Join Congregation Ohr Tzafon?s Israel Adventure with Rabbi Janice Mehring November 4- 16, 2012

Tour Highlights:
Round-trip flights LAX - Tel Aviv - LAX
Dan Panorama Hotel Tel Aviv, Kibbutz Ein Gev Guest House, Prima Kings Hotel Jerusalem,
All Breakfasts, Shabbat Dinner and Lunch, 4 Week-Day Dinners, as per itinerary
Touring with one of Israel's Top Tour Guide Educators in Deluxe Motor Coach
Opening ceremony, Old Jaffa, Independence Hall, Palmach Museum or Underground bullet factory,
Visit Congregation Darchei Noam in Ramat HaSharon, Nahalat Binyamin, Na Laga’at, Ancient Casesaria,
Mystical city of Tzefat, Pottery workshop, Soaking in the Hammat Gader Hot Springs, Tel Dan Nature Reserve,
Golan Heights, Druze Villages, Valley of Tears Kahalani battle, Golan Winery, Israel’s border with Jordan,
Beit Alpha Synagogue, Old City of Jerusalem from Mount Scopus, Mahaneh Yehudah,
Kabbalat Shabbat at Nava Tehila or Kol Haneshama, Shabbat walking tour including Christian Quarter,
Havdalah with Rabbi Mehring, David’s City, Southern Wall Excavations, Davidson Center, Kotel Tunnels,
The Night Spectacular, Yad Vashem, Herzl Exhibit, Masada, Ein Gedi Nature,
Tour Jerusalem’s City Lines, Newly renovated Israel Museum, Archeological Dig,
Ammunition Hill, Ancient fortress of Herodian, Tekoa and home hospitality,
ITC full color source book, A fantastic tour filled with meaningful experiences and fun !

(Check payment) Land Only $2655 Air* and Land Package $3955* Single Supplement:$854
Third person over 18 in triple room: subtract $150
Added to each persons invoice tips for Guide, Driver, Restaurants and Portarage $165
Price is based on 15 full paying participants
Round Trip air includes airport tax and fuel surcharge of $580
* Fuel surcharge and airport tax are subject to change

  Itinerary

Sunday, 4 November – USA Departure
Depart on overnight flight to Israel

Monday, 5 November – 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 (today’s program depends on arrival time) Explore the pathways, art galleries, and market stalls of Old Jaffa, once the gateway to Eretz Yisrael; review the biblical story of Jonah the Prophet on site At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion’s moving declaration of the State Hotel check-in, rest, and welcome dinner
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Tuesday, 6 November – Foundations of the Modern State
Enjoy an extremely impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the new multi-media Palmach Museum (if available) OR Visit the underground, pre-state bullet factory built by the Palmach under the noses of the British at Ayalon Institute. Visit Congregation Darchei Noam in Ramat HaSharon and meet there with Rabbi Stacey Blank and some synagogue members. Browse through unique craft items in Nahalat Binyamin’s colorful, open-air market and enjoy seeing modern Tel Aviv in action Evening: Enjoy dinner at Café Kapish in Old Jaffa, served by deaf waiters who will teach you sign language during your meal, followed by Na Laga’at, a unique play performed by actors who are both deaf and blind
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Wednesday, 7 November – Layers of History
Depart for Israel’s north - See ancient history come to life at the multi-media
center against the backdrop of ancient Casesaria. Excavations include an impressive amphitheatre and aqueduct. Continue to the mystical city of Tzefat and enjoy touring its synagogues, courtyards, and shops. Meet with a veteran potter in his pottery workshop; hear how he connects the spiritual to the physical through his art (Bishvil Halev) Evening: Spend some time soaking in the Hammat Gader Hot Springs, a natural spa since Roman times
Thai Dinner at Hammat Gader - Overnight: Kibbutz Ein Gev Guest House

Thursday, 8 November – The Golan Heights
Take a lovely nature walk through the lush forests and streams of the Banyas/Tel Dan Nature Reserve. Ascend the Golan Heights, with views of Mount Hermon, and stop to gaze down over the Galilee, as the Syrians once did; enter former Syrian bunkers and learn how master spy, Eli Cohen, revealed their secrets. Drive through Golan Druze Villages, stopping for a light ethnic lunch (on one’s own) there or in Katzrin. At Kibbutz El Rom, see original footage from the brave Valley of Tears Kahalani battle, which secured the Golan Heights during the Yom Kippur War. Taste the fruits of the region in the form of awardwinning wines at the Golan Winery. Free time for dinner (on one’s own) on the Tiberias promenade. Overnight: Kibbutz Ein Gev Guest House

Friday, 9 November – Ascent to Jerusalem
Travel south along Israel’s border with Jordan. Stop at the ancient Beit Alpha Synagogue to examine its striking mosaic floor; enjoy a short, amusing film about plans to renovate this ancient synagogue two millennia ago Ascent to Jerusalem. Take in a breathtaking view of the Old City of Jerusalem from Mount Scopus. Enjoy a walk through the bustling, colorful Mahaneh Yehudah open-air market as Jerusalem prepares for Shabbat Hotel check-in - Kabbalat Shabbat at Nava Tehila or at Kol Haneshama (to be arranged by Rabbi, at synagogue’s request) Shabbat dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

Shabbat, 10 November – Shabbat in Jerusalem
Shabbat services at a synagogue of your choice (suggestions, directions to be provided) Shabbat lunch buffet at the hotel Christian Quarter walking tour with your guide Havdalah with Rabbi Mehring. Free evening in Jerusalem
Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday, 11 November – Jerusalem of Old
Box lunch today - Tour David’s City, the most ancient section of Jerusalem, built by King David, including recent excavations and the new 3-D presentation Explore the Southern Wall Excavations and learn more about the Jerusalem Temple at the Davidson Center. 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; dinner at leisure. Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

Monday, 12 November – 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 Enjoy a truly fascinating multi-media presentation about the life of the Father of Modern Zionism at the newly opened Herzl Exhibit (if available) At Har Herzl Military Cemetery encounter the “silver platter” on which the Jewish people have acquired – and continue to acquire – our state Free evening in Jerusalem. Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

Tuesday, 13 November – 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. Enjoy 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 in the amazing Dead Sea Free evening in Jerusalem - Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

Wednesday, 14 November – Jerusalem Then and Now
Tour Jerusalem’s “City Lines,” including Gilo (with an overlook onto Bethlehem), Abu Tor (a divided neighborhood), Ramat Rachel (1948 and today); view the Security Fence in East Jerusalem. Visit the newly renovated Israel Museum, including the Shrine of the Book; the Second Temple Model of Jerusalem; Judaica, art, and archeology exhibits; children’s wing. Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening for shopping, exploring on one’s own (optional afternoon walking tour available in a choice of Jerusalem neighborhoods) Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

Thursday, 15 November – Digging Israel
Stumble across many archeological finds as you take part in a hands-on dig through archeological matter that has been removed, amid controversy, from under the Temple Mount. At Ammunition Hill, see a terrific new audio-video presentation about the fierce Six Day War battle for Jerusalem Visit the site of the ancient fortress of Herodian, built by Herod and used by Jewish fighting forces throughout the ages; also the site of an ancient synagogue and King Herod’s newly discovered tomb. Enjoy a tour of the special community of Tekoa and home hospitality for coffee and cake with a Tekoa family Farewell dinner at Olive and Fish (meat) Depart for the airport

Friday, 16 November – A Temporary Departure
Return to USA

Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi Mehring and ITC Tours!

Itinerary Subject to Change