Join Temple Beth David's Adventure Led by Rabbi Josh Whinston September 1 - 11, 2011 "Coming home to Israel" Optional Jerusalem Extension - September 11-13, 2011

Tour Highlights:
Round EL-AL trip air - NY Area - Tel Aviv - and Return
5 star David Citadel Hotel Jerusalem, Carlton Hotel Tel Aviv, Haifa-Dan Carmel, Leonardo Plaza Tiberias
All Breakfasts and Dinners as per itinerary.
Touring with one of Israel's Top Tour Guide Educators in Deluxe Motor Coach Opening ceremony and orientation, Tel Aviv, Old Jaffa, Nachalat Binyamin, Friday night services on the beach with Rabbi Whinston, Shabbat in Tel Aviv, Israeli dancing on the beach, Independence Hall, Palmach Museum, Better Place test-drive an electric car, Na Laga'at, Ancient Caesaria, Israel's Druze community, Atlit, Port city of Haifa, Bahai Gardens, Naval Museum, Rosh Hanikra, Mystical city of Tzefat, Candle-lit Kabbala session, Golan Heights by jeep, Israel's border with Jordan, Jerusalem, Yad Vashem, Kotel Tunnels, Southern Wall Excavations, Davidson Center, David's City, Archeological Dig, Tower of David Museum, Masada, Dead Sea, Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, Friday night services in Jerusalem, Shabbat walking tour, Havdalah with Rabbi Whinston.
ITC full color source book, A fantastic tour filled with meaningful experiences and fun!

  Itinerary

Thursday, 1 September - Depart USA Overnight flight to Tel Aviv

Friday, 2 September - 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. Proceed to the first modern Hebrew city: Tel Aviv. 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. Browse through unique craft items in Nachalat Binyamin's colorful, open-air market and see modern Tel Aviv in action. Hotel check-in. Friday night services on the beach with Rabbi Whinston. Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Tel Aviv-Carlton Hotel

Shabbat, 3 September - Shabbat in Tel Aviv
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day and evening at leisure to explore Tel Aviv on one's own, including free Israeli dancing on the beach; most art museums and galleries are open today.
Overnight: Tel Aviv-Carlton Hotel

Sunday, 4 September - Foundations of the Modern State
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. 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 recently opened multi-media Palmach Museum. Tour the new Better Place visitors center to experience Israeli cutting edge electric car eco-technology; test-drive an electric car (bring driver's license). Evening: Enjoy a dairy dinner at Café Kappish, 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: Tel Aviv-Carlton Hotel

Monday, 5 September - The Mediterranean Coast
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. See ancient history come to life at the multi-media center against the backdrop of ancient Caesaria. Excavations include an impressive amphitheater and aqueduct. Meet members of Israel's Druze community in Isfiya, shop in their colorful market, hear about their fierce patriotism, and enjoy their warm hospitality for lunch. 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. Take a panoramic bus tour of the sparkling port city of Haifa, including views of the Bahai Gardens. Hotel check-in and dinner.
Overnight: Haifa-Dan Carmel

Tuesday, 6 September - Galilee Communities
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Visit the Clandestine Immigration and Naval Museum in Haifa to learn the brave story of "illegal" immigration to this land before the State of Israel was born. Take the cable car to the mesmerizing ocean grottos of Rosh Hanikra, at Israel's border with Lebanon. Tour the synagogues, courtyards, and shops of the mystical city of Tzefat. Take part in a candle-lit Kabbala study session or mystical storytelling session in a Tzefat cave with mystical history. Free time for dinner (on one's own) on the Tiberias promenade.
Overnight: Tiberias- Leonardo Plaza

Wednesday, 7 September - Those Who Sacrificed
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Travel through the Golan Heights by jeep, 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 (Shvilim). Travel south, along Israel's border with Jordan, for the ascent to Jerusalem. Visit the new Holocaust Memorial Museum (age 12 and up only) and the Children's Memorial at Yad Vashem. Hotel check-in. Evening visit to HUC (to be arranged by Rabbi Whinston).
Overnight: Jerusalem- David Citadel Hotel

Thursday, 8 September - Jerusalem of Old
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the massive foundation stones of the Western Wall (local guide). Please choose one for the group: Explore the Southern Wall Excavations and take a virtual, computerized "walk" through the ancient Temple Mount at the Davidson Center OR Visit Jerusalem of King David's time as you walk through the recently-excavated David's City. Stumble across many authentic archeological finds in a hands-on dig through archeological matter that has been dumped into Emek Tzurim from under the Temple Mount. Evening: Attend The Night Spectacular, the fabulous new sound and light show at the Tower of David Museum.
Overnight: Jerusalem -David Citadel Hotel

Friday, 9 September - Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Early morning departure for the Dead Sea Region. 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". Friday night services at a synagogue of your choice or as a group overlooking the Old City. Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Jerusalem -David Citadel Hotel

Shabbat, 10 September - Shabbat in Jerusalem
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Optional: Shabbat morning services at a choice of neighborhood synagogues. Shabbat walking tour through a fascinating Jerusalem neighborhood Havdalah with Rabbi Whinston. Late check-out from the hotel (those leaving Israel tonight). Farewell dinner at Anna Ticho House.
Overnight: Jerusalem -David Citadel Hotel

Sunday, 11 September - A Temporary Departure
Arrive in USA. Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi Winston and ITC Tours!

Optional Tour Extension, 11-13 September 2011

Sunday, 11 September - Remaining in Israel!
(19-seat bus + driver; no guide) Explore Jerusalem and environs with Rabbi Whinston.
Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

Monday, 12 September - Footloose in Jerusalem
(19-seat bus + driver; no guide) Explore Jerusalem with Rabbi Whinston.
Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

Tuesday, 13 September - In and Around Jerusalem
(19-seat bus + driver; no guide) Explore Jerusalem with Rabbi Whinston. Early evening: Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for flight to USA.

*Itinerary Subject to Change