The Women of Bethany: Mary, Martha, and Local Palestinian Women Today

With Irina Al-Halaseh

About the Tour:

Only a few kilometers away from Old Jerusalem is the town of Bethany, famous for its biblical residents: Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. You will visit many ancient and beautiful sites linked to these prominent siblings and learn about the past and present history of Bethany and its local community, especially its women. Learn about the social initiatives of the local women of Bethany who have devoted their lives to supporting their community.

Curated By:
Irina Al-Halaseh

Tour Duration:
One-day tour (app. 8 hours)

What to Bring:
Tourists are requested to bring their passport, drinking water, and sun protection. They should wear comfortable walking shoes and modest clothing (covering knees and elbows) when visiting religious sites.

About the Guide

Irina Al-Halaseh

With Irina Halaseh has been working as a schoolteacher for over 25 years. She has always been enthusiastic about tourism and sharing her culture with people from all over the world. In 2010, she officially became a licensed tour guide. As a woman, being a tour guide allowed Irina to gain more independence and confidence. Irina especially enjoys inviting guests at her home in Al-Sawahreh, a suburb east of Jerusalem and welcoming them into Palestinian culture.

Tour Highlights

Visit the famous biblical places linked to Mary, Martha, and Lazarus Learn from dedicated women and their social activities Get a glimpse into the daily life of the locals living close to the separation wall Experience traditional Palestinian food, culture, and music Mingle with the locals and participate in some of their community activities

Tour Details

We start our day with a panoramic view from Pope Hill, which overlooks the ancient town of Bethany. As we dive deep into biblical history, we make our way through the cobblestoned walkways and narrow alleys to visit the various places linked to Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary. Some of the places that we’ll visit include: The Roman Catholic Church of St. Lazarus, which was built on the ruins of Byzantine and Crusader churches; the burial chamber of St. Lazarus’s Tomb located next to the church, and the Russian Orthodox Church at Ed-Jeneneh Garden, where according to tradition is the place where Jesus met Martha and Mary. At the Fountain of the Apostles, you’ll have the opportunity to meet some local shepherds and participate in some hand-on activities with their animals. We’ll then visit some women organizations and learn about their important tasks of promoting the social and economic empowerment of Palestinian women. Some are producing handmade soaps, organic cosmetics, handcrafted jewelry or embroidery. Others are happy to engage you in candle making and the art of mosaic. You will also be treated with some authentic Palestinian specialities. All the products are exclusively made by local women and with locally sourced ingredients from Palestinian farmers. Enjoy a tasty and traditional Palestinian lunch as you listen to a live performance of Palestinian folk music. Next, we’ll continue to visit more sacred sites in Bethany, such as the Ali-‘Azer Mosque (Lazarus Mosque), built in the 16th century on the ruins of a Crusader Church. This tour will not only focus on the ancient history of Bethany, but will also focus on the present-day life of the Palestinian residents and the difficulties they experience living next to the separation wall.

Testimonials

As a woman I appreciated the opportunity to connect with women’s organizations and learn about how they are empowering other women in their community. Irene’s own story of being a woman who overcame many challenges to become a tour guide was very inspiring.

Irene is a passionate tour guide who brings the biblical history of Bethany into conversation with the contemporary reality of people living there today. The lunch was delicious and the traditional musique was so beautiful! This is a trip you won’t want to miss!