Selah - New Zealand

Creating moments for an INTENTIONAL PAUSE

    • Lisa Tarzia

    Travelling Solo, Together: Why Christian Tours Are Perfect for Single Travellers

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    For many people, travel is something they dream of but often put off—especially if they don’t have a ready-made travel companion. At Selah, we know that a large number of our guests join us as single travellers, and we love helping them discover the joy of exploring the world in the company of like-minded Christians.

    In fact, around 30% of our participants are single travellers, so you will never feel like the odd one out or that everyone else is coupled up. Our tours are communities—welcoming, encouraging, and spiritually rich.

    Avoiding the Single Supplement

    One of the biggest challenges for solo travellers is the dreaded “single supplement” fee. To help, Selah offers a roommate matching service, pairing travellers of the same gender and similar age to share a room. Many of these roommate pairings turn into genuine friendships that last long after the tour is over.

    More Than Just Sightseeing

    Travelling with a Christian group means you are never “just another tourist.” Our tours include times of worship, prayer, and devotions that bring depth and meaning to the journey. For single travellers, this creates a shared spiritual experience and a sense of belonging—you’re not travelling alone, you’re journeying with brothers and sisters in Christ.

    Free Time, Thoughtfully Considered

    We design our itineraries with free time built in, and we’re intentional about looking out for our solo travellers. Whether it’s a café stop in Rome, an evening walk through a Tuscan village, or exploring a local market, our leaders help ensure no one is left on their own—unless, of course, they want some quiet time.

    Safe, Supportive & Welcoming

    Many single travellers are nervous about joining a group, but they quickly find that a Selah tour feels more like being part of a family. Our tour leaders are intentional about hospitality—seating arrangements, meals, excursions, and conversations are all opportunities to connect and build friendships.

    A Diverse Mix of Travellers

    Our single travellers come from all walks of life and all age groups—30s through to 70s. Whether you’re single by choice, widowed, divorced, or just love the independence of travelling on your own, you’ll find others at a similar stage of life.

    Stories of Friendship

    Time and again, we hear from past travellers who started out as strangers but returned home with lifelong friends, prayer partners, and new confidence to keep exploring the world. One traveller recently told us, “I came on this tour not knowing anyone. I left with sisters in Christ I now speak to every week.”

    Space for Reflection

    Of course, single travellers also value the freedom to set their own rhythm. Our tours allow time for rest, journaling, prayer, or simply soaking up the atmosphere of a special place – Selah.
    It’s the best of both worlds: independence within the safety and joy of a group.

    Why Not Take the Step?

    If you’ve ever hesitated to travel because you don’t have a companion, consider this your invitation. A Selah tour gives you the best of both worlds: the independence of travelling solo and the connection of being part of a Christian community.

    You’ll see remarkable places, deepen your faith, and discover that travelling as a single doesn’t mean travelling alone. With Selah, you’re always part of the family.

    Walking Through Time: The History of the Camino de Santiago

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    For over a thousand years, pilgrims have made their way across Europe on the Camino de Santiago—the Way of St. James—seeking spiritual growth, healing, or simply a deeper encounter with life. But where did this ancient path begin, and why has it captured the hearts of so many, century after century?

    A Sacred Beginning

    According to early Christian tradition, James the Greater, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles, travelled to the western edges of the Roman Empire to preach the gospel in Hispania (modern-day Spain). After returning to Jerusalem, he was martyred around AD 44. Legend tells us that his followers carried his remains back to Galicia by boat, where they buried him in a forgotten tomb.

    Centuries later, around 813 AD, a hermit named Pelayo saw a mysterious light—some say a shower of stars—shining over a field. Guided by the phenomenon, he discovered what was believed to be the apostle’s long-lost tomb. The site was named Campus Stellae (“Field of Stars”), which evolved into the name Compostela. King Alfonso II of Asturias made the first recorded pilgrimage to the site and commissioned the first church there—laying the foundation for what would become one of Christianity’s most beloved pilgrimage routes.

    Pilgrimage in the Middle Ages

    By the 11th century, the Camino de Santiago was one of the three major pilgrimage routes of the Christian world, alongside pilgrimages to Rome and Jerusalem. Pilgrims from all over Europe travelled on foot for weeks or months to reach Santiago, believing the journey would grant them spiritual merit, penance, or divine favour.

    Monasteries and churches along the route offered shelter and care to weary travellers. In the 12th century, a guidebook known as the Codex Calixtinus was compiled—containing stories of miracles, music, and maps, and even offering safety tips for the road.

    The Camino became a grand network of trails and roads, with the Camino Francés (French Way) as the most travelled route. Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, completed in Romanesque and later Gothic style, welcomed pilgrims with open arms and the promise of grace.

    Decline and Silence

    With the arrival of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, interest in relics and pilgrimages waned across much of Europe. Wars, plagues, and changing theological perspectives led to a dramatic decline in pilgrim numbers. For centuries, the Camino became a quiet road, remembered mainly by local devotees and Catholic faithful.

    A Modern-Day Revival

    In the late 20th century, the Camino was rediscovered by spiritual seekers, hikers, and cultural travellers. The revival was gradual but steady, fuelled by books, documentaries, and word of mouth. In 1987, the Council of Europe declared the Camino de

    Santiago the First European Cultural Route, recognising its role in shaping the shared heritage of the continent. In 1993, UNESCO named the Camino Francés a World Heritage Site.

    Today, hundreds of thousands of people walk or cycle the Camino each year, for reasons as diverse as faith, grief, adventure, or simply the need to unplug from modern life. They carry a credential (pilgrim passport) and collect stamps at albergues, churches, cafés, and hostels along the way. Those who complete the final 100 km (or 200 km by bike) and arrive in Santiago can receive a certificate called the Compostela, written in Latin and awarded in the name of the Church.

    More Than a Walk

    The Camino is not just a historical path or a scenic trail—it’s a sacred space where footsteps meet faith, where ancient stones echo with prayer and longing. Whether walked as an act of Christian devotion or a journey of personal discovery, the Camino continues to offer what pilgrims have sought for centuries: renewal, peace, and purpose.

    Prayer Points for Israel & Palestine

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    Please join us in continuing to pray for the following needs in the days and weeks ahead:

    • God’s comfort and consolation for all those grieving the loss of loved ones from the horrific violence of the past few days

    “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” Psalm 46:1

    • Healing for those who have been wounded and are recovering in hospitals across the country and in Gaza and for the hospital staff treating them

    “He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.” Psalm 107:20

    • Healing of hearts and minds from the deep trauma that people have and continue to suffer

    “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

    • A speedy end to the current hostilities and that it will not escalate and expand to other areas

    “He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.” Psalm 46:9

    • For leaders and decision makers, that they may be inspred by wisdon, compassion, and a desire for peace.

    “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6

    • That God’s love and peace may transcend the divisions and hatred that have plagued this region for so long.

    “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

    • Pray for the Christians and Church in Gaza and Israel to be instruments of peace, promoting justice, understanding, reconciliation, and a just peace in the Holy Land.

    “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9

    How to pack like Marie Kondo

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    If you’ve ever sat on the floor while packing for your next trip wondering how on earth you are going to fit everything in then we’re here to help. Channeling Marie Kondo (a Japanese organising consultant) might help you pare it down a bit but packing for a holiday with only items that spark joy may see you missing the essentials.  So we’ve got a few hints and tips that will help you pack like a minimalist while not missing any important items.

    Do you really need it?

    Look at every item you are planning on packing then think back to your last holiday, did you actually use it or was it more a case of ‘I might need one’?  Also think about what would happen if you needed it but didn’t have it? Would you be able to purchase one if the need arose? Those small items add up to taking up a lot of valuable luggage space for the possibility of needing it, maybe, but probably not.  Another question to ask yourself is can you live without it for the duration of your holiday? If the answer is yes then ditch it.

    Double duty items

    If you usually take books to read poolside, consider taking a tablet or downloading an e-reader app onto your phone because books are heavy and you end up leaving them wherever you are when you finish them anyway.  Moisturiser with a built in sunscreen is a great addition to your toiletry bag, as is liquid castille soap which can be used as shampoo, body wash, shaving cream, clothes detergent and so much more. Think about packing items that have more than one purpose.

    Wash your clothes

    If you are travelling for more than 7 days, taking clean outfits for every day just isn’t feasible so you should look at ways to wash every couple of days.  When choosing your clothes to pack, choose items that are lightweight, are easy to wash, don’t wrinkle easily and can be used in a variety of different outfits.  This will also reduce your laundry time.

     

    Reduce the size of your bag

    It’s inevitable that if you have a large bag you will fill it, take a smaller case or bag than normal and you’ll find yourself only packing what you really need.  If you find that it means you only have carry on size luggage then think of all the time you are going to save in airports not having to check and collect your luggage!

     

     

    Private, customised tours

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    Did you know that in addition to the tours on our website we have a whole lot going on behind the scenes doing tours for private groups?

    We love to put together tours for church groups, Bible Colleges, even just a group of friends.

    What does this look like?

    We usually arrange a time for a free consultation. In this meeting (in person, online or over email) we discuss what the itinerary could look like, your budget, inclusions, guides, special Selah moments, etc.
    We tailor each tour according to your demographic, objectives and travelling style. We help you as a tour leader understand what your responsibilities are, and how to work with your local tour guide.

    We talk you through the options on tipping, use of free time and what airline you might fly to get there.

    We look at the size of your group and what cost factors need to be shared across the group.

    Once we agree on all of this, we will present you with a Draft itinerary and look at potential travel dates. There are lots of holidays and seasonal events to consider as well as weather.
    If you are travelling to Israel and Jordan there are loads of Jewish, Muslim and Christian holidays to navigate, which creates a bottleneck of demand around these dates.

    We then secure pricing for the tour – this is always in foreign currency (USD/EUR) so we need to agree on an exchange rate and finalise a per person price for the tour in Aussie dollars.

    Once the tour is booked and priced, we can then let your interested travellers know about it. It is really great to then gather for an Information Session where we go through the tour itinerary day by day – this is largely to get people excited – and it works!
    We talk about the tour cost and what is included and not included, and how to budget for extras. There is always a time for questions.

    We also talk about safety & security as many parts of the world can have ongoing tensions that we need to be aware of. Selah will NEVER allow a tour to go ahead if your safety is at risk. We have a comprehensive risk assessment document for every tour.

    When it is time for travellers to book, we have a fabulous and experienced team to assist in that process. Each person registers their place on the tour and pays a deposit. We take care of all financial transactions, passports and visa advice and any special extras and needs your traveller may have. We are a fully accredited IATA travel agent so we can book flights, extra tours, accommodation, cruises before or after the tour, and help with travel insurance.

    Then about 90 days before departure we will raise invoices for the balance for the tour to be paid. Again, we will meet 4-6 weeks before departure. This is a great opportunity to bond as a group and prepare well for the adventure ahead. In that meeting we will again review the itinerary (exciting!) and talk about the practical stuff – money, weather, packing, mobile phones, internet, drinking water as well as tour etiquette – how to be a great tour member!

    At Selah we are passionate about Christian travel – it is our absolute life mission to ensure that every tour is a spiritually significant, uplifting, transformative experience. We believe that a tour to a Biblical destination changes how you read the Bible for life! What an investment that is.

    We have been running Christian tours since 2007, and based on our customer feedback we do a great job. When asked to rate the Selah experience out of 10, our average is 9.4. We are privileged to partner with you to get your trip of a lifetime underway.

    To arrange a free consultation, please contact us on 03 9245 2131 or by email to [email protected]

    Travel Trip Map Direction Exploration Planning Concept

     

     

     

    Physical preparation for a Selah tour

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    Preparing yourself physically for your trip is an essential part of the overall experience, and its benefits will extend long after you return home. While walking may seem like a natural activity that you’re already capable of, our tours involve hours of continuous walking over several days, often while carrying a daypack. This is likely different from your usual walking routine.

    To ensure you have a fulfilling and enjoyable trip, we recommend “training” for at least three months leading up to your departure. Engaging in regular exercise before the trip will gradually improve your fitness levels, allowing you to fully embrace the journey with enthusiasm and energy to spare.

    Engaging in moderate activities like walking carries minimal health risks. However, before embarking on any new exercise program, especially if you have a medical condition, are over 40 years old, are overweight, or have been inactive for a significant period, we advise you to consult with your doctor for a check-up.

    In the beginning, you may find it challenging to get started, but after a few weeks, you will notice considerable improvements, which can be highly motivating.

    Here are some tips to get you started.

    • Plan a schedule and stick to it as closely as possible.
    • Track your progress. Download a recommended walking app, wear a pedometer or keep a journal.
    • Involve your family and friends on your longer walks or join a walking club.
    • Mix up your training activities so that you don’t get injured or bored.
    • Include other forms of exercise, such as swimming, bike riding, or the step machine at the gym.
    • Be mindful of what you eat

    As well as your training walks, try to build extra walking into each week. For example:

    • walk instead of driving to the local shops.
    • walk the dog, or your neighbour’s dog.
    • find a steep set of stairs and climb them several times.
    • if you catch a bus or train somewhere, get off one stop earlier and walk.

    Shoes, socks and blisters

    There’s a range of factors to consider when choosing your footwear. Ultimately, the answer to this will depend to an extent on where you are walking and when. Closed toes walking shoes are generally the best option as the toes are well protected and they cushion. Good grip on smooth worn cobblestones is also a must – just a drop of water can make them very slippery.

    If touring in the warmer months a lighter weight breathable shoe or outdoor trainer would serve you better. Conversely in the cooler months you’d want the warmth and protection provided by boots.

    Some of the popular brands of shoes include Merrell, Skechers, ECCO and Geox.

    Another important consideration is your socks – again you will have to adapt the choice of

    materials according to the season you walk in. Avoid cheap cotton socks & look for purpose-made hiking socks made with either synthetics or wool (merino is best). The synthetics tend to last longer than ordinary wool. You will perhaps see many socks that purport to be for hiking but can make your feet sweat like crazy – if in doubt choose a reputable brand who specialise in hiking/walking.

    The key to preventing blisters and avoiding unnecessary pain is to eliminate friction.

    Here’s a range of blister prevention strategies for you to test on your training walks.

    1. Buy comfortable, well-fitting walking shoes/boots
    2. Toughen up. Condition your feet by walking, gradually building intensity, pace and distance. Remember to moisturise your feet with a good quality foot cream after showering.
    3. Adjust your laces during your walk so that your shoes fit just right. Foot swelling and different temperatures and terrain will affect the fit of your footwear.
    4. Put cornflour or talcum powder in your socks to keep your feet dry.
    5. Keep your toenails short
    6. Apply tape (such as Fixomull) or dressings to reduce friction.
    7. Always carry blister pads in your daypack. The cushioned gel pad immediately reduces pain and promotes fast healing. You can even use them to prevent blisters.
    8. See a podiatrist if you think the way you walk might predispose you to blisters. You might need orthotics.

    Walking poles

    Walking poles lessen the pounding on your precious joints and can help reduce muscle soreness. They will give you a feeling of security

    and balance on cobblestones and can help prevent ankle and knee injury on steep ascents and descents. This allows you to more fully appreciate the views around you. They are also helpful if you get tired or injured.

    Walking poles can be beneficial if you have had issues with sore knees, ankles or hips, or are not used to walking with a backpack.

    Used correctly, trekking poles take up to 15% of the load from your lower body and redirect that load to your shoulders and upper arms, meaning there is a more even load distribution over your frame. This will significantly help your joints, especially over several days.

     

    Why should I consider a Selah tour experience?

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    Many travellers don’t consider themselves “tour people” – they prefer to do things themselves and at their own pace. There is a belief that tours are boring, herding people from place to place with no time to appreciate where you are.

    Whilst that can be true, we hope that is not what you experience with Selah.

    Each tour is customised – we don’t pump out the same itinerary for each tour. Instead, we consult with the tour leader, find out what their objectives are and what their group want to see and do. In Israel for example, many are sympathetic to the Palestinian plight and want to include time and effort into understanding better the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This can involve a home stay with a Palestinian family in the Bethlehem area, a visit to the Bethlehem Bible college or spending time at a refugee camp.

    Each tour is thoughtfully and carefully planned with what we like to say include many “Selah moments” where you stop and take it all in. This may be celebrating Shabbat with a Jewish family in their home, or simply sitting quietly on the shores of the sea of Galilee at sunrise or sunset.

    We work hard to find the balance between seeing as much as you can in what could be a once in a lifetime trip and having moments to slow down and pause. Selah.

    Of course, this is different for everyone, and mobility, age and interest all play a part. The itinerary we offer you does not come with a disclaimer that you must do and see everything listed. If you are feeling tired & overwhelmed, you can speak to your group leader & make arrangements to meet them later in the day, or simply sit in a coffee shop whilst the others visit a museum.

    For the shoppers and coffee addicts, we try & factor in time for both, and almost every tour will have a free day for you to rest or go and see things that are of interest to you. You can even return to a place already visited and spend quality time there. Evenings are almost always free so we often slip out for a night cap or find a local night market.

    Travelling with Selah customers is fantastic! We seem to attract a wonderful bunch of people that have shared values and reasons for why they are on tour. In our pre-departure meeting we talk extensively about tour etiquette and to follow in Jesus’s teaching to love your neighbour and do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Touring is definitely a team sport, and when everyone comes together it is just magic!

    We have had groups aged 14-70+ and it has been a wonderful experience with lifelong friendships forged.

    We select tour leaders that know their (Bible) stuff and are also people lovers. They all bring their own unique style and sense of adventure with them. This is in addition to a local guide and expert driver, so there is local insight offered on every Selah experience. Without our local guide we could easily walk straight past a significant site without even knowing!

    In this era of food intolerances and allergies, most of our tours have a breakfast & dinner inclusive meal plan that is buffet style. So, there are no problems with gluten, seafood or anything else that may upset your tummy and not having to ask every time you eat for a special meal.

    The meal plan also makes budgeting for extras a breeze. Apart from travel insurance there is only drinks with meals and a few lunches that you might need to budget for.

    We regularly have solo travellers on tour – we happily match you up to share with a like minded person if you’re keen for company & to keep costs down. Single rooms are nice to come home to at the end of the day for others, but at Selah we won’t leave you high & dry in free time. We always check in that our singles are OK and feel seen and included.

    Each tour celebrates with a farewell dinner – a time of sharing and thanking. A great time of reflection and gratitude for what is usually a life changing experience.

    We hope that this captures the essence of what a Selah tour experience looks like. So even if you’re not a tour person we think that a Selah experience is not your usual tour.

    The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:9, “You were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” Which probably means both sharing vertically in the union each of us has in Christ and sharing together with other believers the common union we have with Christ and each other.

    Selah indeed.

    Celebrating Sukkot

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    Sukkot is known as the “Time of Happiness”

    This weekend is the commencement of Sukkot.

    Sukkot is one of the three major festivals in Judaism, and is both an agricultural festival of thanksgiving and a commemoration of the forty-year period during which the children of Israel wandered in the desert after leaving slavery in Egypt, living in temporary shelters as they travelled.

    The tradition is to build a small shelter, known as a Sukkah, and spend the 7 days of the festival in it. Jews are asked to leave the material comfort of their homes, and build a structure that is imperfect, temporary and open to the elements. But the sukkah’s reminder that our existence is fragile helps us to treasure the joyous moments of life, and its outdoor location helps us focus on the beauty of God’s creation. In fact, the Sukkah has no roof – but instead is covered with greenery or bamboo, so that the stars can be seen at night. And, the sukkah is a gathering place, a place where it is traditional to welcome guests and enjoy spending time together.

    You might also see some Jews walking in the street during Sukkot carrying an interesting collection of plants. These are the Arba’at Haminim, or the “Four Species”. It is made up of a long, swordlike palm branch flanked by willow and myrtle branches and bound together with dried palm leaves, accompanied by the fragrant etrog, which is a citrus fruit and looks like a bumpy lemon.

    With the Four Species in hand, one recites a blessing and waves or shakes the species in all six directions (east, south, west, north, up and down) each day of the Sukkot holiday, thus symbolizing Divine presence everywhere. On a metaphorical level, each plant represents a different part of the body. The long straight palm branch suggests the spine while the myrtle leaf symbolizes the eye. The willow leaf embodies the mouth, and the etrog manifests the heart. As they shake the lulav and etrog, Jews remember to use all the parts of our body for good.

    Chag sameach – a happy holiday! May your Sukkot holiday be one of joy, togetherness, and peace!

    Celebrating Shabbat (Sabbath)

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    Shabbat is the Jewish Sabbath, a 25-hour “day of rest” that begins at sundown Friday evening and ends Saturday night when, according to Jewish tradition, it’s dark enough to see three stars in the sky.

    During Shabbat, Jewish people take time out from the busy workweek to light candles, eat a delicious meal with family and friends, perhaps attend services at the synagogue or just go for a long, leisurely walk. Shabbat is more than a “day off;” according to the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) it’s a holy day blessed by God.

    “Shabbat is different in Israel because the entire country goes on pause for 25 hours.

    Regardless of if you’re observant or not,

    Shabbat feels different in Israel and that’s a special feeling”.

    The Bible reminds us in Exodus 20:
    “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns.”

    The Torah says very little about how exactly Jewish people are supposed to observe Shabbat, but the great rabbis of the Talmudic period (roughly 70 to 500 C.E.) had plenty to say. In a thick chapter of the Talmud called “Shabbat,” the ancient sages trade opinions on the subtlest minutiae of Jewish law, resulting, for example, in the 39 types of work that are forbidden on Shabbat.

    No cooking, no washing, no sewing, no planting, no reaping, no burning, no extinguishing, no carrying … it’s a long list. For the most strictly observant Jews, known as Orthodox, the faithful keeping of Shabbat means not violating any of these rules. In practice, that often requires some creativity, or at least a lot of planning ahead.

    For example, you can’t tear paper on the Sabbath, which includes toilet paper. So Orthodox bathrooms are stocked with pre-torn sheets of toilet paper for Shabbat. You can’t turn on a light on Shabbat because electricity is akin to a “spark,” which is the same as fire. You know that little lightbulb inside your refrigerator that turns on when you open the door? You either need to remove that during Shabbat or buy a Shabbat-approved refrigerator that is programmed to turn off the light one day a week.

    You can even purchase a Shabbat-approved toothbrush! Technically, you wring out the wet bristles when you brush your teeth and wringing falls under the same prohibited category as washing. The Shabbat toothbrush is made with rubber bristles that don’t hold water and therefore can’t be “wrung” out.

    In some Orthodox communities, a non-Jewish person called the “Shabbat goy” (Yiddish for “Shabbat gentile”) is contracted to visit Jewish homes on the Sabbath to carry out prohibited tasks like turning on the stove or the lights.

    The one exemption for all of the Shabbat laws is to save a life. Jews aren’t supposed to drive or work on the Sabbath, but if a doctor needs to rush to the hospital to attend to a patient, they can both drive and work without fear of divine retribution.

    It’s easy to get caught up in the rules and restrictions of Shabbat and forget why those things were forbidden in the first place. “Shabbat should be a ‘holy’ day, which in Judaism literally means a day that is distinct and unique. We are commanded to work the other six days of the week, so what we do on the seventh day should be completely different.”

    In other words, all of those prohibitions are highly specific and complicated ways of saying, “please don’t work.” Do something special on the Sabbath. Spend more time with your family, go to the synagogue and say prayers, eat home-cooked meals and unplug from electronics. It’s a day of physical rest, but also emotional and spiritual rejuvenation.

    “In Judaism, when you wish somebody a happy Sabbath,

    you say ‘Shabbat shalom,’

    which means ‘Sabbath peace'”

    So how does Shabbat affect our travel plans in Israel?

    During Shabbat there will be noticeably less traffic in Israel’s major cities. However, due to the prohibitions on the use of engines and electricity, the hours leading up to and after Shabbat is usually peak travel time so we often have a shortened tour itinerary on Fridays.

    While Israel’s airports still operate as normal during Shabbat, many public transport and domestic flight schedules will be affected. This can include total cessation of services from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening.

    Border crossings between Israel and Jordan or Egypt are open but can become bottlenecked with traffic created in the lead up to Shabbat. The Allenby Crossing into Jordan does observe Shabbat and will be closed, starting earlier during the day on Friday than official Shabbat observance.

    Because of the rules around conducting business during Shabbat, businesses owned by observant Jews may close to the public, including restaurants, bars and cafes. Like restaurants and bars, attractions and historical sites may be open depending on the city you’re travelling in. Major tourist sites may have altered visiting times or are completely closed.

    Local Jews like to check in to hotels and enjoy Shabbat there. You will often find locals in the dining room on Friday night, not just eating dinner, but praying and celebrating the Shabbat traditions.Some hotels have Shabbat lifts which stop at every floor so that you don’t press the floor button (considered work), otherwise the lifts are closed and you need to use the stairs. Breakfast on Saturday morning will be a little different too, with no toasters or cooking and sometimes not even coffee!

    This is all part of the rich and interesting experience that is Shabbat.

    Most of the Selah tours, if in Jerusalem for Shabbat, will include enjoying Shabbat dinner with a local Jewish family. This is a truly enriching cultural experience – often a highlight of the visit to the Holy Land.

    Shabbat Shalom!

    Shabbat ritual objects

     

    Sometimes hard decisions need to be made

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    I know on New Years Eve 2021 that I was hopeful and expectant of a better 2022. Having had two years of travel pause, I was prayerfully asking the Lord to make a way for Selah to re-open. Our travel partners in Europe, Israel, Greece and beyond were constantly emailing me “Come!”. But when I dug deep and looked at the practical realities of running Selah tours in 2022 it became apparent that the time is still not now.

    Imagine with me if someone on your tour tested positive to Covid-19. They would need to immediately isolate in their hotel room or cruise cabin for 5 days. Meanwhile the tour itinerary stipulates that the tour moves on to the next city or town, leaving these people behind. How do they ever “catch up” with the group? What about the other passengers on the tour? Are they now considered close contacts? Do we stop our scheduled visits for the day & all go and get tested? As you can see, this is not fun and it is not a holiday!

    So it was a sad but easy decision not to proceed with our planned tours for the European summer of 2022, including the much anticipated Oberammergau Passion Play, which will be next performed in 2030.

    I have peace about this decision, even though it has come at great financial cost to both Selah and many of its clients.

    I am grateful that I am a saved by grace Christian who can trust & commit every aspect of my life to the Lord, knowing His plans and purposes are far more amazing and beneficial than anything I could ever imagine.

    So for now, my team are furloughed and working elsewhere, and I am about to join a wonderful mission organisation that is passionate about sharing the Gospel with the unreached.

    There will be a time when Selah will indeed rise from the ashes and facilitate meaningful and wonderful travel opportunities for Christians to enjoy. You can be assured you will hear from us when that time comes!

    Love and blessings

    Lisa Tarzia
    DIRECTOR

    The Church of the Holy Sepulchre

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    The site of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is identified as the place both of the crucifixion and the tomb of Jesus of Nazareth.

    According to the New Testament, Jesus was crucified at Golgotha, “the place of the skull” (Matt. 27:33–35; Mark 15:22–25; John 19:17–24). This has been identified as an area of abandoned stone quarries just outside the city wall of the time.

    About 10 years after the crucifixion, a third wall was built that enclosed the area of the execution and burial within the city, and this accounts for the Holy Sepulchre’s location inside the Old City of Jerusalem today.

    Roman emperor Constantine I, a convert to Christianity, had the temple of Venus in Jerusalem demolished to make way for a church. In the course of the demolition a tomb was discovered that was thought to be the tomb of Jesus.

    The first Church of the Holy Sepulchre was approached by a flight of steps from the Cardo, main street of Jerusalem.

    Then pilgrims went through a narthex; a basilica; and an open area, the “holy garden,” which had in it the rock of Golgotha, finally reaching the Holy Sepulchre itself.

    In 614, a Persian army destroyed the church but in 631 the Byzantine emperor Heraclius negotiated its return. The Arab conquest in 638 was initially less disruptive, as Christians were treated with tolerance, but 300 years later the entrance to the basilica was converted into a mosque, and in 966 the dome was destroyed by fire during anti-Christian riots.

    The Byzantine emperor Constantine IX Monomachus (1042–1055) funded its rebuilding, but on a different plan, with the entrance on the south side.

    The liberation of the holy places, the foremost of which was the Holy Sepulchre, was an important motivation for the First Crusade between 1096 and 1099.

    pompi / Pixabay

    After the capture of the city by the crusaders in 1099, eyewitnesses tell how the survivors of the expedition prayed in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which struck them as unusual because it was open to the sky.

    The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was reconsecrated on July 15, 1149, 50 years to the day after the capture of Jerusalem by the First Crusade, but in fact work continued on the building for some years afterward. Nevertheless, the church of the crusaders is essentially the church that is to be seen today.

    A visit to the church is a standard inclusion in all of Selah’s Holy Land tours to Israel.