Journey of Body and Soul to Israel

Led by Rabbi Daniel and Diane Cohen

Congregation Agudath Sholom

July 3 – 14, 2022

(Draft: March 6, 2022; Subject to change)

“Arise, Walk Throughout the Land” (Ber. 13:17)

Sunday, 3 July – Depart USA

• Late night departure on overnight flight to Israel

Monday, 4 July – When You Come into the Land (Deut. 26:1)

• Arrive in Israel to be met and assisted by your ITC representative at Ben Gurion Airport.
• Travel to the Tzfat in the Galilee.
• Check-into Ruth Rimmonim Hotel.
• Welcome dinner at Ha’ari 8 Restaurant in Tzfat’s Old Jewish Quarter (15 minute walk from hotel).
• Overnight: Ruth Rimmonim Hotel, Tzefat

Tuesday, 5 July – Mystical Tzfat, the Strategic Golan Heights and Fine Wine

• Tour mystical Tzfat’s old synagogues and picturesque alleyways. Tzfat was the cradle of Kabbalah in the 16^th century.  Discover the origins of our Friday night service where Lecha Dodi was written.
• Lunch on own
• Wine tasting at a local boutique winery.
• Tour of the Golan Heights for a special perspective on Israel’s complex geopolitics as we “look down at Israel” the way the Syrian army once did and then look out at the border from the peak of strategic Mt. Bental.
• Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee followed by a lakeside dinner at Decks Restaurant.
• Overnight: Ruth Rimmonim Hotel, Tzefat

Wednesday, 6 July – The World of the Mishna from the Galilee to Jerusalem

• Tour and learning in the ruins of Tzippori – The city where Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi sealed the Mishna:  Why is the Oral Law written?  Discover Tzippori’s magnificent mosaics, including Mona Lisa of the Galilee and ponder why an ancient synagogue floor features a wheel of the zodiac.
• Lunch at Kibbutz Sde Eliahu
• Travel through the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem.  Learn a Mishna en route about the first “Jewish telecom” – Torches on Rosh Hodesh, as we look up at Mt. Sartaba, a signal to inform the Diaspora of the coming the new month.
• Stop off at Qasr El Yahud on the banks of the Jordan River, traditionally associated with where the Children of Israel crossed into the Eretz Yisrael and where the Prophet Elijah ascended to heaven in a Chariot of Fire.
• Look out at the Old City of Jerusalem and Temple Mount from Mt. Scopus.
• Check-in to Orient Hotel in Jerusalem.
• Free evening
• Dinner on own
• Overnight: Orient Hotel, Jerusalem

Thursday, 7 July – The Old City of Jerusalem – An Ancient Jewish Legacy

• Discover the archaeological story of the Western Wall and episodes of Jewish life in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago at Robinson’s Arch and the Southern Wall Excavations.
• Walk newly excavated areas in the Western Wall Tunnels (“Great Bridge Tour”) to explore underground Jerusalem. 
• Lunch on own in Jewish Quarter.
• Tour of the Jewish Quarter including the Hurva Synagogue, Broad Wall, Rooftops and Cardo, followed by free time to shop and explore on own.
• Encounter with Rabbi David Aaron at Isralight.
• VIP Tour of the Menachem Begin Heritage Center to experience a multimedia presentation on the history of Israel as seen through the life and times of late Prime Minister Menachem Begin.
• Dinner on own
• Optional:  Sound and Light Show at City of David.
• Overnight: Orient Hotel, Jerusalem

Friday, 8 July – Holocaust, Remembrance and Continuity 

• Tour of Yad Vashem Israel’s national Holocaust memorial, including the Holocaust History Museum and a moving visit to the Children’s Memorial.
• Lunch on own
• Explore the raucous Machane Yehuda Market and take in a slice of local life as you see Jerusalemites prepare for Shabbat.  En route see the picturesque Nachalaot neighborhoods.
• Free time to relax and prepare for Shabbat.
• Join hundreds of other Jews from around the world Greeting the Sabbath at the Western Wall.
• Festive Shabbat Dinner at hotel
• Behind the Scenes tour of the Moslem Quarter with Rabbi Barnea Selevan.
• Overnight:  Orient Hotel, Jerusalem

Shabbat, 9 July – And on the Seventh Day…Jerusalem

• Shabbat morning services at a local synagogue.
• Pre-Lunch L’chaim and study session with Rabbi Cohen.
• Traditional Shabbat Lunch at hotel.
• Late afternoon walking tour to the historic Montefiore Windmill to discover the first neighborhood built outside the walls of the Old City.
• AND/OR:  Walking tour to First Temple period burial site at Ketef Hinnom – Where archaeologists discovered the oldest biblical text ever found.
• Havdalah with Rabbi Cohen.
• Free evening.
• Dinner on own.
• Overnight: Orient Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday, 10 July – The Way of the Patriarchs and Renewed Jewish Settlement

• Tour of Hebron, including Maarat Hamachpelah, Beit Hadassah and Avraham Avinu Neighborhood.
• Lunch at Gavna Restaurant.
• Visit Kibbutz Kfar Etzion to learn the story of this pioneering settlement, which was conquered by Jordan during the War of Independence and re-established by its founders’ children after the Six Day War.  Then tour of Gush Etzion to see the thriving communities (settlements) that have grown up since 1967.
• Visit Kever Rachel on the edge of Bethlehem.
• Free evening
• Dinner on own
• Overnight: Orient Hotel, Jerusalem

Monday, 11 July – Southern Exposure

• Sunrise davening at Kotel 
• Travel south to the Negev Highlands.
• Hike to Ein Avdat in the stunning white canyon of Nahal Zin.
• Packed lunch for picnic in the field.
• Learn about the natural history of the region at the multimedia Makhtesh Ramon Visitors Center dedicated to fallen Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon.
• Check-in to the Beresheet Hotel.
• Dinner at hotel
• Overnight: Beresheet Hotel, Mitzpe Ramon

Tuesday, 12 July – Negev Highlands: Primeval Desert Beauty

• Explore the Negev Highlands on foot and by jeep to discover magnificent desert landscapes and a fascinating window into the earth’s past.
• Camel ride, explanation about Bedouin culture and Bedouin hospitality lunch at Khan Hashayarot.
• Remainder of afternoon free to relax and enjoy the hotel’s spa and recreational facilities.
• Dinner at hotel
• Evening:  See more stars than you ever have before Stargazing at the desert sky with Astronomy Israel – What is the meaning of stars as symbolic of God’s promise to Abraham.
• Overnight:  Beresheet Hotel, Mitzpe Ramon

Wednesday, 13 July – Wrapping up and departure

• Morning free to relax, refresh
• Visit David Ben Gurion’s home in Sde Boker to learn about his lifestyle and vision for developing the Negev.
• Lunch on own
• Meet with a leading scientist at Ben Gurion University whose work is being supported by the Israel Cancer Research Fund.
• Tour of Beer Sheba – Israel’s city of tomorrow to hear about developing Israel’s periphery today.  Meeting with mayor or local social entrepreneur (subject to availability).
• Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
• Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport – See you again soon.

Thursday, 9 July – Arrive in U.S.A.

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