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Enroute

At 11:50pm this evening, we’ll depart for Israel on El Al flight 008.

Jerusalem

Welcome and “Bruchim Habayim.”

Upon our early evening arrival, we’ll be met by our driver who will take us to our hotel in Jerusalem.

Upon our arrival into Jerusalem, we’ll participate in a traditional Shehechyanu ceremony and recite the “Borei Pri Hagafen” blessing.

We’ll then continue to our hotel to check in, relax and freshen up before this evening’s festive welcome dinner at our hotel.

Overnight, Sheraton Plaza, Jerusalem

JNF Books of Honor

Tank at Latrun

Bell Cave at Beit Guvrin

Jerusalem

After a delicious Israeli breakfast, we will start our day with a visit to the JNF-KKL Headquarters to see the famous Books of Honor that hold more than 100,000 names and photos commemorating B’nai Mitzvahs since 1936. For those of us who are having a child’s name inscribed into the Books of Honor*, we’ll have a short dedication ceremony, honoring these inscriptions into Jewish history.

Afterward, we’ll drive to the Scrolls of Fire Monument, which tells the history of the Jewish people created by artists Nathan Rappaport.

From here, we’ll visit the stalactite cave known as Absalom’s Cave, an amazing and unique geological phenomenon.

After lunch, is a visit to Latrun, an open-air military museum featuring over 200 tanks and military vehicles dating back to WWI.

We’ll also visit nearby Mini Israel, a site featuring 350 exact replica models of historical, religious, archeological and modern sites throughout the country, providing us a one-of-a-kind introduction to Israel.

Finally, we’ll head to the archeological site of Beit Guvrin to participate in an archeological dig before returning to our hotel to relax and freshen up.

This evening, those of us who would like a private review session with the Rabbi may take advantage of this time to prepare for tomorrow’s B’nai Mitzvah service.

The remainder of the evening will be at leisure, giving us time to enjoy Jerusalem’s nightlife at our own pace!

Overnight, Sheraton Plaza, Jerusalem.

Rabinical Tunnels

Burma Road

Jerusalem - B'nai Mitzvah Day!

Today is the B’nai Mitzvah service & celebration! We’ll proceed to the Southern Wall area where we’ll meet our Rabbi for the Bar Mitzvah / Bat Mitzvah Ceremonies.

After the ceremony, we’ll explore the amazing archaeological discoveries of the concealed Western Wall Tunnels found along the Western Wall.

We will stop for a light lunch (on own) at the colorful Machane Yehuda Market, where we may enjoy the famous falafel and other specialties.

This afternoon we will take an an exciting jeep ride on the historic “Burma Road,” Israel’s first by-pass road built in 1948 and maintained by JNF. Along the road, we will see the oversized silhouette figures that have been placed to recall the fortitude of the Haganah, who worked tirelessly to construct the road.

Tonight we will celebrate this special day with a B’nai Mitzvah celebration and dinner at one of Jerusalem’s exclusive restaurants.

Overnight, Sheraton Plaza, Jerusalem.

JNF B'nai Mitzvah Wall

Cardo

Jerusalem

After breakfast this morning, we’ll head to a private room to hear from a guest speaker, who will discuss the current social and political issues shaping Israel at this time.

We’ll then drive to JNF’s American Independence Park, the site that commemorates the partnership between American Jews and the State of Israel. Here, we’ll participate in a dedication ceremony for the families that have chosen to put their child’s name on the B’nai Mitzvah Wall*. This stone wall, designed to look like a Torah scroll, has glass tiles embedded with the names of the B’nai Mitzvah child, his/her hometown, date of the B’nai Mitzvah and the name & home country of a child who perished at the hand of the Nazis.

We’ll then drive to the Talpiot Area and the Haas Promenade for a panoramic view of the entire city. Here we will take a fun and exciting walk through a newly opened 1200 foot long tunnel dug at the time of King Herod and used as an aqueduct to bring water to the Temple.

We’ll then enter the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem to visit the Cardo and the Burnt House.

We will then continue on to the new Davidson Center, located near the Western Wall. Here we will learn about the Second Temple and the recent excavations done in the area. We will enjoy the multi‐media presentation and the 3-dimensional computer program which shows what the Temple looked liked 2000 years ago.

Afterward, we’ll take a drive through Jerusalem and observe the local Jerusalemites preparing for Shabbat. One of the best places to watch is the crowded ultra‐orthodox neighborhood of Mea She'arim.

Later this afternoon, we’ll return to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat. We’ll have the option to go to the Kotel for Kabbalat Shabbat. This evening, we’ll enjoy Shabbat dinner together at our hotel.

Overnight, Sheraton Plaza, Jerusalem.

Kotel

Tower of David

Shabbat in Jerusalem

Shabbat Shalom!

In honor of Shabbat, today will be at leisure.

We may participate in an optional scavenger hunt through various Jerusalem neighborhoods.

Overnight, Sheraton Plaza, Jerusalem.

Yad Vashem

Pottery at Ein Yael Living Museum

Sunday July 27

Jerusalem: The New City

Today we’ll have a full day devoted to the New City of Jerusalem.

We’ll start with a drive past the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament Building, and stop by the famous Menorah, the emblem of the State of Israel.

We’ll then view the architectural splendor of Israel’s Supreme Court building before continuing to Yad Vashem, for a solemn tour of Israel’s Holocaust museum and memorial.

Afterward, we will proceed to the Ein Yael Living Museum for an interactive tour about the handicrafts and techniques of ancient societies. We’ll participate in hands‐on activities such as weaving, pottery, wine‐making, pita baking and mosaic floor making.

We conclude the day with a fun visit to the Time Elevator, an exciting simulator ride through Jerusalem’s rich 3,000 year history. Amid crashing ceilings, splashing water, billowing smoke, stunning computer-generated animation and other special effects, we’ll go on a journey through Jerusalem's historic turning points; beginning with the city of David and ending in the 1967 Six-Day war.

Overnight, Sheraton Plaza, Jerusalem.

IDF Airforce Museum

Ramon Crater

Camel Ride at Bedouin Tent

Negev

Today we depart Jerusalem and head south to Be’er Sheva, the capital of the Negev.

As we drive through the city, we’ll learn about JNF’s efforts to provide a renaissance to the entire city of Be’er Sheva as part of JNF’s Blueprint Negev Campaign, a plan to develop the Negev into a desirable place for Israelis to live.

While we’re in Be’er Sheva, we’ll visit the IDF Air Force Museum located at the Hazerim Air Force base. We will see all the planes used by our great Air Force and learn about some of its military operations. From here we’ll drive to Sde Boker for a brief visit to Paula & David Ben Gurion’s graves, where we will learn about Ben Gurion’s vision for the Negev.

Afterward, we will visit the Ramon Crater to learn about the world’s largest crater! Here, we will also visit the Alpaca and Llama Farm where over 400 exotic alpacas and llamas are raised after being brought to the Negev from South America.

Later this afternoon we’ll continue to Arad before arriving at K'far Hanokdim Bedouin Village located at the heart of the Judean desert. After a short Camel Ride, we are treated to traditional Bedouin hospitality and an authentic “Hafla” dinner.

Overnight, K’far Hanokdim Deluxe Bedouin Tent, Negev.

Cable car over Massada

Floating in the Dead Sea

Nahal David

Beit Shean

Dead Sea | Galilee

After a delicious Israeli breakfast, we begin our drive to Massada. Here we’ll climb up the Roman ramp to the top of the plateau and visit the ancient synagogue, the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their struggle against the Romans. We’ll descend the eastern slope of Massada via the cable car and reach the Dead Sea shores, the lowest point on Earth, 1305 feet below sea level.

We’ll then go to one of the Dead Sea Spa Hotels for lunch. We’ll have some free time to relax and enjoy the spa’s facilities, swim in the hotel's indoor/outdoor thermal swimming pool or “float” in the rejuvenating waters of the Dead Sea.

Next, we’ll drive to the desert Oasis of Ein Gedi. Here we will hike through the nature reserve, where we may catch a glimpse of the many animals living here.

We’ll continue our hike until we reach the famous waterfall Nahal David, one of only two fresh water springs located on the western shores.

Later this afternoon drive north through the Jordan valley by the archeological site of Beit She’an and arrive at the Sachne Nature Reserve, a large water park with hot springs

Not far from here is Gan Guru Park, a unique zoological garden housing kangaroos and other rare animals. From here we will continue to the Galilee for dinner and overnight in our Kibbutz hotel.

Overnight, Kibbutz HaGoshrim, Galilee.

Syrian Bunker

Gamla Fall

Galilee | Golan

This morning we drive to the Golan Heights and visit the old Syrian bunkers at Mitzpe Gadot.

Afterward, we’ll continue to Mt. Bental to visit a former IDF stronghold tunneled in the volcanic mountain overlooking Syria.

We’ll then proceed to Katzrin, where we will see the ruins of the ancient Jewish village that have been excavated and reconstructed from Talmudic times.

We’ll continue to the rock city of Gamla, otherwise known as the Massada of the Golan. Here, we’ll climb to the observation terrace overlooking the highest perrenial waterfall in Israel.

This afternoon we have a special water hike in one of the Jordan river feeders followed by an exciting kayak ride on the river. Then we return to our kibbutz hotel for dinner and overnight.

Overnight, Kibbutz HaGoshrim, Galilee.

Bahai Gardens

Boat at Atlit Illegal Immigration Camp

Caesarea

Coastal Route

Our tour of the Upper Galilee begins today with a visit to the mystical city of Safed where the Kabbalah religion began. Here, we’ll have time to stroll through the quaint artist’s quarter with many galleries and shops and see the ancient synagogues.

We’ll then proceed south to Haifa for a short city tour, including a stop at the beautiful Bahai Gardens before continuing to Mt. Carmel for a beautiful panoramic view of the entire Haifa bay.

Afterward, we’ll drive along the Mediterranean coast to Atlit Illegal Immigration Camp, a detention center for 122,000 “illegal” immigrants in defiance of the British Blockade to Israel were sent upon their arrival into Israel. We will take a tour through the site and see one of the ships used by “olim” to reach the shores of the Promised Land.

Then, we’ll continue to Caesarea, the Roman capital built by King Herod, where we will see the ancient amphitheater and enjoy the new multi media presentation telling Caesarea’s history.

Afterward, we’ll continue to Tel Aviv and check into our hotel. This evening we will have our farewell dinner at a local Tel Aviv restaurant.

Overnight, Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv.

Ayalon Institute

Sheinken Street

Tel Aviv

After breakfast this morning, we will head to the Ayalon Institute, a secret underground ammunition factory established by the Haganah in 1945.

From here, we’ll go to the multimedia Palmach Museum to learn more about the fight for Israeli independence and the development of the renowned Israeli army.

We will conclude our day as we stroll down Sheinken Street, the trendy street of Tel Aviv where we will have time to see the many arts and crafts, fashion and funky shops. Not far from here is the colorful open-air Carmel Market - a place you do not want to miss.

We’ll return to our hotel this evening for Shabbat Dinner

Overnight, Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv.

Tel Aviv | Enroute

Today we’ll enjoy a free day in Tel Aviv in honor of Shabbat.

This evening we’ll have a walking tour of Old Jaffa. We’ll stop for a light dinner on our own before being picked up and transferred to the airport for our return flight home.

Overnight, En route.