Join Temple Ahavat Shalom’s Family Tour With Rabbi Barry and Debbie Lutz July 16 - 30, 2012

Tour Highlights:
EL-AL Air Line LAX NJ to Tel Aviv - Return - Non Stop Flights
Hotels: Mount Zion Jerusalem, Princess Hotel Eilat, Herod’s Hotel Tel Aviv, Dan Panorama Haifa All Breakfasts, 2 Shabbat Dinners, 3 Week-Day Dinners as per itinerary, Lunch at Winery Touring with one of Israel's Top Tour Guide Educators in Deluxe Motor Coach Opening ceremony, Haifa, Atlit, Dona Gracia House or Beit Lehem Haglilit Mystical city of Tzefat, Meet Kabbalistic artist, Old City of Acco, Crusader Castle, British prison, Tunisian Synagogue, El Shazar Mosque, Bahai Gardens, Meet members of Reform Congregation Or Hadash, Underground Roman water, Tishbi Winery, Ancient Caesaria, Kabbalat Shabbat at the seashore with Rabbi Lutz, Flight to Eilat, Camel Trek in Arava Desert sand dunes, Leisure time to enjoy the delights of Eilat, Timna Copper Mines, King Solomon’s Pillars, Dairy kibbutz, Experimental desert agriculture, Optional full-day Petra excursion, Tel Aviv, Independence Hall, Nachalat Binyamin, Table to Table, Na Laga’at, Ayalon Institute, Palmach Museum, Haas Promenade, Night Spectacular, Tower of David Museum, Moving Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony, Southern Wall Excavations, Davidson Center, Western Wall, Temple Mount, Jewish Quarter, Shopping in the Cardo, Ben Yehuda, or Nahalat Shiva, Kotel Tunnels, Yad Vashem, Har Herzl Military Cemetery, Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, Machaneh Yehuda, Friday night services as a group overlooking the Old City,
Shabbat afternoon walking tour, Dead Sea, Masada, Ein Gedi nature reserve, Abu Ghosh,
ITC full color source book, A fantastic tour filled with meaningful experiences and fun!

  Itinerary

Tuesday, 17 July – When You Come Into the Land (Deut. 26:1)
Afternoon arrival in Israel to be met and assisted at Ben Gurion Airport by
your ITC representative. Proceed to the sparkling coastal city of Haifa for
a panoramic bus tour. Hotel check-in and dinner.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Haifa

Wednesday, 18 July – In the Footsteps of Pioneers, Financiers, and
Mystics.
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. Please choose one for the group: 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 OR Visit the special spice shop in Beit Lehem Haglilit. Visit the synagogues, courtyards, and shops 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. Return to Haifa for a free evening Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Haifa

Thursday, 19 July – Cities of Many Religions
Possibility of Bar/Bat Mitzvah service today at Or Hadash. Tour the quaint Old City of Acco, including the Crusader Castle, British prison, and Tunisian Synagogue, and El Shazar Mosque. Take in a panoramic bus tour of the sparkling port city of Haifa. Walk down through the spectacular Bahai Gardens and learn a bit about the Bahai faith and its unique utopian vision. Early evening: Meet with Rabbi Edgar Nof at Congregation Or Hadash to hear about the joys and challenges of running a Reform synagogue in Haifa. Catered dinner at Or Hadash Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Haifa

Friday, 20 July – Layers of History
Walk through the fascinating, underground Roman water system that once fed ancient Caesaria at Alona Park near Binyamina (strap-on water shoes needed; towel optional) Enjoy a tour and wine-tasting over lunch at the lovely Tishbi Winery. See ancient history come to life at the newly-opened multi-media center, against the backdrop of ancient Caesaria. Excavations include an impressive amphitheatre and aqueduct. Kabbalat Shabbat at the seashore with Rabbi Lutz . Shabbat dinner at the hotel. Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Haifa

Shabbat, 21 July – Shabbat in Haifa
Optional: Shabbat services at Or Hadash in Haifa (bus available) Spend the remainder of the day at leisure exploring Haifa on one’s own and/or relaxing on the Haifa beach Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Haifa

Sunday, 22 July – Sun and Fun
Morning departure to take domestic flight to Eilat. Take a camel trek through Arava Desert sand dunes Spend the remainder of the day at leisure sampling the delights of Eilat, including beautiful beaches, water-skiing, paddle boats, wind-surfing, banana boats, a swim with the dolphins, scuba diving or “snuba”-diving to get up close and personal with Red Sea coral and fish (extra charges apply for these some of activities) Free evening on Eilat’s bustling boardwalk Overnight: Princess Hotel, Eilat

Monday, 23 July – The Arava Desert OR the Wonders of Petra
Visit the Timna Copper Mines and the spellbinding King Solomon’s Pillars, and marvel at the huge multi-colored rock formations Stop to buy an ice cream at the famous dairy kibbutz, Yotvata Tour the fascinating experimental desert agriculture greenhouses at Kibbutz Ketura and taste new species of fruit (seasonal); visit Ketura’s new sun harvesting farm to see how it produces environmentally-friendly electricity. Return to Eilat for some beach, pool, or spa time. Free evening in Eilat Optional full-day Petra excursion: Take a day trip to 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 (requires advance reservation; not included in tour price) O/N: Princess Hotel, Eilat

Tuesday, 24 July – Foundations of the Modern State
Morning flight to the modern Hebrew city of Tel Aviv. At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion’s moving declaration of the State. Browse through unique craft items in Nachalat Binyamin’s colorful, open-air market, and see modern Tel Aviv in action. Take part in the mitzvah of "leket," as you harvest crops to be distributed to the poor with Leket Israel, formerly known as Table to Table. Hotel check-in for a swim, rest. 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: Herods Hotel, Tel Aviv

Wednesday, 25 July – Israel Then and Now
Climb down into the amazing underground, pre-State bullet factory built by the Haganah under the noses of the British at the Ayalon Institute. Enjoy an extremely impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the new multimedia Palmach Museum. Tour the new Better Place visitors center to experience Israeli cutting edge electric car eco-technology; test-drive an electric car (bring driver’s license) 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. 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) at the nearby new Mamilla Mall. Overnight: Jerusalem

Thursday, 26 July – Jerusalem of Old
Take part in a moving Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony at the Southern Steps. Explore the Southern Wall Excavations and learn more about the ancient Temple at the Davidson Center. Stop for prayer and reflection at the Kotel. Tour the Temple Mount area. Travel through many centuries in a guided tour of the Jewish Quarter and the Cardo. Free time for lunch/dinner (on one’s own) and shopping in the Cardo, Ben Yehuda, or Nahalat Shiva. Evening: In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the Western Wall’s massive foundation stones Overnight: Jerusalem

Friday, 27 July – Those Who Made a Difference
Take a guided visit (with headsets) through the recently-opened state-ofthe art Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Children’s Memorial at Yad Vashem (age 12 and up only); memorial ceremony in the Valley of the Communities with Rabbi Lutz. Take a sobering walk through the history of the Jewish State at the Har Herzl Military Cemetery. Alternative for younger children: At the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, enjoy meeting the animals that roamed this land during Bible times (accompanied by adult/s) Visit colorful, bustling Machaneh Yehuda open-air market – am yisraeli hai! Friday night services as a group at the hotel or in a park, overlooking the Old City. Shabbat dinner at the hotel Overnight: Jerusalem

Shabbat, 28 July – Shabbat in Jerusalem
Shabbat services at a synagogue of your choice. Day at leisure to relax at the hotel pool. Late afternoon walking tour to fascinating neighborhoods near the hotel Free evening in Jerusalem. Overnight: Jerusalem

Sunday, 29 July – Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Early departure to travel to the Dead Sea Region, the lowest place on earth. Ascend the mountain fortress of Masada by cable car for a tour of this amazing excavation and a discussion of the terrible dilemma faced by its Jewish population during Roman times. Enjoy 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”. Stop for a dip and mud baths at Mineral Beach on the amazing Dead Sea. Mid-afternoon return to our hotel for final shopping, packing Middle Eastern farewell dinner in Abu Ghosh. Depart for the airport

Monday, 30 July – A Temporary Departure
Return to USA
Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi Lutz and ITC Tours!

Itinerary subject to change