Come explore Israel together. We’ll come to know the topography and the history of this fascinating land, and in the course of exploring its centrality to Judaism and Jewish History we will consider the passions aroused by this small piece of territory among other religions and peoples throughout history, and then come full circle to look at our own Jewish identity in a new light. Our itinerary is driven by the desire to see and experience as much as possible in the short time we have together in Israel, while still leaving time to enjoy traveling together as a community and to reflect on the different experiences of the trip. The itinerary has been carefully planned, but is subject to changes due to the weather or technical considerations. We appreciate in advance your flexibility, punctuality, and understanding. It should be quite a ride, and the Keshet staff will be available to help make it as meaningful and enjoyable as possible.
Sunday, June 24
Depart from USA |
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Monday, June 25
Bruchim Habaim – Welcome to Israel!
Afternoon/evening arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport. Head to Tel Aviv for our opening program and welcome to Israel dinner. Check-in at our hotel on the shores of the Mediteranean Sea.
Evening: Welcome Dinner
Overnight: Rennaisance Hotel, Tel Aviv |
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Tuesday, June 26
To Be Free in Our Own Land
Examine the struggles leading up to the birth of the State of Israel with a dramatic reenactment at Independence Hall where David Ben Gurion declared the establishment of the State of Israel in May 1948. Then,“join” a Palmach unit at the multi-media museum dedicated to this elite force of the pre-State Haganah. In the afternoon, explore Tel Aviv and have lunch on your own. You might want to stroll through the open-air Nahalat Binyamin Crafts Market. Enjoy the urban beaches of Tel Aviv right outside our hotel. Evening and dinner in Tel Aviv on your own.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner on your own
Overnight: Rennaisance Hotel, Tel Aviv |
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Wednesday, June 27
Dig the Past
Head out to the fields with Project Leket, and volunteer to pick fruits & vegetables to be donated to local soup kitchens. Ascend to Jerusalem and celebrate our arrival at the Haas Promenade with Shehechiyanu & the magnificent views & the stories of Akedat Yitzhak and David’s establishment of the city as the capital of the People of Israel 3,000 years ago. Explore the City of David (the original Jerusalem) & splash through Hezekiah's water tunnel built 2,700 years ago to secure the water supply of Jerusalem's from invading armies! Dry option available. Check-in at hotel; evening & dinner on your own in Jerusalem
Meals: Picnic Lunch, Dinner on your own
Overnight: Rennaisance Hotel |
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Thursday, June 28
Jerusalem Through the Ages
Head to the southwest corner of the Temple Mount (Robinson’s Arch) for a Shacharit Bnai Mitzvah service. Then, step back 2,000 years to the days of the Second Temple as we explore the archaeological finds at the adjacent Davidson Visitors’ Center. Next, consider the mysteries of Mt. Zion, and enter the Old City for lunch and shopping time on your own. In the afternoon, explore the restored Jewish Quarter together and examine the life of the city through the ages including the rooftops, the Cardo and the Kotel overlook. After private prayer and contemplation time at the Kotel (Western Wall), we’ll go deep underground at the Kotel Tunnels and learn more about the Temple experience. Continue along the traditional Christian pilgrim’s Via Dolorosato the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where we will consider the Christian connection to Jerusalem. Evening & dinner on your own in Jerusalem.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner on your own
Overnight: Mt. Zion Hotel, Jerusalem |
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Friday, June 29
From Out of the Crucible
Visit and stand in solemn memory at Israel’s Yad Vashem memorial to the Holocaust including the children’s memorial and the historical museum. Children under 10 years of age will head to the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo or the Jerusalem Science Museum. After Yad Vashem, we’ll celebrate the vibrancy of life in Israel by exploring and having lunch on your own at the famous bustling open-air Machane Yehuda market. In the afternoon, we’ll have a home hospitality program in Maaleh Adumim with Ethiopian Jews* to hear the remarkable stories of their long trek home from Africa to Israel. In the early evening we’ll gather together for Kabbalat Shabbat services at Jerusalem’s Kehilat Kol HaNeshamah* or join thousands in welcoming Shabbat at the Kotel with song, dance and prayer. Walk back to the hotel for a festive Shabbat dinner.
Meals: Lunch on your own; Dinner - Shabbat Dinner |
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Shabbat, June 30
Shabbat in Jerusalem
Shabbat morning services at Hebrew Union College followed by a tour of the campus. Shabbat lunch at the adjacent Bet Shmuel with guest scholar HUC Faculty member, Prof Paul Liptz*. Return to the hotel for Shabbat rest and pool time. In the late afternoon we’ll meet for a walking tour to the famous windmill and the first neighbourhood built outside the Old City walls by Sir Moses Montefiore in the 1860’s. Group Havdalah. Dinner and evening on your own in Jerusalem.
Meals: Shabbat Lunch, Snack, Dinner on your own
Overnight: Mt. Zion Hotel, Jerusalem |
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Sunday, July 1
Dig the Past
After a briefing on current diplomatic and political developments, head south to Tel Beit Guvrin for an archeological adventure, digging up the past with our own hands! (the dig is appropriate for all ages and takes place in a cave with natural “air conditioning.”). Swim time and lunch at nearby Kibbutz Beit Guvrin. Then, at the Kfar HaNokdim Bedouin Ranch we’ll have a camel trek, Bedouin hospitality and dinner. Get a few hours of sleep in nearby Arad before our sunrise ascent to Masada.
Meals: Lunch and Bedouin Dinner
Overnight: Inbar Hotel, Arad |
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Monday, July 2
What Price Freedom?
Wakeup for a pre-sunrise climb to the fortress of Masada where the last Jewish freedom fighters faced the mighty Roman Empire 2,000 years ago. Shacharit services and tour atop the mountain as we address the troubling issues presented by the Masada story. Descend by cable car or Snake Path to a simple breakfast at the Masada Guest House. Cool off at the natural pools & waterfalls of the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, before relaxing, having lunch & floating in the Dead Sea at the Ein Gedi Pool and Beach. Later, head north through the Jordan River Valley for check-in and dinner at our hotel in Tzfat, city of the Jewish Mystics.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: Rimonim Hotel, Tzfat |
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Tuesday, July 3
Living Waters
Explore the narrow alleyways and synagogues of Tzfat and learn how the mystical traditions that emerged here 500 years ago continue to impact the Jewish world. Meet a Kabalistic artist* in his studio to learn about Kabalah through the lens of art. After time on your own to shop the galleries and shops of Tzfat, we’ll head to the “mighty” Jordan River for a family rafting adventure. Return to Tzfat for dinner with live Jewish music.
Meals: Lunch on your own, Dinner at the Hotel
Overnight: Rimonim Hotel, Tzfat |
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Wednesday, July 4
Land of Borders
Delve into the complex security and water issues on the Golan Heights, with a nature hike at the headwaters of the Jordan River at the beautiful Tel Dan Nature Reserve, which also incorporates the ancient Biblical City Dan. Then, visit the bunkers at Israel’s border with Syria at Mt. Bental. Tour and taste at the award winning Golan Heights Winery. Later, visit IDF soldiers* guarding Israel’s northern border. End the day with home hospitality (or community) dinner with families at Har Halutz*, a community associated with Reform Judaism in Israel.
Meals: Lunch on your own, Dinner - Community Dinner
Overnight: Rimonim Hotel, Tzfat |
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Thursday, July 5
The People & the Land
Head to the ancient Galilean capital of Tzipori with its magnificent synagogue & mosaics; examine the complicated relationship between Jewish and Pagan Roman civilizations This is where Rav Yehudah Hanasi compiled the Mishnah 1,800 years ago. Continue to Mt. Carmel for lunch and an encounter with the Israel Arab Druze community. Later, at the Neot Kedumim Biblical Nature Reserve we will do hands on learning about the connection between Jewish heritage and the land and participate in the redemption of the land by planting trees. Final summary discussion and farewell dinner before heading to Ben Gurion International Airport for your flight to the USA.
Meals: Bedouin Lunch, Farewell Dinner |
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Friday, July 6
Arrive in the USA |
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- Program will be staffed by a Keshet Israel Tour Educator and Keshet Youth Counselor(s)
- There will be parallel educational tour programming for adults and youth throughout the trip
- All breakfasts plus some meals are included in the package price.
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