Israel Journey in Spirit & Song with Craig Taubman and Guests
Itinerary
Wednesday, 24 October – USA Departure
Thursday, 25 October – When You Come Into the Land (Deut.
26:1)
Arrive in Israel! At Ben Gurion Airport, met and assisted by
your ITC representative. Gaze upon the Old City of Jerusalem
from the Tayelet, Haas Promenade, standing where Abraham stood
at the dawn of Jewish history. Here we will be welcomed by a
group of Middle Eastern drummers and shofar blowers as we take
in the breathtaking view and drink a L’chaim to our upcoming journey.
Transfer to the hotel for a short rest. Welcome dinner with
Craig and Jerusalem Comedian, Yisrael Campbell, in the courtyard
terrace overlooking the garden at Anna Ticho House. We’ll enjoy
some laughter and fun together as the group connects and takes
this opportunity to write a first entry into the journals received
with the registration package. Optional late evening visit to
Jerusalem bakeries for fresh challah Overnight: Jerusalem
Friday, 26 October – Arts and Culture in Jerusalem
Take a private tour with sculptor Jeremy Langford of the “Chain
of Generations” exhibit, in which he portrayed the history of the
Jewish people using 150 tons of sculpted glass. In the Kotel
Tunnels, walk alongside the massive foundation stones of the
Western Wall. In colorful, bustling Machane Yehuda open-air market,
the group will be given 60 minutes to gather the seven
species mentioned in the Bible. At the end of the hour, a text
message will be sent giving people directions to Abu Shukri, where
we will have the world’s best hummus for lunch, Meet with
Jerusalem artists at the Betzalel Academy, Israel’s leading Art
School, or in their studios in Hutzot Hayotzer Artist Colony
Our “Kehillah” (Sacred Community) will gather at the Kotel for
Kabbalat Shabbat together followed by Home hospitality for
Shabbat dinner in private homes of Craig’s friends in the Old City
or the Nahalot neighborhood. Overnight: Jerusalem
Shabbat, 27 October – Shabbat in Jerusalem
Optional Shabbat services at choice of neighborhood synagogues
Group may split: Faith walk on the rooftop and walls the four quarters
of Jerusalem’s Old City. Then we will visit colorful neighborhoods,
sip tea in the Arab Market, and visit the Church of the
Holy Sepulchre OR Visit the new Israel Museum, including the
Shrine of the Book; the Second Temple Model of Jerusalem;
Judaica, art, and archeology exhibits (latter on one’s own)
Sumptuous Shabbat buffet lunch at the hotel
Late afternoon visit to Neve Shalom-Wahat al-Salam, a village
jointly established by Jewish and Palestinian Arab citizens of
Israel. This one of a kind experience will highlight the remarkable
educational work for peace, quality, and understanding of this
remarkable community. The evening will include a spiritual
Havdalah program with Craig and musician Yair Dalal and a light
evening meal Melave Malka. Free time to enjoy Saturday night on
the “Midrachov,” enjoy bustling Ben Yehudah Street
Overnight: Jerusalem
Sunday, 28 October – Musical bridges
Optional church services
available at a choice of local churches (suggestions, directions to
be provided) Depart Jerusalem and head for the Mediterranean
coast. See ancient history come to life at the multi-media center
against the backdrop of ancient Caesarea. Excavations include an
impressive amphitheatre, where we will hear about its use and construction
as Craig and the tour musicians plays music on the
ancient stage and Mediterranean waves lap the shores
Meet a member of Israel’s Druze community in Issufia, hear about
their fierce patriotism and enjoy their warm hospitality with tea
and sweets and a short performance of their ethnic music
Visit Ein Bustan Kindergarten with our host musician, Amir
Shlomian. This school, situated in the small Arab village of Hilf in
the lower Galilee, is the first Jewish/Arab Waldorf kindergarten
in Israel; take part in a special mitzvah project here with the children.
Enjoy a lovely dinner at Bustan Levona, nestled between the
Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights. Here we will enjoy an intimate
evening of dramatic poetry readings with Emmy Award winning
actress Mare Winningham, as we dine in Levona Fruit Grove
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel
Monday, 29 October – From the Galilee to Tel Aviv
Tour the synagogues, courtyards, and shops of the mystical city of
Tzefat; meet with a kabbalistic glass-blower and enjoy a demonstration
of ethnic musical instruments. After lunch (on one’s own)
we drive to Tel Aviv where we will visit Independence Hall and
relive Ben Gurion’s moving declaration of the State of Israel.
Enjoy a special “White City” tour of Tel Aviv a UNESCO proclaimed
World Cultural Heritage site, with a collection of over
4,000 Bauhaus or International style buildings built from the
1930s. Check into our Tel Aviv hotel and then head out for a
Yemenite dinner. Following dinner we will join David Broza, one of
Israel most successful and respected artists, for an evening tour
of Old Jaffa, the oldest city in Israel, followed by a Faith JAM
Concert – a blend of East, West, Middle-Eastern, African,
Classical, Jazz, Klezmer, and Gospel music Overnight: Tel Aviv
Tuesday, 30 October – Cultural Mosaic in the Negev Desert
Depart for the Negev Desert. Follow the Salad Trail as you tour
and enjoy tasting in seven hi-tech, organic greenhouses featuring
the best of Israeli produce and spices. Visit the Negev community
of Sderot and meet with community leaders to discuss peace,
security, and social issues; take in an overview into Gaza
Enjoy a Gospel concert by the the Black Hebrews (Haivri'im
Hayisraeli'im) of Dimona; hear about their dreams and their integration
into Israeli society. Return to Tel Aviv. Enjoy dinner at
Café Kapish, served by deaf waiters who will teach you sign language
during your meal OR at Blackout, served by blind waiters
who will teach you how to negotiate a completely dark world during
your meal – followed by Na Laga’at, a unique play performed by
actors who are both deaf and blind Overnight: Tel Aviv
Wednesday, 31 October – Farewell day:
Optional small group day
tours. This morning we check out of the hotel. Option 1: Masada
and the Dead Sea. Ascend Masada by cable car; tour this impressive
excavation and discuss the terrible dilemma faced by its
Jewish population during Roman times. Stop for a dip, mud baths,
and good hot showers at Mineral Beach on the amazing Dead Sea
Option 2: Remembering. Tour the new state-of-the-art Memorial
Museum and the Children's Memorial at Yad Vashem
Visit the graves of Theodore Herzl and Yitzhak Rabin; continue
with a sobering walk through Har Herzl Military Cemetery
Option 3: Back to the Bible. Visit Jerusalem of King David’s time
as you walk through recently-excavated sections of David’s City
Tour Bethlehem, including the Church of the Nativity
Everybody Comes Together. Return to Tel Aviv for dinner in the
charming neighborhood of Neve Tzedek. We will conclude our tour
with a Farewell Celebration with an intimate and unique evening
together with Israeli singer-songwriters Rami Kleinstein, Idan
Raichel, and other guest artists.
Depart for the airport
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