Join Rabbi Michael Gillette on Chavurah Masartis Multi Generational Family Tour December 21 - 31, 2011

Tour Highlights:
Round trip flights from LYH airport to Tel Aviv via CLT on US Airways.
Prima Kings Hotel Jerusalem, Ein Gedi Resort Hotel, Ruth Rimmonim Hotel Tzefat, Tal Hotel Tel Aviv
All Breakfasts, 5 week day dinners, 2 Friday night dinners, 1 Shabbat Lunch as per itinerary.
Touring with one of Israel's Top Tour Guide Educators in a Deluxe Motor Coach.
Welcome Orientation, Ascent to Jerusalem, Haas Promenade, Ben Yehuda Mall, David's City, Shrine of the Book, Israel Museum, Machaneh Yehuda, Kabbalat Shabbat, Shabbat walking tour, Havdalah and light the 5th Hanukah candle with Rabbi Gillette, Night Spectacular, Tower of David Museum or basketball or soccer game, Holocaust Memorial Museum Yad Vashem, Children's Memorial, Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, Herzl Exhibit and Military Cemetery, Shaharit service at "Masorti Kotel", Southern Wall Excavations, Davidson Center, Kotel Tunnels, Herodian Mansions, Jewish Quarter, Chamber of the Holocaust on Mount Zion, Optional sunrise climb to Masada by the snake path, Masada, Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, Israel's border with Jordan, Mystical city of Tzefat, Golan Heights, Valley of Tears Kahalani battle, Golan Winery, Historic Acco, Crusader Fortress, British prison, Tunisian Synagogue, Casesaria, Na Laga'at, Independence Hall, Palmach Museum, Old Jaffa, Tel Aviv's beach, Kabbalat Shabbat.
ITC full color source book, A fantastic tour filled with meaningful experiences and fun!

  Itinerary

Wednesday, 21 December - Depart USA
Depart on overnight flight to Israel.

Thursday, 22 December - When You Come Into the Land (Deut. 26:1)
Arrive in Israel (3 pm) 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. Hotel check-in, rest, and welcome dinner / light the 3rd Hanukah candle. Evening: Browse the Ben Yehuda Pedestrian Mall.
Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

Friday, 23 December - Making a Difference
Tour David's City, the most ancient section of Jerusalem, built by King David, including the dry tunnel and 3-D presentation. Visit the Shrine of the Book and the Second Temple Model of Jerusalem at the Israel Museum. Group may split: Walk through colorful, bustling Machaneh Yehuda open-air market, as Jerusalem prepares for Shabbat OR Remain at the Israel Museum to see the new Judaica, art, archeology exhibits, and children's wing (return from the Israel Museum is by cab at participants' expense). Light the 4th Hanukah candle and Shabbat candles at the hotel. Kabbalat Shabbat as a group at a scenic overlook or at the hotel (meeting room requested). Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

Shabbat, 24 December - Shabbat in Jerusalem
Shabbat services at a choice of synagogues (suggestions, directions to be provided). Sumptuous Shabbat lunch buffet at the hotel. Shabbat walking tour to a choice of Jerusalem neighborhoods. Havdalah and light the 5th Hanukah candle with Rabbi Gillette. Early evening: Group dinner at the Mamilla Mall, just as it opens after Shabbat. Later evening: Enjoy The Night Spectacular, the fabulous new sound and light show at the Tower of David Museum OR Attend a basketball or soccer game.
Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday, 25 December - Those Who Sacrificed
Visit the Holocaust Memorial Museum (age 10 and up only), the Children's Memorial, and the Valley of the Communities at Yad Vashem. Alternative for younger children: Visit the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo (accompanied by adult/s; entrance not included in tour price). Enjoy a special multi-media presentation about the life, dreams, and accomplishments of the Father of Modern Zionism at the Herzl Exhibit. Take a sobering walk through the history of the Jewish State at the Har Herzl Military Cemetery. Light the 6th Hanukah candle. Free evening in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

Monday, 26 December - Jerusalem of Old
Morning hotel check-out. Take part in a moving shaharit service at Robinson's Arch, the "Masorti Kotel". Explore the Southern Wall Excavations and learn more about the ancient Jerusalem Temple at the Davidson Center. In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the massive foundation stones of the Western Wall. Walk through the excavated homes of ancient Temple priests at the Herodian Mansions (Wohl Museum). Free time for shopping in the Jewish Quarter (optional Jewish Quarter walking tour available for non-shoppers). Visit the Chamber of the Holocaust on Mount Zion. Depart for the Dead Sea Region. Dinner at the hotel / light the 7th Hanukah candle.
Overnight: Ein Gedi Resort Hotel

Tuesday, 27 December - Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Optional: 4:30 am departure from the hotel for sunrise climb to Masada by the snake path (separate transportation at additional cost). Ascend Masada by cable car (7:30 departure); 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, mud baths, and good hot showers at the amazing Dead Sea. Travel north along Israel's border with Jordan. Hotel check-dinner / light the 8th Hanukah candle.
Overnight: Ruth Rimmonim Hotel, Tzefat

Wednesday, 28 December - In the Footsteps of Mystics and Defenders.
Tour the synagogues, courtyards, and art galleries of the mystical city of Tzefat, including free time for shopping. 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 Kibbutz El Rom, see original footage from the brave Valley of Tears Kahalani battle, which secured the Golan Heights during the Yom Kippur War. Taste the fruits of the region at the Golan Winery. Tour the synagogues, courtyards, and art galleries of the mystical city of Tzefat, including free time for shopping. Free evening in Tzefat.
Overnight: Ruth Rimmonim Hotel, Tzefat

Thursday, 29 December - Layers of History
In historic Acco, visit the a "creepy" Crusader Fortress; the British prison, where Jewish freedom fighters were incarcerated; and the amazing Tunisian Synagogue, which is completely decorated with mosaics depicting stories from Jewish history and traditional texts. See ancient history come to life at the multi-media center against the backdrop of ancient Casesaria. Excavations include an impressive amphitheater and aqueduct. Travel south to the modern Hebrew city of Tel Aviv for hotel check-in. Enjoy dinner at Café Kapish in the Old Jaffa Port, 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: Tal Hotel, Tel Aviv

Friday, 30 December - Foundations of the Modern State
Hotel check-out (luggage is stored). 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. Explore the pathways, art galleries, and market stalls of Old Jaffa, once the gateway to the Land of Israel. Walk along the gorgeous sand of Tel Aviv's beach. Kabbalat Shabbat at the hotel (private room). Shabbat dinner in the hotel dining room. Depart for Ben Gurion Airport (11:50 pm flight).

Saturday, 31 December - A Temporary Departure
Morning arrival in USA. Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi Gillette and ITC Tours!

*Itinerary is Subject to Change