Trip Package Includes:
Roundtrip Air from PHX via NY area to TLV Ben Gurion Airport, Israel
8 Nights Hotel Accommodation plus late check out at Dan Panorama Tel Aviv, Kibbutz Lavi Guest House and Prima Kings Hotel Jerusalem.
All Breakfasts, Shabbat Dinner and Lunch, 3 Weekday Dinners, Dead Sea Lunch. Touring with one of Israel's Top Tour Guide Educators in a Deluxe touring Motor Coach. Welcome ceremony at Modi'in the home of the Maccabees, Lighting Hanukka candles, Overview of Tel Aviv, Palmach Museum, Caesarea, Mystical city of Tzefat, Golan Heights, Jeep tour, Jordan Valley, Kotel Tunnels, Tour the Jerusalem, City of David, Jewish Quarter, Hanukka and Shabbat, Kabbalat Shabbat at Robinson's Arch, Torah Lishma, Shabbat walking tour, Havdalah and lighting Hanukka candles with Rabbi Caplan, Beit Guvrin Archeological Dig, Volunteer at "Leket Yisrael", Youth Village of Neve Hana, Masada, Dead Sea resort Spa, Yad Vashem, Herzl Center, Knesset Menora, Summing-up session and evaluations.
ITC Full Color Source Book - A Fun Filled Meaningful Tour and So Much More!

  Itinerary

Monday, December 19 - Israel Pilgrims
Depart to Israel.

Tuesday, December 20 - Welcome to Israel: Roots in the Land.
Afternoon arrival in Israel, meet the ITC Staff at Ben Gurion International Airport. Travel to the Modi'in, the home of the Maccabees for welcome ceremony and give out traditional Hanukka treat, 'sufganitot' (donuts), to soldiers. Plant trees at Neot Kedumim. Lighting of the Hanukka candles followed by welcome dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv [D]

Wednesday, December 21 - Tel Aviv and the Foundations of the Jewish State
First Day of Hanukka
Brief overview of Tel Aviv. In the fascinating Palmach Museum follow the virtual trail of a unit of 'modern day Maccabees' soldiers that fought for Israel's independence. Drive North to tour Caesarea. Visit ancient port of the Roman world. See one of the best examples of a classic Roman Theater and view the multi media presentation on the history of the City. Check into the Hotel Hanukka candle lighting followed by a Kinneret boat ride. Group dinner at Decks.
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Tiberias (or similar) [B, D]

Thursday, December 22 - In the Footsteps of Mystics and Pioneers
Second Day of Hanukka
Throughout history Judaism has had profound leaders that have had an impact on our lives. One of these leaders is the Rambam. As we begin our day, we will honor his grave site with a visit. Tour the synagogues, courtyards, and shops of the mystical city of Tzefat. Time for Shopping. Ascend the Golan Heights and gaze down on the Galilee from Mitzpe Gadot. See views from the Golan heights that are not visible from main roads as you go on an in-depth jeep tour. Travel south along through the Jordan Valley and ascend to Jerusalem. Hanukka candle lighting. Free for dinner in Jerusalem. An optional evening program: Walk alongside the Western Wall's massive foundation stones in the Kotel Tunnels.
Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem [B]

Friday, December 23 - Jerusalem in Her Glory
Third Day of Hanukka
Tour the Jerusalem from the time of the Tanach at the City of David and continue to the Jewish Quarter. Tour the Jewish Quarter including time for lunch (on one's own) and shopping in the Cardo and Rova, Jewish Quarter. Return to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat. Hanukka and Shabbat candle lighting. Kabbalat Shabbat at Robinson's Arch (the "Kotel Masorti"). Return to the hotel on foot, taking in the Shabbat Shalom of Jerusalem. Festive Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem [B, D]

Shabbat, December 24 - Holy Time in the Holy City
Parashat Mikketz - Fourth Day of Hanukka
Shabbat Hanukka services at a choice of neighborhood synagogues (an annotated list and walking directions will be provided). Get together of a half hour "Torah Lishma" group discussion with Rabbi Caplan. Group- Shabbat lunch at the hotel Shabbat rest. Optional afternoon walking tour (e.g., Yemin Moshe, Rehavia) Havdalah, followed lighting Hanukka candles and a free evening in Jerusalem (dinner at participants' expense).
Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem [B, L]

Sunday, December 25 -Dig Your Past
Fifth Day of Hanukka
Guest speaker following breakfast - an update on the political situation in Israel. View the City of Jerusalem from the mountain tops. Continue to the Beit Guvrin for "Dig for a Day", a hands-on experience of archeology. Uncover 2200 year old artifacts from the time of the Hanukka story, while taking part in an actual archeological dig. Gather ceramic shards to create your own Hanukkia (Hanukka Menora) to use at home next year. Volunteer at "Leket Yisrael," participating in the Biblical mitzvah of leket - picking crops fort he poor; a modern project right out of the Book of Ruth. (alternative: Visit the Youth Village of Neve Hana in Kiryat Gat, see the tremendously heartwarming work carried out there with children who have no other home. Free evening in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem [B]

Monday, December 26 -Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Sixth Day of Hanukka - Rosh Hodesh Tevet (1st day)
Today we visit Masada. Depart the hotel early to climb the snake path or ascend by cable car. Both groups meet at the top for a Bnai Mitzva Ceremony followed by a tour of this magnificent excavation and a discussion of its harrowing history. Compare the actions of the Zealots on Masada to those of the Maccabees in their day. Spend some time today at a Dead Sea resort hotel, enjoying its spa facilities, lunch, and the amazing Dead Sea. Dinner on own and free evening.
Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem [B, L]

Tuesday, December 27 - Yizkor and Herzl's Vision of the Future
Seventh Day of Hanukka - Rosh Hodesh Tevet (2nd day)
Visit the Yad Vashem Memorial Museum including the Children's Memorial; bus will take younger children and parents to the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, with entrance fee at their own expense. At the Herzl Center learn about the life and impact of Theodor Herzl in a state-of-the-art multi-media presentation and visit the grave of Herzl and other great leaders of the nation on Mt. Herzl. Participate in a special activity exploring the symbolism of the Knesset Menora: How is Symbol of the State different from the Hanukkia that we use at home? Summing-up session and evaluations. Return to the hotel for late check out and Hanukka candle lighting. Farewell dinner at the hotel (or local restaurant).
Depart for airport. Late Check Out depart for Airport [B, D]

Wednesday, December 28 - Eighth Day of Hanukka
Early morning departure from Ben Gurion Airport for return flight.

Arrive home begin planning your next trip with Rabbi Caplan
and ITC Tours!

Shalom Ulehitra'ot!

*Itinerary is Subject to Change