Join North Shore Jewish Centers Israel Adventure with Rabbi Howard Hoffman December 4 - 18, 2011 Tour includes Eilat (with Optional Petra)

Tour Highlights:
EL-AL Round trip JFK- Tel Aviv - JFK Non Stop Flights
Dan Panorama Hotels: Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Eilat, Kibbutz Lavi, Isrotel Dead Sea.
All Breakfasts, 2 Shabbat Dinners and Lunch, 4 Dinners, 2 week-day lunches as per itinerary.
Touring with one of Israel's Top Tour Guide Educators in Deluxe Motor Coach.
Welcome orientation, Tayelet, Hartman Institute for a Torah study session, Southern Wall Excavations, Jewish Quarter, Kotel Tunnels, Conservative Yeshiva, Masorti project to empower Ethiopian immigrant parents, Ammunition Hill, Archeological Dig, Masorti-style children's home Neve Hana in Kiryat Gat, Supreme Court, Yad Vashem, Herzl Museum, The Night Spectacular, Tower of David Museum, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea, Masada, Kabbalat Shabbat, Shabbat walking tour, Havdalah with Rabbi Hoffman, Israel's border with Jordan, Beit Shean, Beit Alpha Synagogue, Ancient Capernaum Synagogue, Golan Heights, Kibbutz El Rom, Valley of Tears Kahalani battle, Gamla, Artist village at Moshav Aniam, Mystical city of Tzefat, Tishbi Winery, Nahalat Binyamin, Na Laga'at, Ayalon Institute, Independence Hall, Palmach Museum, Eilat, Nabatean City of Petra, Leisure time in Eilat.
ITC full color source book, A fantastic tour filled with meaningful experiences and fun!

  Itinerary

Sunday, 4 December - USA Departure Overnight flight to Israel

Monday, 5 December - When You Come Into the Land (Deut. 26:1)
Arrival in Israel to be met and assisted by your ITC representative at Ben Gurion Airport. Ascent to Jerusalem. Gaze upon the Temple Mount from the Tayelet, as did Abraham at the dawn of Jewish history. Welcome dinner at Olive and Fish (meat).
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Tuesday, 6 December - Jerusalem of Old
Visit the Hartman Institute for a Torah study session. Tour the Southern Wall Excavations and experience a multi-media, virtual tour of the ancient Temple at the Davidson Center. Travel through many centuries as you tour the Jewish Quarter with your guide, including free time for lunch (on one's own). Walk alongside the Kotel's massive foundation stones in the Kotel Tunnels.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Wednesday, 7 December - Digging Israel
Visit the Conservative Yeshiva, learn about an inspiring Masorti project to empower Ethiopian immigrant parents. At Ammunition Hill, see a terrific new audio-video presentation about the fierce Six Day War battle for Jerusalem. Stumble across many archeological finds as you take part in a hands- on dig through archeological matter that has been removed, amid controversy, from under the Temple Mount. At the Masorti-style children's home, Neve Hana, in Kiryat Gat, see the tremendously heartwarming work carried out there with children who have no other home. Return to Jerusalem for a free evening.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Thursday, 8 December - Those Who Made a Difference
Visit the architectural wonder of the Supreme Court building and learn about Israel's justice system. Visit the new state-of-the-art Memorial Museum, Children's Memorial, and the Valley of the Communities at Yad Vashem. Take in an enjoyable multi-media presentation about the life of the Father of Modern Zionism at the recently opened Herzl Museum. 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: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Friday, 9 December - Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Depart for the Dead Sea Region. Enjoy a walk through the beautiful Ein Gedi nature reserve and learn the stories of kings David and Saul which took place there. Stop for a dip and mud baths at the amazing Dead Sea. Ascend Masada by cable car for a tour of this magnificent excavation and a discussion of the terrible dilemma faced by its Jewish population during Roman times. Return to Jerusalem to prepare for Shabbat. Kabbalat Shabbat at a synagogue of your choice (suggestions, directions to be provided). Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Shabbat, 10 December - Shabbat in the Holy City
Shabbat services at a synagogue of your choice. Shabbat lunch at the hotel. Shabbat walking tour through the colorful quarters of Jerusalem's Old City, including the Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Coptic Village, Armenian Quarter, Jewish Quarter, Arab Market. Havdalah with Rabbi Hoffman. Free evening in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday, 11 December - Northern Communities
Travel north along Israel's border with Jordan. Tour the remarkable excavations of the ancient Roman city of Beit Shean, including a magnificent Cardo, Roman baths, residences, and amphitheater. Stop at the ancient Beit Alpha Synagogue to examine its striking mosaic floor; enjoy a short, amusing film there about plans to renovate this ancient synagogue two millennia ago. Arrive in Tiberias; free time for dinner (on one's own) on the Promenade. Hotel check-in.
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Guest House, Tiberias

Monday, 12 December - Layers of Northern History
Proceed to the excavations of the ancient Capernaum Synagogue on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, the focal point of Jesus' ministry. Continue to the Golan Heights and stop to gaze down over the Galilee, as the Syrians once did. 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. Visit Gamla, called the "Masada of the North;" enjoy its lovely scenery, learn about its valiant history, and possibly catch the sight of local eagles coming home to roost. Visit the charming little artist village at Moshav Aniam on the Golan Heights, followed by dinner there at the lovely Suzanna Bistro.
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Guest House, Tiberias

Tuesday, 13 December - In the Footsteps of Mystics and Pioneers
Tour the synagogues, courtyards, and shops of the mystical city of Tzefat. Visit the lovely, historic Tishbi Winery and enjoy a tour and wine-tasting over lunch. Proceed to the modern Hebrew city of Tel Aviv. Browse through unique craft items in Nahalat Binyamin's colorful, open-air market and enjoy seeing modern Tel Aviv in action (time permitting) Hotel check-in. Evening: 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.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Wednesday, 14 December - Foundations of the Modern State
Learn of the bravery and ingenuity of pre-state freedom fighters at the Ayalon Institute. At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion's moving declaration of the State. Enjoy an impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the new multi-media Palmach Museum.  Depart for the airport, where we bid farewell to our ITC guide. Depart on late afternoon domestic flight to Eilat, to be met at Eilat Airport by our ITC hostess. Transfer to our hotel in Eilat, followed by a free evening on Eilat's bustling boardwalk.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Eilat

Thursday, 15 December - The Wonders of Petra
OPTIONAL: Early departure for Petra to explore the amazing decorated red rock formations of the ancient Nabateans. Enter Jordan at the Arava crossing and travel to the Red Rose City by bus (approx. 2.5 hours). Tour its treasury, the Roman theatre, and the impressive caves and rock formations of this Nabatean City, buffet lunch included (not included in the tour price; advance registration required).
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Eilat

Friday, 16 December - The Delights of Eilat
Spend the day at leisure sampling the delights of Eilat, including beautiful beaches, your hotel's pool and spa facilities, water-skiing, paddle boats, wind-surfing, banana boats, snorkeling, a swim with the dolphins, Red Sea lunch cruise with snorkeling available, or scuba- and "snuba"- diving to get up close and personal with Red Sea coral and fish (extra charges apply for some of these activities). Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Eilat

Shabbat, 17 December - The Red Sea
Day at leisure in Eilat - Havdalah with Rabbi Hoffman. Late check-out from the hotel - Early evening: Depart on domestic flight to Tel Aviv. Board trans-Atlantic flight to USA.

Sunday, 18 December - A Temporary Departure
Arrive in USA - Begin planning your next Israel tour with Rabbi Hoffman and ITC Tours!

*Itinerary Subject to Change