Shearith Israel Congregational Mission to Israel
Classic Israel Tour
Led by Rabbi Ari Sunshine and Avi Mitzner
June 19 – 30, 2022
Don’t miss out! Space is still available.
Sunday, June 19 – Depart USA
Monday, June 20 – Going up into the Land
Arrive in Israel to be met and assisted by your ITC representative (today’s program depends on arrival time) • Tour the alleys of Old Jaffa, the ancient port city once known as the Gate of
Zion • Shehehiyanu-Welcome ceremony on top of Tel Jaffa overlooking modern Tel Aviv • Lunch on own • Visit to Save A Child’s Heart in Holon to see how this unique project is saving the lives of children from developing countries who come to Israel for medical care • Check-in to the Dan Panorama Hotel on Tel Aviv’s Mediterranean Coast • Welcome dinner and orientation at Goshen Restaurant
Overnight: Dan Panorama, Tel Aviv
Tuesday, June 21 – The Hebrew City and the Jewish State
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 • Visit the new Israel Innovation Center, in the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, to learn though its interactive exhibit about new advancements by Israeli Start-Ups in fields such as science, technology, medicine, security, aero-space and more • Lunch on your own and free time to explore the Nachalat Binyamin crafts fair. While there checkout the nearby Carmel Market and bohemian Sheinkin Street – All Three of these Tel Aviv icons meet at the “Magen David Junction” • Guided tour of Ayalon Institute in Rehovot – an underground bullet factory used by Jewish forces before the founding of the State of Israel.
2nd Timers Option: Off the Beaten Track in Creative Tel Aviv
- Graffiti tour the hip Florentine neighborhood to discover Tel Aviv’s remarkable street art.
- Visit the Joseph Bau House, the former workshop of graphic artist and animator Joseph Bau to discover his amazing
life story. Rebecca and Joseph Bau are the couple whose wedding is shown in Schindler’s List. After immigrating to Israel, he pioneered Israeli animated film and produced forged documents for the Mossad.
Free time to swim in the Mediterranean Sea and enjoy Beachside Promenade • Free evening • Dinner on own
Overnight: Dan Panorama, Tel Aviv
Wednesday, June 22 – Cradles of Jewish Civilization in the Galilee
Depart for northern Israel • Program on Arab- Jewish relations and the complex identity of Israeli Arabs at Givat Haviva, including a visit to a nearby Arab village • Lunch and tour of Kibbutz Hanaton, Israel’s only Masorati kibbutz •
Explore mystical Tzfat, cradle of Kabbalah
(Jewish mysticism) in the 16th century. Visit its old synagogues and picturesque alleyways. Then discover the origins of our Friday night service in the city where Lecha Dodi was written • Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, followed by a lakeside dinner at Decks Restaurant • Check–in to the Ramot Resort Hotel by the Sea of Galilee
Overnight: Ramon Resort Hotel, Sea of Galilee region
Thursday, June 23 – Ancient and Modern Geopolitics and Israel’s Finest
Walk in the lush Tel Dan Nature Reserve, one of the sources of the Jordan River, where you’ll discover biblical intrigue and one of the oldest arches in the world • Lunch on own • Jeep tour to the Golan Heights for a perspective on Israel’s complex geopolitics as we visit former Syrian bunkers overlooking Israel and strategic Mt. Bental • Geopolitical briefing on top of strategic Mt. Bental by Lt. Col. (res.) Sarit Zehavi on the current situation along the Israeli-Syrian ceasefire lines in the Golan Heights. Lt. Col Zehavi is Director of the Alma Center for Research and Education. 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 • Tour and tasting at the boutique Pelter Winery on nearby Kibbutz Ein Zivan • Dinner with young Israeli soldiers, who are giving some of their best years to the defense of Israel – Meet the Israeli army’s human side Overnight: Ramot Resort Hotel, Sea of Galilee region
Friday, June 24 – Across Israel: A Multicultural Jewish Society
Discover Ethiopian Jewish culture at the Germachin Center in Beit Shean • Continue south through the Jordan Valley and ascend to Jerusalem • Shehehiyanu/Welcome ceremony overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem • Lunch on own in the bustling Machane Yehuda Market, take in a slice of Jerusalemites preparing for Shabbat, and pick up supplies for our group Seudah Shlishit picnic on Saturday afternoon. Along the way see the picturesque Nahalaot neighborhood • Check into the Dan Panorama in Jerusalem • Free time to relax and prepare for Shabbat • Friday evening/Kabbalat Shabbat Attend the “Israeli Kabbalat Shabbat” service at the First Station Compound (begins at 5:00pm) • Festive Shabbat Dinner at hotel Overnight: Dan Panorama, Jerusalem
Saturday, June 25 – And on the Seventh Day…. in Jerusalem
Shabbat morning services at local synagogues • Shabbat Lunch at hotel • Shabbat afternoon option: walking tour to Jaffa Gate and the Christian Quarter, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Via Dolorosa and Deir Es-Sultan • Seudah Shlishit picnic at a local park using our purchases from Machane Yehuda Market (on own) • Havdalah with Rabbi Sunshine, Rabbi Roffman, Rabbi Wallach and Avi Mitzner • Free evening • Dinner on own • Evening option: Watch the Night Spectacular – Sound and Light Show at the Tower of David.
Overnight: Dan Panorama, Jerusalem
Sunday, June 26 – The Old City of Jerusalem – An Ancient Jewish Legacy
Briefing on Religious Pluralism in Israel and the Masorti (Conservative) Movement by Rabbi Andy Sacks, Deputy Director of the Masorti Movement • 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 through the Western Wall Tunnels to discover underground Jerusalem • Lunch on own • Tour of Jewish Quarter including the Herodian Mansions, Cardo, Broad Wall and Rooftops followed by free time to shop and explore on own.
2nd Timers Option: Synagogues of the Jewish Quarter
Tour includes visits to the Four Sephardic Synagogues, the restored Hurva Synagogue, the Karaite Museum. Then hear about the remarkable discoveries under the ruins of the Tiferet Yisrael Synagogue.
Free evening • Dinner on own • Recommendation for the evening: Visit the First Station Compound, Jerusalem’s restored Ottoman railway station turned restaurant – cafe area
Overnight: Dan Panorama, Jerusalem
Monday, June 27 – Holocaust, Remembrance and Continuity
Update on Israeli and Middle East politics by Steve Linde, editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Report and former editor of the Jerusalem Post • Guided tour of Yad Vashem Israel’s national Holocaust memorial and museum, including the Historical Museum and Children’s Memorial.
2nd Timers Track at Yad Vashem – Holocaust Art
Guided tour of Yad Vashem Campus focusing on Holocaust art. This track will examine both art created to memorialize different aspects of the Holocaust and art produced during the holocaust by its victims, including visits to the Museum of Holocaust Art, the Yad Vashem Synagogue and viewing sculpture installed at Yad Vashem.
Lunch on own • Meaningful visit to the Mt. Herzl Cemetery to discover chapters in the history of Israel at the graves of Yitzhak Rabin, Golda Meir, Theodore Herzl and Hannah Senesch • Engage in hands-on tzedakah at Pantry Packers or Yad Ezra Veshulamith preparing food packages for distribution to some of Israel’s neediest people • Free evening • Dinner on own Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem
Tuesday, June 28 – Masada and the Dead Sea: Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Set out across the Judean Desert and ascend Masada by cable car to tour the ruins of Herod’s palace and the last outpost of Jewish independence. Discussion: Which Jewish Legacy – Masada or Yavne?
Which decision did our ancesters make?
2nd Timers Options: Ancient Jewish Communities of the Dead Sea Coast
Tour the ruins of Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found • Visit the ancient synagogue of Ein Gedi
Swim in the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, at a local resort. The resort also has a fresh water pool and spa facilities. Massage and spa treatments available at own expense • Lunch at Dead Sea resort • Time permitting: Walk in Ein Gedi Nature Reserve opportunity to bathe in waterfalls and hear how David hid there from King Saul • Stop off at “Abraham’s Tent” for a Camel ride and biblical dinner before returning to Jerusalem
Overnight: Dan Panorama, Jerusalem
Wednesday, June 29 – Wrapping Up
Visit Yad Lakashish, a unique employment project helping Jerusalem’s elderly, including a stop in its shop “where shopping is a mitzvah!” • Multimedia tour of the new Six Day War Heritage Museum at Ammunition Hill, the site of the fiercest battle in the Six Day War • Lunch on own • Visit the Israel Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Model of ancient Jerusalem in the first century. You are welcome to stay at the musuem to explore additional exhibits on own. The museum has several eateries. Recommendations: Modern Israeli art, Synagogue interiors in the Judaica Section and the Archaeology Wing • Remainder of afternoon free to explore on own and get in last minute shopping • Late check out • Farewell Dinner at Medita Restaurant • Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport See you again soon!
Thursday, June 30 – Arrive in USA
Tour Package Includes:
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Hotels: Dan Panorama Tel Aviv; Ramot Resort Hotel–Sea of Galilee region; Dan Panorama Jerusalem
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Daily buffet breakfasts; six dinners including Shabbat; four lunches per the itinerary
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Touring with Rabbi Ari Sunshine, Avi Mitzner, and one of Israel’s Top Tour Guide educators in a WiFi enabled deluxe touring Motor Coach
A Few Tour Highlights:
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Tel Aviv, Tzfat, Jerusalem, Old Jaffa, Golan Heights
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Shehekiyanu-Welcome ceremony on top of Tel Jaffa
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Ayalon Institute, Independence Hall, Nachalat Binyamin Arts & Crafts fair
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New Israel Innovation Center, Tel Aviv Stock Exchange
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Kibbutz Hannaton Program, Mt. Arbel Hike, Boat Ride on the Sea of Galilee
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Kayak on the Jordan, Geo-Political Jeep Tour of the Golan Heights
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BBQ Dinner with Israeli Soldiers, Wine tasting or chocolate making on a Kibbutz
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Machane Yehuda Market, Western Wall Tunnel Tour, Archaeological Dig, Ammunition Hill
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Special Shabbat service at First Station Compound
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Yad Vashem/Mt. Herzl, Masada/Dead Sea, Abraham’s Tent and so much more!
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Special optional tracks for return visitors
Print Application for Submission
Land Only Package $4159 (Discounted rate for payment by check)
Estimate round trip Air cost $1780 to $1880
Single Room Supplement – $1395 (Discounted rate payment by check)
Land Only Package $4325 (Full cost for credit card payment)
Single Room Supplement $1451 (Full cost for credit card payment) Reduction
3rd adult in room – $550
Child, ages 2-12, as 3rd person in room – $600
Bar/Bat Mitzvah child as 3rd person in room – $700
