We are Joining Temple Beth Shalom’s
Amazing Family Israel Experience
Led by Rabbi Simeon Cohen and Leah Beker
February 14 –25, 2024
Optional extension to Dubai 25- 29, 2024
Don’t miss out! Space is still available.
Wednesday, February 14
Depart U.S.A.
Thursday, February 15
Arrive in Israel to be met and assisted by your ITW representative (today’s program depends on arrival time).
Tour Old Jaffa, the ancient port city once known as Zion Gate from which Jonah tried to flee and where Solomon brought the Cedars of Lebanon on the way to Jerusalem. Today paintings and sculptures have been installed in its ancient alleys.
Shehekhianu/Welcome ceremony on top of ancient Tel Jaffa overlooking modern Tel Aviv
Lunch on own.
Visit the Palmach Museum in Ramat Aviv
for a multimedia presentation about the elite underground organization that played a critical role in founding the State of Israel.
Check in to the Dan Panorama Hotel on Tel Aviv’s Mediterranean Coast.
Welcome dinner at Maganda Restaurant in Tel Aviv’s old Yemenite Quarter.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv
Friday, February 16 – Going up into the Land
Guided tour of the Ayalon Institute in Rehovot – an underground bullet factory used by Jewish forces before the founding of the State of Israel.
Discover City of Sand and Sea, a mosaic fountain created by artist and writer Nachum Gutman portraying scenes from the history of Jaffa and Tel Aviv.
Stand outside of Independence Hall, where David Ben Gurion read Israel’s Declaration of Independence. Then hear about the establishment of Tel Aviv at the Founders’ Monument. Then stroll down Rothschild Boulevard to view the Bauhaus architecture for which central Tel Aviv was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lunch on own and free time to explore the Nachalat Binyamin crafts fair and experience Tel Aviv’s young lively spirit. While there, checkout the street food in the nearby Carmel Market and bohemian Sheinkin Street – All Three of these Tel Aviv icons meet at the “Magen David Junction”.
Free time to relax and get ready for Shabbat.
Friday/Shabbat evening services at Neve Schechter, a local Masorti (Conservative) synagogue.
Festive Shabbat Dinner at hotel
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv
Shabbat/Saturday, February 17 – And on the Seventh Day…in Tel Aviv
Shabbat morning services: To be determined with Rabbi Cohen.
Traditional Shabbat Lunch at Hotel.
Afternoon walking tour of historic “Little Tel Aviv” – Discover the quaint Neve Tzeddek neighborhood that gave birth to the “first Hebrew city in 2,000 years” once home to Zionist cultural pioneers Eliezer Ben Yehuda, S. Y. Agnon and Nachum Gutman.
Free time to stroll along beachside Promenade and watch the people of Tel Aviv play, folkdance and enjoy Shabbat afternoon by the sea.
Havdallah with Rabbi Cohen
Free evening. Dinner on own.
Overnight: Dan Panorama, Tel Aviv
Sunday, February 18 – Southern Exposure: Defense and Innovation in the Negev
Travel to the northern Negev.
Tour of Kibbutz Hatzerim – Producers of Israel’s famous drip irrigation systems to hear about kibbutz society and the changes it is facing in the 21st century.
Lunch, Camel rides and explanation about Bedouin culture at Kfar Hanokdim.
Travel to the Dead Sea region.
Check-in to Herbert Samuel Hotel on the
Dead Sea Coast. Swim in the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, at the hotel’s private beach. The hotel also has a fresh water pool and spa facilities. Massage and spa treatments available by prior reservation at own expense.
Dinner at hotel.
Overnight: Herbert Samuel Hotel, Dead Sea
Monday, February 19 – Masada and Ein Gedi
Ascend Masada by cable car to tour the
ruins of Herod’s palace and the last outpost of Jewish independence 2,000 years ago: Discussion: Which Jewish Legacy – Masada or Yavne? Who were our ancestors? What decision did they make?
Lunch at Kibbutz Ein Gedi Guest House
Travel north through Jordan Valley to Beit Shean.
Visit Maimonides Tomb in Tiberias to learn about the life and times of the medieval Jewish philosopher and his critical impact on Jewish thought. Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee followed by a lakeside dinner at Decks Restaurant.
Check–in to the Ramot Resort Hotel
overlooking the Sea of Galilee.
Overnight: Ramot Resort Hotel
Tuesday, February 20 – The Mystical City of Tzfat and the Strategic Golan Heights.
Tour mystical Tzfat’s old synagogues and
picturesque alleyways. Tzfat was the cradle of Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) in the 16th century. Judaism’s Friday night service, Kabbalat Shabbat, and the hymn Lecha Dodi originated in Tzfat at that time. Followed by free time to shop and explore on own.
Lunch on own
Tour of the strategic Golan Heights to visit
bunkers where the Syrian army used to ‘look down’ at Israel below. Then look out from the peak of Mt. Bental to gain a special perspective on Israel’s complex geopolitics.
Please choose one of the following two delicious options. The group can split between parents and children for the following two tasting activities located next to each other on Kibbutz Ein Zivan.
Chocolate making workshop at the De Karina
Chocolate Factory.
Wine tasting at the boutique Bahat Winery on nearby Kibbutz Ein Zivan.
BBQ dinner with young Israeli soldiers who
are giving some of the best years of their lives to the defense of Israel – Meet the Israeli army’s human side.
Overnight: Ramot Resort Hotel
Wednesday, February 21 – Encountering the Roman World
Explore the ruins of Tzippori, the city where Rabbi Judah Hanasi sealed the Mishna. Discover remarkable ancient mosaic pavements, including Mona Lisa of the Galilee, Nile Flood Festival and Orpheus, who looks like King David (?). Then ponder why an ancient synagogue floor features a wheel of the zodiac.
Lunch on own
Tour the ruins of Caesarea, including its
Roman Theater, Promontory Palace, Hippodrome and Amphitheater. ITC Touch: Learn about a rabbinic debate over Jews attending gladiator games.
Travel to Jerusalem through the biblical Ayalon Valley, enroute hear about the struggle for the road to Jerusalem during Israel’s War of Independence.
Check in to the Inbal Hotel in Jerusalem.
Free evening. Dinner on own.
Overnight: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem
Thursday, February 22 – The Old City of Jerusalem: An Ancient Jewish Legacy
Option: B’nai Mitzvah ceremony at the
Masorti Kotel, the egalitarian section of the Western Wall near Robinson’s Arch (requires reservations in advance).
Discover the archaeological story of the Western Wall and episodes from rabbinic texts while standing where Jewish pilgrims walked 2,000 years ago at Robinson’s Arch and the Southern Wall Excavations – See direct evidence of Jerusalem’s destruction by the Romans in 70 CE and hear about a remarkable discovery connected to the
Channukah story.
Walk through the Western Wall Tunnels to
discover underground Jerusalem.
Lunch on own in Jewish Quarter.
Guided tour of Jewish Quarter including the Herodian Quarter, Hurva Synagogue, Cardo and Rooftop lookout followed by free time to shop and explore on own.
Dinner on own
Overnight: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem
Friday, February 23 – Holocaust, Remembrance and Continuity
Guided tour of Yad Vashem Israel’s national Holocaust memorial and museum, including the Historical Museum and Children’s Memorial.
Lunch on own.
Explore the bustling Machane Yehuda Market and take in a slice of local life as you see Jerusalemites prepare for Shabbat. See the picturesque Nachalaot neighborhoods along the way.
Friday evening/Erev Shabbat options:
Join hundreds of other Jews from around
the world to Greet the Sabbath at the Western Wall. Option to pray together as a congregation at the “Egalitarian Kotel”, where men and women can pray together.
OR: Attend Friday night services at a local Jerusalem synagogue.
Festive Shabbat Dinner at hotel
Overnight: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem
Saturday/Shabbat, February 24 – And on the Seventh Day…in Jerusalem
Shabbat morning services – TBD 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. Then visit Ketef Hinom – A First Temple Period Jewish burial site where the oldest biblical text ever found was discovered.
Havdallah with Rabbi Cohen
Farewell dinner at Medita Restaurant
Overnight: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem
Sunday, February 25 – Arrive in U.S.A.
Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport – See you again soon!
Begin planning next Israel trip with Rabbi Cohen and ITC Tours!
Dubai UAE Extension
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Dubai Bound
Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
Depart for Ben Gurion Airport for a day flight to Dubai.
Arrive in Dubai and transfer to hotel.
Welcome dinner at Ellies Kosher Kitchen.
- Overnight: Dubai
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26 Dubai: From Cutting Edge Building to Desert Charm
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world to lookout from the VIP terrace on the 124th floor and hear about the amazing engineering solutions which were incorporated into its constructions. Burj Khalifa rises above the world’s largest shopping mall, which also houses the world’s largest aquarium.
Continue to the historic Al Fahidi Quarter to wander its alleys and see the wind towers, a traditional Emirati air conditioning system.
Set out for an Abra, water taxi, ride on the Dubai Creek and then explore the markets on the opposite shore – Great opportunity to buy authentic, quality saffron and other rare spices.
Visit the Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Center for Culture and Understanding for an explanation about Emirati culture and a kosher lunch.
Afternoon drive to Ras Al Khaima for a jeep desert safari through the Arabian Desert Dunes, concluding with a kosher Bedouin dinner and show.
Return to Dubai (late).
Overnight: Dubai
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27 Dubai and Abu Dhabi: Futuristic and Opulent
Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
Guided tour of the bagel shaped Museum of the Future.
OR: Lookout at Dubai’s palm shaped artificial island from the View of the Palm.
Tour and discussion about Islam at the visitor friendly Jumeirah Mosque.
Lunch on own.
Depart for Abu Dhabi.
Tour of the opulent Qasr Al
Watan Palace, Abu Dhabi’s working royal palace.
Look out over Abu Dhabi from the Observation Deck at the Etihad Tower.
Check in to the hotel.
Early evening visit to the opulent Shekh Zayed Grand Mosque.
Dinner at Kosher Place in the Ritz Carlton Compound in Abu Dhabi.
Overnight: Abu Dhabi
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 UAE: A Unique Corner of the Middle East
Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
Visit the Abrahamic Family Center, a unique interfaith initiative in the Middle East, which includes a church, mosque and synagogue together on the same campus and reflects the UAE’s tolerant approach to religion and religious minorities.
Guided tour of the Louvre of Abu Dhabi to see its exquisite architecture and hear about how Abu Dhabi is becoming a major arts and culture center.
Lunch on own and free time to stroll along the Corniche, the seaside promenade along the Arabian (Persian) Gulf.
Visit Abu Dhabi’s famed
Date market.
Farewell dinner – TBD.
Depart for the airport for return flight. (Please note flight schedules and airline policies may require flying out of Dubai (1:40 minutes from Abu Dhabi) and/or spending an additional night in the UAE – TBD.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29 Arrive in U.S.A.
Return home with memories of a unique experience in the new Middle East.
Tour Package Includes:
- Hotels: Dan Panorama Tel Aviv; Ramort Resort overlooking the Sea of Galilee, and Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem
- All Breakfasts, 2 Friday night “Shabbat” Dinners, 2 Shabbat Lunches, 5 Weekday dinners and lunches as per itinerary
- Touring with Rabbi Cohen, Leah Beker, and one of Israel’s Top Tour Guide educators in a WiFi enabled deluxe touring Motor Coach
A Few Tour Highlights:
- Palmach Museum multimedia presentation about underground organization that played a critical role in founding the State of Israel.
- Old Jaffa, ancient port city once known as Zion Gate from which Jonah tried to flee and where Solomon brought the Cedars of Lebanon.
- Shehekhianu/Welcome ceremony on top of ancient Tel Jaffa overlooking modern Tel Aviv. • Explore the Nachalat Binyamin crafts fair.
- Friday/Shabbat evening services at Neve Schechter, a local Masorti (Conservative) synagogue.
- Tour of historic “Little Tel Aviv” – Discover quaint Neve Tzeddek neighborhood that gave birth to the “first Hebrew city in 2,000 years”.
- Havdallah with Rabbi Cohen. • Tour of Kibbutz Hatzerim – Producers of Israel’s famous drip irrigation systems.
- Camel rides and explanation about Bedouin culture at Kfar Hanokdim. • Ascend Masada by cable car to tour the ruins of Herod’s palace.
- Maimonides Tomb in Tiberias learn about the life and times of the medieval Jewish philosopher and critical impact on Jewish thought.
- Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee followed by a lakeside dinner at Decks Restaurant.
- Tour mystical Tzfat’s old synagogues and picturesque alleyways. Tzfat was the cradle of Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism).
- Tour of the strategic Golan Heights to visit bunkers where the Syrian army used to ‘look down’ at Israel below.
- Chocolate making workshop at the De Karina Chocolate Factory or Wine tasting at the boutique Bahat Winery on nearby Kibbutz.
- BBQ dinner with young Israeli soldiers who are giving some of the best years of their lives to the defense of Israel.
- Explore the ruins of Tzippori, the city where Rabbi Judah Hanasi sealed the Mishna and discover remarkable ancient mosaic pavements.
- Tour the ruins of Caesarea, including its Roman Theater, Promontory Palace, Hippodrome and Amphitheater.
- Option: B’nai Mitzvah ceremony at the Masorti Kotel, the egalitarian section of the Western Wall near Robinson’s Arch.
- Discover the archaeological story of the Western Wall and episodes from rabbinic texts where Jewish pilgrims walked 2,000 years ago.
- Walk through the Western Wall Tunnels to discover underground Jerusalem. • Lunch on own in Jewish Quarter, free time to shop.
- Guided tour of Jewish Quarter including the Herodian Quarter, Hurva Synagogue, Cardo and Rooftop lookout.
- Yad Vashem Israel’s national Holocaust memorial and museum, including the Historical Museum and Children’s Memorial.
- Explore the bustling Machane Yehuda Market and take in a slice of local life as you see Jerusalemites prepare for Shabbat.
- Friday evening/Erev Shabbat options: Join hundreds of other Jews from around the world to Greet the Sabbath at the Western Wall.
-
And so much more!
Print Application for Submission
Discounted price for check payment
Land Only Package – $5145
Land and Air Package – $6445
Single Room Supplement – $1090
Full price for credit card payment
Land Only Package – $5350
Land and Air Package – $6702
Single Room Supplement – $1134
Reductions
Child up to 12 years old 3rd in room – $850
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Child as 3rd in room – $1090
Adult 3rd in a room – $520
