Merrick Jewish Center's Israel Experince With Rabbi Charles and Betty Klein August 21 - September 2, 2011 Pre or Post Tour Eilat/Petra Extension: Aug 18 - 22 or Sept 02 - 05, 2011

Tour Highlights:
EL-AL JFK- Tel Aviv - JFK Non Stop Flights
Inbal Hotel Jerusalem, Galei Kinneret Hotel Tiberias, Carlton Hotel Tel Aviv
All Breakfasts, Shabbath Dinner and Lunch, 4 Week-Day Dinners, and lunches as per itinerary
Touring with one of israel's Top Tour Cuide Educators in Deluxe Motor Coach
Opening ceremony Tel Azeka, Jerusalem, Haas Promenade, Ancient fortress of Herodian, Tekoa,
Recently-excavated David's City, Reflection at the Kotel, Kotel Tunnels, OR Tour the Hurva Synagogue and
Herodian Mansions, Jewish Quarter, Southern Wall Excavations, Knesset OR Ammunition Hill, Yad Vashem OR
Israel Museum, Herzl Exhibit, Machaneh Yehuda, The Night Spectacular, Tower of David Museum,
New Mamilla Mall, Dead Sea Region, Masada, New Masada Museum, Dead Sea resort, Spa,
Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, Dig for a Day OR Explore Ancient Beit Guvrin, Kibbutz Alumim,
Negev community of Sderot, Kabbalat Shabbat with Rabbi Klein, Shabbat walking tour, Beit Shean, Megiddo or
Tzippori, Mystical city of Tzefat, Kabbalistic artist gallery, Tiberias promenade, Agam Hahula (Hula Lake),
Golan Heights, Valley of Tears, IDF Base, Gamla, Artist village at Moshav Aniam, Historic Acco,
Turkish Baths, El Jazzar Mosque, British prison, Tunisian Synagogue, Ancient Caesaria at Alona Park,
Binyamina, Israel's Druze community in Dalyat al Karmel, Weitzman Institute, Ayalon Institute, Old Jaffa,
Independence Hall, Mediterranean swim, Na Laga'at, Palmach Museum OR New Rabin Center
ITC full color source book, A fantastic tour filled with meaningful experiences and fun!

Sunday, August 21 - Depart USA

  Itinerary

Monday, Aug 22 - 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. 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: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem.

Tuesday, August 23 - Jerusalem of Old:
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. Visit Barbara Sutnick learn about her experiences in Tekoa - home hospitality. Visit Jerusalem of King David's time as you walk through the recently-excavated David's City. Enter the Old City of Jerusalem and stop for prayer and reflection at the Kotel. Group may split: In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the massive foundation stones of the Western Wall (local guide) OR Tour the Hurva Synagogue and Herodian Mansions in the Jewish Quarter. Visit the Robinson's Arch area at the Southern Wall Excavations. Free evening in Jerusalem (dining suggestions provided).
Overnight: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem.

Wednesday, August 24 - Those Who Sacrificed:
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: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem.

Thursday, August 25 - Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
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. 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: Inbal 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 amphitheatre. Lunch at Kibbutz Alumim. Visit the Negev community of Sderot, with which our congregation has a deep connection. 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: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem.

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 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 Klein followed by a free evening in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem.

Sunday, August 28 - In the Footsteps of Sages and Mystics
Travel north to the Galilee Region. Visit one of Israel's incredible archeological excavations at either Beit Shean, Megiddo, or Tzippori. 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: Galei Kinneret Hotel, Tiberias (new wing).

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. Visit an IDF Base. 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: Galei Kinneret Hotel, Tiberias.

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. 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). Please choose one for the group: Meet members of Israel's Druze community in Dalyat al Karmel, shop in their colorful market, hear about their fierce patriotism, and enjoy their warm hospitality OR See ancient history come to life at the multi-media center against the backdrop of ancient Caesaria. Excavations include an impressive amphitheatre and aqueduct. Hotel check-in followed by a free evening. Dinner at leisure.
Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv

Wednesday, August 31 - 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 OR VIP tour of 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 late afternoon Mediterranean swim. Evening option: 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 (not included in tour price).
Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv.

Thursday, September 1 - 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 (if available) OR 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. Guided visit to the Rubin Museum to view the stirring paintings of this signature Israeli artist. 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 swim, final packing followed by late check-out. Farewell dinner at the hotel (private room).
Depart for the airport.

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

*Itinerary Subject to Change