TEMPLE BETH ISRAEL Ramah Family Israel Experience LED BY RABBI MICHAEL MISHKIN AUGUST 21 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2011 21 Menahem-Av - 2 Elul, 5771

Tour Highlights
Round trip Air from New York Airport to Ben Gurion Airport in Israel
One of Ramah Israels’ Top Tour Guide Educators, Family Educator and Drivers will be with you the entire trip
Nof Lavi Hotel Kibbutz; David Citadel Hotel Jerusalem;
All Breakfasts, 6 Week Day Dinners, Shabbat Dinner and Lunch, 1 week day lunch as per itinerary Welcome Orientation, Mey Kedem, At Bet She’arim Candle-lit study session, Nature walk along the Banias, Mitzpe Gadot, Mt. Bental, Kayak down the Jordan river, Boat ride on the Kinneret, Masorti Kibbutz Hannaton, Zippori, Kfar Kedem, Mystical City Zfat, Gan Hashelosha, Ceremonial entry to Jerusalem at Mt. Scopus, Archaeological Seminar at Tel Maresha/Bet Guvrin, Machane Yehuda, Kabbalat Shabbat with Rabbi Mishkin, Ramah’s Hats and Ideologies program, Torah Lishma study session with Rabbi Mishkin and Havdalla, Robinson's Arch, Temple Mount, Southern Wall Excavations, Davidson Center, The Kotel Tunnel, Jewish Quarter, Ramah-designed walking tour “Roving the Rova,” Tikkun Olam: Volunteer in a soup kitchen, Yad Vashem, Climb Masada or take the cable car, Ein Gedi falls, Eretz Beresheet, Independence Hall, Rabin Square, Summary and evaluation session Ramak Educational Source book, An Inspirational Fun Filled tour and Much, Much, More!!!

  Itinerary

Sunday, August 21, 2010– Israel Pilgrims
Departure from New York City

Monday, August 22 – Bruchim Haba'im!!
Welcome to Israel Early morning arrival in Tel Aviv. Meet your Ramah-ITC Travel staff –including your Tour Educator (guide) and Family Educator - at Ben Gurion Airport. Travel North. Mey Kedem – (literally: "ancient waters") --walk through a section of a Roman that brought water from natural springs to the thriving city of Caesarea during Roman and Byzantine times (~100-638 CE) Lunch stop at Zichron Yaakov (at participants' expense) At Bet She’arim National Park, take part in a candle-lit study activity in the catacombs of the Sages of the Talmud. A special activity developed by Ramah-Israel. Transfer to Kibbutz Lavi Hotel Check in to hotel Free time to swim. Group Dinner and Trip Orientation Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Galilee [D]

Tuesday, August 23 –The Golan Heights
The Eyes of the Nation Light nature walk along Banias - also known as the Hermon Stream, one of the tributaries of the Jordan River. We will walk over a new path which goes above the water and also see a beautiful waterfall. From Mitzpe Gadot (Gadot Overlook), a former Syrian border, view to west the strategic advantage that Syria had firing into Israel's Huleh Valley – until the Six-Day War in 1967. On the eastern border of the Golan Heights, from on top of Mt. Bental look into Syria, including the controversial town of Kuneitra. Take in a breathtaking view of Mt. Hermon and enjoy traversing through a former Israeli bunker. Put on your life vests and take oars in hand as you glide down the Jordan river in kayaks and rafts. Return to Kibbutz Lavi Hotel to refresh. Enjoy the evening air and music as you take a boat ride onto the Sea of Kinneret. Group Dinner in Tiberias (Decks) Overnight: Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Galilee [B]

Wednesday, August 24- Settlement in the Galilee – Then and Now
Visit Hannaton to see and hear how a group of Masorti (Conservative) Jews have created their own community in the Galilee. 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. We continue our exploration of the Talmudic period by visiting Kfar Kedem (literally: "ancient village"). There we will dress in Talmudic garb, eat a light lunch, ride donkeys and participate in a hands-on activity recalling agricultural life of the period. Return to Kibbutz Lavi Hotel for swimming. Free evening in Tiberias (dinner on one's own) Overnight: Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Galilee [B,L]

Thursday, August 25 – Mountain Tops and Mystics Zfat (Safed) – the mystical city
We will tour the ancient synagogues, wander the narrow courtyards, and visit the city’s modern artists’ quarter. At Gan Hashelosha (Sachne) - enjoy swimming in the natural fresh water spring pools. Travel down Jordan River Valley. Ceremonial entry to Jerusalem at Mt. Scopus. Free evening. Ramah will provide an annotated list of kosher restaurants in walking distance (or a short cab-ride) from the hotel. Overnight: David Citadel, Jerusalem [B]

Friday, August 26 – Digging for Roots
In an Archaeological Seminar at Tel Maresha/Bet Guvrin (southwest of Jerusalem) you will dig in an archeological site dating back to the Hellenistic period (4th to 1st centuries BCE). You will dig and sift for ancient artifacts and shards and see how pottery is reconstructed. The more daring can crawl through caves. Return to Jerusalem to the Shuk Machane Yehuda (open air market). Time for lunch, to see the wonderful variety of goods (and people!) and to purchase pre-assigned food items for tomorrow's Seuda Shlisheet picnic. Be sure to bargain for the best prices! Return to hotel to swim and prepare for Shabbat Kabbalat Shabbat services as a group in the Jewish Quarter followed by Maariv – the evening service - at the Kotel: the Western Wall Walk back to the hotel for a Group Shabbat Dinner accompanied by Kiddush, HaMotzi and Zemirot (traditional Shabbat songs) Special activity for the whole family: Hats and Ideologies: how to recognize different Jewish religious groupings by their head coverings and other garments. Overnight: David Citadel, Jerusalem [B, D]

Shabbat, August 27 – Shabbat in Jerusalem
Holy Time in Holy Place - Parashat Re'eh. Shabbat services at a choice of neighborhood synagogues (Ramah will provide an annotated list and walking directions) Israel Discussion with Rabbi Mishkin at the hotel Group Shabbat lunch at the hotel. Shabbat rest with special activities for children; the hotel swimming pool is available. Late afternoon walking tour in vicinity of hotel. Seuda Shlisheet (the Third Meal of Shabbat) picnic (from yesterday's shopping) Havdalla followed by free time in town Free for dinner Overnight: David Citadel, Jerusalem [B,L]

Sunday, August 28 – Jerusalem in Her Glory
At the foot of the remains of Robinson's Arch, the southwestern corner of the Temple Mount, and the Southern Wall Excavations, explore the magnitude of King Herod's masterpiece. Experience a multi-media, virtual tour of the ancient Temple at the Davidson Center. Contemplative time by the Kotel – the Western Wall. The Kotel Tunnel: walk in underground passageways and through a tunnel dug along side most of the length of the Western Wall of the Temple Mount. The tunnels also house a “hi-tech” model to help participants visualize the 2nd Temple. (Note: if reservations are not available during the day we will schedule this tour at another time.) Free for Lunch in the heart of the Jewish Quarter. Discover the Jewish Quarter (the "Rova"): Enjoy the unique, interactive Ramah-designed walking tour “Roving the Rova,” while exploring Jerusalem’s Jewish Quarter and your own Jewish identity. Return to the hotel. Dinner and program with a Masorti (Conservtive) congregation in Jerusalem or environs Overnight: David Citadel, Jerusalem [B,D]

Monday, August 29– Yizkor and Hope
Check out of hotel Tikkun Olam ("fixing" the world): Volunteer in a soup kitchen or other Hesed (act of kindness) site Visit the new Memorial Museum, Children’s Memorial, and other exhibits at Yad Vashem. Parallel program for children (6-11) – sharing with parents at the end. Transfer to Dead Sea Spa hotel; time to go into the sea and use facilities Group dinner and evening program (to be announced) Overnight: Isrotel, Dead Sea [B,D]

Tuesday, August 30 – I Rosh Hodesh Elul - Fanatics or Freedom Fighters?
Choose from the following options. Option Alef: Extra early wake-up to climb Masada via the Snake path. Option Bet: Take the cable car up Masada. For all: On top of Masada: Rosh Hodesh service (with possible Bar/Bat Mitzva ceremony) Masada is one of seven palace fortresses set up by the King Herod, as a refuge and winter resort. In 73 CE, site of the Roman siege against the last of the zealots who revolted against Rome. You will discuss whether the actions of the zealots were justified, or if they were “fanatics” who should be remembered as such. Descend by way of 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. Transport yourself back to Biblical times at Eretz Beresheet (Genesis Land). You will be greeted by Eliezer, Abraham's manservant, and by a train of camels which lead you down to Abraham's tent, where you will experience his legendary hospitality. Transfer to Tel Aviv O/N: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv [B,D]

Wednesday, August 31 - II Rosh Hodesh Elul: Tel Aviv
The First Hebrew City. (Today we begin sounding the Shofar every morning until Erev Rosh Hashana) Go to new Palmach Museum and to the hidden Bullet Factory. Free time for lunch and shopping; alternative activities will be suggested (One option—time permitting—Rabin Square: The limits of democracy.) Summary and evaluation session Late check-out from the hotel. Final dinner at Maganda restaurant in the Yemenite Quarter. Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for late night flight Overnight in flight [B,D]

Thursday, September 1– A Temporary Departure
Early morning arrival in New York City - Begin planning your next Israel
trip with Rabbi Mishkin and ITC Tours

*Please note tour details Subject to Change