Join Oceanside Jewish Centers Adventure with Rabbi Mark Greenspan 27 June - 8 July 2011 Optional Eilat/Petra Extension: 8 - 12 July, 2011

Tour Highlights:
EL-AL NY- Tel Aviv - NY Non Stop Flights
Dan Panorama Hotel Jerusalem, Dan Panorama Hotel Tel Aviv, Kibbutz North.
All Breakfasts, Shabbat Dinner and Lunch, 4 Week-Day Dinners, Home Hospitality as per itinerary.
Touring with one of Israel's Top Tour Guide Educators in Deluxe Motor Coach.
Opening ceremony, Haas Promenade, Old City of Jerusalem, Hurva Synagogue, Kotel Tunnels or Christian Quarter, Archeological Dig, Ammunition Hill, Israel Museum, The Night Spectacular, Tower of David Museum, Rachel's Tomb, Gush Etzion, Efrat, Herodian, Home hospitality, Masada, Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, Biblical story of kings David and Saul "on site", Dead Sea resort Amazing Dead Sea, Kabbalat Shabbat at Robinson's Havdalah under the stars with Rabbi Greenspan, Golan Heights, Har Bental, Gamla,Golan Antiquities Museum, Golan Winery, Ancient city of Tzippori, Mystical city of Tzefat, Dona Gracia House, Mediterranean Coast, Atlit, Better Place visitors center, Nahalat Binyamin, Mediterranean swim, Café Kapish in Old Jaffa, Na Laga'at, Negev Desert, Israel's Air force Museum, Beersheva, Jo Alon Museum of Bedouin Culture, Moshav Nevatim, Cochii Jews, Old Jaffa, Tolerance, or Bread and Butter, Weitzman Institute, Neve Tzedek, Masorti Center meet Rabbi Roberto Arbib Kehillat Sinai, Trumpeldor Cemetery, Rubin Museum, Beit Bialik, ITC full color source book, A fantastic tour filled with meaningful experiences and fun

  Itinerary

Monday, 27 June - New Perspectives on the Old City

Tuesday, 28 June - New Perspectives on the Old City
Morning arrival (ideally) in Israel, to be met and assisted at Ben Gurion Airport by your ITC representative. 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. Enter the Old City of Jerusalem. Tour the recently rebuilt Hurva Synagogue, once the Great Synagogue of Jerusalem. Group may split: In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the massive foundation stones of the Western Wall (local guide) OR Take part in a Christian Quarter walking tour with your guide Hotel check-in, welcome dinner.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Wednesday, 29 June - Today's Israel
Stumble across many authentic archeological finds in a hands-on dig through archeological matter from under the Temple Mount. At Ammunition Hill, see former Jordanian bunkers, a moving film about the soldiers who fought here, and a terrific new audio-video presentation; learn about the fierce Six Day War battle for Jerusalem. 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. Free time for shopping and dinner on one's own. Evening: Attend The Night Spectacular, the fabulous new sound and light show at the Tower of David Museum.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Thursday, 30 June - In the Footsteps of Matriarchs, Kings and Prophets
Stop for prayer and reflection at Rachel's Tomb. Learn about the history of the defense of Gush Etzion in a moving multi-media presentation at Kibbutz Kfar Etzion. Free time for lunch (on one's own) in the growing community of Efrat. 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 community of Tekoa, former home of Amos the Prophet, and home hospitality for coffee and cake with a Tekoa family. Free evening in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Friday, 1 July - Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Early departure for the Dead Sea Region. First-time Israel travelers: Ascend Masada by cable car. Tour this impressive excavation and discuss the terrible dilemma faced by its Jewish population during Roman times. 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". Stop for a dip at the amazing Dead Sea. Repeat Israel visitors: Spend some time today at a Dead Sea resort hotel, enjoying its spa facilities, pool, a buffet lunch, and the amazing Dead Sea (this option is not included in the tour price) Kabbalat Shabbat at Robinson's Arch or a synagogue of your choice. Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Shabbat, 2 July - Shabbat in Jerusalem
Parashat Hukkat; I Rosh Hodesh Tammuz. Shabbat services at synagogue of your choice. Shabbat lunch at the hotel. Shabbat afternoon at leisure. Havdalah under the stars with Rabbi Greenspan.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday, 3 July - The Golan Heights - II Rosh Hodesh Tammuz
Travel north along Israel's border with Jordan. 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 the peak of Har Bental discuss the significance of the Golan Height in today's geopolitical reality. 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. Take a tour and taste the fruits of the region in the form of award-winning wines at the Golan Winery. Hotel check-in and dinner.
Overnight: Kibbutz, North

Monday, 4 July - The Golan Heights
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. Tour the synagogues, courtyards, and art galleries of the mystical city of Tzefat. 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. Free time for dinner (on one's own) on the Tiberias promenade.
Overnight: Kibbutz, North

Tuesday, 5 July - The Modern State
Depart for the Mediterranean Coast. 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. Tour the new Better Place visitors center to experience Israeli cutting edge electric car eco-technology; test-drive an electric car. Optional: Browse through unique craft items in Nahalat Binyamin's colorful, open-air market and enjoy seeing modern Tel Aviv in action. Hotel check-in for rest or Mediterranean swim. 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, 6 July - Into the Desert Depart for the Negev Desert
Visit Israel's Air force Museum near Beersheva to view the planes and equipment and to hear the story of this brave fighting force. Visit the fascinating Jo Alon Museum of Bedouin Culture near Lahav for an in-depth introduction to this desert culture and some Bedouin hospitality OR Visit a center for traditional Bedouin weaving done in women's homes in the village of Lakiya. Learn about Bedouin culture and see their traditional hand-weaving process demonstrated. At Moshav Nevatim, home to Cochini Jews, see their impressive synagogue, brought over from India, and learn about their culture. Return to Tel Aviv. Free evening in Tel Aviv.
Overnight : Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Thursday, 7 July - Foundations of the Modern State
Please choose three or four site visits for the group for today. Take part in a choice of special walking tours of Old Jaffa, conducted by Beit Daniel; "Tolerance," which is led by both Arab and Jewish guides working together OR "Bread and Butter," which focuses on multiculturalism through the role of bread in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. At Weitzman Institute in Rehovot learn of the impressive accomplishments of Israel's top science university; walk through the superbly appointed Weitzman family mansion to enjoy its fine design and architecture. Walk though the historic Neve Tzedek neighborhood, a UNESCO Heritage site, and visit the newly opened Masorti Center there. Meet with Rabbi Roberto Arbib of Kehillat Sinai. In the quaint Trumpeldor Cemetery, learn about some of the key founders of modern Zionism - Bialik, Ahad Ha-am, and Brenner - at their graves. 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. Return to the hotel for final packing and late check-out. Farewell dinner at Maganda (Yemenite).

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

Eilat/Petra Extension: 8 - 12 July 2011

Friday, 8 July - The Delights of Eilat
Morning airport transfer for domestic flight to 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, 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).
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Eilat

Sunday, 10 July - The Wonders of Petra
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.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Eilat

Monday, 11 July - The Red Sea
Board a luxury touring yacht at the Eilat marina for a leisurely cruise and lunch on the Red Sea. Snorkeling equipment is available for those who would like to get "up close and personal" with the most exquisite coral reefs and tropical fish to be found in the world. Early evening departure on domestic flight to Tel Aviv. Board trans-Atlantic flight to USA.

Tuesday, 12 July - Return to USA

*Itinerary Subject to Change