Join Temple Beth Shalom's Israel Family Adventure with Rabbi Spector with Rabbi Geoffrey Spector and Leah Beker December 21, 2011 - January 2, 2012

Tour Highlights:
Round trip air on EL- AL - EWR - Tel Aviv - and Return.
Leonardo Plaza Hotel Jerusalem and Tiberias, Carlton Hotel Tel Aviv.
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, Old city of Jerusalem, Mount Scopus, Herzl Exhibit, Archeological Dig, Chagall Windows at Hadassah Hospital, Light the lights of Hanukah in Israel, Yad Vashem, Israel Museum, Kabbalat Shabbat, Fuchsberg Center, Shabbat walking tour of Jewish and Christian sites, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Night Spectacular, Kotel Tunnels, Bar/Bat Mitzvah service at Robinson's Arch, Masorti Kotel, Southern Wall Excavations, Davidson Center, Dead Sea, Masada, Eretz Bereshit, Ammunition Hill, Gamla, Golan Winery, Chocolate factory at Kibbutz Ein Zivan, Plant a tree, IDF Air Force base, Rosh Pina, Mystical city of Tzefat, Historic Acco, Tunisian Synagogue, Ancient Casesaria, Café Kapish, Na Laga'at, Independence Hall, Palmach Museum, Nahalat Binyamin, Kabbalat Shabbat on the beach with Rabbi Spector, Ayalon Institute, Better Place, Mitzvah of "leket,".
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)
Early morning arrival in Israel to be met and assisted at Ben Gurion Airport by your ITC representative Ascent to Jerusalem. Take in a breathtaking view of the Old City of Jerusalem from Mount Scopus. Enjoy a special multi-media presentation about the life, dreams, and accomplishments of the Father of Modern Zionism at the Herzl Exhibit (if available). Stumble across many archeological finds as you take part in a hands-on dig through archeological matter that has been removed, amid controversy, from under the Temple Mount. Optional: Admire the beautiful Chagall Windows at Hadassah Hospital and take pride in the wonderful work done there under tremendous pressure. Hotel check-in, rest, and welcome dinner/light the 3rd Hanukah candle.
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem

Friday, 23 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: Enjoy a nature and ecology workshop at the Jerusalem Bird Observatory (accompanied by adult/s; entrance not included in tour price). Visit the newly renovated Israel Museum, including the Shrine of the Book; the Second Temple Model of Jerusalem; Judaica, art, and Archeology exhibits; children's wing. Light the 4th Hanukah candle and Shabbat candles at the hotel. Kabbalat Shabbat at a choice of neighborhood synagogues (suggestions, directions to be provided). Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, JLM

Shabbat, 24 December - Shabbat in Jerusalem
Shabbat services at a choice of synagogues. Enjoy a tour of the Fuchsberg Center for Conservative Judaism. Sumptuous Shabbat lunch buffet at the hotel. Shabbat walking tour of Jewish and Christian sites in the Old City, including the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Havdalah and light the 5th Hanukah candle. Evening: Enjoy The Night Spectacular, the fabulous new sound and light show at the Tower of David Museum.
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, JLM

Sunday, 25 December - Jerusalem of Old
In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the massive foundation stones of the Western Wall. Take part in a moving Bar/Bat Mitzvah 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. Enjoy a Jewish Quarter walking tour, including entrance to the recently rebuilt Hurva Synagogue Light the 6th Hanukah candle. Enjoy a catered Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebratory dinner with musical accompaniment at Masorti congregation, Ramot Tzion with Rabbi Chaya Baker.
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem

Monday, 26 December - Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Early departure for the Dead Sea Region - Ascend Masada by cable car; tour this impressive excavation and discuss the terrible dilemma faced by its Jewish population during Roman times. Visit the new, state-of-the-art Masada Museum to see archeological artifacts and gain an understanding of the life lived there during Roman times. Spend the remainder of the day at a Dead Sea resort hotel, enjoying its spa facilities, lunch, and the amazing Dead Sea. Alternative day plan for repeat Israel travelers. Spend the full day at a Dead Sea resort hotel, enjoying its spa facilities, lunch, and the amazing Dead Sea. Light the 7th Hanukah candle. At Eretz Bereshit, enjoy camel rides and a biblical dinner in Abraham's tent in the Judean desert.
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem

Tuesday, 27 December - Northern Trails
At Ammunition Hill, see a terrific new audio-video presentation about the fierce Six Day War battle for Jerusalem; enter former Jordanian bunkers. 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. Learn about the history of the Golan Heights and the valiant story of Gamla, called the "Masada of the North," at the lovely Golan Antiquities Museum. Please choose one for the group: Take a tour and taste the fruits of the region in the form of award-winning wines at the Golan Winery OR Enjoy a tour, tasting, and a chocolate-making workshop at the delicious chocolate factory at Kibbutz Ein Zivan, run by immigrants from Argentina. Hotel check-in and light the 8th Hanukah candle. Free evening on the Tiberias promenade.
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Tiberias

Wednesday, 28 December - The Galilee
Plant a tree in Israeli soil, in honor or in memory of a loved one. Please choose one for the OR Enjoy a tour and tasting at the Dalton or Rimon winery OR Visit the quaint town of Rosh Pina, one of the earliest settlements in modern Israel, including its lovely artist colony. Tour the synagogues, courtyards, and art galleries of the mystical city of Tzefat. Take part in a mystical story-telling workshop in Tzefat, followed by a crafts activity that emerges from the stories. Delicious dinner at Gan Eden Restaurant.
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Tiberias

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, with option of family "scavenger hunt" activity. 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: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv

Friday, 30 December - Foundations of the Modern State
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. Browse through unique craft items in Nahalat Binyamin's colorful, open-air market and enjoy seeing modern Tel Aviv in action. Kabbalat Shabbat on the beach with Rabbi Spector. Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv.

Shabbat, 31 December - Shabbat in Tel Aviv
Day at leisure, with free Israeli dancing available on the beach. Shabbat lunch at the hotel. Free evening in the Tel Aviv Port or Hatakhana.
Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv

Sunday, 1 January - Israel Today
Climb down into the amazing underground, pre-State bullet factory built by the Haganah under the noses of the British at the Ayalon Institute. 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). Take part in the mitzvah of "leket," as you harvest crops to be distributed to the poor with Leket Israel. Return to the hotel for final packing Delicious farewell dinner at Maganda. Depart for the airport.

Monday, 2 January - A Temporary Departure
Morning arrival in USA. Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi Spector, Leah Beker, and ITC Tours!

* Itinerary Subject to Change