Join HERJC’s Family Israel Adventure with Rabbi Andrew Warmflash and Beth Heit June 25 – July 6,2012

Tour Highlights:

Round Trip EL AL air JFK - Tel Aviv - JFK
Dan Panorama Hotel Jerusalem, Kibbutz Lavi Guest House, Dan Panorama Hotel Tel Aviv
All Breakfasts, Shabbat Dinner and Lunch, 4 Week-Day Dinners, Lunch and Swim as per itinerary
Touring with one of Israel's Top Tour Guide Educators in Deluxe Motor Coach, Opening Ceremony, Latrun IDF Armored Corps Center, Ascent to Jerusalem, Haas Promenade, Jewish Quarter, Hurva Synagogue, Kotel Tunnels, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, David’s City, Hezekiah’s Water Tunnel, Optional Night Spectacular Sound and Light Show, Tower of David Museum, Masada, Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, Amazing Dead Sea, Camel ride, Menahem Begin Heritage Center, Yad Vashem, Israel Museum, Machaneh Yehuda, Kabbalat Shabbat at the “Masorti Kotel,” Shabbat walking tour to the Tower of David Museum, Four colorful quarters of the Old City, Havdalaha with Rabbi Warmflash, Life Line of the Elderly, Archeological Dig, Ethiopian Jewry, Ancient city of Tzippori, Mystical city of Tzefat, Glass-blowing demonstration with Tzefat artist in her studio, Golan Winery, Kayak on the Jordan River, Encounter with Israeli Arabs in the Galilee through Makom B’Galil, Golan Heights, Valley of Tears Kahalani battle, Excavated Talmudic Village, Israel’s Druze community in Issufia, Ancient Casesaria, Ayalon Institute, Independence Hall, Palmach Museum, Eretz Yisrael Museum, New Rabin Center, ITC full color source book, A fantastic tour filled with meaningful experiences and fun!

For information, Itinerary and Application Please call Rabbi Warmflash 516-599-2634 or e-mail Rabbi Warmflash at rabbiw@herjc.org

  Itinerary

Monday, 25 June – Depart USA overnight flight to Israel

Tuesday, 26 June – 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. At the Latrun IDF Armored Corps center, review the tanks and learn about battles fought there for the road to Jerusalem Ascent to Jerusalem. 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. Hotel check-in and welcome dinner
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Wednesday, 27 June – Jerusalem of Old
Travel through many centuries as you tour the Jewish Quarter, including a visit to the newly restored Hurva Synagogue, once the Great Synagogue of Jerusalem. Track Aleph: the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the Western Wall’s massive foundation stones (on-site guide) Track Bet: Walk along the Via Dolorosa and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Arab Market with our guide. Everybody together: Go way back in time to King David’s Jerusalem in David’s City and enjoy sloshing through Hezekiah’s water tunnel (strap-on water shoes and flashlights needed; dry tunnel option also available). Free evening in Jerusalem. Optional: Attend The Night Spectacular, the new Sound and Light show at the Tower of David Museum (not included in tour price; advance registration required)
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Thursday, 28 June – Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Early morning departure for the Dead Sea Region. Ascend Masada by cable car. Tour this impressive excavation and discuss the terrible dilemma faced by its Jewish population during Roman times. Enjoy a walk through the beautiful Ein Gedi Nature Reserve and review the biblical story of Kings David and Saul that took place there “on site” . Stop for a dip in the amazing Dead Sea. Alternative for repeat Israel travelers: Spend today at a Dead Sea Resort Hotel, enjoying its spa facilities, lunch, and the amazing Dead Sea (not included in tour price) Enjoy a camel ride and biblical hospitality with a delicious dinner in Abraham’s Tent in the Judean Desert.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Friday, 29 June – Those Who Made a Difference
Visit the Menahem Begin Heritage Center for a highly moving and informative presentation on the life of this inspiring leader Track Aleph Visit the Holocaust Memorial Museum (age 10 and up only) and the Children’s Memorial at Yad Vashem. Track Bet Visit the renovated Israel Museum, including the Shrine of the Book; the Second Temple Model of Jerusalem; Judaica, art, and archeology exhibits; children’s wing (museum docent). Walk through colorful, bustling Machaneh Yehuda open-air market, as Jerusalem prepares for Shabbat. Kabbalat Shabbat at Robinson’s Arch, the “Masorti Kotel,” or a Synagogue of your choice (suggestions, walking instructions to be provided) Shabbat dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Shabbat, 30 June – Shabbat in Jerusalem - Parashat Hukkat
Shabbat morning services at a choice of neighborhood Synagogues Sumptuous Shabbat lunch buffet at the hotel. Shabbat walking tour to the Tower of David Museum for a wonderful presentation of the history of the city; continue to walk through the four colorful quarters of the Old City Havdalah with Rabbi Warmflash followed by a free evening in Jerusalem
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday, 1 July – Israel Tapestry. Visit Lifeline for the Old, a moving
crafts workshop that employs Jerusalem elderly. Enjoy shopping for unique hand-crafted Judaica items in their store. Stumble across many archeological finds as you take part in a hands-on dig through archeological matter that has been removed amid controversy, from under the Temple Mount Visit a colorful center for Ethiopian Jewry in Ramle; hear their immigration stories first-hand and learn about the challenges they face and the unique contributions of this community to the Israeli fabric; possible workshops include coffee ceremony, Ethiopian pottery, dance, drumming (please choose one workshop for the group, if desired) Travel north to the Galilee Region Hotel check-in and dinner.
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Tiberias

Monday, 2 July – In the Footsteps of Sages and Mystics
Explore the magnificently excavated ancient city of Tzippori, once home to Rabbi Judah the Prince; discover ancient beauty and evidence of a community in which Jews and Romans coexisted peacefully. Tour the synagogues, courtyards, and shops of the mystical city of Tzefat, including the candle factory outlet store. Enjoy a glass-blowing demonstration with a Tzefat artist in her studio; hear how she connects the spiritual to the physical through her art. Take part in an encounter with Israeli Arabs in the Galilee through Makom B’Galil. Free time for dinner (on one’s own) on the Tiberias promenade.
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Tiberias

Tuesday, 3 July – The Hula Valley and the Golan Heights
Please choose either-or: Enjoy a tour and taste the fruits of the region at the lovely Golan Winery OR Glide down the Jordan River on a kayak (age 6 and over) Ascend the Golan Heights and stop to gaze down over the Hula Valley as the Syrians once did. At Kibbutz El Rom, see original footage from the brave Valley of Tears Kahalani battle, which secured the Golan Heights during the Yom Kippur War. Free time for dinner (on one’s own) on the Tiberias promenade. Evening option: Travel back in time at the excavated Talmudic Village in Katzrin; meet actors and artisans who will be animating the site; enjoy ancient-style dancing and a Talmudic feast for dinner (based on availability; not yet included in tour price)
Overnight: Kibbutz
Lavi Hotel, Tiberias

Wednesday, 4 July – Layers of History
Meet a member of Israel’s Druze community in Issufia, hear about their fierce patriotism and enjoy their warm hospitality. See ancient history come to life at the multi-media center against the backdrop of ancient Casesaria. Excavations include an impressive amphitheatre and aqueduct Take part in the mitzvah of "leket" as you volunteer harvesting crops to be distributed to the needy. Free evening in Tel Aviv
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Thursday, 5 July – Foundations of the Modern State
Climb down into the amazing underground, pre-State bullet factory built by the Haganah under the noses of the British at the Ayalon Institute At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion’s moving declaration of the State. Group may split: Enjoy an impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the recently opened multi-media Palmach Museum (if available; age 6 and up only) OR Visit the Eretz Yisrael Museum for a colorful, tactile encounter with local life and culture in this region during earlier historical periods OR 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. Late check-out from the hotel. Enjoy our farewell dinner at Café Kapish in Old Jaffa, served by deaf waiters who will teach you sign language during your meal. Depart for the airport

Friday, 6 July – A Temporary Departure
Arrive back in USA
Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi Warmflash and ITC Tours!

Itinerary is Subject to Change