Wednesday, 16 February - USA Departure

Departure on overnight flight to Israel

Thursday, 17 February - In the Footsteps of Mystics

Morning arrival (ideally) in Israel, to be met and assisted by your ITC representative at Ben Gurion Airport (today's program depends on arrival time) We will choose up to two visits for our group. 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 Weitzman Institute in Rehovot learn of the impressive accomplishments of Israel's top science university; walk through the superbly appointed Weitzman family mansion to enjoy its fine design and architecture. Visit the training kennels of Pups for Peace, to learn how dogs are trained to keep Israelis safe. Take a bus tour of Tel Aviv to see examples of Bauhaus architecture; stop at Rabin Square to discuss the accomplishments of this great Israeli leader. Hotel check-in. Welcome dinner at Maganda Yemenite Restaurant.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Friday, 18 February - Foundations of the Modern State

Enjoy an impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the multi-media Palmach Museum (if available; age 5 and up only) Group may split: At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion's moving declaration of the State OR Guided visit to the Rubin Museum to view the stirring paintings of this signature Israeli artist. Browse through unique craft items in Nahalat Binyamin's colorful, open-air market and enjoy seeing modern Tel Aviv in action. Kabbalat Shabbat at Beit Daniel. Shabbat dinner at the hotel. Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv Shabbat, 19 February - Shabbat in Tel Aviv - Optional Shabbat services on the beach. Take part in a choice of walking tours of Old Jaffa, conducted by Beit Daniel: "Tolerance," which is led by both Arab and Jewish guides working together OR "Bread and Butter," which focuses on multiculturalism through the role of bread in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Enjoy free Israeli dancing on the boardwalk or take a leisurely walk to Old Jaffa. Free evening in Tel Aviv.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Sunday, 20 February - A Tapestry of Israeli Communities

Everybody: See ancient history come to life at the multi-media center against the backdrop of ancient Caesaria. Excavations include an impressive amphitheatre and aqueduct. Adults: Participate in a special seminar on Arab-Jewish coexistence and the implications of the security fence in Israel's north with the Givat Haviva Seminar Center, including strategic overviews and a visit to an Israeli Arab village. Families: At Kibbutz Ein Shemer, enjoy hands-on group activities that simulate the life of Israel's early kibbutz pioneers, such as baking bread in their original wood-burning oven, pitching a tent, building a mosaic floor, and solving early kibbutz members' dilemmas. Everybody: Proceed to the Galilee for hotel check-in and dinner. Evening option: Meet with a kibbutz member to hear about the joys and challenges of running and living on a kibbutz in Israel today.
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Tiberias

Monday, 21 February - The Galilee and Golan Heights

Tour the synagogues, courtyards, and shops of the mystical city of Tzefat. Tour the Hula Valley Nature Reserve, through which tens of thousands of migratory birds pass and other species roam; experience the new Ophoria Interactive Experience, connecting birds, water, and the Israeli landscape. Ascend the Golan Heights and gaze down over the Galilee, as the Syrians once did; enter former Syrian bunkers and learn how master spy, Eli Cohen, revealed their secrets. 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. Stop briefly to check how your compass is working at a paleo-magnetic park near Kibbutz Merom Golan (bring a compass and watch it go crazy, due to deposits of volcanic rock magnetized to the South Pole!) Enjoy dinner at the lovely Suzanna Bistro on Moshav Aniam.
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Tiberias

Tuesday, 22 February - The Jordan River Valley

Leave a piece of yourself behind in the Galilee as you plant a tree in Israeli soil in honor or in memory of a loved one. Travel south along Israel's border with Jordan. Stop along the way to explore Belvoir Castle, a beautifully restored Crusader fortress with an amazing story and a magnificent view of the Jordanian Gilad mountains. At the ancient Beit Alpha Synagogue, examine a striking mosaic floor; enjoy a short, amusing film about plans to renovate this ancient synagogue two millennia ago. Continue south for the ascent to Jerusalem. Enter Jerusalem and take in a breathtaking view of the Temple Mount from the Mount of Olives. Hotel check-in. Group dinner at Olive and Fish (meat) with Anat Hoffamn or someone else from IRAC or the Reform Movement in Israel to speak about issues of Jewish pluralism.
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem

Wednesday, 23 February - Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?

Visit Lifeline for the Old, a moving crafts workshop that employs Jerusalem elderly. Enjoy shopping for unique hand-crafted Judaica items in their store. Everybody Travel to the Dead Sea Region, the lowest place on earth. First time visitors: 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 and mud baths at the amazing Dead Sea. Repeat visitors: Spend some time today at a Dead Sea resort hotel, enjoying its spa facilities, lunch, and the amazing Dead Sea (additional cost for those choosing this option) OR Remain in Jerusalem to tour (suggestions to be provided) Everybody Return to Jerusalem. Evening: Attend The Night Spectacular, the fabulous new sound and light show at the Tower of David Museum, followed by free time for dinner (on one's own; a wide range of dining suggestions to be provided)
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem

Thursday, 24 February - Jerusalem of Old

Everybody Take part in a moving Bar/Bat Mitzvah service at the Southern Steps of the Temple Mount. Explore the Southern Wall Excavations and learn more about the ancient Jerusalem Temple at the Davidson Center. Tour David's City, the most ancient section of Jerusalem, built by King David, including recent excavations and the new film. Free time for shopping and lunch (on one's own) in the Jewish Quarter. First time Israel travelers. In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the massive foundation stones of the Western Wall. Repeat visitors: Take a walking tour along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher; visit the Coptic Village and the Arab Market. Free evening in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem

Friday, 25 February - Those Who Made a Difference

Visit the new Holocaust Memorial Museum (age 12 and up only) and the Children's Memorial at Yad Vashem; alternative interactive tour with Yad Vashem educators available for younger children on site. Take in a special multi-media presentation about the life of the Father of Modern Zionism at the new Herzl Exhibit (if available)Walk through colorful, bustling Machaneh Yehuda open-air market as Jerusalem prepares for Shabbat (time permitting; this is an opportunity for people to purchase something to bring to their hosts when they go to dinner) Return to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat. Kabbalat Shabbat at Kehillat Har-El Home hospitality for Shabbat dinner with Har-El families (confirmed by Rabbi Gruber)
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel

Shabbat, 26 February - Shabbat in Jerusalem

Shabbat morning services at Har-El. Shabbat afternoon walking tour in the Old City Summary session and group havdalah service with Rabbi Gruber, followed by a farewell dinner at Little Italy Restaurant.
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday, 27 February - A Temporary Departure

Morning departure for the airport - Afternoon arrival in USA