Congregation Agudath Israel of West Essex and Ramah Israel Institute Presents an Israel Family Experience Led by Susan Werk   August 21 - September 2, 2011

Tour Highlights
Round trip Air from Newark, New Jersey Airport to Ben Gurion Airport in Israel
One of Ramahs' Top Tour Guide Educators, Family Educator and Drivers will be with you the entire trip Kibbutz Mashabei Sadeh Guest House, Nof Ginosar Kibbutz Hotel, Dan Panorama Hotel Eilat, Ramon Inn Mitzpe Ramon, Isrotel Spa Hotel Dead Sea, All Breakfasts, 4 Week-day Dinners, Shabbat Dinner and Lunch, Dead Sea Lunch as per itinerary, Welcome Orientation, Tree planting, Negev Brigade Memorial, Beer Sheva, Shaharit with the backdrop of the midbar (desert), Short hike along the canyon of Ein Avdat,
Graves of David and Paula Ben Gurion, Dead Sea, Masada, Ein Gedi falls at Nahal David, Old City of Jerusalem, Special B'nai/B'not Mitzvah Service at Robinson's Arch the Masorti Kotel, Southern Wall Excavations, Davidson Center, Kotel Bar/ Bat Mitzvah lunch, Jewish Quarter, City of David, Hezekiah's water tunnel, Yad Vashem or Israel Museum, Machaneh Yehuda Market Sweep, Kabbalat Shabbat in the Old City, Shabbat services, Hats and Ideologies, Shabbat Walking Tour, Havdala, Yad Lekashish, Har Herzl, Archaeological dig at Tel Marisha/ Bet Guvrin, Volunteer at Leket Yisrael, Rabin Center, Mediterranean Sea, Zippori, Kayaks on the Jordan,  Agmon HaHula Nature Preserve, Ride bikes, Har Bental, Chocolate Factory at Kibbutz Ein Zivan, Boat ride, Kinneret, Mystical Zfat, Swim in Sachne,
Ramah Educational Source book, An Inspirational Fun Filled Tour and Much, Much, More!!! 

  Itinerary

Sunday, 21 August 2011 - Israel Pilgrims
Depart from EWR Airport

Monday, 22 August - When You Come Into the Land (Deut. 26:1)
Early morning arrival in Israel; meet your Ramah-ITC guide at Ben Gurion airport. Tree planting: Lunch break (at participants' expense). Travel south; stop at Negev Brigade Memorial, Beer Sheva. Transfer to Kibbutz Mashabei Sadeh Guest House. Welcome dinner at the hotel and orientation.
Overnight: Kibbutz Mashabei Sadeh Guest House [D]

Tuesday, 23 August - Desert Dreamers
Shaharit (morning services) with the backdrop of the midbar (desert). Take a short hike along the canyon of Ein Avdat; Those interested can continue on a longer hike in Ein Avdat. Pay respects at the graves of David and Paula Ben Gurion and try to understand why the desert was so important to Ben Gurion's Zionist ideology. Lunch stop en route (at participants' expense) Travel to Dead Sea hotel, Enjoy dipping in the Dead Sea or take advantage of the hotel's facilities, relax. Dinner provided at the hotel. Evening program to be announced.
Overnight: Isrotel Hotel on the Dead Sea [B,D] 

Wednesday, 24 August - Freedom Fighters.or Fanatics?
Option Alef: Extra early wake-up to climb Masada via the Snake path.
Option Bet: Take the cable car up Masada.
For all: Participate in a special prayer service on top of Masada and enjoy a family activity tour on top of Masada; descend via cable car Lunch break (at participants' expense) Refresh yourself, after a brief nature walk, in the cool springs of the Ein Gedi falls at Nahal David Travel to Jerusalem and get a first glimpse of the Old City from on top of Mount Scopus. Check into the hotel: Free for dinner.
Overnight: Mt. Zion Hotel, Jerusalem [B]

Thursday, 25 August - Jerusalem in All Her Glory
Participate in a special B'nai/B'not Mitzva Service at Robinson's Arch at the southwestern corner of the Temple Mount Tour the Southern Wall Excavations and experience a multi-media, virtual tour of the ancient Temple at the new Davidson Center, followed by contemplative time by the Kotel. Bar/ Bat Mitzvah lunch provided at the Rova Cafe. Shopping time in the heart of the Jewish Quarter. Walk back in time to Jerusalem of the First Temple Period. Visit the City of David & exit the City via Hezekiah's water tunnel. Return to the hotel and enjoy time to relax and refresh Free for dinner: Optional evening tour of the Kotel Tunnels.
Overnight: Mt. Zion Hotel, Jerusalem [B, L]

Friday, 26 August - Those Who Sacrificed
Visit the new Memorial Museum, Children's Memorial, and Valley of the Communities at Yad Vashem. Separate program for children - sharing with parents at the end. For participants who have already visited Yad Vashem, there is an option to visit the newly renovated Israel Museum. "Machaneh Yehuda Market Sweep" - enjoy a light lunch (at participants' expense) in the open-air market and purchase food for Seuda Shlisheet on Shabbat , based on an assigned shopping list (see tomorrow's schedule) Afternoon free to relax and to prepare for Shabbat. Kabbalat Shabbat as a group in an Old City courtyard followed by Ma'ariv at the Kotel (Western Wall); walk back together to the hotel. Group Shabbat Dinner accompanied by Kiddush, HaMotzi and Zemirot (traditional Shabbat songs).
Overnight: Mt. Zion Hotel, Jerusalem [B, D]

Shabbat, 27 August - Sacred Time in the Holy City
Parashat Re'eh. Shabbat services at a choice of neighborhood synagogues (list and walking directions will be provided) Special presentation on "Hats and Ideologies" - how to recognize different Jews groupings in Israel by their outer garments and head coverings. Shabbat lunch at the hotel. Shabbat rest with special activities for children; the hotel swimming pool is available. Enjoy an optional afternoon Shabbat Walking Tour. Seuda Shlisheet Picnic (last meal of Shabbat) in a nearby park. Havdala and free evening in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Mt. Zion Hotel, Jerusalem [B, L, D-purchased day before at participants' expense]

Sunday, 28 August - Digging Up Our Past
Visit the workshops of Yad Lekashish - Lifeline for the Elderly - and shop in their multifaceted gift shop. At Har Herzl visit the graves of the people who gave up their lives for the creation and defense of the State of Israel. Lunch break (at participants' expense). Roll up your sleeves and participate in an actual Archaeological dig at Tel Marisha/ Bet Guvrin. Dinner and evening: Parents will enjoy free evening for dinner while the children (age 6 and above) have dinner and an activity with the Family Educator, meeting back at the hotel ata pre-arranged time. Pack for the north.
Overnight: Mt. Zion, Jerusalem [B, D-for children only]

Monday, 29 August - Reaffirming Israel's Independence
After packing the bus, head in the direction of Rehovot. Volunteer at Leket Yisrael. A volunteer program which is inspired from our sources (Deuteronomy 24:19). Pick crops which will be distributed to people in need. Break for lunch (at participants' expense). Drive to Tel Aviv and visit the (new) Rabin Center. Take a quick swim in the Mediterranean Sea (time permitting). Check in to Nof Ginosar Kibbutz Hotel at Kibbutz Ginosar on the Sea of Kinneret. Dinner at Nof Ginosar Hotel. Evening activity: prepare for tomorrow's program at Zippori
Overnight: Nof Ginosar Kibbutz Hotel, Kibbutz Ginosar [B, D]

Tuesday, 30 August - I Rosh Hodesh Elul
In the Footsteps of the Rabbis. Zippori was the "ornament of all the Galilee" in the days of the Talmud. Find out why by participating in a (full morning) Ramah-Israel designed interactive program. Lunch on own at a local rest-stop. Put on your life vests and take oars in hand as you glide down the Jordan river in kayaks and rafts Return to Nof Ginosar to freshen up Free for dinner in Tiberias.
Overnight: Nof Ginosar Kibbutz Hotel, Kibbutz Ginosar [B]

Wednesday, 31 August - II Rosh Hodesh Elul
Pioneers of the Galilee and the Golan Heights. Drive to the Hula Valley to visit the Nature Preserve at Agmon HaHula. Ride bikes around the lake and view migrating birds and wild life. Lunch on your own in the Golan's ancient/modern regional center, Katzrin. Drive to Har Bental for a commanding view of the Golan, Mt. Hermon and Syria. Visit a Chocolate Factory at Kibbutz Ein Zivan. Return to guest house to freshen up. Embark on a brief boat ride on the Sea of Kinneret. Dinner on own in Tiberius.
Overnight: Nof Ginosar Kibbutz Hotel, Kibbutz Ginosar [B]

Thursday, 1 September - Mt. Tops and Mysticism
Zfat: tour the synagogues, court yards, and shops of this mystical city Lunch on your own in Zfat, Swim in the refreshing natural waters of the Sachne (Gan Hashlosha) in the Bet Shean Valley (a chance to refresh/shower before the flight) Summary session Travel to Jerusalem via the Jordan Valley Road Final group dinner at a restaurant in Jerusalem. Continue to Ben Gurion Airport for middle-of-the-night flight back to New Jersey.
Overnight: In flight [B, D]

Friday, 2 September - A Temporary Departure
Midnight flight from Ben Gurion Airport. Arrival in the USA early morning, same day. Ulehitra'ot!!

Please note this is a draft and Subject to Change