Join MJCBY Tuv Ha'aretz on the Beauty of the Land-Congregational Tour Led By Rabbi David and Ellen Nesson June 26 - July 8, 2011 Optional Jerusalem Shabbat Extension: July 7 - 10, 2011

Tour Highlights:
Roundtrip Air - EWR - Tel Aviv - EWR- 11 Nights Hotels including late check out
Dan Panorama Tel Aviv - Kibbutz Lavi Hotel Tiberias - Har Tzion Hotel Jerusalem
11 Days of touring with one of Israel's best tour guides - Super Deluxe Air Conditioned Motor Coach
Daily buffet breakfasts,6 weekday dinners, Shabbat dinner, Shabbat lunch, as per itinerary
Welcome Orientation, Plant a tree, Independence Hall, Rishon Letzion MetroWest projects, Old Jaffa, Nahalat Binyamin, Palmach Museum or Rabin Center, Na Laga'at (optional), Caesaria Excavations or Underground Roman water system Ancient Caesaria at Alona Park, Atlit, Kfar Kama home to Israel's Circassian community, Galilee, Golan Heights, Valley of Tears Kahalani battle, Chocolate factory at Kibbutz Ein Zivan, Menara cliffs in a cable car, Tiberias promenade, Kayak on the Jordan River, Israel's border with Jordan, Beit Alpha, View Old City of Jerusalem and recite the sheheheyanu blessing with Rabbi Nesson, Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel, Fuchsberg Center, Optional: Israel Museum, Shabbat afternoon walking tour, Israel Museum, Havdalah with Rabbi Nesson, Kotel Tunnels or Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher or Scavenger hunt or In-depth tour of the Jewish Quarter, Cardo, Hurva Synagogue, Moving Bar/Bat Mitzvah service at the Ein Gedi ancient synagogue, Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, Dead Sea, Masada or Dead Sea resort hotel, Enjoying its spa facilities, (extra cost) Amazing Dead Sea, Camel trek, Yad Vashem, Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, Herzl Exhibit or Har Herzl Military Cemetery or Israeli Supreme Court, Menahem Begin Heritage Center, Machaneh Yehuda, The Night Spectacular, Tower of David Museum, Archeological Dig, Latrun IDF Armored Corps center, Home hospitality Ofakim MetroWest sister city, Jerusalem army base under the auspices of the Masorti Movement's Lone Soldiers program, David's City, Hezekiah's water tunnel or Chagall Windows at Hadassah Hospital, Stop at the Tayelet for a last view of Jerusalem Informative full-color ITC source book - A fun filled spiritual adventure and Much Much More!!

  Itinerary

Sunday, 26 June - USA Departure

Monday, 27 June - When You Come Into the Land (Deut. 26:1)
Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, to be met and assisted by your ITC representative. Put down roots immediately, as you plant a tree in Israeli soil in honor or in memory of a loved one. Proceed to the modern Hebrew city of Tel Aviv. At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion's moving declaration of the State. Hotel check-in. Welcome dinner at Maganda Yemenite restaurant.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Tuesday, 28 June - Partners in Israel
Israel as a nation of immigrants: Spend some time meeting with people in Rishon Letzion through MetroWest projects, e.g., meeting with Ethiopian immigrants (programming to be arranged by Amir Shaham). Tour Old Jaffa, where many early immigrants began their lives in Israel, including browsing through the colorful outdoor mid- eastern market, shuk hapishpishim. Browse through unique craft items in Nahalat Binyamin's colorful, open-air market and enjoy seeing modern Tel Aviv in action. Group may split: Enjoy an impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the multi-media Palmach Museum (if available;  age 5 and up only) OR 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. Evening option: Enjoy dinner at Café Kapish in Old Jaffa, served by deaf waiters who will teach you sign language during your meal, followed by Na Laga'at, a unique play performed by actors who are both deaf and blind (if available; not included in tour price).
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Wednesday, 29 June - Layers of History
Group may split: See ancient history come to life at the multi-media center against the backdrop of ancient Caesaria. Excavations include an impressive amphitheatre and aqueduct OR Walk through the fascinating, underground Roman water system that once fed ancient Caesaria at Alona Park near Binyamina (strap-on water shoes, small towel needed). In Atlit walk through the detention camp that held Holocaust refugees denied entry into Eretz Yisrael by the British. Visit the fascinating cultural museum of Kfar Kama, home to Israel's Circassian community; learn about their unique customs and traditions and taste some of their special snacks. Continue to the Galilee for hotel check-in and swim. Dinner at the hotel. Evening: Tour Kibbutz Lavi with one of its members and learn about the challenges of establishing and maintaining a religious kibbutz in the Galilee.
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Tiberias

Thursday, 30 June - The Upper Galilee and the Golan Heights
Ascend the Golan Heights and gaze down over the Galilee, as the Syrians once did; enter former Syrian bunkers and learn how master spy, Eli Cohen, revealed their secrets. 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. Tour the chocolate factory at Kibbutz Ein Zivan, including tasting, of course! Ride up the Menara cliffs in a cable car and hear the moving stories that took place there before the State was born; ride along the track at the bottom. Free time for dinner (on one's own) on the Tiberias promenade. Evening: Swim in the hotel pool (if available).
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Tiberias

Friday, 1 July - The Jordan River Valley
Glide down the Jordan River in a kayak or raft (age 5 or over). Travel south along Israel's border with Jordan. 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. Continue south for the ascent to Jerusalem. Take in a breathtaking view of the Old City of Jerusalem and recite the sheheheyanu blessing with Rabbi Nesson. Hotel check-in. Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel. Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Har Tzion Hotel, Jerusalem

Shabbat, 2 July - Shabbat in Jerusalem
Parashat Hukkat; I Rosh Hodesh Tammuz. Shabbat services at a choice of neighborhood synagogues (suggestions, walking instructions to be provided). Shabbat lunch at the Fuchsberg Center with a speaker (private room): Conservative/Masorti Judaism in Israel - challenges and opportunities. Optional: Visit the newly renovated Israel Museum, including the Shrine of the Book, the Second Temple Model of Jerusalem, art and archeology exhibits, children's wing (pre-purchased tickets not included in tour price; transportation on one's own). Optional: Shabbat afternoon walking tour. Havdalah with Rabbi Nesson. Free evening in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Har Tzion Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday, 3 July - Jerusalem of Old II Rosh Hodesh Tammuz
Group may split: In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the Western Wall's massive foundation stones OR Take a walking tour along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Group may split: Take part in an enjoyable, family-friendly "scavenger hunt" program (Ross Culiner) as you explore the Jewish Quarter of the Old City OR In-depth tour of the Jewish Quarter with your guide, including entrance to the Herodian Mansions. Free time for lunch (on one's own) and shopping in the Cardo. Tour the recently rebuilt Hurva Synagogue, once the Great Synagogue of Jerusalem. Free evening in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Har Tzion Hotel, Jerusalem

Monday, 4 July - Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Take part in a moving service to celebrate Bar/Bat Mitzvah, birthday, anniversary and other simchas at the Ein Gedi ancient synagogue. Option Aleph: Enjoy a walk through the beautiful Ein Gedi Nature Reserve to the waterfall; 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. Ascend Masada by cable car; tour this impressive excavation and discuss the terrible dilemma faced by its Jewish population during Roman times. Option Bet: Spend time today at a Dead Sea resort hotel, enjoying its spa facilities, lunch, and the amazing Dead Sea (this option is not included in the tour price). Everybody. Enjoy a camel trek through the Judean Desert and biblical hospitality with a delicious dinner in Abraham's Tent.
Overnight: Har Tzion Hotel, Jerusalem

Tuesday, 5 July - Those Who Sacrificed
Option Aleph: Visit the new Holocaust Memorial Museum (age 12 and up only) and the Children's Memorial at Yad Vashem. Alternative for younger children: At the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, enjoy meeting the animals that roamed this land during Bible times (accompanied by adult/s). At the multi-media Herzl Exhibit, the Father of Modern Zionism and his untiring quest are "brought to life" before your eyes (if available) OR At Har Herzl Military Cemetery encounter the "silver platter" on which the Jewish people have acquired - and continue to acquire - our state. Option Bet: (travel by cab; accompanied by Rabbi or Ellen) Tour the architecturally unique Israeli Supreme Court building and focus on Israel's justice system. Visit the Menahem Begin Heritage Center for a highly moving and informative presentation on the life of this inspiring leader. Free time for shopping/coffee in the German Colony. Everybody. Visit colorful, bustling Machaneh Yehuda open-air market - am yisrael hai!. Evening: Attend 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: Har Tzion Hotel, Jerusalem

Wednesday, 6 July - Digging Israel
Stumble across many archeological finds as you take part in a hands-on dig through archeological matter from under the Temple Mount. At the Latrun IDF Armored Corps center, review (or climb on) the tanks and learn about battles fought there for the road to Jerusalem. Enjoy home hospitality with local families in Ofakim, a MetroWest sister city.
Overnight: Har Tzion Hotel, Jerusalem

Thursday, 7 July - In the Footsteps of Patriarchs and Matriarchs
Visit a Jerusalem army base under the auspices of the Masorti Movement's Lone Soldiers program. Group may split: 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) OR Admire the beautiful Chagall Windows at Hadassah Hospital. Free time for shopping, on one's own. Stop at the Tayelet for a last view of Jerusalem. Return to the hotel for final packing and late check-out. Farewell dinner at Anna Ticho House. Depart for the airport.

Friday, 8 July - A Temporary Departure
Return to the USA. Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi Nesson and ITC Tours!

JERUSALEM EXTENSION: 7 - 10 July

Thursday, 7 July
Remaining in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Har Tzion Hotel, Jerusalem

Friday, 8 July - In the Footsteps of Patriarchs and Matriarchs
Visit Rachel's tomb. Learn about the history of the defense of Gush Etzion in a moving multi-media presentation at Kibbutz Kfar Etzion. Optional: At the Naot Sandal factory in Kibbutz Kfar Etzion shop for some of this classic Israeli footwear. Tour Ma'arat Hamachpela and the holy city of Hevron. Return to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel or a choice of synagogues. Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Har Tzion Hotel, Jerusalem

Shabbat, 9 July - A Heavenly Shabbat Parashat Balak
Day and evening at leisure to take in the beauty of a Jerusalem Shabbat. Shabbat lunch at the hotel. Hotel check-out after Shabbat. Depart for the airport.

Sunday, 10 July - Return to USA

*Itinerary is Subject to Change