Itinerary

Thursday, April 08, 2010
Depart to Israel

Friday, April 09, 2010 - Welcome Home (D) Shalom and welcome to Israel. Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport and meet your Tour Educator. Enjoy light refreshments at the airport upon arrival Travel to Neot Kedumim to have first encounter with Biblical gardens and plant a tree. Ascend to Jerusalem. Pause at the Haas Promenade with its spectacular view for a traditional Shehehianu ceremony Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel Enjoy a spiritual visit to the Western Wall Overnight: Jerusalem

Saturday, April 10, 2010 - Shabbat Shalom (B, L) Optional Shabbat Services. Parashat Hashavua Session: Shemini, Leviticus 9:1-11:47 On the eighth day following "seven days of inauguration," Aaron and his sons begin to officiate as Kohanim (priests); a fire issues forth from G-d to consume the offerings on the Altar and the Divine Presence comes to dwell in the Sanctuary. Aaron's two elder sons, Nadav and Avihu, offer a "strange fire before G-d, which He commanded them not" and die before G-d. Aaron is silent in face of his tragedy. Moses and Aaron subsequently disagree as to a point of law regarding the offerings, but Moses concedes to Aaron that Aaron is in the right. G-d commands the kosher laws, identifying the animal species permissible and forbidden for consumption. Land animals may be eaten only if they have split hooves and also chew their cud; fish must have fins and scales; a list of non-kosher birds is given, and a list of kosher insects (four types of locusts). Also in Shemini are some of the laws of ritual purity, including the purifying power of the mikvah (a pool of water meeting specified qualifications) and the wellspring. Thus the people of Israel are enjoined to "differentiate between the impure and the pure." Walk the New City neighborhoods and enjoy some time relaxing Havdallah Head to the Ben Yehuda Pedestrian Promenade for shopping Overnight: Jerusalem

Sunday, April 11, 2010 - Yom Ha'Shoah (B, D) Visit the Scrolls of Fire for Yom Ha'Shoah Ceremony After the ceremony continue the day with a visit to the Israel Museum. View the model of Jerusalem from the Second Temple period and visit the Shrine of The Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are kept. Walk the Old City Ramparts from Jaffa Gate to Zion Gate. Visit Mount Zion and the tomb of King David, founder of the city Enter the Old City through the Zion Gate and descend the Western Hill to the unique City of David. Prepare to get wet as you explore the water tunnel built by King Hezekiah Overnight: Jerusalem

Monday, April 12, 2010 - Masada Rocks! (B, L) Early morning depart from Jerusalem to Masada, the last stronghold of the Jews against the Romans. Ascend the mountain via cable car to enjoy a comprehensive tour including King Herod's famous hanging palaces. Descend via cable car and continue to a spa hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea for a luncheon and fashion show. Enjoy the Dead Sea spa experience Spend time shopping for AHAVA products Overnight: Jerusalem

Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - Model to Reality - Jerusalem Second Temple Period (B, D) Start the day with a visit to the Hadassah Hospital to visit the state-of-the-art Center for Emergency medicine Explore the Jewish Quarter taking in highlights such as the Cardo, the Broad Wall (First Temple Period); explore the Southern Wall excavations and the Davidson Center to learn about the centrality of the Temple in Jewish life. Enjoy time for shopping in the Jewish Quarter Meet for dinner with "Lone Soldiers" Night visit to the Western Wall Tunnels (pending confirmation) Overnight: Jerusalem

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 - Remembrance (B, D) Start the day with an emotional visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and Museum. See the Children's Memorial and Avenue of the Righteous Gentiles. Meet with a Holocaust Survivor. Continue to Mount Herzl and view the gravesites of Golda Meir, Yitzhak Rabin and Theodor Herzl along with those of Israel's fallen soldiers Overnight: Jerusalem

Thursday, April 15, 2010 - Women of the Bible (B, D) Depart Jerusalem and enjoy camel ride and hospitality at Eretz Bereshit. Continue to Tel Yizrael or top of Mount Gilboa and learn about the last battle of King Saul with the Philistines. Hear tales of the beautiful Shunamite women, Avishag, companion to King David in his old age and the Shunamite woman who was told by the prophet Elisha that she would bear a son. Hear tales of the infamous Jezebel who orchestrated the death of Navoth so her husband, King Ahab, could take over his vineyard! Learn about the Prophetess Devorah and about the Prophet Gideon Afternoon ascend the Golan Heights to view the Sea of Galilee followed by a cruise on the Sea of Galilee and special dinner Overnight: Kibbutz in the Galilee

Friday, April 16, 2010 - From Heights of the Galilee to Coastal Plains (B, Shabbat-D) Depart for Zfat, city of mystical Judaism-Kabbalah. Meet with a Kabbalist for an enlightening discussion and enjoy time for visiting the ancient synagogues and shopping in the many artists' galleries and boutiques. Head to Zichron Ya'akov, perched on the Carmel. Walk through this quaint historic town and hear tales of love, wine, spies and betrayal. Onward to Herzeliya Kabbalat Shabbat on the beach Festive Shabbat dinner Overnight: Herzeliya

Saturday, April 17, 2010 - Shabbat at Leisure (B, L) At leisure in Herzeliya Parashat Tazria-Metzora (Leviticus 12:1-15:33) The Parshahs of Tazria and Metzora continue the discussion of the laws of Tumah v'Taharah, ritual impurity and purity. A woman giving birth should undergo a process of purification, which includes immersing in a mikvah (a naturally gathered pool of water) and bringing offerings to the Holy Temple. All male infants are to be circumcised on the eighth day of life. Tzaraat ("leprosy") is a supra-natural plague, which can afflict people as well as garments or homes. If white or pink patches appear on a person's skin (dark pink or green in garments or homes), a Kohen is summoned. Judging by various signs, such as an increase in size of the afflicted area after a seven-day quarantine, the Kohen pronounces it tameh (impure) or tahor (pure). A person afflicted with tzaraat must dwell alone outside of the camp (or city) until he is healed. The afflicted area in a garment or home must be removed; if the tzaraat recurs, the entire garment or home must be destroyed. When the metzora ("leper") heals, he or she is purified by the Kohen with a special procedure involving two birds, spring water in an earthen vessel, a piece of cedar wood, a scarlet thread and a bundle of hyssop. Ritual impurity is also engendered through a seminal or other discharge in a man, and menstruation or other discharge of blood in a woman, necessitating purification through immersion in a mikvah. Spend time resting, at the beach, visiting friends etc Overnight: Herzeliya

Sunday, April 18, 2010 - Erev Yom Ha'Zicharon, Evening of Memorial Day for Israel's Fallen Soldiers (B, D) Meet with a prominent Israeli Woman Drive north along the coastal highway to Atlit, the British prison camp for "illegal" Jewish immigrants Visit the village of Ossafia for early dinner and traditional Druze hospitality. Learn about this unique community and its contributions to Israeli society. Join hundreds of Israelis and school children at the Haifa Naval Base to witness a moving Memorial Day Ceremony with the sailors and commanders of the Israel Navy Late night return to Herzeliya Overnight: Herzeliya

Monday, April 19, 2010 - Yom Ha'Zicharon- Memorial Day (B, L) Visit an Israeli school to participate in their Yom Ha'Zicharon ceremony As the sirens sound at 11:00am, stand in silence in memory of Israel's fallen heroes. Meet the Bau sisters, and hear the story of their father, Yosef, an assistant to Oscar Schindler who arrived in Israel after the War and continued working for Israeli intelligence. Enjoy a city tour of Tel Aviv including Rabin Square Celebrate the beginning of Independence Day with the people of Herzeliya Overnight: Herzeliya

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 - Independence Day (B, D) Depart Herzeliya for Tel Aviv and visit Independence Hall Continue to Beit Rokach to hear the story of the restoration of this famous family's house. In the afternoon enjoy the sandy beach of the Mediterranean Sea Enjoy a farewell dinner Overnight: Herzeliya

Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - Leavin' on a Jet Plane (B)
Early morning drive to the airport for flight back to the US
Depart for US
Shalom U'lehitraot

* Program is subject to change