These trips are custom-built around your tradition and your group’s specific needs. Catholic, Evangelical, mainline Protestant, Orthodox, Messianic: while many of the major sites are the same, what’s done at each (the readings, the prayers, the time spent, which sites get the emphasis) shifts with the tradition.
What I bring
I’ve guided pilgrimage groups across every major Christian denomination since 2014, including Christian university programmes through Passages (including Regent University, The King’s College). Although I’m a practicing Jew myself, I went to a Church of England primary school for seven years, which gave me a strong basis in Christian tradition.
I’m a Cambridge graduate (BA and MA in Hebrew and Israeli Studies) and an Israel Ministry of Tourism licensed guide. I work in partnership with the clergy who travel with groups and with the priests at the sites themselves.
Fitted to your needs
Every group has different priorities. I work with you so the sites that matter to your denomination get the right time and framing, Mass or communion can be fitted in where the group wants it, and baptism or re-baptism arranged in the Jordan River. If you don’t travel with your own clergy, I can put you in touch with a pastor or priest of your denomination.
Some groups focus only on New Testament sites; some include Old Testament archaeological sites; some also want to explore modern Israel alongside the heritage.
With clergy
If your group has its own clergy (a priest, pastor or lay leader who runs the spiritual programme), I work in partnership with them; they lead the reflection at each site, I provide the historical, archaeological and contemporary context.
Before the trip we coordinate on which sites get extended time; which Bible passages will be read where; and any specific sacramental or liturgical requirements. If you’re travelling without clergy, I can put you in touch with leaders I work with.
Where these trips go
The New Testament classics: Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity; Nazareth; the Galilee circuit (Capernaum, Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha, Magdala, Cana); the Jordan River baptism site; Jerusalem of course.
Old Testament sites for groups who want them can include: the City of David, the Ella Valley (where David fought Goliath), Megiddo, Tel Dan and more.
For longer trips we can also add Qumran and the Dead Sea, Masada, Caesarea Philippi, a Sea of Galilee boat ride, and more. For groups who want it, we also add the modern Israeli context with time in Tel Aviv and newer parts of Jerusalem.
Logistics
Pilgrimage logistics have their own specifics: Mass or communion in specific sites; baptism arrangements at the Jordan River. These are worked into the design from the start.
Tour examples
A ten-day Christian university trip across the country
A ten-day trip for a Christian university taking students across the country. The programme covered both ancient and modern Israel; Old Testament and New Testament sites; the historical context of the entire Bible. I worked closely with the pastor to make sure the religious content landed at the right times: communion at the Garden Tomb, baptism in the Jordan River. We also found space for some lighter days (floating in the Dead Sea, exploring the markets of Tel Aviv) and the group was hosted for Shabbat meals with local families.
A week with a megachurch pastor and his wife, ahead of the congregation
A megachurch pastor and his wife came to Israel for a private week ahead of bringing their congregation. The pastor wanted to experience the Holy Land for himself and to figure out what to include when the group came over. We arranged a baptism ceremony in the Jordan, and I invited the couple to my synagogue to experience a Shabbat service. The trip balanced my guiding with quiet space for them to reflect and study privately at each site.
What Christian visitors say
-
“His perspective deepened our own Judeo-Christian roots.”
Samuel Green is the best! My husband and I had a fabulous time with him, traveling all over Israel. Samuel is a walking encyclopedia with a vast knowledge of geography, history, politics, socioeconomics, religion, culture and so on! You can ask him about anything and he will probably know the answer! Samuel makes these historical sites come alive with his stories and understanding. Furthermore, Samuel’s humor made for so much fun! We laughed as we learned, and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.
Throughout our trip, we ended up changing our minds about our plans and Samuel was flexible and so gracious to switch things up. He wanted to make sure that we got to do all the things that we wanted to do while being mindful of our budget. Samuel was also attentive to us on a personal level, taking great care to make sure we were feeling good, protected from the sun and well hydrated. What a great guy!
Lastly, my husband and I pastor a Christian church and and we thoroughly enjoyed having the perspective of this wonderful Jewish man. Samuel’s passion for Israel and Judaism greatly enhanced our own understanding of our Judeo-Christian roots as we journeyed through the Holy Land. God’s love towards Israel lasts forever! Ezra 3:11
-
“At the Holy Sepulchre he pulled us aside for the hidden treasures.”
1. Do you want to learn more?
2. Are you open to new ideas?
3. Are you ready to change your perspectives?
4. Can you listen to someone without being stubborn?Well, Samuel does all those things and he deserves to have customers who will do the same. Every conversation I had with him opened up my eyes to understanding a complex nation. He’s not a tour guide. He’s a friend, a teacher, and a wise man. He’s someone who will make you laugh on your trip, who will expand your mind, and will be there when you need someone.
When our group of 45 people went to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, he pulled me and one other member (the only Catholics) aside and took the time to show us the hidden Catholic treasures. He is so personal that he made all 45 people on that trip have a completely unique experience. Whenever I had questions, he would answer them as honestly as possible, with as much background as he can possibly put into an answer. When one of the sites made me extremely anxious, he noticed right away and was able to calm me down. Want to get a tattoo like I did? Well, he has the tattoo artist on speed dial and was ready to call him to book us a last minute appointment.
I’ll never forget this trip and it’s all because of the graciousness Samuel has shown.
If you’re considering Samuel as your tour guide, be ready for an adventure. My advice? Ask him as many questions as possible. Get the most you can out of him because he is a special human being and he deserves to have his talents be given to the most curious travelers. He’s not just a tour guide for the time of your trip, he’s a lifelong friend.
-
“Catholic schools my whole life and he knows the New Testament better.”
I’ve had the privilege of seeing Israel with Samuel as my tour guide twice now. I can’t imagine going to Israel without Samuel’s guidance. I have been attending Catholic schools my entire life and I think it safe to say that Samuel knows much more about the New Testament then I do.
In fact, I’m always amazed with how much knowledge Samuel brings to the table. He also offers many different narratives and explains the many different points of views that the people of Israel hold. I’m so grateful to call Samuel my friend. I know that I’ll be recommending him as a tour guide to family and friends who visit Israel!!
Toda ahi!!
-
“He had the right Bible passage ready at each site – at times, quite moving.”
Samuel guided part of my trip; including a culinary tour of Tel Aviv, a trip to the desert surrounding Eilat and a tour of Jerusalem. He also assisted with the planning of the rest of my trip. He was a class act throughout.
Particular qualities of his which contributed to the trip’s success are as follows:
Bespoke nature of the experience. Samuel was keen to know what I was most interested in and then tailored the trips to my tastes. For example, before the trip to Jerusalem I mentioned that I was looking forward to seeing the sites where various passages of the Bible took place. As such, whilst visiting numerous Biblical sites (both old an new testament), Samuel had on hand the appropriate passage from the bible. This was, at times, quite moving.
Eloquence. Samuel’s mastery of the English language is absolute and all explanations given were both clear and precise. This was particularly evident when he was describing the history, architecture, Biblical references and current practices of the stations of the Via Dolorosa. At no time did I feel overwhelmed by the volume of information provided and his evocative oratory really enhanced my experience.
Knowledge. Without coming across as an ‘anorak’, Samuel’s knowledge of the sites that he guides is formidable. For example, on our trip to the mountains of Timna, Samuel gave a detailed account of the various people which inhabited the land and the archeological evidence for said inhabitation. I had limited knowledge of the canaanite people and he was able to elaborate in detail as to both their historical significance and way of life.
Affability. Samuel’s has an engaging character and casual British wit. Further, he is a natural raconteur and many of his anecdotes were laugh-out-loud funny. This was particularly evident on the culinary tour of Hatikva market, where his playful banter with the market sellers and colourful stories of the origins of the food in question was something to behold. Just as importantly, his manner remained appropriate throughout and he struck just the right tone while giving his engaging explanations of sites of religious significance.
All in all, I highly recommend Samuel as a guide.
