Join Rabbi Howard Buechler on Dix Hills Jewish Centers Israel-Prague Adventure Israel Aug. 21 - Sept. 2, 2011 Prague Aug. 17 - 21, 2011

Tour Highlights:
Our adventure begins in the magical city of Prague, August 17 - 21, 2011. Lobkowicz Palace , Hradchany (Prague) Castle, Loreto Church, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, Medieval City Hall Tower, Astronomical clock, Prague's Jewish Quarter, Jewish Museum: Althneushul, Maisel, Pinkas, Klaus, and Spanish synagogues, Unique Old Jewish Cemetery, Kabbalat Shabbat with Prague Masorti Congregation, Shabbat services at the Jerusalemska Synagogue, Walking tour of Kafka's Prague, Small ghetto villages of Kaseovice and Breznice, City of Plzen (famous for Pilsner Beer), Recently discovered Holocaust era secret synagogue of the Danish Jews.

Welcome orientation in Israel, Tel Azeka battle between David and Goliath, Ascent to Jerusalem, Haas Promenade, Torah study session at the Conservative Yeshiva with Dr. Joshua Kulp, VIP visit to the Knesset, Ammunition Hill, Yad Vashem, Israel Museum, Herzl Exhibit, Machaneh Yehuda, The Night Spectacular, Tower of David Museum, David's City, Robinson's Arch, Southern Wall Excavations, Kotel, Herodian, Home hospitality, Kotel Tunnels, Dead Sea, Masada, Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, Archeological dig, Beit Guvrin, Kabbalat Shabbat in Jerusalem, Shabbat walking tour With Rabbi Beuchler, Tower of David Museum, Havdalah with Rabbi Buechler, Tishbi Winery, Zichron Ya'akov, Tzefat kabbalistic artist, Agam Hahula (Hula Lake), Golan Heights, Kibbutz El Rom, Gamla "Masada of the North", Artist village at Moshav Aniam, Turkish Baths, El Jazzar Mosque, British prison, Tunisian Synagogue, Ancient Caesaria at Alona Park near Binyamina, Café Kapish in Old Jaffa, Na Laga'at, Palmach Museum, Rabin Center, Beit Bialik, Mediterranean swim, Weitzman Institute, Ayalon Institute, Old Jaffa, Independence Hall, ITC source book. Dan Panorama Hotel Jerusalem, Kibbutz Maagan Tiberias, Dan Panorama Tel Aviv.

  Itinerary

Wednesday, August 17 - Departure for Prague
Overnight flight from JFK to Prague.

Thursday, August 18 - Welcome to Prague
Mid-morning arrival in Prague, to be met and assisted by your ITC representative. Take in an overview of the city from the Lobkowicz Palace. Visit the Hradchany (Prague) Castle, one of the most beautiful and significant cultural sites in Europe. Enter the Loreto Church, where treasures and jewelry of the palace are beautifully displayed. Proceed to the Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square with its medieval City Hall Tower and astronomical clock. Hotel check-in and welcome dinner.
Overnight: Prague

Friday, August 19 - The Rich Jewish Heritage of Prague
Spend the morning in Prague's Jewish Quarter seeing the many Judaica artifacts, saved from Nazi plunder, that are housed in the synagogues that make up the Jewish Museum: Althneushul, Maisel, Pinkas, Klaus, and Spanish synagogues. Walk through the unique Old Jewish Cemetery. Stop for a group vegetarian lunch (on one's own). Hotel check-in, rest. Kabbalat Shabbat with the Prague Masorti Congregation. Catered Shabbat dinner at the home of the president of the Masorti kehilla, to be joined by (Masorti) Rabbi Ron Hoffberg and some members of the congregation.
Overnight: Prague

Shabbat, August 20 - Shabbat in Prague
Breakfast at the hotel. Shabbat services at the Jerusalemska Synagogue. Shabbat lunch at the Jewish Community Center. Afternoon walking tour of Kafka's Prague. Free evening to enjoy Prague nightlife (possibilities include: Black Theatre, Latera Magica, concert, pubs).
Overnight: Prague

Sunday, August 21 - Jewish History in The Czech Countryside
Visit the small ghetto villages of Kaseovice and Breznice, with preserved synagogue structures tracing 500 years of Jewish life. Continue to the city of Plzen (famous for Pilsner Beer), with its three centuries of Synagogues: 18th c., now a Holocaust memorial; 19th c., now a museum; and 20th c. Great Synagogue of Plzen, second largest synagogue in Europe, used as a concert Hall and the synagogue of the revived Jewish community of Plzen. Return to Prague for some shopping time (time permitting). Farewell dinner at a Prague restaurant.

Depart for the airport for overnight flight to Israel .

MAIN TOUR - Sunday, August 21 - Depart USA

Monday, Aug 22 - When You Come Into the Land (Deut. 26:1)
Early morning arrival in Israel, to be met and assisted at Ben Gurion Airport by your ITC representative (today's program depends on arrival time). Stop at Tel Azeka and stand on the cliffs where the Philistines camped during the battle between David and Goliath. Gaze down over the battleground and review the biblical story on site. 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. Welcome dinner outdoors at Anna Ticho House.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Tuesday, August 23 - Those Who Sacrificed
Take part in a Torah study session at the Conservative Yeshiva with Dr. Joshua Kulp. VIP visit to the Knesset (if available) OR At Ammunition Hill, see a terrific new audio-video presentation about the fierce Six Day War battle for Jerusalem. Group may split: Visit the Holocaust Memorial Museum (age 12 and up only) and the Children's Memorial at Yad Vashem OR Explore the newly renovated Israel Museum. Enjoy a special multi-media presentation about the life, dreams, and accomplishments of the Father of Modern Zionism at the Herzl Exhibit. Walk through colorful, bustling Machaneh Yehuda open-air market - am yisrael chai! 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) nearby at the new Mamilla Mall.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Wednesday, August 24 - Ancient Roots
Visit Jerusalem of King David's time as you walk through the recently-excavated David's City. Visit the Robinson's Arch area at the Southern Wall Excavations. Stop for prayer and reflection at the Kotel. 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 "West Bank" community of Tekoa and home hospitality for coffee and cake with a Tekoa family. Free evening in Jerusalem (dining suggestions to be provided) Evening option: In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the massive foundation stones of the Western Wall (local guide).
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Thursday, August 25 - Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Early morning departure for the Dead Sea Region. Ascend Masada by cable car. Take part in a moving Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony atop this ancient fortress; tour the magnificent excavation and discuss the terrible dilemma faced by its Jewish population during Roman times. Visit the new Masada Museum. Spend some time today at a Dead Sea resort hotel, enjoying its spa facilities, lunch, and 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". Return to Jerusalem for a free evening.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Friday, August 26 - Digging Israel and Sderot
Group may split: At the "Dig for a Day" program at Beit Guvrin, uncover actual artifacts as you participate in an ongoing archeological dig. Spelunking (cave crawling) also available for the adventurous OR Explore the impressive excavation of ancient Beit Guvrin, including fascinating burial caves, underground dwellings, and an amphitheater. Return to Jerusalem to prepare for Shabbat. Kabbalat Shabbat at a synagogue of your choice (suggestions, walking instructions to be provided). Shabbat dinner at the hotel. Overnight: Dan Panorama JLM

Shabbat, August 27 - Shabbat in Jerusalem - Parashat Re'eh
Shabbat morning services at a choice of neighborhood synagogues. Sumptuous Shabbat lunch buffet at the hotel. Shabbat walking tour With Rabbi Beuchler in the neighborhoods Continue to the Tower of David Museum for a wonderful presentation of the history of the city; continue to walk through the four colorful quarters of the Old City. Havdalah with Rabbi Buechler followed by a free evening in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday, August 28 - In the Footsteps of Pioneers and Mystics
Travel to Israel's north. Enjoy a tour and tasting at the lovely Tishbi Winery in Zichron Ya'akov. Free time on Zichron Yaakov's quaint cobblestone byway. 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. Hotel check-in followed by a free evening on the Tiberias promenade.
Overnight: Kibbutz Ma'agan

Monday, August 29 - The Hula Valley and the Golan Heights
At Agam Hahula (Hula Lake) ride golf carts around the lake and learn about the many species of birds that migrate through Israel each year. Ascend the Golan Heights and stop to gaze down over the Hula Valley 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. Walk through 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 Ma'agan

Tuesday, August 30 - Layers of History
In historic Acco, enjoy a multi-media exhibit about the years of Muslim rule of the city at the Turkish Baths, the beautiful El Jazzar Mosque, the British prison, where Jewish freedom fighters were incarcerated; the amazing Tunisian Synagogue, which is completely decorated with mosaics depicting stories from Jewish history and traditional texts, with family "scavenger hunt" activity (number of stops depends on time available). 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). See ancient history come to life at the multi-media center against the backdrop of ancient Caesaria. Excavations include an impressive amphitheater and aqueduct. Hotel check-in followed by a free evening. 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 Tel Aviv

Wednesday, August 31 - The Culture of Zionism
Group may split: Enjoy an impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the recently opened multi-media Palmach Museum. 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. In Beit Bialik, focus on the writings of Israel's first national poet as you tour the beautiful building that was his home. Free time for a late afternoon Mediterranean swim. Dinner at leisure.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Tel Aviv

Thursday, September 1 - Foundations of the Modern State
Group may split: At Weitzman Institute in Rehovot learn of the impressive accomplishments of Israel's top science university and then walk through the superbly appointed Weitzman family mansion to enjoy its fine design and architecture. Tour the amazing underground, pre-State bullet factory built by the Haganah under the noses of the British at the Ayalon Institute. Explore the pathways, art galleries, and market stalls of Old Jaffa, once the gateway to Eretz Yisrael; review the biblical story of Jonah the Prophet on site. At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion's moving declaration of the State.
Free time for a swim, final packing followed by late check-out. Farewell dinner at Maganda (Yemenite). Depart for the airport.

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