|
All documents are in
PDF format or EXEL.
Click above to
download a
free PDF reader.
|
We begin our adventure traveling to the magical city of Prague, from its fanciful architecture to its Jewish history, redolent with Jewish characters and luminaries that once populated this city. Prague's Jewish Quarter, Jewish Museum: Althneushul, Maisel, Pinkas, Klaus, Spanish synagogues, Old Jewish Cemetery, Hradchany (Prague) Castle Unique Strachov Library, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, Medieval City Hall Tower, Atronomical clock, Prague's unique Black Theatre, Lidice, Terezin to visit what the Nazis called "Model Concentration Camp" Holocaust era secret synagogue of the Danish, Prague's Masorti Congregation, Overnight flight to Israel, Welcome orientation in Israel, Old City of Jerusalem, Hurva Synagogue, Christian Quarter, Walking tour with Daniel Rossing, Kabbalat Shabbat at Robinson's Arch, Havdalah under the stars with Rabbi Greenspan, Archeological dig, Ammunition Hill, Israel Museum, Night Spectacular, Tower of David Museum, Rachel's Tomb, Gush Etzion, Efrat, Herodian, Better Place , Old Jaffa, Bread and Butter, Nahalat Binyamin, Mediterranean swim, Na Laga'at, Air force Museum, Jo Alon Museum of Bedouin Culture, Bedouin weaving, Cochini Jews, Weitzman Institute, Neve Tzedek, Rabbi Roberto Arbib of Kehillat Sinai, Trumpeldor Cemetery, Rubin Museum, Beit Bialik, ITC source book.
Monday June 27 - Departure from JFK
Tuesday June 28 - Welcome to Prague
Morning arrival in Prague, to be met and assisted by your ITC representative. Spend the morning in Prague's Jewish Quarter seeing the many Judaica artifacts, saved from Nazi plunder, that are housed in the synagogues that make up the Jewish Museum: Althneushul, Maisel, Pinkas, Klaus, and Spanish synagogues. Walk through the unique Old Jewish Cemetery. Hotel check-in and rest. Welcome dinner - vegetarian restaurant.
Overnight: Christie Hotel, Prague
Wednesday: June 29 - The Medieval City
Tour the Hradchany (Prague) Castle and the Loreto Church, where treasures and jewelry of the palace are beautifully displayed. Visit the unique Strachov Library, first established in the 12th century. Proceed to the Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square with its medieval City Hall Tower and astronomical clock. Free time for shopping and dinner at leisure. Evening: Enjoy a performance of Prague's unique Black Theatre.
Overnight: Christie Hotel, Prague
Thursday June 30 - Terezin
Depart Prague for Lidice, the Czech town destroyed by Hitler, and visit the extraordinary new multi-media museum and children's monument. Travel to Terezin to visit what the Nazis called the "Model Concentration Camp". Tour the fortress and the recently discovered Holocaust era secret synagogue of the Danish Jews. Farewell dinner at the home of the president of Prague's Masorti Congregation, to be joined by a few other synagogue members. Depart for the airport for late evening overnight flight to Israel.
Overnight: In flight
Friday July 1, - New Perspectives on the Old City
Very early morning arrival in Israel, to be met and assisted at Ben Gurion Airport by your ITC representative. Hotel check-in to rest. After a late breakfast, enter the Old City of Jerusalem. Tour the recently rebuilt Hurva Synagogue, once the Great Synagogue of Jerusalem. Take part in a fascinating Christian Quarter walking tour with Daniel Rossing, Director of the Jerusalem Center for Jewish-Christian Relations, to gain an understanding of the efforts that go into maintaining a delicate balance among religious groups in the Old City. Kabbalat Shabbat at Robinson's Arch or a synagogue of your choice. Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem
Shabbat July 2, - Shabbat in Jerusalem
Shabbat services at synagogue of your choice. Shabbat lunch at the hotel. Shabbat afternoon at leisure. Havdalah under the stars with Rabbi Greenspan.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem
Sunday July 3, - Today's Israel
Stumble across many authentic archeological finds in a hands-on dig through archeological matter from under the Temple Mount. At Ammunition Hill, see former Jordanian bunkers, a moving film about the soldiers who fought here, and a terrific new audio-video presentation; learn about the fierce Six Day War battle for Jerusalem. Visit the newly renovated Israel Museum, including the Shrine of the Book; the Second Temple Model of Jerusalem; Judaica, art, and archeology exhibits; children's wing. Free time for shopping and dinner on one's own. Evening: Attend The Night Spectacular, the fabulous new sound and light show at the Tower of David Museum.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem
Monday July 4 – In the Footsteps of Matriarchs, Kings and Prophets
Stop for prayer and reflection at Rachel's Tomb. Learn about the history of the defense of Gush Etzion in a moving multi-media presentation at Kibbutz Kfar Etzion. Free time for lunch (on one's own) in the growing community of Efrat. Visit the site of the ancient fortress of Herodian, built by Herod and used by Jewish fighting forces throughout the ages; also the site of an ancient synagogue and King Herod's newly discovered tomb. Enjoy a tour of the special community of Tekoa, former home of Amos the Prophet, and home hospitality for coffee and cake with a Tekoa family. Free evening in Jerusalem (dining suggestions to be provided).
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem
Tuesday July 5 - Israel Today
Tour the new Better Place visitors center to experience Israeli cutting edge electric car eco-technology; test-drive an electric car. Take part in a choice of special walking tours of Old Jaffa, conducted by Beit Daniel: "Tolerance," which is led by both Arab and Jewish guides working together OR "Bread and Butter," which focuses on multiculturalism through the role of bread in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Browse through unique craft items in Nahalat Binyamin's colorful, open-air market and enjoy seeing modern Tel Aviv in action. Hotel check-in, rest or Mediterranean swim. Evening: Enjoy dinner at Café Kapish in Old Jaffa, served by deaf waiters who will teach you sign language during your meal, followed by Na Laga'at, a unique play performed by actors who are both deaf and blind.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv
Wednesday July 6 - Into the Desert
Depart for the Negev Desert. Visit Israel's Air force Museum near Beersheva to view the planes and equipment and to hear the story of this brave fighting force. Visit the fascinating Jo Alon Museum of Bedouin Culture near Lahav for an in-depth introduction to this desert culture and some Bedouin hospitality OR Visit a center for traditional Bedouin weaving done in women's homes in the village of Lakiya. Learn about Bedouin culture and see their traditional hand-weaving process demonstrated. At Moshav Nevatim, home to Cochini Jews, see their impressive synagogue, brought over from India, and learn about their culture. Continue to Tel Aviv for hotel check-in. Free evening in Tel Aviv.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv
Thursday July 7 - Foundations of the Modern State
Please choose four site visits for the group for today. At Weitzman Institute in Rehovot learn of the impressive accomplishments of Israel's top science university; walk through the superbly appointed Weitzman family mansion to enjoy its fine design and architecture. Walk though the historic Neve Tzedek neighborhood, a UNESCO Heritage site, and visit the newly opened Masorti Center there. Meet with Rabbi Roberto Arbib of Kehillat Sinai. In the quaint Trumpeldor Cemetery, learn about some of the key founders of modern Zionism - Bialik, Ahad Ha-am, and Brenner at their graves. Guided visit to the Rubin Museum to view the stirring paintings of this signature Israeli artist. In Beit Bialik, focus on the writings of Israel's first national poet as you tour the beautiful building that was his home. Return to the hotel for final packing. Farewell dinner at Maganda.
Friday July 8 - A Temporary Departure
Return to USA. Begin planning your next Israel or Jewish Heritage trip with Rabbi Greenspan and ITC Tours!
*Itinerary Subject to Change
Itinerary
