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Incomparable Israel

June 26, 2009

CONTACT: Alicia Bregon
The Biblical Archaeology Society
Phone: 1.800.221.4644 ext. 208
E-mail: abregon@bib-arch.org

ANNOUNCEMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 26, 2009)—The Biblical Archaeology Society (BAS) announces the launch of its February 2010 Travel/Study program in Israel. Our extraordinary journey will take participants through the wind-swept streets of Caesarea, where the ancient world’s largest artificial harbor attests to the extraordinary achievements of Roman engineering. From a perch among the hilltop ruins of the Masada fortress, visitors will relive one of the most dramatic conflicts in history, where a small group of Jewish zealots defied an entire Roman legion.

An exploration of the mysteries of Jerusalem and the City of David will culminate in a journey to the city’s foundation—literally—by descending through millennia into the ancient water system that fed the Siloam Pool. The Incomparable Israel program also includes the marvels of Sepphoris, the city called the “Glory of Galilee,” Megiddo, where the Old Testament comes alive, and Nazareth, hometown of Jesus.

The program will be lead by scholar-guide Amnon Wallenstein, one of Israel’s most acclaimed tour guides and a master narrator. A native sabra born in Tel-Aviv, he has studied law at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University and is a graduate of the University of the Philippines Business School. His ability to dust off the most ancient of sites—from the prehistoric caves of Carmel to the dramatic ruins of Herodium—and bring them vividly to life makes Amnon a rare teacher beloved by clients for decades.

In addition to Amnon’s excellent and dynamic presentations, the program will feature several guest lecturers who are at the forefront of research in the field of Biblical archaeology and scholarship. Dr. Alex Zuckerman, a member of the excavation team at Tell es-Safi, will personally guide participants through this ancient Philistine site—home to the Biblical Goliath. In Caesarea, marine archaeologist Dr. Kurt Raveh will present the archaeological wonders found beneath the sea, and Dr. Michael Eisenberg of Haifa University and a member of the excavation team at Hippos, situated on a plateau and commanding a dramatic view of the Sea of Galilee.

For more information on this unique opportunity, please contact the Biblical Archaeology Society’s Travel/Study Department at 1.800.221.4644 ext. 208, or visit us online at a www.biblicalarchaeology.org/israel2010.