Join B?nai Israel Congregation?s Multi-Generational Family Israel Adventure with Rabbi Jonathan and Beverly Schnitzer June 17 – 29, 2012

Tour Highlights:
Round Trip air EWR to Tel Aviv - EWR - Group bus from Rockville to EWR
Inbal or Dan Panorama Hotel Jerusalem, Leonardo Plaza Tiberias, Carlton Tel Aviv
All Breakfasts, Shabbat Dinner and Lunch, 5 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 Tank center, Old City of Jerusalem, Kotel, Mount of Olives,
Southern Wall Excavations, Davidson Center, Kotel Tunnels or David’s City, Jewish Quarter, Cardo,
Herodian Mansions or Four Sephardic Synagogues, Burnt House with Rabbi Schnitzer,
Night Spectacular, New Sound and Light show at the Tower of David Museum, Yad Vashem,
Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, Herzl Museum, Har Herzl Military Cemetery or Menahem Begin Heritage Center,
Congregation Ya’ar Ramot, Masada, Amazing Dead Sea, Ein Gedi Nature Reserve,
Political briefing by Jay Ruderman of AIPAC, Archeological dig, Mahaneh Yehudah Market,
Kabbalat Shabbat in the Old City, Tower of David, Ammunition Hill, Israel Museum,
Shabbat walking tour and Havdalah under the stars with Rabbi Schnitzer,
Beit Shemesh to take part in a hands-on tzedaka project in our Partnership 2000 city,
Israel’s border with Jordan, Crusader fortress, Mystical city of Tzefat.
Mount Meron, Evening boat cruise on the Kinneret, Golan Heights by jeep,
Kibbutz El Rom, Valley of Tears Kahalani battle, Har Bental, Kayak on the Jordan River,
Lake Kinneret sound and light show, Dona Gracia House, Atlit, Ancient Caesaria, Alona Park,
Palmach Museum, Amazing underground bullet factory, Independence Hall,
ITC full color source book, A fantastic tour filled with meaningful experiences and fun!

  Itinerary

Sunday, 17 June – Israel Pilgrims - Overnight flight to Israel

Monday, 18 June – When You Come Into the Land (Dev. 26:1)
Morning arrival in Israel to be met and assisted at Ben Gurion Airport by your ITC representative. At the Latrun IDF Armored Corps center, review (or climb on) the tanks and learn about battles fought there for the road to Jerusalem. Ascent to Jerusalem - At the Tayelet, behold a breathtaking view of the Old City, as did Abraham when he contemplated the sacrifice of Isaac. Enter the Old City of Jerusalem and proceed to the Kotel. Hotel check-in, rest, and welcome dinner
Overnight: Dan Panorama and Inbal Hotels, Jerusalem

Tuesday, 19 June – Jerusalem of Old - Take in an overview of the Temple
Mount from the Mount of Olives. Explore the Southern Wall Excavations and visit the Davidson Center. First time visitors: In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the Western Wall’s massive foundation stones (with local guide) Repeat visitors: Tour David’s City, the most ancient section of Jerusalem, built by King David, including the Spring Tunnel and 3-D presentation. Everybody: Free time for lunch (on one’s own) and shopping in the Jewish Quarter. Group may split: Tour the Jewish Quarter, including the Cardo and entrance to the Herodian Mansions with your guide, Visit the four Sephardic Synagogues and the Burnt House with Rabbi Schnitzer Evening: Attend the Night Spectacular, the fabulous new sound and light show at the Tower of David Museum, with free time for dinner (on one’s own) Overnight: Dan Panorama and Inbal Hotels, Jerusalem

Wednesday, 20 June – Those Who Made a Difference
I Rosh Hodesh Tammuz. Visit the new state-of-the-art Memorial Museum (age 12 and over only), the Children’s Memorial at Yad Vashem, and the Valley of the Destroyed Communities with a brief memorial service there. Alternative for younger children: At the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, enjoy meeting the animals that roamed this land during Bible times (accompanied by adult/s; not included in tour price) First time visitors: Enjoy a truly fascinating multi-media presentation about the life of the Father of Modern Zionism at the newly opened Herzl Museum: then at Har Herzl Military Cemetery encounter the “silver platter” on which the Jewish people have acquired – and continue to acquire – our state. Repeat visitors: Visit the Menahem Begin Heritage Center for a highly moving and informative presentation on the life of this inspiring leader Light supper at Congregation Ya’ar Ramot, to be joined by members
Overnight: Dan Panorama and Inbal Hotels, Jerusalem

Thursday, 21 June – Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
II Rosh Hodesh Tammuz: Early departure to ascend Masada by cable car; tour this magnificent excavation and discuss the harrowing dilemma faced by its Jewish residents during Roman times. Spend time at a Dead Sea resort hotel, enjoying its pool, spa facilities, lunch, and the amazing Dead Sea. Enjoy a walk through the beautiful Ein Gedi Nature Reserve and review the biblical story of kings David and Saul “on site”. Return to Jerusalem. Dinner at Anna Ticho House, O/N: Dan Panorama and Inbal

Friday, 22 June – Jerusalem Then and Now
Political briefing by Jay Ruderman of AIPAC after breakfast At the “Dig for a Day” program at Beit Guvrin, have a hands-on experience of archeology as you uncover actual artifacts while taking part in an actual archeological dig; “cave crawl” also available for the adventurous. Return to Jerusalem. Enjoy a walk through bustling, colorful Mahaneh Yehudah Market, as Jerusalem prepares for Shabbat. Kabbalat Shabbat in the Old City or at a synagogue of your choice (suggestions, walking instructions to be provided) Shabbat dinner at the hotel (private room, if available)
Overnight: Dan Panorama and Inbal Hotels, Jerusalem

Shabbat, 23 June – Shabbat in the Holy City - Parashat Korah
Shabbat services at a synagogue of your choice. Explore the wonderful fortress that houses the Jerusalem Museum at the Tower of David for a rich overview of the history of Jerusalem throughout the ages with our guide. Shabbat lunch buffet at the hotel (main dining room) Late afternoon walking tour of fascinating Jerusalem neighborhoods near our hotel with Rabbi Schnitzer. Havdalah under the stars with Rabbi Schnitzer. Free evening in Jerusalem. Overnight: Dan Panorama and Inbal Hotels, JLM

Sunday, 24 June – Jerusalem Then and Now and Partners in Israel
At Ammunition Hill, see a terrific new audio-video presentation about the fierce Six Day War battle for Jerusalem; enter former Jordanian bunkers. Visit the newly renovated Israel Museum, including the Shrine of the Book; the Second Temple Model of Jerusalem; Judaica, art, and archeology exhibits; children’s wing. Travel to Beit Shemesh to take part in a handson tzedaka project in our Partnership 2000 city Free evening in Jerusalem. O/N: Dan Panorama and Inbal Hotels,

Monday, 25 June – In the Footsteps of Mystics and Sages
Travel north along Israel’s border with Jordan. Stop at Belvoir, an impressive Crusader fortress with a stunning view. Spend some time touring the synagogues, courtyards, and shops of the mystical city of Tzefat. Look over Mount Meron, as did the Ari and his students when they welcomed the Shabbat. Time to Explore Tzefat Enjoy an evening boat cruise on the Kinneret followed by a delicious lakeshore steak dinner at Decks.
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Tiberias

Tuesday, 26 June – The Golan Heights
Travel to the Golan Heights by jeep (Rimonei Hagalil), off the beaten track, and stop to gaze down over the Galilee 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. Ascend to the peak of Har Bental, where you can enter army bunkers and take in a panoramic view at the crossroads of three countries; discuss the significance of the Golan Height in today’s geo-political reality. Glide down the Jordan River in a kayak or raft (age 5 or over) Free time for dinner (on one’s own) on the Tiberias promenade. Be “wowed” by new Lake Kinneret sound and light show
O/N: Leonardo Plaza Hotel,

Wednesday, 27 June – The Mediterranean Coast
In Tiberias, visit Dona Gracia House to become acquainted with the fascinating life of this 16th century Jewish heroine and Tiberias financial leader via dramatic story-telling and an opportunity to pose for photos in period clothing. Please choose two of the following for the group: In Atlit walk through the detention camp that held Holocaust refugees denied entry into Eretz Yisrael by the British; see the incredible, newly arrived “illegal immigration” boat with its wonderful a/v presentation about heroic pre- State immigration. Walk through the fascinating, underground Roman water system that once fed ancient Caesaria at Alona Park near Binyamina (strap-on water shoes, small towel needed) See ancient history come to life at the newly-opened multi-media center, against the backdrop of ancient Caesaria. Excavations include an impressive amphitheatre and aqueduct (with ancient Caesaria computer print-out activity, if available)
Continue south to Tel Aviv for hotel check-in followed by a free evening.
Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv

Thursday, 28 June – Foundations of the Modern State
Enjoy an extremely impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the new multi-media Palmach Museum (if available) Take a panoramic bus tour of Tel Aviv, the first modern Hebrew city 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. Farewell dinner at the hotel (private room) Depart for the airport.

Friday, 29 June – A Temporary Departure
Overnight flight to USA

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

Itinerary Subject to Change