B'nai Shalom of Olney's Israel Experience with Rabbi Ari Sunshine July 29 - August 10, 2012

Tour Highlights:
Round trip flights USA to TLV and Return - Non Stop Flights
Dan Panorama Hotel Jerusalem and Tel Aviv - Kibbutz Lavi Hotel Tiberias,
All Breakfasts, Shabbat Dinner and Lunch, 6 Week-Day Dinners and lunch as per itinerary
Touring with one of ITC's Top Tour Guide Educators in Deluxe Motor Coach Our tour begins with a welcome orientation, Mitzvah of Plant a tree in Israeli soil, IDF Armored Corps center, Tayelet, Old City of Jerusalem, Western Wall “Kotel”, Yad Vashem, Jerusalem Bird Conservatory, Har Herzl Military Cemetery, New Herzl Exhibit, Israel Museum, Conservative Yeshiva, Yad Sarah, Ammunition Hill, Masorti synagogue on French Hill, Moving Bar/Bat Mitzvah service at the Masorti Kotel, Southern Wall Excavations, Davidson Center, Western Wall Tunnels, Jewish Quarter, Herodian Mansions, The Night Spectacular, Tower of David, Archeological Dig, Beit Guvrin, Mahaneh Yehudah Market, Kabbalat Shabbat, Optional Shabbat walking tour, Seudah Shlisheet and Havdalah with Rabbi Sunshine, Masada. Dead Sea spa facilities, Camel trek through the Judean Desert, Security Fence, Underground Roman water system, Amazing Tunisian Synagogue, Ocean grottos of Rosh Hanikra, Israel’s border with Lebanon, Mystical city of Tzefat, Golan Heights, Katzrin, Jeep tour, Kayak on the Jordan river, Har Bental, Visit Gamla “Masada of the North,” Golan Antiquities Museum, Golan Winery, Kinneret boat ride, Supermarket sweep, Ancient city of Tzippori, Druze Village, Tel Aviv, Palmach Museum, Independence Hall, Ayalon Institute ITC’’s full color Israel source book, A fantastic tour filled with meaningful experiences and fun !

  Itinerary

Sunday July 29 – USA Departure Depart Olney from Dulles or BWI or by
bus to Philadelphia International Airport

Monday July 30 – When You Come Into the Land (Dev. 26:1)
Morning arrival (ideally) in Israel to be met and assisted at Ben Gurion
Airport by your ITC representative – Box lunch today. Put down roots
immediately as you plant a tree in Israeli soil in honor or in memory of a
loved one. At the Latrun IDF Armored Corps center, review (or climb on)
the tanks and learn about battles fought there for the road to Jerusalem.
Ascent to Jerusalem. At the Tayelet, take in the breathtaking view of the
Temple Mount, as did Abraham when he contemplated the sacrifice of
Isaac. Enter the Old City of Jerusalem. Prayer and reflection at the Kotel.
Hotel check-in, rest, and welcome dinner. O/N: Dan Panorama Hotel, JLM

Tuesday July 31 – Those Who Made a Difference
Visit the new state-of-the-art Memorial Museum (age 12 and over only),
Children’s Memorial, and Valley of the Communities at Yad Vashem; alternative
interactive children’s tour on site. Alternative for younger children:
At Jerusalem Bird Conservatory, take part in an ecology workshop and see
birds ringed to be tracked by conservationists. Lunch (on one’s own) in Yad
Vashem cafeteriaAt Har Herzl Military Cemetery encounter the “silver
platter” on which the Jewish people have acquired – and continue to
acquire – our state. Enjoy a truly fascinating multi-media presentation
about the life of the Father of Modern Zionism at the newly opened Herzl
Exhibit. Optional: Visit the new Shrine of the Book and the Second
Temple Model of Jerusalem at the Israel Museum; children’s wing available
Free time for dinner (on one's own) O/N: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Wednesday, Aug 1 – Modern Israel Issues
Participate in a stimulating study session at the Conservative Yeshiva in
the Fuchsberg Center. Visit Yad Sarah, a facility that provides free medical
supplies for those in need; assist volunteers there in a hands-on activity
constructing walkers for patients. Lunch (on one’s own) in a new
Jerusalem mall. At Ammunition Hill, see a terrific new audio-video presentation
about the fierce Six Day War battle for Jerusalem; enter former
Jordanian bunkers. Visit the Masorti synagogue on French Hill to meet
with Rabbi Chaya Baker and some of its members
Free evening in Jerusalem. Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Thursday Aug 2 – Jerusalem of Old
Take part in a moving Bar/Bat Mitzvah service at Robinson’s Arch
Explore the Southern Wall Excavations and take a virtual, computerized
“walk” through the Jerusalem Temple at the Davidson Center In the Kotel
Tunnels, walk alongside the Western Wall’s massive foundation stones.
Travel through many centuries as you tour the Jewish Quarter of
Jerusalem, including a visit to the Herodian Mansions and free time for
shopping and lunch (on one’s own)
Evening: Attend The Night Spectacular, the fabulous new sound and light
show at the Tower of David. O/N Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Friday Aug 3 – Digging Israel - Group may split: At Archeological Seminar’s
“Dig for a Day” program at Beit Guvrin, uncover actual artifacts as you
participate in an ongoing archeological dig. “Cave crawl” also available for
the adventurous OR Explore the impressive excavation of ancient Beit Guvrin, including fascinating burial caves, underground dwellings, and an
amphitheatre. Return to Jerusalem. Enjoy a walk through the bustling, colorful
Mahaneh Yehudah Market, with time there for lunch (on one’s own);
shop for fixings for tomorrow’s seudah shlisheet supper. Prepare for
Shabbat - Kabbalat Shabbat as a group at a scenic overlook . Shabbat dinner
at the hotel. Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Shabbat Aug 4 – Shabbat in Jerusalem
Shabbat services at Shira Hadasha and/or the Adam Minyan
Shabbat lunch buffet at the hotel. Optional late afternoon walking tourof fascinating Jerusalem neighborhoods near our hotel
Seudah Shlisheet and Havdalah with Rabbi Sunshine
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday Aug 5 – Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Early morning departure for Masada. Ascend Masada by cable car to tour
this magnificent excavation and discuss the harrowing dilemma faced by
its Jewish residents during Roman times. Spend some time today at a Dead
Sea Hotel, enjoying its spa facilities, lunch, and the amazing Dead Sea.
Eretz Bereshit, enjoy a camel trek through the Judean Desert and a biblical
dinner in Abraham’s tent. Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Monday Aug 6 – The Mediterranean Coast - Travel north along Israel's
newest highway with a view of the Security Fence along the way
Walk through the fascinating, underground Roman water system that once
fed ancient Caesaria at Mei Kedem near Binyamina (strap-on water shoes,
small towel needed) Falafel lunch in Acco (on one’s own)
In Acco, see the Old City and visit the amazing Tunisian Synagogue, which
is completely decorated with mosaics depicting stories from Jewish history
and traditional texts. Take the cable car to the mesmerizing ocean
grottos of Rosh Hanikra, at Israel’s border with Lebanon. Hotel check-in -
Dinner at the hotel. Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Tiberias

Tuesday Aug 7 – In the Footsteps of Mystics and Pioneers
Spend the morning touring the synagogues, courtyards, and shops of the
mystical city of Tzefat. Take in a breathtaking view of the area from the
site of the grave of Rabbi Akiva. Cross the Jordan River and ascend the
Golan Heights. Lunch (on one’s own) in Katzrin, the capital of the Golan.
Families: Travel by jeep (Shvilim) off the beaten path and stop to gaze
down over the Galilee as the Syrians once did . Glide down the Jordan in a
kayak Adults: Ascend to the peak of Har Bental, where you can enter
army bunkers and take in a panoramic view at the crossroads of three
countries; discuss the significance of the Golan Height in today’s geo-political
reality. Visit Gamla, called the “Masada of the North,” and learn more
about its valiant story at the Golan Antiquities Museum. Take a tour and
taste the fruits of the region in the form of award-winning wines at the
Golan Winery. Everybody together: Enjoy a Kinneret boat ride followed
by a lakeside dinner at Decks (steak) O/N: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Tiberias

Wednesday Aug 8 – Layers of History
Enjoy a “supermarket sweep” activity to learn about modern Israeli “food
culture” while purchasing fixings for today’s picnic lunch
Explore the magnificently excavated ancient city of Tzippori, home to
Rabbi Judah the Prince; explore the site via an enjoyable ITC "Site
Detectives" program. Stop in the Druze Village of Dalyat al Karmel to
enjoy home hospitality. Proceed to the modern Hebrew city of Tel Aviv for
hotel check-in and a Mediterranean swim. Free evening in Tel Aviv
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Thursday Aug 9 – Foundations of the Modern State
Enjoy an extremely impressive presentation of the amazing achievements
of the Palmach at the new multi-media Palmach Museum (age 6 and up only;
At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion’s moving declaration of the State
Visit the underground, pre-state bullet factory built by the Palmach under
the noses of the British at Ayalon Institute. Final packing at the hotel
Farewell dinner at Maganda Yemenite restaurant

Friday Aug 10 – A Temporary Departure - Return to USA
Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi Sunshine and ITC Tours!