For the various groups planning a journey to the Holy Land this Jan. 3 to 16, their intentions are interfaith-related, not politically motivated, said Lee Melhado, executive director of the Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation (CUJF).

“There is not a political agenda,” Melhado said. “It is very focused on the religions. We want to learn about what each other believes.”

Ideally, the students would come back and improve the interfaith community at the University, said Alison Siegel, junior in LAS and a member of the planning committee.

Last year, Steve Shoemaker, University YMCA director, and John Setterlund, pastor of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, approached Melhado with the idea of preparing a trip for about 30 students who practice Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Students will visit several sites in the Holy Land, the place where Christianity, Islam and Judaism originated.

Other participating religious groups are the Central Illinois Mosque and Islamic Center, the Muslim Students Association, the Lutheran Student Center, the University YMCA, the Newman Foundation, the Interfaith Youth Core and the Hillel Foundation for Jewish Campus Life.

The group plans on visiting religious and historical sites common to the three religions. For example, Elijah’s cave would have a different meaning for each of the three groups, Siegel said. In all the faiths, Elijah was a prophet, but his emphasis varies.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to expand our horizons,” Siegel said.

Foster Lewin, senior in LAS and engineering, said the commonality of all the religions is what sparked his interest in the Holy Land Journey.

About a year and a half ago, Siegel and Lewin went on a trip called Common Ground in the Holy Land where they toured the religious sites.

“That sparked my interest in the affairs on campus,” Lewin said.

Lewin said that more people can relate to religion than politics and they can also have mutual respect for different religions. However, the political conflict has a polarizing effect, he said. Lewin himself has been involved in the political aspects of the Holy Land, and he said being a part of the Holy Land Journey planning committee has been refreshing.

Mujahid Al Fayadh, Imam of the Central Illinois Mosque, said the trip was a good idea because it is beneficial to the community.

Al Fayadh said that although many Muslims are not signed up for the trip, he plans to notify students by Friday about the Holy Land Journey class at the McKinley Foundation, 809 S. Fifth St., on Monday at 8:30 p.m. The class is sponsored by the University YMCA and is recommended for students interested in the Holy Land trip in January.

Shoemaker said Monday’s speaker is an expert on Islam.

“I saw the need for University of Illinois students to cross (religious) boundaries,” Shoemaker said.

He said he talked to other religious leaders on campus that thought this journey would be a good thing.

“I hope people will donate money so students can afford it,” Shoemaker said.

Shoemaker said he has never been to the Holy Land before and is looking forward to it.

“We will stay at the Jerusalem YMCA … which has a beautiful hotel,” Shoemaker said, adding that the board of directors at the YMCA is one-third Christian, Jewish and Muslim.

Siegel said the students are facing different barriers to going on the trip – some are worried about safety, some have expressed concerns about the cost and the staff is strapped for time, she said.

“Statistically, in the worst of fighting, you are two times more likely to die in a car accident,” Lewin said. “The normal activity continues regardless of fighting … it’s not going to end in the near future.”

The cost estimate of the trip is $2,500 and the people involved are currently seeking donations to help with the funds.

“We are working on having all the base costs covered,” Siegel said. “The funds should not be a concern.”

Shoemaker said the groups are working to raise funds so the trip will not have to be postponed until 2006.

“We’re all very committed to getting us off the ground,” Lewin said.