Join Temple Beth Torah’S Israel Adventure with Rabbi Michael Katz June 27 - July 8, 2012

Tour Highlights:
EL-AL Air Line JFK to Tel Aviv - Return - Non Stop Flights
Dan Panorama Hotel Jerusalem and Haifa, Ramada Hotel Tel Aviv, Kibbutz Kfar Blum Guest House All Breakfasts, Shabbat Dinner and Lunch, 7 Week-Day Dinners as per itinerary Touring with one of Israel's Top Tour Guide Educators in Deluxe Motor Coach Opening ceremony, Ayalon Institute, Tel Aviv, Rabin Square, Museum of the Diaspora, Palmach Exhibit, Independence Hall, Ancient Casesaria, Haifa, Spectacular Bahai Gardens, Atlit, Historic Acco, Underground Crusader Fortress, British prison, Tunisian Synagogue, Mystical city of Tzefat, Golan Heights, Talmudic Village, Har Bental, Tel Hai, Rachel the Poetess, Beit Alpha Synagogue, Israel’s border with Jordan, Mount Scopus, Kabbalat Shabbat in Jerusalem, Havdala with Rabbi Katz, Israeli Knesset, Yad Vashem, Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, Jerusalem’s Old City, Herodian Mansions, Southern Wall Excavations, Davidson Center, Kotel Tunnels, Masorti synagogue, Masada, Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, Dead Sea, Camel Ride, Israeli Supreme Court, Beautiful Chagall Windows at Hadassah Hospital, David’s City, Hezekiah’s water tunnel,Plant a tree in Israeli soil, Latrun IDF Armored Corps center,
ITC full color source book, A fantastic tour filled with meaningful experiences and fun!

  Itinerary

Sunday, 22 July – USA Departure Depart for Israel from JFK

Monday, 23 July – When You Come Into the Land (Dev. 26:1)
Morning arrival in Israel to be met and assisted at Ben Gurion Airport by your ITC representative. Our tour begins as we visit the underground, pre-state bullet factory built by the Palmach under the noses of the British at Ayalon Institute Proceed to the modern Hebrew city of Tel Aviv At Rabin Square discuss this great Israeli leader and some of the pressing issues facing Israel today. Visit the Museum of the Diaspora for a special encounter with Jewish communities around the world and throughout the ages (time/energy permitting) Hotel check-in, rest, and welcome dinner Overnight: Ramada Hotel, Tel Aviv

Tuesday, 24 July – Foundations of the Modern State
Enjoy an extremely impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the new multi-media Palmach Museum (age 6 and up only) At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion’s moving declaration of the State. Travel north along 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. Proceed to the sparkling port city of Haifa for hotel check-in and dinner.Overnight Dan Panorama Hotel, Haifa

Wednesday, 25 July – Varieties of Religious Expression
View the spectacular Bahai Gardens and learn a bit about the Bahai faith and its unique utopian vision. 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 UNESCO Heritage City, including the vast underground Crusader Fortress; the British prison, where Jewish freedom fighters were incarcerated; the amazing Tunisian Synagogue, which is completely decorated with mosaics depicting stories from Jewish history and traditional texts (number of stops depends on time available) Hotel check-in and dinner Overnight: Kibbutz Kfar Blum Guest House

Thursday, 26 July – In the Footsteps of Mystics and Defenders:
Spend some time this morning touring the synagogues, courtyards, and shops of the mystical city of Tzefat Cross the Jordan River and ascend the Golan Heights; gaze down over the Galilee as the Syrians once did. Travel back to the time of the Talmud as you visit the excavated Talmudic Village in Katzrin, including an amusing and informative film presentation about the famous tanur shel achani story from the Talmud. 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. In Tiberias, enjoy a Kinneret boat ride followed by a lakeside dinner at Decks (steak) Overnight: Kibbutz Kfar Blum Guest House

Friday, 27 July – In the Footsteps of Pioneers
At Tel Hai, learn of the struggle of Israel’s early pioneers to establish strong Jewish settlement in the Galilee At the picturesque Kinneret Cemetery, read the moving poetry of the pioneer, Rachel the Poetess, and sing the songs of Naomi Shemer, first lady of Israeli song. 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. Travel south along Israel’s border with Jordan for the ascent to Jerusalem Take in a breathtaking view of the Old City of Jerusalem from Mount Scopus. Hotel check-in - Kabbalat Shabbat as a group from a scenic overlook or at a choice of neighborhood synagogues (suggestions, directions to be provided) Shabbat dinner at the hotel. Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Shabbat, 28 July – Shabbat in Jerusalem: Parashat Devarim
Shabbat services at a choice of neighborhood synagogues Shabbat lunch buffet at the hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure to enjoy a Jerusalem Shabbat. Seudah shlisheet (meal before the fast) at the hotel. Havdala with Rabbi Katz Evening: Hear the reading of the Book of Lamentations along with hundreds of others on the Tayelet Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday, 29 July – We Remember Tisha B’Av
Tour the Israeli Knesset for a focus on Israel’s political system. 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. Alternative for younger children: At the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, enjoy meeting the animals that roamed this land during Bible times. 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. O/N Dan Panorama Hotel, JLM

Monday, 30 July – Jerusalem of Old - Take in a rooftop
overview of the four colorful quarters of Jerusalem’s Old City Travel through many centuries as you tour the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem, including a visit to the Herodian Mansions and free time for shopping and lunch (on one’s own) 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 Free evening in Jerusalem OR Evening meeting with a Jerusalem Masorti synagogue O/N Dan Panorama Hotel, JLM

Tuesday, 31 July – 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, mud baths, and good hot showers at Mineral Beach on the amazing Dead Sea At Eretz Bereshit, enjoy a camel ride and a biblical dinner in Abraham’s tent. Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Wednesday, 1 August – Layers of History
Please choose up to 4 site visits for today Tour the architecturally unique Israeli Supreme Court building and focus on Israel’s justice system. Admire the beautiful Chagall Windows at Hadassah Hospital. Go way back in time to King David’s Jerusalem in David’s City and enjoy sloshing through Hezekiah’s water tunnel (strap-on water shoes and flashlights needed; dry tunnel option also available) Leave a piece of yourself behind as you plant a tree in Israeli soil in honor or in memory of a loved one. At the Latrun IDF Armored Corps center, review (or climb on) the tanks and learn about battles fought there for the road to Jerusalem Farewell dinner at Olive and Fish Restaurant (meat) Depart for the airport

Thursday, 2 August – A Temporary Departure
Return to USA - Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi Katz and ITC Tours!

Itinerary Subject to Change