Temple Israel Congregation Israel Trip, June 22-July 3, 2009

Itinerary Details

Depart Monday, June 22, 2009
Return Friday, July 3, 2009

Five nights in Jerusalem; one night in Arad;
three nights in Zefat; final night in Tel Aviv

Note: All breakfasts plus green meals are included in the package.

Monday June 22

Departure from LAX on Continental Flight 90
at 11:55 a.m. (Switch planes in Newark)

Tuesday June 23

Arrival at Ben Gurion airport at 4:15 p.m.

We proceed directly to Jerusalem to say Shehechiyanu from atop Mt. Scopus overlooking the Old City.  Check-in and welcome dinner.

Meals: Airport Snack, Welcome Dinner
Overnight: Mt. Zion Hotel, Jerusalem

Wednesday June 24

Begin the day with a spectacular outlook over Jerusalem from the Haas Promenade.  Adults-Did Abraham pass the test?  Kids-Jerusalem panorama activity.  Descend to the City of David to view the latest excavations.  Then grab a flashlight and walk through Hezekiah’s water tunnel, built 2700 years ago to protect Jerusalem’s water supply from invading armies. 

Family scavenger hunt in the Jewish Quarter and lunch break.  Shopping time in the Cardo.  Explore the centrality of the Temple in ancient times at the Southern Wall Excavations OR Kotel Tunnels.

Evening:  At leisure
Lunch: On own in Jewish Quarter
Dinner: On-your-own in Jerusalem, Overnight: Mt. Zion Hotel, Jerusalem

Thursday June 25

We learn and remember at Yad Vashem, including the historical museum and Childrens’ Memorial.  (Kids will visit the Biblical Zoo).

Explore the Machaneh Yehuda fruit & vegetable shuk. 

In the late afternoon, meet Ethiopian families in Maaleh Adumim who crossed the desert to Sudan to wait for months in refugee camps before being airlifted to Israel by the Mossad. 

Evening:  At leisure.
Meals: Lunch-on own, Dinner-on own
Overnight:  Mt. Zion Hotel, Jerusalem

Friday June 26

Morning speaker:  Political Briefing.
Program with the Reform community of Modi’in.

Return to Jerusalem to prepare for Shabbat.  Kabbalat Shabbat at Yakar, the Kotel or Kol Haneshama.  Festive Shabbat dinner at the hotel.

Meals: Lunch with Community Members, Shabbat dinner at hotel
Overnight:  Mt. Zion Hotel, Jerusalem

Shabbat June 27

Shabbat morning services at Hebrew Union College followed by tour of the campus.  Meeting with HUC Faculty member, Paul Liptz.  Shabbat lunch at Bet Shmuel followed by free time to rest or enjoy the hotel pool. Late afternoon walking tour of Jerusalem neighborhoods followed by group Havdalah and free evening.

Meals: Shabbat Lunch at Bet Shmuel, Dinner-on own
Overnight:  Mt. Zion Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday June 28

Volunteer hands-on with Project Leket, picking left over fruits & vegetables to be donated to local soup kitchens.



Dig up history with your hands at an archaeological excavation at Bet Guvrin.

Continue to the Judean Desert for a sunset camel ride followed by authentic Bedouin “hafla” dinner.

Meals: Picnic Lunch, Bedouin Dinner
Overnight:  Inbar Hotel or Kfar Hanokdim Camel Ranch

Monday June 29

Early morning ascent of Masada by the Roman Ramp in time for sunrise.  Explore why the Jewish rebels chose to live here after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans.  (Parallel programs for adults and kids). 

Descend by cable car.  Breakfast in the air-conditioned Masada youth hostel.

Hike to the Nahal David waterfall in the Ein Gedi Nature reserve.

Float in the Dead Sea. 

Travel north along the Jordan River Valley to the mystical city of Zefat.  Dinner at the hotel.  

Evening:  Art & Kabbalah with local artist.
Meals: Breakfast at Masada,Lunch-on own at Ein Gedi, Dinner at hotel
Overnight:  Rimon Inn, Zefat

Tuesday June 30

Explore the synagogues of the mystics and the rise of Kabbalah in the 16th century.  (Parallel programs for adults and kids).  Shopping time in the Jewish Quarter.  Meet young IDF soldiers serving on the northern border.  Family kayaking adventure on the Jordan River.  Return to Zefat.  Enjoy a dinner and private Klezmer concert in Zefat.

Meals: Lunch-on own, Dinner & concert
Overnight:  Rimon Inn, Zefat

Wednesday July 1

Meet Bronx native, Aryeh Malkin, who volunteered with the Haganah in the Aliyah Bet, bringing Jewish refugees to Palestine after World War II.  Hear his personal story at Kibbutz Ein Dor, where he and his wife have lived for over 50 years.  Enjoy lunch in the kibbutz dining room. 

Continue to the ancient port city of Caesarea to explore the theater, hippodrome, and bathhouse complex.  Interactive computer simulation.

Travel south along the Mediterranean Coast to Tel Aviv.  Check-in and free evening.

Meals: Lunch-Kibbutz Ein Dor Dining Room, Dinner-on own
Overnight:  Renaissance, Tel Aviv

Thursday July 2

See where David ben Gurion declared the establishment of the State of Israel at Independence Hall or visit the Palmach Museum.

Last minute shopping time in Old Jaffa and Tel Aviv.

Summary discussion and farewell dinner in Tel Aviv’s Yemenite Quarter.  Transfer to airport for departing flight.

Meals: Lunch-on own, Farewell Dinner at Maganda

Friday July 3

Transfer in Newark to Continental Flight 1002.
Arrival LAX at 9:36 a.m.

Program will be staffed by senior tour educator, youth counselor, and security escort (for touring days in the Old City).  Listed speakers’ participation subject to confirmation.