Walking the Path of the Chumash
We start the summer by exploring the earliest ancient sites of the Chumash with two weeks in Turkey. Turkey has played a significant role in Jewish History, and Judaism has had a continuous presence in Turkey since biblical times.
Our program has received special permission from the Turkish Ministry of Culture & Tourism to climb Mt. Ararat, believed to be the resting place of Noah’s Ark. As you walk the path of Avraham (from Harran to Canaan, Parshat Lech Lecha) you will feel a sense of purpose and adventure. There, you will meet people who live much in the way the ancient ones did. This is a truly unique opportunity!
We continue our journey by joining the Track A Program for three weeks in Israel where you will explore ancient sites such as Megiddo (Melachim), Bet She’an (Shoftim), Chorazin, Har Carmel (Melachim), Dobrath (Yehoshua), En Dor (Shmuel Aleph), Har Gilboa (Shmuel Aleph), Hazor (Yehoshua), Jezreel Valley (Shoftim), Kishon River (Shoftim & Melachim). In Central Israel; Abu Ghosh, Anathoth (Yermiahu), Ashdod (Yehoshua, Shmuel Aleph, Nechemia, Yishayahu, Zecharia, Divrei Hayyamim), Ashkelon (Zecharia), Bait El (Beraishit, Shoftim, Melachim Aleph & Bet), Bait Lechem (Shir Hashirim), Dothan (Beraishit, Melachim Bet), Elah (Shmuel Aleph), Bait Guvrin (Shoftim), Ekron (Shmuel), Har Gerizim (Yehoshua), Har Ebal (Dvarim, Yehoshua), Gezer (Melachim), Halhul (Divrei Hayammim), Chevron & Ma’arat Hamachpelah (Beraishit, Shmuel Bet), Yericho (Divrei Hayammim, Yonah), Samaria (Melachim Aleph & Bet), Sharon (Yehoshua), Shechem (Beraishit, Melachim Bet), Arad (Bamidbar, Yehoshua), Be’er Sheva (Beraishit), Yam Hamelach (Beraishit), Ein Gedi (Shmuel Aleph, Shir Hashirim), Ezion Gaver (Bamidbar), Masada, The Qumran Caves, Nahal Hever, Negev (Shmot, Dvarim), Bar Kochva Caves, Yerushalayim, and more!
Jews have enjoyed tolerance and peace in Turkey for centuries. After the Jewish communities in Spain and Portugal were exiled in 1492 during the Inquisition, Sultan Beyazit II welcomed them to the Ottomon Empire (present day Turkey). As a result, many Jewish communities still thrive in modern Turkey. Signs written in Hebrew and menorahs carved into stone at historical sites such as Ephesus, Kusadasi, Priene, Hieropolis, and Pammukale attest to a long history of Jews in Turkey. In Sardis, near Izmir, the remains of the largest ancient synagogue in existence date to the 3rd century AD. Its frescoes and mosaics suggest a large, well established and successful Jewish community in Sardis.
According to our tradition, Noah’s Ark ran aground at Mount Afri (Ararat). When the floodwaters receeded, Noah and his family descended from the mountain into the fertile Idgir Plain (called today) and repopulated the world. Olive groves still cover much of this area even today.
Avraham and Job also made their mark in eastern Turkey. Sanli Urfa in southeastern Turkey is known as the city of the prophets. A cave there is said to be the birthplace of Avraham. Job is believed to have spent seven years recovering from illness inside another cave located in the district of Eyyubiye about four miles south of Sanli Urfa.
In Istanbul’s old Jewish Quarter is the 19th century Neve Shalom Synagogue, the Zulfaris Jewish Museum and nearby, the 15th century Ahrida Synagogue. The first Jewish printing press began operating in Istanbul in 1493 and Jewish literature and music flourished during this period. In Bursa, a short drive south of Istanbul, campers will find the Gerus Synagogue, built at the end of the 15th century by the Jews who settled in the city after being expelled from Spain. The name of the synagogue in Hebrew means “Expelled.” Izmir, located on the Aegean coast, has several synagogues including Beth Israel Synagogue, Bikour Cholim Synagaogue, named in memory of an epidemic when city hospitals were so full that synagogues were used to house the sick, and Giveret Synagogue, rebuilt in 1841 after a fire.
Turkish people genuinly love foreigners, and anyone who has visited Turkey in the past will understand exactly what we mean. If not, you’ll experience Turkish hospitality at Matmonim.