Join the BSBI 2012 Israel Trip "Israel Off the Beaten Path" with Rabbi Richard and Lisa Plavin July 1 – July 12, 2012

Tour Highlights:
Jerusalem will be our home base for seven nights at the beautifully renovated Turkish period Mt. Zion Hotel. Then we’ll head down to the Negev for two nights at Mitzpeh Ramon, the dramatic canyon of the desert. Our itinerary is especially appropriate for return travelers, although we welcome first timers as well. We will walk upon the walls of Jerusalem, look down at the city from the heights of the newly reconstructed Churvah Synagogue, and walk beneath it through King David’s City and Hezekiah’s water tunnel. Visit hidden synagogues in the Jewish and Muslim quarters. Explore the ancient fortress of Herodian. Take in the Night Spectacular at the Tower of David Museum. Meet with artists in their galleries and tour the newly renovated Israel Museum with a curator as our guide. On a day trip to Tel Aviv we’ll explore the new Rabin Center and get to the beach as well. Our Negev excursion will include a sunset jeep tour through Midbar Tzin, sunrise over the Machtesh, a Bedouin encampment, Nabatean ruins and much, much more. Included are five unusual dinners and three lunches representing a variety of cuisines: Yemenite, Middle-eastern, Bedouin, and one restaurant serving gourmet meals using only ingredients mentioned in the Bible. We’ll imbibe at an award-winning boutique winery and a family-run micro-brewery. Of course each day will start with a legendary Israeli buffet breakfast.

The land package will include: nine hotel nights, deluxe air-conditioned motor coach, and ten days of touring with a carefully chosen, experienced guide/educator (tips included in the price).

Contact Rabbi Plavin for more information: and application forms
please e-mail Rabbi Plavin at myrabbi@myshul.org or call 860 643 9563

itinerary is a work in progress

  Itinerary

Sunday, 1 July – USA Departure

Monday, 2 July – When You Come Into the Land (Deut. 26:1)
Arrive in Israel to be met and assisted at Ben Gurion Airport by your ITC representative Visit the biblical landscapes park, Neot Kedumim for insight into the realities of Israel’s ancient agricultural society. Gaze upon the Old City of Jerusalem from the Haas Promenade, standing where Abraham stood at the dawn of Jewish history; take in the breathtaking view Late Afternoon visit to the Arab shuk and walk on the ramparts wall, ending at Kotel. Dinner at Sami or Simi or Ima.
Overnight: Mount Zion Hotel, Jerusalem

Tuesday, 3 July – Jerusalem Today
Tour the Valley of the Communities, Avenue of the Righteous Gentiles, and outdoor sculptures at Yad Vashem. Visit Es-sense at the Ein Kerem agricultural high school. Afternoon/evening visit to the Israel Museum including the new Shrine of the Book; the newly reopened Model of Jerusalem in the Second Temple Period; art, archeology, and Judaica exhibits; Billy Rose Sculpture Garden; and free time for dinner (on one’s own) at one of the museum’s eateries; tour of Jewish art and life exhibit with curator, Tania Coen-Uzzielli.
Overnight: Mount Zion Hotel, Jerusalem

Wednesday, 4 July – The Old City
Tour the hidden synagogues of the Jewish and Muslim quarters and the Old Yishuv Court Museum. At the Burnt House, experience a moving, informative presentation on the destruction of Jerusalem and the second Beit Hamikdash Lunch (on own) in Old City Visit the Churvah Synagogue with expert guided tour. Enjoy wine tasting and hor d’ouevres at the P’sagot Winery.
Overnight: Mount Zion Hotel, Jerusalem

Thursday, 5 July – Jerusalem Throughout the Ages
Take a walking tour though Jerusalem’s Christian Quarter in the Old City. Afternoon at leisure Evening: Attend The Night Spectacular, the fabulous new sound and light show at the Tower of David Museum.
Overnight: Mount Zion Hotel, Jerusalem

Friday, 6 July – Gush Etzion
Visit the site of the ancient fortress of Herodian, built by Herod and used by Jewish fighting forces throughout the ages; also the site of an ancient synagogue and King Herod’s newly discovered tomb Learn about the history of the defense of Gush Etzion in a moving multi-media presentation at the Kibbutz Kfar Etzion Museum. Have a lovely lunch at Gavna; take in the gorgeous view. Enjoy a tour and tasting at Gush Etzion’s micro-brewery Shabbat Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Mount Zion Hotel, Jerusalem

Shabbat, 7 July – Shabbat in Jerusalem
Enjoy a walking tour with our guide.
Overnight: Mount Zion Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday, 8 July
Go way back in time to King David’s Jerusalem in David’s City and enjoy sloshing through Hezekiah’s water tunnel. Remainder of the day at leisure until late afternoon Visit Hutzot Hayotzer and meet with artists Oshrit Raffeld, David Moss, and Yossi Sagi in their galleries Dinner at Eucalyptus.
Overnight: Mount Zion Hotel, Jerusalem

Monday, 9 July
Visit the new Rabin Center for a high-tech presentation on the history of the State of Israel and the life of this special leader. Visit the Eretz Yisrael Museum for a colorful, tactile encounter with local life and culture in this region during earlier historical periods OR Take in the collections at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art OR Enjoy a Mediterranean swim OR Browse Tel Aviv shops. Travel south to Mitzpeh Ramon Enjoy a jeep tour through Midbar Tzin Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Ramon Inn, Mitzpeh Ramon

Tuesday, 10 July – The Negev Desert
Arise for sunrise over the Machtesh followed by a walk in the Machtesh. Return to the hotel for breakfast Several free hours for napping or swimming at the hotel’s pool Afternoon visit to Ein Avdat drive down to the Nabatean ruins in Avdat. Evening at Bedouin encampment including dinner and camel rides.
Overnight: Ramon Inn, Mitzpeh Ramon

Wednesday, 11 July - Cornucopia
Leisurely breakfast and time to pack with 10 AM check-out from the hotel. Possible options for the day include going to Dialog in the Dark in Holon, visiting the Weizman Institute, Sde Boker.
Depart for the airport

Thursday, 11 July – A Temporary Departure
Arrive in USA

Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi and Lisa Plavin
and ITC Tours!

Itinerary subject to change