Congregation Beth David?s Family, Multi Generational - Israel Adventure Led by Rabbis Philip Ohriner and Daniel Pressman June 17 ? 27, 2012

Tour Highlights:
SFO - Tel Aviv - SFO Round trip flights
Har Tzion Hotel Jerusalem, Kibbutz Hagoshrim,
All Breakfasts, Shabbat Dinner and Lunch, 5 Week-Day Dinners as per itinerary
Touring with one of Israel's Top Tour Guide Educators in Deluxe Motor Coach Our tour begins with a welcome orientation, Jerusalem, Haas Promenade, Southern Wall Excavations, Davidson Center, Kotel Tunnels, David’s City, Hezekiah’s water tunnel, Masada, Ein Gedi, Amazing Dead Sea, Camel ride, Neot Kedumim, Latrun IDF Armored Corps center, Archeology Dig, Ayalon Institute, Independence Hall, Nahalat Binyamin, Shabbat in Jerusalem, Time to relax at our hotel’s lovely pool, Havdalah with Rabbi Pressman and Rabbi Ohriner, Israel’s border with Jordan, Beit Alpha Synagogue, Menara cliffs by cable car, Banyas/Tel Dan Nature Reserve, Golan Heights, Paleo-magnetic Park, Chocolate factory, Talmudic Feast, Kayak on the Jordan River, Naot Sandal factory, Modern dairy farm, Lake Kinneret boat ride, Full color ITC source Israel source book, A fantastic tour filled with meaningful experiences and fun!

  Itinerary

Sunday, 17 June–Depart USA Depart on overnight flight to Israel

Monday, 18 June – When You Come Into the Land (Deut. 26:1)
Late afternoon arrival in Israel, to be met and assisted at Ben Gurion Airport by your ITC representative Ascent to Jerusalem Gaze upon the Old City of Jerusalem from the Haas Promenade, standing where Abraham stood at the dawn of Jewish history; take in the breathtaking view. Hotel check-in and welcome dinner
Overnight: Har Tzion Hotel, Jerusalem

Tuesday, 19 June – Jerusalem of Old
Participate in a Torah study session at Machon Schechter Enter the Old City of Jerusalem. Enjoy a walking tour through the four colorful quarters of Jerusalem’s Old City with free time for lunch (on one’s own) and shopping in the Jewish Quarter. Take part in a fascinating tour of the recently rebuilt Hurva Synagogue, once the Great Synagogue of Jerusalem. Late afternoon option: In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the Western Wall’s massive foundation stones. Evening: Attend The Night Spectacular, the fabulous new sound and light show at the Tower of David Museum, with free time for dinner (on one’s own)
Overnight: Har Tzion Hotel, Jerusalem

Wednesday, 20 June – Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Early departure to ascend Masada by cable car. Tour this impressive excavation and discuss the terrible dilemma faced by its Jewish population during Roman times. Take a walk through the beautiful Ein Gedi Nature Reserve to the waterfall and review the biblical story of kings David and Saul “on site”. Stop for a dip, mud baths, and hot showers at the amazing Dead Sea. Enjoy a camel ride and a delicious dinner and the hospitality of Abraham’s tent at Eretz Bereisheet
Overnight: Har Tzion Hotel, Jerusalem

Thursday, 21 June – Digging Israel
Experience the biblical landscapes park at Neot Kedumim; take part in a sheep-herding workshop. At the Latrun IDF Armored Corps center, review (or climb on) the tanks and learn about battles fought there for the road to Jerusalem (no film) At the “Dig for a Day” program at Beit Guvrin, have a handson experience of archeology as you uncover actual artifacts while taking part in an ongoing archeological dig; “cave crawl” also available for the adventurous. Free evening in Jerusalem
Overnight: Har Tzion Hotel, Jerusalem

Friday, 22 June – The Modern Hebrew City
Climb down into the amazing underground, pre-State bullet factory built by the Haganah under the noses of the British at the Ayalon Institute. At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion’s moving declaration of the State. Enjoy an impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach. Browse through unique craft items in Nahalat Binyamin’s colorful, open-air market and enjoy seeing modern Tel Aviv in action. Stop to purchase goodies for Shabbat’s seudah shlisheet picnic. Return to Jerusalem to prepare for Shabbat. Welcome Shabbat at a scenic overlook or a synagogue of your choice. Group Shabbat dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Har Tzion Hotel, Jerusalem

Shabbat, 23 June – Shabbat in Jerusalem
Shabbat morning services at a synagogue of your choice (suggestions, walking instructions to be provided) Tour and Torah study session at the Fuchsberg Center for Conservative Judaism following kiddush. Sumptuous Shabbat lunch buffet at the hotel Early evening walking tour through fascinating neighborhoods near our hotel. Seudah shishleet picnic in the park Havdalah with Rabbi Pressman and Rabbi Ohrniner
Overnight: Har Tzion Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday, 24 June – The Jordan River Valley
Travel north along Israel’s border with Jordan Explore Belvoir Castle, a beautifully restored Crusader fortress; hear the amazing story of its conquest by Saladin; take in a magnificent view of the Jordanian Gilead Mountains In Tiberias, visit Dona Gracia House to become acquainted with the fascinating life of this 16th century Jewish heroine and Tiberias financial leader via dramatic story-telling and an opportunity to pose for photos in period clothing. Walk through the Hula Valley Nature Reserve, through which millions of migratory birds pass and other species roam; experience the Ophoria Multi-Media Experience, connecting birds, water, and the Israeli landscape
Hotel check-in and dinner at the hotel O/N: Kibbutz Hagoshrim

Monday, 25 June – The Golan Heights
Please choose one for the group: Take a lovely nature walk through the lush forests and streams of the Banyas/Tel Dan Nature Reserve OR Walk through the Hula Valley Nature Reserve, through which millions of migratory birds pass and other species roam; experience the Ophoria Multi-Media Experience, connecting birds, water, and the Israeli landscape Ascend the Golan Heights and gaze down over the Galilee, as the Syrians once did; enter former Syrian bunkers and learn how master spy, Eli Cohen, revealed their secrets Stop briefly to check how your compass is working at a paleomagnetic park (bring a compass and watch it go crazy, due to deposits of ancient volcanic rock magnetized to the South Pole!) Enjoy a tour, tasting, and a chocolate-making workshop at the delicious chocolate factory at Kibbutz Ein Zivan, run by immigrants from Argentina. Take part in a special tour and Talmudic Feast in Katzrin’s Talmudic Village, including ethnic dancing and period entertainment
Overnight: Kibbutz Hagoshrim

Tuesday, 26 June – The Galilee Panhandle
Glide down the Jordan River in a kayak or raft (age 5 or over) Visit the Naot Sandal factory and perhaps take home some of this classic Israeli footwear. Visit a modern dairy farm where you can bottle-feed the calves and also try your hand at milking cows; discuss the challenge of “kosher” milking on Shabbat; taste different varieties of olive oil and fresh chocolate milk Return to our hotel for a swim, final packing Late check-out from the hotel. Lake Kinneret boat ride followed by a delicious lakeshore farewell dinner at Decks

Depart for the airport

Wednesday, 27 June – A Temporary Departure
Arrive in USA

Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbis Pressman and Ohriner and ITC Tours!

SHALOM UL’HITRA’OT!!!

Itinerary Subject to Change