Join Rabbi Gordon Tucker on Temple Israel Centers Multi Generational Family Tour August 22 - September 2, 2011

Tour Highlights:
Round trip flights from NY airport to Tel Aviv on EL AL Airlines.
Mount Zion Hotel Jerusalem, Kibbutz Lavi Guest House, Dan Panorama Hotel Tel Aviv, 10 Nights
All Breakfasts, 6 week day dinners, Shabbat Meals, 3 week day lunches as per itinerary.
Touring with one of Israel's Top Tour Guide Educators, in a Deluxe Motor Coach.
Welcome Orientation, Hike the Burma Road, Plant a tree in Israeli soil, View the Old City of Jerusalem from the Haas Promenade, Southern Wall Excavations, David's City, Jewish Quarter, Kotel Tunnels, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Coptic Village, Arab Market, Night Spectacular, Tower of David Museum, Machane Yehuda, Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony (for children of BM age), Israel Museum, Yad Vashem, Har Herzl, Dead Sea, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea resort Spa facilities, Kabbalat Shabbat at Masorti Kotel, Shabbat afternoon walking tour, Golan hike and Jeep tour off the beaten track, Har Bental, Kibbutz Hanaton, Beit Shearim, Masorti Kehilla, Mystical City of Tzefat, Tzefat kabbalistic artist, Druze community, Mediterranean swim, Na Laga'at, Walking tours of Old Jaffa, Masorti Center in Neve Tzedek, Rubin Museum, Beit Bialik, Political briefing, Neot Kedumim, Better Place.
ITC full color source book, A fantastic tour filled with meaningful experiences and fun!

  Itinerary

Monday, August 22 - Depart USA

Tuesday, August 23 - When You Come Into the Land (Deut. 26:1)
Morning arrival in Israel (ideally), to be met and assisted at Ben Gurion Airport by your ITC representative. Hike through the Burma Road corridor, which broke the siege on Jerusalem during the time of Israel's independence. Put down roots in Israeli soil as you plant a tree, in honor or in memory of a loved one. 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 and welcome dinner.
Overnight: Har Tzion Hotel, Jerusalem

Wednesday, August 24 - Jerusalem of Old
Explore the Southern Wall Excavations and learn more about the ancient Jerusalem Temple Mount. Walk through David's City, the most ancient section of Jerusalem, built by King David. Travel through many centuries as you tour the Jewish Quarter, including time for lunch (on one's own) and shopping. Group may split: In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the massive foundation stones of the Western Wall (local guide) OR Take a walking tour along the Via Dolorosa; enter the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and visit the Coptic Village and Arab Market. 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

Thursday, August 25 - Those Who Sacrificed
Take part in a moving Bar/Bat Mitzvah service in the Jerusalem Forest. Group may split: Visit the Holocaust Memorial Museum (age 12 and up only) and the Children's Memorial at Yad Vashem OR 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 (local guide). At Har Herzl Military Cemetery encounter the "silver platter" on which the Jewish people have acquired - and continue to acquire - our state. Walk through colorful, bustling Machane Yehuda open-air market - am yisrael chai! Group dinner at Ima's (Kurdish). Optional: After hours Jerusalem bicycle tour (not included in tour price).
Overnight: Har Tzion Hotel, Jerusalem

Friday, August 26 - Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Early morning departure for the Dead Sea Region Option Aleph: Ascend Masada by cable car. Tour this magnificent excavation and discuss the terrible dilemma faced by its Jewish population during Roman times and then stop for a dip in the amazing Dead Sea. Enjoy a walk through the beautiful Ein Gedi Nature Reserve and review the biblical story of kings David and Saul "on site" Lunch in the dining room of Kibbutz Ein Gedi. Stop for a dip in the amazing Dead Sea: Option Bet; Spend some time today at a Dead Sea resort hotel, enjoying its spa facilities, lunch, and the amazing Dead Sea. Everybody: Return to Jerusalem to prepare for Shabbat. Kabbalat Shabbat at Robinson's Arch, the "Masorti Kotel," or a synagogue of your choice. Shabbat dinner at the hotel (to be joined by Rabba Tamar Applebaum).
Overnight: Har Tzion Hotel, Jerusalem

Shabbat, August 27 - Shabbat in Jerusalem - Parashat Re'eh
Shabbat morning services at a choice of neighborhood synagogues (suggestions, walking instructions to be provided). Sumptuous Shabbat lunch buffet at the hotel. Shabbat afternoon walking tour through fascinating Jerusalem neighborhoods near your hotel. Havdalah with Rabbi Tucker followed by a free evening in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Har Tzion Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday, August 28 - The Jordan River Valley and the Golan Heights
Travel north along Israel's border with Jordan. Enjoy a Golan hike or a hike down Mt. Arbel near Tiberias. Travel through the Golan Heights by jeep (Shvilim), off the beaten track, and stop to gaze down over the Galilee as the Syrians once did. Hear brave stories of the defense of the Golan and view its spectacular scenery. Ascend to the peak of Har Bental, where you can enter army bunkers and take in a panoramic view at the crossroads of three countries; discuss the significance of the Golan Height in today's geopolitical reality. Check-in and dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Tiberias

Monday, August 29 - Galilee Masorti Communities
Take part in a special bar/bat mitzvah ceremony at a scenic location in or near Hanaton (or at the Katzrin synagogue, with days switched). Enjoy a tour of Kibbutz Hanaton to learn about this special Masorti community; take part in a program at their Seminar Center. Lunch in Kibutz Hanaton's dining room. Explore the fascinating sarcophagi of Beit Shearim, where sages from the Mishna were once buried. Visit a Masorti kehilla in Karmiel or Kfar Vradim; meet with its rabbi and some members over a catered dinner.
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Tiberias

Tuesday, Aug 30 - The Mediterranean Coast
Tour the synagogues, courtyards, and shops of the mystical city of Tzefat. Meet with a Tzefat kabbalistic artist in his gallery to explore Jewish mysticism through the prism of his creations Meet members of Israel's Druze community in Ossafiya, shop in their colorful market, hear about their fierce patriotism, and enjoy their warm hospitality for lunch. 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). Proceed to Tel Aviv for hotel check-in, 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, August 31 - Foundations of the Modern State
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. Visit the new Masorti Center in Neve Tzedek and then enjoy a walking tour through this neighborhood, replete with Tel Aviv history and funky new shops. Please choose one for the group: Guided visit to the Rubin Museum to view the stirring paintings of this signature Israeli artist OR In Beit Bialik, focus on the writings of Israel's first national poet as you tour the beautiful building that was his home. Enjoy an impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the recently opened multi-media Palmach Museum (if available) OR At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion's moving declaration of the State. Free evening in Tel Aviv.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Thursday, September 1 - Past, Present, and Future
Political briefing at the hotel. Experience the biblical landscapes park at Neot Kedumim. Practice your hand at goat-herding, an important biblical skill. Tour the new Better Place visitors center for a hands-on experience of Israeli cutting edge electric car technology, test-drive an electric car. Free afternoon for a Mediterranean swim, final packing. Farewell dinner at Lilith, a special teaching restaurant for teens at risk. Depart for the airport.

Friday, September 2 - A Temporary Departure
Arrive back in USA Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi Tucker and ITC Tours!

*Tentative itinerary is Subject to Change