Join Rabbi Murray Ezring on Temple Israel?s Making a Difference Israel Tour February 20 - March 2, 2012

Tour Highlights:
Round Trip air CLT to Tel Aviv - Return
Ruth Rimonim Hotel Safed, Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem, Carlton Hotel Tel Aviv
All Breakfasts, Shabbat Dinner and Lunch, 3 Week-Day Dinners, Lunch at winery as per itinerary
Touring with one of Israel's Top Tour Guide Educators in Deluxe Motor Coach
Opening ceremony, Mystical city of Tzefat, Forester for a Day helping restore the Carmel Forest, Atlit, Fascinating seminar on Arab-Jewish coexistence, Study Jewish mystical texts by candle-light, Volunteering on a historical building restoration, Dona Gracia House, Ancient synagogue of Hammat, Volunteer cooking and baking challahs for Shabbat, Haas Promenade, Kabbalat Shabbat at the “Masorti Kotel”, Havdalah with Rabbi Ezring, Lifeline for the Old, Hurva Synagogue or Herodian Mansion, David’s City, Hands-on archeological dig, Ammunition Hill, Rabbi Chaya Baker at Masorti synagogue Ramot Tzion, Care packages for Israeli soldiers at “Packages from Home”, Yad Sarah, Menahem Begin Heritage Center, Cable Car Museum, Israel Museum, Latrun IDF Armored Corps center, Wine-tasting over lunch at a Judean Hills winery, Better Place, Jaffa Institute volunteer project, Rubin Museum, Israel Sports Center for the Disabled Beit Bialik, focus on the writings of Israel’s first national poet. ITC full color source book, A fantastic tour filled with meaningful experiences and fun!

  Itinerary

Monday, February 20 – USA Departure
Overnight flight to Israel

Tuesday, February 21 – When You Come Into the Land (Deut. 26:1)
Morning or midday arrival (ideally) in Israel, to be met and assisted at Ben Gurion Airport by your ITC representative (today’s program depends on arrival time) Travel north to the Galilee. Tour the synagogues and alleyways of the mystical city of Tzefat. Hotel check-in and welcome
dinner. Overnight: Rimmonim Inn, Tzefat

Wednesday, February 22 – Restoration and Co-existence
Take part in “Forester for a Day” as you spend some time this morning helping restore the Carmel Forest after its devastating fire. In Atlit, visit the refitted “illegal immigration” boat with its wonderful a/v presentation about heroic pre-State immigration. Participate in a fascinating seminar on Arab- Jewish coexistence at Givat Haviva, including a visit to an Israeli Arab village. Free time for dinner (on one’s own) in Tzefat. Evening: Study Jewish mystical texts by candle-light in the Idra Cave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai and his students, near Tzefat (Bishvilhalev) Overnight: Rimmonim Inn, Tzefat

Thursday, February 23 – Galilee History
Spend this morning volunteering on a historical building restoration project in Tzefat (Livnot Ulehibanot) 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 Visit the ancient synagogue of Hammat in Tiberias, including a fascinating mosaic floor. Enjoy a delicious lakeshore dinner at Decks on the Kinneret. Overnight: Rimmonim Inn, Tzefat

Friday, 24 February – Hesed and Ascent to Jerusalem
Volunteer cooking and baking challahs for Shabbat at a Tzefat soup kitchen (Livnot Ulehibanot) Travel south for the 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 Hotel check-in. Kabbalat Shabbat at Robinson’s Arch, the “Masorti Kotel”. Shabbat dinner at the hotel Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem

Shabbat, 25 February – Shabbat in Jerusalem
Parashat Trumah - Shabbat services at a synagogue of your choice. Shabbat lunch at the hotel Havdalah with Rabbi Ezring followed by a free evening in Jerusalem. Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday, 26 February – Jerusalem of Old
Volunteer to work at crafts projects alongside the elderly at Lifeline for the Old, a moving crafts workshop that employs Jerusalem elderly. Enjoy shopping for unique hand-crafted Judaica items in their store. Please choose one for the group: Tour the recently rebuilt Hurva Synagogue, once the Great Synagogue of Jerusalem OR Visit the Herodian Mansion, an excavated 2000-year-old luxury home. Tour David’s City, the most ancient section of Jerusalem, built by King David, including recent excavations and the new 3-D presentation Free evening in Jerusalem
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem

Monday, 27 February – Jerusalem Then and Now
Stumble across many archeological finds as you volunteer in a hands-on dig through archeological matter that has been removed, amid controversy, from under the Temple Mount At Ammunition Hill, see a terrific new audio-video presentation about the fierce Six Day War battle for Jerusalem; enter former Jordanian bunkers. Meet with Rabbi Chaya Baker at Masorti synagogue Ramot Tzion to hear about the challenges of Jewish religious pluralism in Israel. Volunteer preparing care packages for Israeli soldiers at “Packages from Home” (you will also receive a list of goods to bring with you from the States!) Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem

Tuesday, 28 February – Layers of History
Visit Yad Sarah, a facility that provides free medical supplies for those in need, and volunteer there constructing walkers for patients. Visit the Menahem Begin Heritage Center for a highly moving and informative presentation on the life of this inspiring leader. Be let in on a little-known secret from the War of Independence with a brief stop at the Cable Car Museum. Visit the recently renovated Israel Museum, including the Shrine of the Book; the Second Temple Model of Jerusalem; Judaica, art, and archeology exhibits Free evening in Jerusalem (Israel Museum is open late this evening; eateries available there for dinner) Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem

Wednesday, 29 February – Modern Israel Issues
At the Latrun IDF Armored Corps center, review the tanks and learn about battles fought there for the road to Jerusalem. Enjoy a tour and wine-tasting over lunch at a Judean Hills winery. 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) At the Jaffa Institute take part in a hands-on volunteer project with some of the over 4,000 children that it serves from neighborhood underprivileged homes Free evening in Tel Aviv. Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv

Thursday, 1 March – Feeding the Hungry
Take part in the mitzvah of "leket" as you harvest crops for the needy. Guided visit to the Rubin Museum to view the stirring paintings of this signature Israeli artist. In Beit Bialik, focus on the writings of Israel’s first national poet as you tour the beautiful building that was his home. Free afternoon to explore Tel Aviv and Old Jaffa on one’s own Return to the hotel for final packing Farewell dinner at Maganda (Yemenite) Depart for the airport

Friday, 2 March – A Temporary Departure
Early morning arrival in USA

Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi Ezring and ITC Tours!

Itinerary subject to change