First Hebrew Congregation of Peekskill?s Israel Adventure Led by Rabbi Lee and Judy Paskind February 15 - 26, 2012

Tour Highlights:
EL-AL, JFK - Tel Aviv - JFK - Non Stop Flights
Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Kibbutz Lavi Hotel-Hod Wing,
All Breakfasts, 2 Shabbat Dinners and 1 Lunch, 5 Week-Day Dinners 2 Lunches as per itinerary
Touring with one of Israel's Top Tour Guide Educators in Deluxe Motor Coach
Our tour begins with a welcome orientation, Plant a tree Israeli soil, Modern Hebrew city of Tel Aviv, Independence Hall, Palmach Museum or Rabin Center, Nahalat Binyamin, Kabbalat Shabbat with Rabbi Paskind, Masorti Center Havdalah with Rabbi, Plant a tree in Israeli soil, Druze Community, Atlit, Crusader Fortress, British Prison, Tunisian Synagogue, Tzippori or, Masorti Kibbutz Hannaton, Mystical City of Tzefat, Mount Arbel, Lake Kinneret, Dona Gracia House, Golan Heights, Golan Winery, Old City of Jerusalem, Mount Scopus, Southern Wall Excavations, Davidson Center, David’s City, Cardo, Kotel Tunnels, Western Wall, Jewish Quarter, Burnt House, Dead Sea Region, Ein Gedi, Yad Vashem, Menachem Begin Heritage Center, Herzl Exhibit, Har Herzl Military Cemetery, Machaneh Yehuda, Kabbalat Shabbat at Shira Hadasha, Fuchsberg Center for Conservative Judaism, The Night Spectacular, Tower of David Museum.
ITC Full Color Israel source book, A fantastic tour filled with meaningful experiences and fun !

(Check payment) Land and Air $3885* Land Package $2729 Single Supplement: $880
Reductions: Third person in triple room: subtract $300
Child, age 2-18 as third person in a triple room: subtract $400
Bar/Bat Mitzvah, age 12-13 as third person in a triple room: subtract $500
Added to the tour price - Tips for Guide, Driver, Restaurants and Porterage $165
Prices are based 26 tour participants
Optional travel - health insurance is available including coverage of pre existing conditions $139
* Fuel surcharge and airport tax are subject to change

  Itinerary

Wednesday, 15 February – USA Departure
Departure on overnight flight to Israel

Thursday, 16 February – When You Come Into the Land (Deut.
26:1)
Morning arrival (LY 02, 11:35 am) in Israel, to be met and assisted by your ITC representative at Ben Gurion Airport Put down roots immediately in Israeli soil as you plant a tree in honor or in memory of a loved one. Proceed to the modern Hebrew city of Tel Aviv. At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion’s moving declaration of the State. Hotel check-in and welcome dinner.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Friday, 17 February – Foundations of the Modern State
Group may split: Enjoy an impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the multi-media Palmach Museum (if available; age 5 and up only) OR Visit the new Rabin Center, a new high-tech presentation on the history of the State of Israel and the life of this special leader. Browse through unique craft items in Nahalat Binyamin’s colorful, open-air market and enjoy seeing modern Tel Aviv in action. Return to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat. Kabbalat Shabbat with Rabbi PaskindShabbat dinner at the hotel.
O/N: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Shabbat, 18 February – A Heavenly Shabbat
Parashat Mishpatim, Shekalim. Shabbat morning services at the new Masorti Center; meet there with Rabbi Roberto Arbib and some shul members. Shabbat lunch at the hotel. Summary session and group havdalah service at the hotel with Rabbi Paskind. Dinner at Maganda (Yemenite) Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Sunday, 19 February – Varieties of Religious Expression
Depart for Israel’s north - Meet members of Israel’s Druze community in Dalyat al Karmel, shop in their colorful market, hear about their fierce patriotism, and enjoy their warm hospitality. In Atlit walk through the detention camp that held Holocaust refugees denied entry into Eretz Yisrael by the British; see the incredible, newly arrived “illegal immigration” boat with its wonderful a/v presentation about heroic pre-State immigration. Visit historic Acco, a city of many religions, including your choice of: a “cool and creepy” Crusader Fortress; the British prison, where Jewish freedom fighters were incarcerated; the unique Tunisian Synagogue, which is completely decorated with mosaics depicting stories from Jewish history and traditional texts Hotel check-in and dinner. Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Tiberias

Monday, 20 February – In the Footsteps of Pioneers and Mystics.
Please choose one for the group: Explore the magnificently excavated ancient city of Tzippori, home to Rabbi Judah the Prince; discover ancient beauty and evidence of a community in which Jews and Romans coexisted peacefully, Take a special seminartour at Masorti Kibbutz Hannaton as you explore dilemmas faced by kibbutz members in its period of revival. Lunch in the kibbutz dining room at Hannaton. Tour the synagogues, courtyards, and shops of the mystical city of Tzefat. Free time for dinner (on one’s own) on the Tiberias promenade. Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi
Hotel, Tiberias

Tuesday, 21 February – In the Footsteps of Pioneers
Ascend Mount Arbel and take in a breathtaking view over Lake Kinneret. 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. 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. Taste the fruits of the region at the Golan Winery. Travel south, along Israel’s border with Jordan, for the ascent to Jerusalem. Take in a breathtaking view of the Old City, awash in lights, from Mount Scopus. Hotel check-in and dinner. Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Wednesday, 22 February – Jerusalem of Old
Explore the Southern Wall Excavations and learn more about the ancient Jerusalem Temple at the Davidson Center Tour David’s City, the most ancient section of Jerusalem, built by King David, including recent excavations and the new 3-D film. Free time for shopping and lunch (on one’s own) in the Cardo in the Jewish Quarter. Group may split: In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the massive foundation stones of the Western Wall (local guide) OR Take a walking tour through the Jewish Quarter and visit the Burnt House. Meet with Rabbi Chaya Baker at Masorti congregation Ramot Tzion. Free evening in Jerusalem
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Thursday, 23 February – Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Travel to the Dead Sea Region, the lowest place on earth First-timers’ track: 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 and review the biblical story of kings David and Saul that took place there “on site”. Enjoy lunch at Pundak Ein Gedi. Stop for a dip and mud baths at the amazing Dead Sea. Repeat Visitors’ track: Spend some time today at a Dead Sea resort hotel, enjoying its spa facilities, lunch, and the amazing Dead Sea. Everybody: Return to Jerusalem for a free evening.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Friday, 24 February – Those Who Sacrificed
Group may split: Visit the new Holocaust Memorial Museum (age 12 and up only) and the Children’s Memorial at Yad Vashem; alternative interactive tour with Yad Vashem educators available for younger children on site OR Visit the Menahem Begin Heritage Center for a highly moving and informative presentation on the life of this inspiring leader. Take in a special multi-media presentation about the life of the Father of Modern Zionism at the new Herzl Exhibit OR Take a sobering walk through the history of the Jewish State at the Har Herzl Military Cemetery. Walk through colorful, bustling Machaneh Yehuda open-air market as Jerusalem prepares for Shabbat; purchase goodies for tomorrow’s Shabbat lunch picnic. Return to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat Kabbalat Shabbat at Shira Hadasha. Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Shabbat, 25 February – Shabbat in Jerusalem
Shabbat services at a synagogue of your choice (suggestions, walking instructions to be provided) . Kiddush followed by a tour and torah study session (led by Conservative Yeshiva staff) at the Fuchsberg Center for Conservative Judaism Shabbat lunch picnic in the park. Shabbat rest Havdalah with Rabbi Paskind. Evening: Attend The Night Spectacular, the fabulous new sound and light show at the Tower of David Museum. Farewell dinner at Olive and Fish
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday, 26 February – A Temporary Departure
Morning departure for the airport (LY 007, 10:15 am)
Afternoon arrival in USA

Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi Lee and Judy
Paskind !

Itinerary Subject to Change