Monday, 6 June – Depart U.S.A. 

Tuesday, 7 June – Entering the Land

• Subject to flight arrival time
• Arrive in Israel to be met and assisted by your Israel Tours representative (Today’s program depends on arrival time).
• Guided tour of the Ayalon Institute – an underground bullet factory in Rehovot used by Jewish forces before the founding of the State of Israel.
• Try your hand at shepherding at Neot Kedumim. Discover a biblical skill, which is a great leadership, family and team building activity.
• Lunch at Neot Kedumim
• Visit the Tank Memorial in Latrun and hear about the struggle for the road to Jerusalem during Israel’s War of Independence.
• Travel to Jerusalem through the gorge of Shaar Hagai, known as Bab El Wad during Israel’s War of Independence.
• Shehekhiyanu/Welcome ceremony overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem.
• Check-in to the David Citadel Hotel, Inbal Hotel or in Jerusalem.
• Welcome dinner and orientation at Medita Restaurant.
• Overnight: Orient, Jerusalem

Wednesday, 8 June – Jerusalem’s Beginnings: The City of David and his Descendants

• Explore the City of David using the Bible and archaeology to make Jerusalem’s stones tell the story of the city’s ancient past.
• Wade through Hezekiah’s Tunnel – A still flowing ancient water system that saved the city of Jerusalem 2,700 years ago (dry option available).
• Lunch on own in Jewish Quarter.
• Tour of Jewish Quarter including the Cardo, Broad Wall, Burnt House and Rooftops followed by free time to shop and explore on own.
• 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: Orient Hotel, Jerusalem

Thursday, 9 June – The Old City of Jerusalem – An Ancient Jewish Legacy

• B`nai Mitzvah ceremony at the egalitarian Kotel near Robinson’s Arch. (On Herodian Pavement near steps that people can sit on)
• Discover the archaeological story of the Western Wall and episodes of Jewish life in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago at Robinson’s Arch, the Southern Wall Excavations and Davidson Center, including model.
• Visit the traditional prayer area of the Western Wall.
• Lunch on own
• Travel to Beit Guvrin in the Judean Lowlands, crossing en route the biblical Elah Valley, where David and Goliath
• Participating in a real hands on archaeological excavation with Dig for a Day in a cave in Beit Guvrin National Park.
• Dinner on your own
• Watch the Night Spectacular – Sound and light show at the Tower of David.
• Overnight: Orient, Jerusalem

Friday, 10 June – Social Responsibility  

• Visit Yad Lakashish, a unique employment project helping Jerusalem’s elderly, including a stop in its shop “where shopping is a mitzvah!”
• Explore the bustling, raucous Machane Yehuda Market – Take in a slice of local life as you mingle with local Jerusalemite shoppers.
• Cooking class to prepare your own lunch with a local flavor and expert guidance. (Chef Atias requested)
• Meaningful visit to Herzl Cemetery to discover chapters in the history of Israel while visiting the graves of Israel’s fallen soldiers, among them Yoni Netanyahu, Mike Levin and Hannah Senesh.
• Free time to explore Jerusalem on own, relax and prepare for Shabbat.
• Friday night services/Kabbalat Shabbat at Kehilat Yozma Reform Congregation in Modi’in, followed by a home hospitality Shabbat dinner members of the local community.
• Overnight: Orient, Jerusalem

Shabbat/Saturday, 11 June – And on the Seventh Day…in Jerusalem

• Shabbat morning services at your choice of local synagogues (directions and recommendations will be provided).
• Afternoon walking tour to Jaffa Gate and the Christian Quarter, including the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, to appreciate Jerusalem’s multicultural character.
• Traditional Shabbat Lunch at hotel or **Beit Shmuel instead )
• Free time to relax, enjoy hotel pool or explore on your own.
• Optional Shabbat afternoon walking tour to the historic Montefiore Windmill to discover the first neighborhood built outside the walls of the Old City.
• Havdallah with Rabbi Levin
• Overnight: Orient, Jerusalem

Sunday, 12 June – 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 2,000 years ago. Discussion: Which Jewish Legacy – Masada or Yavne? (optional early morning hike)
• 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 by prior reservation at own expense.
• Lunch at Dead Sea resort Hod Hotel
• 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 hospitality dinner accompanied by
• Overnight: Orient Hotel, Jerusalem

Monday, 13 Jun Holocaust, Remembrance and Continuity  

• Tour of Yad Vashem – Israel’s national Holocaust memorial and museum, including the Historical Museum and Children’s Memorial. (Children under age 10 are not permitted in Yad Vashem’s historical museum).
• Alternate program for younger children: Visit Jerusalem’s Biblical Zoo, where you will see animals which lived in Israel during biblical times. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Lunch on own
• Knesset visit, the Israel Parliament
• Travel along the “Green Line”, the former ceasefire lines which divided Jerusalem between Israel and Jordan from 1948-1967.

Multimedia tour of the new Six Day War Heritage Museum at Ammunition Hill, the          site of the fiercest battle of the Six Day War.

• Dinner on own
• Overnight: Orient Hotel, Jerusalem

Tuesday, 14 June – A Multicultural Jewish Society: Ethiopians, Mystics, Kibbutzniks

• Drive north through Jordan Valley to Beit Shean.

• Visit Bio-Bee on Kibbutz Sde Eliahu, world leaders in organic agriculture to hear

how they are using very effectively biological pest control, rather than toxic pesticides to protect their crops.

•   Discover the Kurdish Jewish Village Experience on Moshav Yardena.
• Kurdish Lunch on Yardena – A remarkable gastronomic experience.

• Tour the old synagogues and picturesque alleys of the mystical city of Tzfat – Discover the origins of our Friday night service where Lecha Dodi was written.
• Free time to shop and explore Tzfat’s market and art galleries.
• Check-in to Kfar Blum Hotel on Kibbutz Kfar Blum in the Galilee Panhandle.
• Dinner at hotel
• Overnight: Kfar Blum Hotel

Wednesday, 15 June – The Strategic Golan Heights and the Jordan River

• Off –Road ATV Tour to explore sides of the region that tourist do not see. please bring change of clothes) 

• Tour of the Golan Heights for a perspective on Israel’s complex geopolitics as we visit former Syrian bunkers overlooking Israel and strategic Mt. Bental.

Please choose one of the following two “touring and tasting” options.  Both located on nearby Kibbutz Ein Zivan (Possibility of splitting the group):

• Chocolate making workshop at the De Karina Chocolate Factory.
• Guided tour of the boutique Bahat Winery including wine tasting.
• Kayak down the Jordan River – Great way to cool off on a hot day.
• Return to hotel.
• Free time to relax and enjoy hotel pool.

• Dinner at hotel
• Overnight: Kfar Blum

Thursday, 16 June – Jews in the Roman World in Ancient Israel

• Option of additional B’nai Mitzvah ceremony near synagogue in Tzippori National Park.
• Explore ancient Tzippori and study a Jewish text in the ruins of the city where Rabbi Judah Hanasi sealed the Mishna. See its magnificent mosaics, including Mona Lisa of the Galilee, Nile Flood Festival and hear why Orpheus looks like King David.
• Israel Tours Touch: Ponder why an ancient synagogue floor features a wheel of the zodiac and learn about the importance of the calendar in Jewish life with a special Tzippori connection.
• Lunch on own
• Tour the ruins of Caesarea, including its Roman Theater, Amphitheater, Hippodrome and Promontory Palace, including audio-visual presentation in Caesarea port.
• Israel Tours Touch: Learn about a debate in rabbinic sources over Jews attending gladiator games as a model for Jewish social action.
• Meaningful visit to Beit Elazraki Children’s Home in Netanya.
• Dinner at Beit Elezraki Children’s Home.
• Drive to Tel Aviv.
• Check in to the Carlton Hotel on Tel Aviv’s Mediterranean Coast.
• Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv

Friday, 17 June – The Hebrew City and the Jewish State

• Visit the new Anu – Museum of the Jewish People (prior to renovation Beit Hatfutzot – The Museum of the Diaspora), which now reflects both our history and celebrates the contemporary diversity and pluralism of the Jewish people today.
• Hear about the establishment of Tel Aviv, the first Hebrew city in 2,000 years at the Founders’ Monument on Rothschild Boulevard and see the Bauhaus architecture for which central Tel Aviv was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Visit the new Israel Innovation Center, located 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”.

• Free time to swim in Mediterranean Sea and enjoy beachside Promenade.
• Friday evening services – Israeli Kabbalat Shabbat by the sea in Tel Aviv Port
• Festive Shabbat Dinner at hotel or in private room at Kitchen Market in Tel Aviv Port.
• Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv

Shabbat/Saturday, 18 June – Shabbat in Tel Aviv (Bus needed)

• Shabbat morning services at your choice of local synagogues (directions and recommendations will be provided).
• Discover Tel Aviv’s remarkable street art on a graffiti tour of the hip Florentine neighborhood – The Soho of Israel.
• Traditional Shabbat Lunch at hotel.
• Visit the “Aliyah Bet” Memorial in London Square to hear the story of the illegal immigration operations which rescued Jewish refugees before the founding of the State of Israel.
• Free time to swim, explore on your own and watch the people of Tel Aviv folkdance, play racket ball, walk the promenade and enjoy Shabbat afternoon by the sea.
• Recommendation: Check out the shops and alleys of Old Jaffa and look out at Tel Aviv from the top of its ancient tel.
• Havdalah with Rabbi Levin
• Late Check-out

• Farewell Dinner at **Old Man and the Sea Restaurant in Jaffa Port. (Note Minimum 30 participants & Maximum 45 participants

• Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport – See you again soon!

Sunday, June 19 – Arrive in USA

• Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi Levin and Israel Tours!

Optional Eilat/Petra Extension  

June 19-22, 2022

Sunday, 19 June – Eilat on the Red Sea

• Morning airport transfer for domestic flight to Eilat.

• Descend into a Red Sea coral reef at Eilat’s Underwater Observatory where you look out the window at the surrounding marine life.  Continue exploring Eilat’s remarkable undersea world at the observatory’s aquarium.
• Lunch on own
• Check-in to Dan Panorama Hotel, Eilat
• Dinner on own
• Overnight:  Dan Panorama Hotel, Eilat

Monday, 20 June – The Wonders of Petra

• Early departure for Petra to explore the amazing red sandstone structures carved by the ancient Nabateans.  Enter Jordan at the Arava Crossing and travel to Petra by bus (approx. 2.5 hours). Tour its Treasury (“Khaznieh”), Roman theatre, impressive caves and rock formations of this Nabatean City. Buffet lunch included.
• Return to Eilat.
• Dinner on own
• Overnight:  Dan Panorama Hotel, Eilat

Tuesday, 21 June – Red Sea Delight

• Red Sea Sail – Board a touring yacht at the Eilat Marina for a leisurely cruise and lunch on the Red Sea. Snorkeling equipment is available for a closer look with the most exquisite coral reefs and tropical fish to be found in the world.

• Return to Eilat.

• Evening domestic flight to Ben Gurion Airport.

• Check-in for U.S. flight at Ben Gurion Airport Terminal 3.

Wednesday, 22 June – Arrive in USA

• Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi Levin and Israel Tours!

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