Itinerary

Sunday, April 19, 2009
Depart to Israel

Monday, April 20, 2009 - Welcome Home (D) Shalom and welcome to Israel. Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport and meet your Tour Educator Ascend to Jerusalem Pause at the Haas Promenade with its spectacular view for a traditional Shehehianu ceremony Enjoy a spiritual visit to the Western Wall Overnight: Jerusalem

Tuesday, April 21, 2009 - Jerusalem of Gold (B, D) Visit the Scrolls of Fire for Yom Ha'Shoah Ceremony Start the day with a visit to the David Citadel museum. View the Old City from the top of Phasael Tower. View the models of Jerusalem through the generations from the Second Temple period until the 19th century. Walk the Old City Wall Promenade 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

Wednesday, April 22, 2009 - Massada (B, L) Early morning depart from Jerusalem to Massada, 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

Thursday, April 23, 2009 - Model to Reality - Jerusalem Second Temple Period (B, D) Start the day with a visit to the Israel Museum to view the model from the Second Temple Period and the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are kept. Continue to 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 the Women circle Night visit to the Western Wall Tunnels Overnight: Jerusalem

Friday, April 24, 2009 - Honor and Remembrance (B, Shabbat-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 Return to Jerusalem to see the city prepare for Shabbat including Machne Yehuda Market Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel Overnight: Jerusalem

Saturday, April 25, 2009 - Shabbat Shalom (B, L) Optional Shabbat Services. Parashat Hashavua Session: 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. Walk the New City neighborhoods and enjoy some time relaxing Havdallah Head to the Ben Yehuda Pedestrian Promenade for shopping Overnight: Jerusalem

Sunday, April 26, 2009 - 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 Naboth 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: Upper Galilee

Monday, April 27, 2009 - Erev Yom Ha'Zicharon, Evening of Memorial Day for Israel's Fallen Soldiers (B, 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 Proceed to Haifa, often referred to as the San Francisco of Israel because of its lovely bay and hilly contours. Check-in to hotel followed by a visit to 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 Overnight: Haifa

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - Yom Ha'Zicharon- Memorial Day (B, L) Depart Haifa for Atlit, the British prison camp for "illegal" Jewish immigrants As the sirens sound at 11:00am, stand in silence in memory of Israel's fallen heroes. Meet with a prominent Israeli Woman. 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

Wednesday, April 29, 2009 - 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 at Maganda Overnight: Herzeliya

Thursday, April 30, 2009 - (B)
Early morning drive to the airport for flight back to the US
Depart for US
Shalom U'lehitraot

* Program is subject to change