Ramah Israel Institute Presents Temple Sholom's Israel Journey Led by Rabbi Ron Isaacs & Dr. Leora Isaacs March 15 - 26, 2012

Tour Highlights:
EL-AL, EWR - Tel Aviv - EWR - Non Stop Flights
Ruth Rimonim Hotel Tzfat, Crowne Plaza Hotel Ein Bokek, Dan Panorama Hotel Jerusalem
All Breakfasts, 2 Shabbat Dinners and Lunches, 5 Week-Day Dinners as per itinerary
Touring with one of Ramah Israel's Top Tour Guide Educators in Deluxe Motor Coach
Our tour begins with a welcome orientation with Ramah-Israel Staff, Travel north to Zichron Yaakov, Mt. Carmel, Mukhraka, Kabbalat Shabbat services at the Berav synagogue, Shabbat services in Tzfat, Walking tour of Tzfat, Havdalla with Rabbi Isaacs, Visit Kabbalistic Artist, Shopping time, Golan Heights, Mitzpe Gadot, Mt. Bental, Golan Winery, Swim in the hot-springs at Hamat Gader, Sea of Galilee, Talmudic village of Bet Alfa, Dead Sea, Masada, Nahal David of the Ein Gedi, Jerusalem, Mt. of Olives, Lifeline for the Elderly, Old City, Jewish Quarter, Kotel the Western Wall, Davidson Center, Temple Mount, Kotel Tunnels, Yad Vashem, Mt. Herzl, Israel Museum, Shrine of the Book, Neot Kedumim, Plant a tree, Machaneh Yehuda, Kabbalat Shabbat Services, Oneg Shabbat program, Shabbat Walking tour followed by Havdalla, The Night Spectacular: Jerusalem Lights the Night, Mamilla Mall, Israel Museum, Rabin Center, Independence Hall, Nalaga’at Center in Jaffa,
Ramah Israel source book, A fantastic tour filled with meaningful experiences and fun !

  Itinerary

Thursday, March 15, 2011
Departure mid-afternoon from EWR Airport

Friday, March 16 - Bruchim Haba’im!! Welcome to Israel!!
Early morning arrival at Ben Gurion Airport; meet the Ramah-Israel Staff; Travel north - Stop at the quaint town of Zichron Yaakov, founded as an agriculture settlement during the First Aliya (the first wave of immigration in the modern period:1882-1903). After a historical orientation, walk around the charming pedestrian mall (“Midrachov”) and enjoy lunch at your leisure (at participants’ expense) From the top of Mt. Carmel, at a site known as the Mukhraka (in Arabic: the place of the burning) follow in the footsteps of the prophet Elijah and look out to the Mediterranean on one side, and the Jezreel Valley on the other. Retell the story of the “face-off” between Elijah and the prophets of Baal (see I Kings 18) Check-in to the hotel in Zfat. Kabbalat Shabbat services at the Berav synagogue, (in the style of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach) Shabbat Dinner at the hotel Overnight: Ruth Rimonim Hotel, Zfat [D]

Shabbat, March 17- Parashat Vayak'hel-Pekudei – Shabbat in Zfat
Shabbat services – choose from a variety of synagogues in the city. Festive Shabbat lunch at the hotel. Rest and enjoy the spa facilities at the hotel. Walking tour of Zfat – explore the mystical alleyways and exquisite views of Mt. Meiron and the Upper Galilee. Group Havdalla service, marking the end of Shabbat. Group Dinner at a Restaurant (TBA) Overnight: Ruth Rimonim Hotel, Zfat [B,L,D]

Sunday, March 18 – From Zfat to the Golan Heights
Meet with a Kabbalistic Artist and hear how his/her understanding of Kabbala (Jewish mysticism) is expressed in her/his art. Shopping time in Zfat (Judaica, candles and works of art) Depart Zfat for the Golan Heights. From the bunker at Mitzpe Gadot look down on the kibbutzim in the Hula Valley as the the Syrians did prior to the Six Day War in 1967. Hear the chilling story of the Israeli spy Eli Cohen. Traveling across the Golan Heights to Mt. Bental. From on top of a former Israeli bunker look beyond the border into Syria to the east and to the imposing Mt. Hermon in the north. Visit the prize-winning Golan Winery, and taste the wines that have given the Golan its well-deserved reputation for world class wine. Before leaving the Golan Heights, descend to the southern tip of the Golan Heights to swim in the hot-springs at Hamat Gader on the shores of the Yarmuch River. Dinner will be served at the Thai restaurant on site. Overnight: Ruth Rimonim Hotel, Zfat [B,D]

Monday, March 19 – Singing unto the Land
Check out of the hotel and travel along the shore of the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) Recall the courage and dedication of the halutzim (pioneers who came to Israel during the Second Aliya: 1904-1914) at the Kinneret Courtyard. Pay respects at the graves of Rahel the poetess (pictured on left) and the late Naomi Shemer – first lady of Israeli song. In 1928 while digging in the fields at Kibbutz Heftizba, a fascinating mosaic synagogue floor was discovered from the ancient Talmudic village of Bet Alfa. We will see the informative and clever multi-media program that retells the story of the commissioning of the floor. We continued driving down Jordan River Valley, stopping for lunch (at participants’ expense) along the way. After checking-in to spa hotel on the Dead Sea, try out the sensation of floating on the Dead Sea or make use of the spa facilities inside the hotel. After a group dinner, we suggest getting to bed early for tomorrow’s exciting program! O/N: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Ein Bokek, Dead Sea [B,D]

Tuesday, March 20 – Freedom Fighters…or Fanatics?
Early ascent via cable car up to Masada: one of several palace-fortresses set up by the King Herod, as a refuge and winter resort. In 73 CE, site of the Roman siege against the last of the zealots who revolted against Rome. Learn about the magnificent structures whose remains can be clearly seen. You will discuss whether the actions of the zealots were justified, or if they were “fanatics” who should be remembered as such. Lunch stop (at participants’ expense) Go for a light nature walk along the river bed of Nahal David of the Ein Gedi complex of fresh water springs. Hear the story of how David sought refuge from King Saul in the caves on the cliffs lining the wadi (See I Samuel 24) Ascend for the first time to Jerusalem and take-in a breathtaking view of the Old City from the top of Mt. of Olives. Group Dinner at a local restaurant, TBA Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem [B,D]

Wednesday, March 21 -- Jerusalem in the Time of Her Glory
Visit the workshops of Yad Lekashish – Lifeline for the Elderly, a grassroots non-profit organization, and buy gifts in their amazing shops selling the products made by the people. Enter the Old City of Jerusalem. After a brief tour of the Jewish Quarter, enjoy some free time to explore on your own, to shop and have lunch (at participants’ expense). Descend to a look-out point for the first view of the Kotel – the Western Wall. At the Davidson Center – see the results of over 100 years of archaeological digs at the southwestern corner of the Temple Mount, and try to imagine the magnitude of “Robinson's Arch” After walking up some of the southern stairs that our ancestors took to ascend to the Temple Mount, take time for personal reflection at the Kotel – Western Wall – Plaza. This afternoon (or at another time TBA) take part in a fascinating tour of the Kotel Tunnels, following along most of the Western Wall of the Temple Mount. Return to the hotel; Dinner at participants’ expense (choose from a prepared list) Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem [B]

Thursday, March 22 - Har Hazikaron – Memorial Mountain
Visit the Memorial Museum, Children’s Memorial, and other exhibits at Yad Vashem, Israel’s national Holocaust Memorial and Educational Center. At Mt. Herzl pay homage to Theodor Herzl and other great leaders of the nation, as well as to soldiers who died in establishing and defending the State of Israel. Shifting gears, we go to the “Renewed” Israel Museum to see the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are kept, the Model of Jerusalem during the Second Temple Period and the new art sections, as time permits. Dinner at participants’ expense Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem [B]

Friday, March 23 – Returning to Our Roots
Venturing outside the city we go to Neot Kedumim – a sprawling botanical garden which has thousands of species of plants and fruits mentioned in the Bible and the Talmud. Learn about ancient agriculture and plant a tree as a group. Return to Jerusalem to Machaneh Yehuda– Jerusalem’s colorful “shuk” - open-air market and see how the City prepares for Shabbat. Return to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat. Travel to the Jewish Quarter for Kabbalat Shabbat Services ; descend to the Kotel to be part of the throngs of Jewish People. Walk back to the hotel. Traditional Shabbat Dinner / and Oneg Shabbat program, Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem [B,D]

Shabbat, March 24 - Rosh Hodesh Nisan, Parashat Vayikra/HaHodesh
Shabbat services at a choice of neighborhood synagogues (Ramah will provide an annotated list and walking directions) Group Shabbat Lunch at the hotel, followed by Shabbat rest. Walking tour of the neighboring areas, followed by Havdalla. View the captivating sound-and-light show, “The Night Spectacular: Jerusalem Lights the Night” The story of Jerusalem unfolds in a blaze of images, characters and sound as giant breathtaking images and lights are projected onto the walls, archeological ruins, bridges, water cisterns and the hidden pathways of the citadel Free time on the Mamilla Mall O/N: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem [B,L]

Sunday, March 25 – Tel Aviv: The First Hebrew City.
Check-out of hotel and head for Tel Aviv. Follow the history of the State of Israel in-the-making and through its first 5 decades as it parallels the personal history of Yitzhak Rabin at the Israeli Museum of the Rabin Center in Ramat Aviv. Relive the historic moment when Israel was proclaimed a state, by David Ben Gurion, over 60 years ago at Independence Hall. Time for shopping and dinner. Final Evaluation and reflection session. At the Nalaga’at Center in Jaffa, participate in an unusual workshop which helps to understand the world of the blind and deaf. Final dinner. Depart for Ben Gurion Airport for late night flight [B,D]

Monday, March 26 – A Temporary Departure
Early morning return to Newark Airport       SHALOM UL’HITRA’OT!!!

*Itinerary Subject to Change