The long Memorial Day weekend is here. It is, of course, a time to honor those who have sacrificed so much in the service of our country. For many people, this weekend is also the kick-off for summer. Pools are filled and barbeques are fired up. Students and teachers alike are finishing up final projects and anticipating a change of pace. Others are planning trips and weekend getaways. I’ve…
One of the most amazing aspects of my trip to Israel was the way in which our small group—many of us complete strangers when the tour began—swiftly became a caring community. I was privileged to be part of it, and it was encouraging in a time when division and hate so often grab the headlines. The above photo shows a member of our tour group on the Teaching…
In my last blog post, I addressed the silent witness of the stones at Masada. But the Holy Land is alive with sound, reflecting the contrasts to be found there. Lutheran Church of ReformationMosque of OmarIn the late afternoon sun, a shadow of the Mosque of Omar is seen on the Church of the Nativity In the Jerusalem area, the Muslim call to prayer (the Adhan) drifts over the…
While visiting the Holy Land last month, our little group saw so many sites that by the last few days of the trip I could barely keep straight where we’d been or where we were going. However, one location stood out with clarity. That was Masada. I remember learning about Masada many years ago, in a college Religion class. It was amazing to finally be there, standing on…