Join Temple Beth Am's Tour with Rabbi Ronald Brown and Rabbi Paul Kushner July 1 - 11, 2012 Prague pre-tour with Rabbi Brown, June 28 – July 2, 2012

Tour Highlights:
EL-AL JFK- Tel Aviv - JFK Non Stop Flights
CHOICE OF 4 OR 5 STAR DELUXE HOTELS - ISRAEL and PRAGUE
5* Deluxe - David Citadel Jerusalem – Isrotel Dead Sea – Carlton Tel Aviv and Dan Carmel Haifa 4 * Dan Panorama Hotel in Jerusalem, Haifa and Tel Aviv, Isrotel Dead Sea All Breakfasts, Shabbat Dinner, 5 Week-Day Dinners, as per itinerary Touring with one of Israel's Top Tour Guide Educators in Deluxe Motor Coach Pre tour with Rabbi Brown to Pargue, Lobkowicz Palace and Hradchany (Prague) Castle, Loreto Church, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, Bejt Simcha, Prague’s Reform Congregation, Prague’s Jewish Quarter, Old Jewish Cemetery, Unique Black Theatre, Lidice, Terezin “Model Concentration Camp” Secret synagogue of the Danish Jews Main Tour to Israel Welcome orientation: Port city of Haifa, Galilee Region, Mystical city of Tzefat, Tzippori, Jeeps on Golan Heights, Gamla, Lovely Golan Antiquities Museum, Atlit, Crusader Fortress, Beautiful Mosque of Jazzar, British prison, Tunisian Synagogue, Tornado speedboat, Haifa’s unique Reform congregation, Bahai Gardens, Israel’s Druze community, Ancient Casesaria, National Maritime Museum, Peace Walk, Tishbi Winery, Masada, Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, Old City of Jerusalem, Archeological dig, Ancient fortress of Herodian, Tekoa home hospitality, Machaneh Yehuda, Community of Sderot, Cochini Jews, Bedouin community, Welcome Shabbat in Jerusalem, Israel Museum, Night Spectacular, Kotel Tunnels, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Southern Wall Excavations, Davidson Center, David’s City, Hezekiah’s water tunnel, Davidson Center, David's Tomb, Israeli Supreme Court, Yad Vashem, Jerusalem Bird Conservatory, Har Herzl Military Cemetery, Ammunition Hill, Herzl Exhibit, Independence Hall, Palmach Museum, Leket Israel, Ayalon Institute, Nahalat Binyamin, Mediterranean Sea, Na Laga’at, ITC full color source book, A fantastic tour filled with meaningful experiences and fun !

  Itinerary

Sunday July 1, 2012 Depart on overnight flight to Israel

Monday, 2 July – When You Come Into the Land (Dev. 26:1)
Those arriving from Prague:Very early morning arrival in Israel to be met and assisted at Ben Gurion Airport by your ITC representative. Proceed directly to Haifa for early hotel check-in, rest. Mid-late morning departure from the hotel. Take a panoramic bus tour of the sparkling port city of Haifa. Depart for the central Galilee Region. Please choose one for the group: Tour the synagogues, courtyards, and art galleries of the mystical city of Tzefat OR Explore the magnificently excavated ancient city of Tzippori, home to Rabbi Judah the Prince; discover ancient beauty and evidence of a community in which Jews and Romans coexisted peacefully. Those arriving from USA: Today’s program depends on arrival time. Everybody Welcome dinner at the hotel. Overnight: Haifa.

Tuesday, 3 July – Layers of History
Bus Aleph: Travel across the Galilee to the Golan Heights. Ascend the Golan Heights by jeep, off the beaten path, and stop to gaze down over the Galilee as the Syrians once did. 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. Tour the synagogues, courtyards, and shops of the mystical city of Tzefat, including free time for shopping. Bus Bet 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 city of many religions, including a selection of the following: a huge underground Crusader Fortress; the beautiful Mosque of Jazzar; 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) Take an exciting Mediterranean Sea ride on a Tornado speedboat from Nahariah. Everybody Return to Haifa. Meet with Rabbi Edgar Nof at Haifa’s unique Reform congregation, Or Hadash; hear about the wonderful work they are doing in the greater Haifa community. Enjoy a catered dinner at Or Hadash, to be joined by some congregation members. Overnight: Haifa.

Wednesday, 4 July – The Mediterranean Coast.
Bus Aleph Please choose one for the group: Walk down through the spectacular Bahai Gardens and learn about the Bahai faith and its unique utopian vision from a Bahai guide OR Meet with a leader of Israel’s Druze community (Rabbi Brown’s friend), learn about the religion and fierce patriotism of the Druze and enjoy their warm hospitality for lunch. See ancient history come to life at the multimedia center against the backdrop of ancient Casesaria. Excavations include an impressive amphitheatre and aqueduct. Bus Bet Please choose one for the group: Focus on the history of seafaring and the development of shipbuilding in the Mediterranean Basin at the National Maritime Museum OR In Haifa’s outdoor market, take the “Peace Walk” and enjoy the co-existence art exhibit by local Jewish, Muslim, and Christian artists. Enjoy a tour and wine-tasting over lunch at the lovely Tishbi Winery. Stop in the Druze Village of Dalyat al Karmel to enjoy home hospitality for coffee and cake. Everybody Travel south to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, for hotel check-in and dinner. Overnight: Isrotel Dead Sea.

Thursday, 5 July – Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Everybody. Both groups may split: 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 OR Remain at our spa hotel this morning, enjoying its facilities and the amazing Dead Sea. Optional afternoon excursion: 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” Late afternoon ascent to Jerusalem. Gaze upon the Old City of Jerusalem from Mount Scopus; take in the breathtaking view. Free evening in Jerusalem (dining suggestions to be provided) Overnight: Jerusalem.

Friday, 6 July – Two options will happen today, TBD later.
OPTION Aleph – Digging Israel - At the “Dig for a Day” program at Beit Guvrin, have a hands-on experience of archeology as you uncover actual artifacts while taking part in an ongoing archeological dig; “cave crawl” also available for the adventurous. Visit the Sorek/Absalom’s Caves to view the impressive stalagtites and stalagmites.
OPTION Bet – Israel’s Heartland • 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 (West Bank) community of Tekoa and home hospitality for lunch with a Tekoa family. Walk through colorful, bustling Machaneh Yehuda open-air market, as Jerusalem prepares for Shabbat: OPTION GIMMEL – Desert Dwellers. Visit the Negev community of Sderot and meet with community leaders to discuss peace and security; gaze over the Gaza Strip from a Sderot lookout; meet with Ethiopian immigrant. At Moshav Nevatim, home to Cochini Jews, see their impressive synagogue, brought over from India, and learn about their culture. Visit a Bedouin community in the Negev Desert. Everybody Return to Jerusalem for a pool swim. Welcome Shabbat at a scenic overlook over the Old City, Robinson's Arch, the "Masorti Kotel" or a synagogue of your choice Shabbat dinner at the hotel - Overnight: Jerusalem.

Shabbat, 7 July - Shabbat in Jerusalem.
Shabbat services at HUC Synagogue (or other Jerusalem Reform synagogue) Bus Aleph. Walking tour through fascinating, historic neighborhoods near our hotel. Bus Bet Visit the newly renovated Israel Museum, including the Shrine of the Book; the Second Temple Model of Jerusalem; Judaica, art, and archeology exhibits; children's wing. Havdalah with Rabbis Brown and Kushner. Evening: Attend The Night Spectacular, the fabulous new sound and light show at the Tower of David; free time for dinner (on one's own) Overnight: Jerusalem.

Sunday, 8 July - Jerusalem of Old.
Bus Aleph - box lunch today. Group may split: In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the Western Wall's massive foundation stones (local guide) OR Take a walking tour along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher; visit the Coptic Village and Arab Market. Explore the Southern Wall Excavations and learn more about the ancient Jerusalem Temple at the Davidson Center. 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) Bus Bet - box lunch today. Go way back in time to King David's Jerusalem in David's City including the dry tunnel. Please choose one for this bus group: Explore the Southern Wall Excavations and learn more about the ancient Jerusalem Temple at the Davidson Center OR Visit David's Tomb on Mount Zion and the site of the Last Supper. Group may split: In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the Western Wall's massive foundation stones (local guide) OR Take a walking tour along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher; visit the Coptic Village and Arab Market. Everybody Free evening for shopping and dinner (on one's own) in Jerusalem. Overnight: Jerusalem.

Monday, 9 July - Those Who Made a Difference.
Bus Aleph 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) and the Children's Memorial at Yad Vashem Alternative for younger children: At the Jerusalem Bird Conservatory, take part in an ecology workshop and see birds ringed to be tracked by conservationists (accompanied by adult. Take a sobering walk through the history of the Jewish State at the Har Herzl Military Cemetery. Bus Bet At Ammunition Hill, see former Jordanian bunkers and a terrific new audio-video presentation; learn about the fierce Six Day War battle for Jerusalem. Visit the Holocaust Memorial Museum (age 10 and up only) and the Children's Memorial at Yad Vashem. Alternative for younger children: At the Jerusalem Bird Conservatory, take part in an ecology workshop and see birds ringed to be tracked by conservationists (accompanied by adult/s; not included in tour price) Enjoy a special multi-media presentation about the life, dreams, and accomplishments of the Father of Modern Zionism at the Herzl Exhibit Overnight: Jerusalem.

Tuesday, 10 July - Foundations of the Modern State.
Hotel check-out and departure for Tel Aviv. Bus Aleph At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion's moving declaration of the 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; Bus Bet Take part in the mitzvah of "leket," as you harvest crops to be distributed to the poor with Leket Israel. Climb down into the amazing underground, pre-State bullet factory built by the Haganah under the noses of the British at the Ayalon Institute. Everybody Both groups may split: Browse through unique craft items in Nahalat Binyamin's colorful, open-air market and enjoy seeing modern Tel Aviv in action OR Enjoy some time at the Mediterranean Sea. Farewell dinner at Café Kapish in Old Jaffa, served by deaf waiters who will teach you sign language during your meal. If flying out tomorrow morning: Enjoy Na Laga'at, a unique play performed by actors who are both deaf and blind. Overnight: Tel Aviv

Wednesday, 11 July - A Temporary Departure.
Tuesday night flight arrives at JFK very early Wednesday morning. Wednesday morning flight arrives at JFK mid-afternoon Wednesday Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi Brown, Rabbi Kushner.

Itinerary Subject to Change