Temple Beth Tzedek's Israel Journey With Rabbi Perry Netter March 11 – 22, 2012

Tour Highlights:
EL-AL, YYZ - Tel Aviv - YYZ - Non Stop Flights
Carlton Hotel Tel Aviv, Maagan, Guest Housem, Dan Panorama Hotel Jerusalem, All Breakfasts, 3 Week-Day Dinners, Shabbat Dinner and Lunch as per itinerary Touring with one of Israel’s Top Tour Guide Educators in Deluxe Motor Coach Our tour begins with a welcome orientation, Ayalon Institute, Weitzman Institute, Science Garden, Neve Tzedek, Independence Hall, Nahalat Binyamin, Funky Sheinkin Street, Palmach Museum, Ancient city of Tzippori, Mystical city of Tzefat, Kinneret boat ride, Kayak on the Jordan River, Banyas/Tel Dan or Hula Valley Nature Reserve, Jeeps on the Golan Heights, Golan Winery, Mei Eden Factory, Israel’s border with Jordan, Old City of Jerusalem, Kabbalat Shabbat in Jerusalem, Shabbat afternoon walking tour, Havdalah with Rabbi Netter, Masada, Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, Amazing Dead Sea, Excavation of Kumran, Robinson’s Arch, The “Masorti Kotel”, David’s City, Israeli Supreme Court, Southern Wall Excavations, Davidson Center, Kotel Tunnels, Jewish Quarter Hezekiah’s water tunnel, Yad Vashem, Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, Har Herzl Military Cemetery, Torah study session, Elah Valley, Archeology dig, Sorek/Absalom’s Caves, Ancient fortress of Herodian, ITC full color source book, A fantastic tour filled with meaningful experiences and fun !

  Itinerary

Sunday, 11 March – USA Departure
Monday, 12 March – When You Come Into the Land (Deut. 26:1) Morning arrival (ideally) in Israel, to be met and assisted at Ben Gurion Airport by your ITC representative. Our tour begins at the amazing underground, pre-State bullet factory built by the Haganah under the noses of the British at the Ayalon Institute. At Weitzman Institute in Rehovot learn of the impressive accomplishments of Israel’s top science university, including the Science Garden for a fun, hands-on experience of Israel’s cutting-edge science and technology. Proceed to the modern Hebrew city of Tel Aviv for hotel check-in Welcome dinner at Maganda (Yemenite)
Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv

Monday, 12 March – When You Come Into the Land (Deut. 26:1)
Morning arrival (ideally) in Israel, to be met and assisted at Ben Gurion Airport by your ITC representative. Our tour begins at the amazing underground, pre-State bullet factory built by the Haganah under the noses of the British at the Ayalon Institute. At Weitzman Institute in Rehovot learn of the impressive accomplishments of Israel’s top science university, including the Science Garden for a fun, hands-on experience of Israel’s cutting-edge science and technology. Proceed to the modern Hebrew city of Tel Aviv for hotel check-in Welcome dinner at Maganda (Yemenite)
Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv

Tuesday, 13 March – Foundations of the Modern State
Explore Tel Aviv history as you walk through the Neve Tzedek neighborhood, including visits to the Suzanne Delal Center and the new Masorti Center. At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion’s moving declaration of the State. Please choose one for the group: Browse through unique craft items in Nahalat Binyamin’s colorful, open-air market and enjoy seeing modern Tel Aviv in action OR Walk through the Carmel Market and along funky Sheinkin Street. Enjoy an impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the multi-media Palmach Museum (if available; age 5 and up only) Free evening in Tel Aviv (recommended: enjoy dinner on one’s own and browsing in the Tel Aviv Port or Hatakhana)
Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv

Wednesday, 14 March – Layers of History
Explore the magnificently excavated ancient city of Tzippori, 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 art galleries of the mystical city of Tzefat, with free time for shopping. Take in a demonstration of spiritual glass-blowing in Tzefat. Enjoy a Kinneret boat ride followed by a delicious lakeside dinner at Decks.
Overnight: Kibbutz Ma’agan Hotel, Galilee

Thursday, 15 March – The Galilee Panhandle
See the excavations and take a lovely nature walk through the lush forests and streams of the Banyas/Tel Dan Nature Reserve Please choose one for the group: Tour the Hula Valley Nature Reserve, through which tens of thousands of migratory birds pass and other species roam; experience the new Ophoria Multi-Media Experience, connecting birds, water, and the Israeli landscape OR At Derekh Hahalav meet a 3rd generation Galilee dairy farmer; bottle feed some calves and try your hand at milking cows; olive oil tasting. Enjoy a lovely lunch at Dag-al-haDan. 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
Overnight: Kibbutz Ma’agan Hotel, Galilee

Friday, 16 March – The Golan Heights and Ascent to Jerusalem
Travel through the Golan Heights by jeep, off the beaten track (Shvilim), and stop to gaze down over the Galilee, as the Syrians once did. Adults: Take a tour and taste the fruits of the region in the form of award-winning wines at the Golan Winery; Children: Tour the Mei Eden Factory to learn how Golan streams are tapped for drinking water Travel south, along Israel’s border with Jordan, for the ascent to Jerusalem. Gaze upon the Old City of Jerusalem from the Haas Promenade, as did Abraham when he prepared to sacrifice Isaac; take in the breathtaking view. Kabbalat Shabbat at a choice of neighborhood synagogues (suggestions, walking instructions to be provided)
Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Shabbat, 17 March – Shabbat in Jerusalem
Vayakhel-Pekudei; Parah Shabbat services at a choice of synagogues Shabbat lunch at the hotel Shabbat afternoon walking tour to the historic Nahalat Shiva neighborhood. Havdalah with Rabbi Netter. Free evening in Jerusalem
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday, 18 March – Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Early departure for the ascent by cable car to Masada. 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 “on site” Stop for a dip, mud baths, and good hot showers at Mineral Beach on the amazing Dead Sea. Visit the excavation of Kumran, home of the mysterious ancient sect that authored the Dead Sea Scrolls Return to Jerusalem for a free evening
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Monday, 19 March – Jerusalem of Old
Shaharit service at Robinson’s Arch, the “Masorti Kotel” Explore the Southern Wall Excavations and learn more about the ancient Temple at the Davidson Center. In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the massive foundation stones of the Western Wall. Free time for lunch (on one’s own) in the Jewish Quarter. 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) Free evening in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Tuesday, 20 March – Those Who Sacrificed
Tour the architecturally unique Israeli Supreme Court building and focus on Israel’s justice system. Visit the Holocaust Memorial Museum (age 10 and up only) and the Children’s Memorial at Yad Vashem 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) Take a sobering walk through the history of the Jewish State at the Har Herzl Military Cemetery Free evening in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Wednesday, 21 March – Digging Israel
Participate in a stimulating Torah study session at the Conservative Yeshiva. Drive along the ridge overlooking the Elah Valley, and pause where a young David vanquished the Philistine giant, Goliath 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 ongoing archeological dig; “cave crawl” also available for the adventurous. Please choose one for the group: Visit the Sorek/Absalom’s Caves to view the impressive stalagtites and stalagmites OR 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 Farewell dinner at Olive and Fish - Depart for the airport

Thursday, 22 March – A Temporary Departure
Arrive in USA

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

Itinerary Subject to Change