Come and celebrate Palestine! The Palestinian Summer Celebration is a unique annual program that gives people from all over the world the chance to encounter the life, culture, and politics of Palestine. Learn Arabic and study Palestinian history at Bethlehem University, spend time with local families and volunteer with a community organization.

The Palestinian Summer Celebration 2011 will take place in Bethlehem from June 12th to August 08th. The program consists of two terms: June 12th to July 10 th , and July 11th to August 08th. Program participants can choose to stay for one or both terms. The celebration is organized by Siraj Center for Holy Land Studies in partnership with Bethlehem University (www.bethlehem.edu) and the U.S.-based Society for Biblical Studies (www.sbsedu.org). Program participants will have the opportunity to meet and learn with accomplished speakers, experts, activists, and officials.

FIRST TERM (June 12th to July 10th 2011):

Sunday 12th June 2011: Arrival

Guests will arrive at Siraj Center in Bethlehem, where they will be introduced to their host families. Dinner and overnight with host families.

Monday 13th June: Orientation day

We will begin bright and early at Siraj Center, where participants will be briefed on the customs of the region and the layout of Bethlehem—restaurants, health services, and public transport. We will visit Shepherd’s Field and The Church of the Nativity. In the afternoon, we will tour Bethlehem University and find out more about class offerings. Dinner and overnight with host families.

Tuesday 14th June – Friday 17th June: Classes and volunteer work.

On Tuesday morning, representatives from local organizations will introduce themselves and pick volunteers. For the rest of the week, volunteers will go to the office in the mornings and attend classes in the evenings at Bethlehem University. Dinner and overnight with the host families.

Saturday 18st June: First Day Tour – Hebron

We will tour the old city of Hebron and meet with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT Palestine) organizations committed to peace and reconciliation in Palestine. We will visit traditional glass and pottery factories, Ibrahiemi Mosque, The Tombs of the Patriarchs, and converse with locals. On the way back to Bethlehem we will stop at the Tent of Nations to hear stories about the conflict. In the evening, we will have a barbecue in Beit Sahour. Overnight with host families.

Sunday 19 June: Free Day

Monday 20rd June – Friday 24th June: Classes and volunteer work.

AM: Volunteer work.
PM: Classes at Bethlehem University.

Saturday 25th June: Second Day Tour – Jerusalem

We will explore the Mount of Olives and the Old City of Jerusalem, Al Aqsa Mosque, the Western Wall, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. In the afternoon we will meet with the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) for a tour and lecture regarding the geo-political situation in Jerusalem. After that we will go to B’Tselem—an Israeli NGO committed to documenting and educating the Israeli public about human rights abuses in Occupied Territories—and meet leading figures in the fight for human rights. Dinner and overnight with host families.

Sunday 26th June: Free Day

From Monday 27th June – Friday 01 July: Classes and volunteer work.

AM: Volunteer work.
PM: Classes at Bethlehem University.

Saturday 2th July: Third Day Tour – Jericho and the Dead Sea

On this day-trip we will visit the world’s oldest continuously thriving city—Jericho—whose settlements date back to 9000 BCE. In the early morning we will hike Wadi Qelt, the Mount of Temptation, and Tel Jericho. In the afternoon we will splash and float in the famous, salt-dense and mineral rich Dead Sea. Dinner and overnight with host families.

Sunday 3th July: Free Day

Monday 4th July – Friday 08th July: Classes and volunteer work.

AM: Volunteer work.
PM: Classes at Bethlehem University.

Saturday 09th July: Fourth Day Trip – Ramallah

We will tour the city of Ramallah—an exciting political scene, home to many human rights organizations, broadcast centers, and artists. We will meet with students of Birzeit University and representatives from The Right of Education Campaign. In the afternoon there will be time to visit galleries, eat ice cream, and stroll Rukab Street. Dinner and overnight with host families.

Sunday 10th July: Free Day

SECOND TERM (July 11th to August 08th 2011):

Monday 11th July – Friday 15th July: Classes and volunteer work.

AM: Volunteer work.
PM: Classes at Bethlehem University.

Saturday 16th July and Sunday 17th July: Fifth Day Trip – Nazareth and Galilee

We will travel to Nazareth and Galilee for an overnight excursion, and participants will learn about the current state of Israel and the 1948 catastrophe. Along the way we will meet with Ittijah, a coalition of Arab community organizations, tour destroyed and unrecognized villages, see Haifa, Jaffa, and Akko, and visit a number of holy sites. We will return to Bethlehem late on Sunday night for dinner and overnight with host families.

Monday 18st July – Friday 22th July: Classes and volunteer work.

AM: Volunteer work.
PM: Classes at Bethlehem University.

Saturday 23th July: Sixth Day Trip – Negev or Jericho

On this day trip we will be escorted by an Israeli organization to the stunning Negev desert, where we will learn about the Bedouin culture and visit unrecognized Bedouin villages. While in the Negev, we will see holy and historical sites, too. Dinner and overnight with host families.

Sunday 24th July: Free Day

Monday 25th July – Friday 29th July: Classes and volunteer work.

AM: Volunteer work.
PM: Classes at Bethlehem University.

Saturday 30th July: Seventh Day Trip – North of the West Bank

In the Northern West Bank, we will tour the cities of Qalqilieh, Tulkarem and Jinin. In Jinin, we will visit the Arab American University. We will also meet with local organizations and officials, see refugee camps, and learn about regional living conditions. Dinner and overnight with host families.

Sunday 31 July : Free Day

Monday 01 August – Friday 5th August: Classes and volunteer work.

AM: Volunteer work.
PM: Classes at Bethlehem University.

Saturday night Siraj will host a farewell party with guests and host families.

Monday 08th August 2011: Departure.

Other Activities:

Hiking. Participants will be able to take short and long hikes while in Palestine, enjoying wonderful outdoor experiences.

Half-day trips. During the week, participants can visit the rural areas of Bethlehem and Palestine for authentic village experiences. All visits will be organized by Siraj Center.