Two Worlds United Programs in Israel for High School students

Overview Sun-blessed Israel occupies a tiny strip of land—about the size of New Jersey—at the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea. This strip has been contested for more than 6,000 years, initially because it was the only natural bridge between the fertile lands of the Middle East and the wealthy kingdoms in Europe. From the time of King David to the end of World War I, this tiny area has been controlled by Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, Mamelukes, and Ottoman Turks. Today the country is richer because of the traces left by these various peoples, which the Israelis have unearthed, restored, and made accessible for all to see. The state of Israel was created by a 1948 United Nations mandate and is considered to be the rebirth of an ancient Jewish state on the land Jews believe was promised to them by God. In just fifty years, the Israelis have planted, irrigated, and nurtured the land. They have built cosmopolitan cities, founded symphony orchestras, and created a home for immigrants from all over the world. Israel today is a land of dramatic contrasts. Jaffa, a 4,000-year-old city, is now part of the urban center that is Tel Aviv, a city founded early in the 20th century. The inland capital Jerusalem, which sprawls over the rolling hills of Judea, has become a modern city while retaining its religious and historic significance. Tiberias is now a resort on the Sea of Galilee near Nazareth, but it was here that Jesus began his ministry and performed his miracles. Far away, both in distance and spirit, is Eilat, a Red Sea resort where people party through the Sabbath (Saturday). Israel is a dynamic country with something for everyone.

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