Flight For Faith?

I've got this urge to visit a place where a major religion was born, in case being surrounded by all that history could help with my own spirituality. As to which religion, however, I am undecided. The obvious choice would be Israel, and I would take El Al to get there, but that would be a long flight. Going to Rome, the birthplace of Roman Catholicism and Jupiter worship, would not take quite as long although there is slightly less religious history in Rome. I'd probably take Alitalia to get there if I chose Rome unless there is a better option to fly from New York to Italy. What do you suggest?