-New York route from summer 2025 are now priced close to $1,200, 50% cheaper than earlier in 2025. A variety of international carriers are operating new flights to Israel, with services coming from North America, Europe, and

Yes, travel to Israel is very safe.   Lion For Zion Tours will provide updated travel advice and will custom-design your tour to meet your safety requirements as the safety of our guests in our priority. Major tourist cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and tourist cities such as Tiberius, the Galilee, Mount Masada and the Negev Desert all have a high level of security and function relatively normally.  Even tours to the Gaza border communities and Syrian border are now runnin