Saxum 2024: Building Hope from the Holy Land

Jan 23, 2025

Thanks to everyone’s collaboration, the Saxum Visitor Center has continued to offer enriching experiences throughout 2024, even in the current circumstances.  Here are some key figures: we started the year with 67 visitors, and by November, we reached 426, achieving a monthly average  of 262 visitors.  Our guided tour remains an engaging learning experience that participants greatly enjoy.

Thanks to the positive feedback from visitors, the Saxum Visitor Center has been awarded the 2024 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award, placing it among the top 10% of recommended destinations worldwide. A must-visit location in Israel!

Inspired by the Camino de Santiago, Yael Tarasiuk and Golan Rice founded the association “The Way to Jerusalem,” and Saxum is now an official part of the route to Jerusalem. During the Emmaus Trail stage, pilgrims pass through Saxum, which serves as a rest stop. They also take the opportunity to join our tour, which provides a rich learning experience about the Old and New Testaments, and the Holy Land.

 

On the road to Emmaus with Yael, Golan and friends

On the road to Emmaus with Yael, Golan and friends

In cooperation with the Arab Tour Guide Union and the Israeli Tour Guide Association, we offered two courses for tour guides about Christianity and the particular aspects of guiding pilgrims in the Holy Land. A total of 140 guides participated and concluded their day by experiencing the Saxum tour themselves.

Throughout the year, we organized three “Cultural Coffee Afternoons,” featuring sessions designed to foster dialogue on topics such as the Way to Jerusalem, the Jubilee of Hope 2025, and Advent from the perspective of the Holy Land. Around 80 participants from various religions attended these sessions.

Tourist guide course given by Yisca Harani

Tourist Guide course given by Yisca Harani

We held two online meetings (English and Spanish) with the Saxum “advisors” who fuel the global collaboration network in a wide range of countries.

To close the year, we recorded three videos featuring images of the Holy Land accompanied by Christmas carols from around the world. Additionally, a Christmas Concert was held in collaboration with students from the Magnificat Institute in Jerusalem, with performers ranging in age from 9 to 25 years old.

Despite tensions and uncertainties, Saxum’s impact continues to grow, providing great motivation to keep moving forward.

Magnificat Institute of Jerusalem choir

Magnificat Institute of Jerusalem choir

Thank you for all that we have achieved in 2024; and may 2025 bring more fruits of peace and serenity worldwide, especially in the Holy Land, the land of Jesus.

Remember, you can make online donations via our website. Given the current situation, Saxum needs your financial support in the Holy Land.

We hope to see you soon!

Saxum Team

Visitors from Galilee in Saxum

Visitors from Galilee in Saxum

 

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