Join Rabbi Daniel and Dena Stein Israel Multi Generational - Family Tour Dec 25, 2011 - Jan 5, 2012 Optional Eilat Petra extension Jan 4 - 8, 2012

Tour Package Includes:
Round trip Air EWR or PHL to Tel Aviv and return
Ruth Daniel Jaffa Hostel Tel Aviv, Kibbutz Ha’on Holiday Village , Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem
All Breakfasts, 6 Week-Day Dinners, Shabbat Dinner and Lunch as per itinerary Touring with one of Israel's Top Tour Guide Educators in Deluxe Motor Coach, Welcome Orientation, Ayalon Institute, Independence Hall, Light the 7th Hanukah candle, Old Jaffa, Nahalat Binyamin, Jaffa Institute, Palmach Museum, Na Laga’at, Ancient Casesaria, Israel’s Druze community, Atlit, Mystical city of Tzefat, Meet Kabbalistic artist, Golan Heights, Har Bental, Chocolate factory at Kibbutz Ein Zivan, Golan Winery, Israel’s Circassian community, Israel’s border with Jordan, Beit Alpha, Old City of Jerusalem, Kabbalat Shabbat at Moreshet Yisrael , Havdalah with Rabbi Stein, New Year’s Eve, Jewish Quarter, Hurva Synagogue, Kotel Tunnels, Southern Wall Excavations, Davidson Center, Katlav Winery, Jerusalem soup kitchen, Yad Vashem, Har Herzl Military Cemetery, Machaneh Yehuda, Archeological Dig, Ammunition Hill, Herodian Fortress, Tekoa home hospitality, Israel Museum, Jewish pluralism in Israel, Dead Sea, Masada, Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, Mineral Beach ITC full color source book, A fantastic tour filled with meaningful experiences and fun !

  Itinerary

Sunday, December 25- Israel Bound! Afternoon departure on overnight flight to Israel

Monday, December 26- When You Come Into the Land (Deut. 26:1)
Morning arrival (ideally) in Israel, to be met and assisted at Ben Gurion Airport by your ITC representative. Climb down into the amazing underground, pre-State bullet factory built by the Haganah under the noses of the British at the Ayalon Institute. Proceed to the modern Hebrew city of Tel Aviv. At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion's moving declaration of the State. Hotel check-in, rest, and welcome dinner; light the 7th Hanukah candle. Overnight: Ruth Daniel Jaffa Hostel, Tel Aviv

Tuesday, December 27 - Varieties of Religious Expression
Please choose one for the group: Take part in a choice of special walking tours of Old Jaffa, conducted by Beit Daniel: "Tolerance," which is led by both Arab and Jewish guides working together OR "Bread and Butter," which focuses on multiculturalism through the role of bread in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Browse through unique craft items in Nahalat Binyamin's colorful, open-air market and enjoy seeing modern Tel Aviv in action. At the Jaffa Institute take part in a hands-on volunteer project with some of the over 4,000 children that it serves from neighborhood underprivileged homes; packing food boxes possible. Enjoy an impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the multi-media Palmach Museum (if available; age 5 and up only) Light the 8th Hanukah candle. Evening option: 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: Ruth Daniel Jaffa Hostel, TLV

Wednesday, December 28 - The Mediterranean Coast
See ancient history come to life at the multi-media center against the backdrop of ancient Casesaria. Excavations include an impressive amphitheatre and aqueduct. Meet members of Israel's Druze community in Issufia, 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 Overnight: Kibbutz Ha'on Guest House, Lake Kinneret

Thursday, December 29 - In the Footsteps of Mystics and Pioneers
Tour the synagogues, courtyards, and art galleries of the mystical city of Tzefat. Meet with a Tzefat kabbalistic artist in his gallery to explore Jewish mysticism through the prism of his creations. 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. 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. Please choose one for the group: Enjoy a tour, tasting, and a chocolate-making workshop at the delicious chocolate factory at Kibbutz Ein Zivan, run by immigrants from Argentina OR Take a tour and taste the fruits of the region in the form of award-winning wines at the Golan Winery. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight: Kibbutz Ha'on Guest House, Lake Kinneret.

Friday, December 30 - Ascent to Jerusalem
Visit the fascinating cultural museum of Kfar Kama, home to Israel's Circassian community; learn about their unique customs and traditions and taste some of their special snacks. 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. Hotel check-in to prepare for Shabbat. Kabbalat Shabbat at Moreshet Yisrael or a synagogue of your choice. Shabbat dinner at the Fuchsberg Center Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

Shabbat, December 31 - Shabbat in Jerusalem
Shabbat services at a choice of neighborhood synagogues Shabbat lunch at the hotel. Shabbat rest. Havdalah with Rabbi Stein. New Year's Eve dinner, hosted by Rabbi and Dena, at Shmil's, with bus drop off afterwards at Ben Yehuda Street and hotel. Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday, January 1 - Jerusalem of Old
Travel through many centuries as you walk through the Jewish Quarter, including entrance to the recently rebuilt Hurva Synagogue, once the Great Synagogue of Jerusalem. In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the massive foundation stones of the Western Wall. Explore the Southern Wall Excavations and learn more about the ancient Jerusalem Temple at the Davidson Center. Special dinner with wine-tasting, hosted by Rabbi and Dena, at the Katlav Winery Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

Monday, January 2 - Making a Difference
Spend some time helping those less fortunate as you volunteer helping to prepare lunch at a Jerusalem soup kitchen. Visit the Holocaust Memorial Museum (age 10 and up only) and the Children's Memorial at Yad Vashem. Take a sobering walk through the history of the Jewish State at the Har Herzl Military Cemetery. Visit colorful, bustling Machaneh Yehuda open-air market - am yisraeli chai! Option for a cooking workshop: shukandcook.com workshop OR http://www.haatelie.com/inner.aspx?pid=3618 (paid for on one's own) Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

Tuesday, January 3 - 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 (hosts want 2 hr. minimum) 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 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 (over the "Green Line") and home hospitality for coffee and cake with a Tekoa family. Evening visit to the Israel Museum, with free time there for dinner (on one's own) Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

Wednesday, January 4 - Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Meet with Rabbi Adam Frank for a briefing about the challenges facing Jewish pluralism in Israel. Hotel check-out. Travel to the Dead Sea Region, the lowest place on earth. Ascend Masada by cable car. Tour this impressive excavation and discuss the terrible dilemma faced by its Jewish population 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, mud baths, and good hot showers at Mineral Beach on the amazing Dead Sea Return to Jerusalem for our farewell dinner at Olive and Fish (meat) Depart for the airport (trans-Atlantic flight for those leaving Israel tonight; flight to Eilat for those staying for the Eilat-Petra extension)

Thursday, January 5 - A Temporary Departure
Arrive in USA Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi Stein, Dena Wachtel, and ITC Tours!

Eilat/Petra Extension

Wednesday, January 4 - Remaining in Israel!
Overnight: Eilat. Thursday, January 5 - The Wonders of Petra Early departure for Petra to explore the amazing decorated red rock formations of the ancient Nabateans. Enter Jordan at the Arava crossing and travel to the Red Rose City by bus (approx. 2.5 hours). Tour its treasury, the Roman theatre, and the impressive caves and rock formations of this Nabatean City; buffet lunch included Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Eilat.

Friday, January 6 - The Red Sea
Board a luxury touring yacht at the Eilat marina for a leisurely cruise and lunch on the Red Sea. Snorkeling equipment is available for those who would like to get "up close and personal" with the most exquisite coral reefs and tropical fish to be found in the world Shabbat dinner at the hotel Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Eilat

Shabbat, January 7 - Shabbat in Eilat
Spend the day at leisure sampling the delights of Eilat, including beautiful beaches, your hotel's pool and spa facilities, a Red Sea yacht cruise, water-skiing, paddle boats, wind-surfing, banana boats, snorkeling, a swim with the dolphins, or scuba- and "snuba"- diving to get up close and personal with Red Sea coral and fish (extra charges apply for some of these activities) Late check-out from the hotel Early evening departure on domestic flight to Tel Aviv Board trans-Atlantic flight to USA

Sunday, January 8 - Homeward Bound The memories last forever!