Join Temple Beth Sholom's Multi-Generational, Family Israel Tour February 18 - 28, 2012 Led by Rabbi Jonathan Waxman and Sarrae Crane

Tour Highlights:
Round trip Air JFK to Tel Aviv and return
Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem, Lavi Guest House-Hod Wing, Dan Panorama Hotel Tel Aviv
All Breakfasts, 4 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, Modern Hebrew city of Tel Aviv, Independence Hall,
Historic Neve Tzedek neighborhood, Masorti Center, Palmach Museum, Rabin Center, Zichron Yaakov, Wine-tasting at a Zichron winery, Meet with Rabbi Elisha Wolfin Ve’ahavta Masorti synagogue, Mystical city of Tzefat, Story-telling workshop, Boat ride on Lake Kinneret, Golan Heights by jeep, Valley of Tears Kahalani battle, Golan Heights, Gamla, Chocolate factory, Har Bental, Plant a tree, Israel’s border with Jordan, Ancient Roman city of Beit Shean, Beit Alpha Synagogue, Old City of Jerusalem, Masada, Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, Review the biblical story of kings David and Saul “on site”, Dead Sea, Kabbalat Shabbat,
Shabbat walking tour through fascinating Jerusalem neighborhoods, Havdalah with Rabbi Waxman,
The Night Spectacular, Tower of David Museum, Lifeline for the Old, Israeli Supreme Court, Yad Vashem,
Har Herzl Military Cemetery, Moving Bar/Bat Mitzvah service at the “Masorti Kotel”, Southern Wall Excavations, Davidson Center, Kotel Tunnels, Recently-excavated David’s City, ITC full color source book, A fantastic tour filled with meaningful experiences and fun !

  Itinerary

Saturday night, 18 February
Depart USA Depart on overnight flight to Israel

Sunday, 19 February - 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 Proceed to the modern Hebrew city of Tel Aviv for hotel check-in. Welcome dinner at the hotel Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Monday, 20 February - Foundations of the Modern State
At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion's moving declaration of the State. Walk though the historic Neve Tzedek neighborhood, a UNESCO Heritage site, and visit its newly opened Masorti Center. Enjoy an impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the new multimedia Palmach Museum; meet with a museum volunteer who once served in the Palmach. Visit the new Rabin Center for a high-tech presentation on the history of the State of Israel and the life of this special leader. Free evening in Tel Aviv. Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Tuesday, 21 February - Layers of History
Travel north to beautiful Zichron Yaakov, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Enjoy a tour and wine-tasting at a Zichron winery. Meet with Rabbi Elisha Wolfin (if available) of Ve'ahavta Masorti synagogue in Zichron. Enjoy free time for lunch on the cobblestone streets of Zichron Yaakov. Tour the synagogues, courtyards, and art galleries of the mystical city of Tzefat. Take part in a mystical storytelling workshop in Tzefat, followed by a crafts activity that emerges from the stories. Enjoy a boat ride on Lake Kinneret in an ancient-style wooden boat (from Ginnosar) Hotel check-in and dinner O/N: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Tiberias

Wednesday, 22 February - The Golan Heights
Travel through the Golan Heights by jeep (Shvilim), off the beaten track, and gaze down over the Galilee, as the Syrians once did. Please choose one for the group: 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 OR Learn about the history of the Golan Heights and the valiant story of Gamla, called the "Masada of the North," at the lovely Golan Antiquities Museum. Enjoy a tour, tasting, and a chocolate-making workshop at the delicious chocolate factory at Kibbutz Ein Zivan, run by immigrants from Argentina 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. Enjoy a delicious dinner at Suzanna Bistro on the Golan O/N: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Tiberias

Thursday, 23 February - The Jordan River Valley
Leave a part of ourselves in the Galilee as we plant a tree in honor or in memory of a loved one. Travel south along Israel's border with Jordan. Tour the remarkable excavations of the ancient Roman city of Beit Shean, including a magnificent Cardo, Roman baths, residences, and amphitheatre. 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, standing where Abraham stood at the dawn of Jewish history. Hotel check-in followed by a free evening in Jerusalem; dining suggestions to be provided Overnight: Dan Panorama Jerusalem

Friday, 24 February - Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Early departure for the Dead Sea Region 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 to prepare for Shabbat Kabbalat Shabbat at a choice of neighborhood synagogues Shabbat dinner at the hotel O/N:Dan Panorama Jerusalem

Shabbat, 25 February - Shabbat in Jerusalem Parashat Trumah
Shabbat services at a choice of synagogues. Sumptuous Shabbat lunch buffet at the hotel Shabbat walking tour through fascinating Jerusalem neighborhoods. Havdalah with Rabbi Waxman. Evening: Enjoy 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: Dan Panorama Jerusalem

Sunday, 26 February - Those Who Sacrificed Visit Lifeline for the Old, a
moving crafts workshop that employs Jerusalem elderly.
Enjoy shopping for unique handcrafted Judaica items in their store. Tour the architecturally unique Israeli Supreme Court building and focus on Israel's justice system Visit the Holocaust Memorial Museum (age 10 and up only), the Children's Memorial, and the Valley of the Communities at Yad Vashem. Alternative for younger children: Enjoy a nature and ecology workshop at the Jerusalem Bird Observatory (accompanied by adult/s; entrance not included in tour price) Take a sobering walk through the history of the Jewish State at the Har Herzl Military Cemetery. Free evening in Jerusalem Overnight Dan Panorama Jerusalem

Monday, 27 February - Jerusalem of Old
Take part in a moving Bar/Bat Mitzvah service at Robinson's Arch, the "Masorti Kotel". Explore the Southern Wall Excavations and take a virtual, computerized "walk" through the ancient Temple Mount at the Davidson Center In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the massive foundation stones of the Western Wall. Stop to eat our "Holy Bagel" box lunch. Visit Jerusalem of King David's time as you walk through recently-excavated David's City, including recent excavations and the new 3-D presentation Return to the hotel for final packing. Farewell dinner at Olive and Fish (meat) Depart for air port overnight flight to USA

Tuesday, 28 February - A Temporary Departure
Morning arrival in USA - Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi Waxman,
Sarrae Crane, and ITC Tours!