We are Joining Plymouth’s Interfaith Multi- Generational Israel Experience
Led by Rabbi Estelle Mills
February 26 – March 9, 2023 Optional Eilat-Petra Extension: March 9 – 12, 2023
Don’t miss out! Space is still available.
Sunday, February 26
Depart USA
Monday, February 27 – Entering the Land
Morning arrival in Israel to be met and assisted by your ITWT representative (today’s program depends on arrival time).Tour of Old Jaffa – The ancient port city once known as Zion Gate, through which Jonah fled and Solomon brought the Cedars of Lebanon. Hear about Peter’s vision in Jaffa and its impact on Jewish – Christian relations. See Ramses Gate and the Statue of Faith on top of ancient Tel Jaffa. Shehekhiyanu–Welcome ceremony on ancient Tel Jaffa overlooking Modern Tel Aviv.
Lunch on own.
Check in to the Metropolitan Hotel in Tel Aviv.
Welcome dinner at Maganda Restaurant in Tel Aviv’s old Yemenite Quarter.
Overnight: Metropolitan Hotel, Tel Aviv
Tuesday, February 28 – The Hebrew City and the Jewish State
Walking tour of historic “Little Tel Aviv” – Discover the historic Neve Tzedek neighborhood that gave birth to the “first Hebrew city in 2,000 years”, once home to Zionist cultural pioneers Eliezer Ben Yehuda, S.Y. Agnon and Nahum Guttman.
ITC Touch: Discover City of Sand and Sea, a mosaic fountain created by artist and writer Nachum Gutman, portraying scenes from the history of Jaffa and Tel Aviv.
Hear about the establishment of Tel Aviv at the Founders’ Monument. Then stroll down Rothschild Boulevard to view the Bauhaus architecture for which central Tel Aviv was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lunch on your own and free time to explore the Nachalat Binyamin crafts fair. While there, check out the nearby
Carmel Market and great street food. Then have a look at bohemian Sheinkin Street – All Three of these
Tel Aviv icons meet at the “Magen David Junction”. Visit the Palmach Museum in
Ramat Aviv to learn about the elite underground organization which played a critical role in the founding of the State of Israel.
Free evening. Dinner on own. Overnight: Metropolitan Hotel, Tel Aviv
Wednesday, March 1 – Encounters with the Roman World and Mystical Tzfat
Tour the Roman ruins of Caesarea, where Peter accepted Cornelius as the “first gentile adherent to Christianity”. Explore its Roman Theater, Amphitheater, Hippodrome and Promontory Palace. Then ponder a rabbinic debate over Jews attending gladiator games.
Lunch on own.
Tour mystical Tzfat’s old synagogues and picturesque alleyways. Tzfat
was the cradle of Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) in the 16th century. Kabbalat Shabbat, Judaism’s Friday night service and the hymn Lecha Dodi originated in Tzfat a that time. Check in to Nof Ginosar Hotel on Kibbutz Ginosar by the Sea of Galilee Dinner at hotel.
Overnight: Nof Ginosar Hotel, Sea of Galilee
Thursday, March 2 – Sea of Galilee, Sources of the Jordan and the Strategic Golan Heights
Explore Capernaum where Jesus’ Ministry in the Galilee began, including in its ancient synagogue.
Visit Mt. of the Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.
Walk in the lush Tel Dan Nature Reserve, one of the sources of the Jordan River, where you’ll discover biblical intrigue and one of the oldest arches in the world.
Lunch on own.
Ascend to Golan Heights and lookout over pre 1967 Israel as Syrian soldiers once did. Then continue to Mt. Bental to look over Israel’s current border with Syria and appreciate the region’s strategic significance.
Return to Ginosar.
Dinner at hotel.
Overnight: Nof Ginosar Hotel, Sea of Galilee.
Friday, March 3 – Through the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem
See the well-preserved wreck of an ancient fishing boat (‘the Jesus boat’) discovered in the Sea of Galilee near Ginosar at the Yigal Alon Museum.
Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.
Drive south through Jordan Valley Visit Qasr El Yahud – The Jordan River Baptismal site, traditionally associated with where the Children of Israel crossed the Jordan and Elijah ascended to heaven in a Chariot of Fire. Look out the Old City and Temple Mount and City of David.
Lunch on own.
Time permitting: Explore the bustling Machane Yehuda Market and take in a slice of local life as you see Jerusalemites prepare for the Sabbath.
Check in to Prima Kings Hotel or Prima Royal Hotel in Jerusalem.
Friday/Sabbath evening options:
Take in Jerusalem’s special atmosphere by joining worshipers Greeting the Sabbath at the Western Wall. Option to pray together in the egalitarian section, where men and women can stand together.
OR: Attend Friday night services at a local Jerusalem Reform synagogue.
OR: Enjoy leisure time and relax before dinner.
Traditional Shabbat Dinner at hotel.
Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel or Prima
Royal Hotel, Jerusalem
Saturday, March 4 – And on the Seventh Day….in Jerusalem
Optional Shabbat morning services at a local Reform synagogue.
OR: Visit the First Temple Period burial site at Ketef Hinnom, where archaeologists discovered the oldest biblical text ever found.
Lunch on own.
Travel to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity in Manger Square.
Tour Mt. Zion to visit David’s Tomb and the Cenacle (Last Supper room) – All under the same roof, crowned with a Minaret.
Havdalah with Rabbi Mills
Free evening. Dinner on own.
Recommendation for the evening:
Check out the lively Ben Yehuda Street Pedestrian Mall for fun, food and shopping.
Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel or Prima Royal Hotel, Jerusalem
Sunday, March 5 – Exploring Ancient Jerusalem
Option of attending Sunday morning worship service in Jerusalem.
Visit the Western Wall and then discover its archaeological story and episodes of Jewish life 2,000 years ago at Robinson’s Arch and the Southern Wall Excavations.
Walk through the Western Wall Tunnels to experience underground Jerusalem.
Follow the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the site of the Crucifixion and burial of Jesus.
Lunch on own
Tour of the Jewish Quarter including the Cardo and Broad Wall and rooftop panoramic view of Old City’s Four Quarters, each with its distinct form. Free evening. Dinner on own. Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel or Prima Royal Hotel, Jerusalem
Monday, March 6 – Into the Desert: Masada and the Dead Sea
Set out across the Judean Desert on the Good Samaritan Route. Then travel along the Dead Sea Coast passing Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.
Ascend Masada by cable car to tour the ruins of Herod’s palace and last outpost of Jewish independence 2,000 years ago.
Lunch on own.
Swim in the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, at a local resort. The resort also has a fresh water pool and spa facilities. Massage and spa treatments available by prior reservation at own expense.
Dinner on own. Free evening.
Recommendation – Visit the First Station Compound, Jerusalem’s restored Ottoman railway station turned restaurant – cafe area.
Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel or Prima Royal Hotel, Jerusalem
Tuesday, March 7 – City of Faith and Remembrance
Tour of Yad Vashem – Israel’s national Holocaust memorial and museum, including the Holocaust History Museum and Children’s Memorial.
Lunch on own.
See the world renown Chagall Windows at Hadassah Hospital. Then watch audio-visual presentation about Hadassah Hospital.
Meaningful visit to the Mt. Herzl Cemetery to discover chapters in the history of Israel at the graves of Yitzhak Rabin, Golda Meir, Theodore Herzl and Hannah Senesh.
Dinner on own. Free evening.
Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel or Prima Royal Hotel, Jerusalem
Wednesday, March 8 – Departing with Lasting Memories
Visit Yad Lakashish, a unique employment project helping Jerusalem’s elderly, including a stop in its shop “where shopping is a mitzvah!” Visit the Israel Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Model of ancient Jerusalem in the first century. Free time to explore additional exhibits on own. Recommendations: Modern Israeli art, Synagogue interiors in the Judaica Section and the Archaeology Wing.
Lunch on own.
Remainder of afternoon free to explore on own and get in last minute shopping.
Farewell dinner at Medita Restaurant.
Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport – See you again soon.
Thursday, March 9
Arrive in USA
Optional Eliat/Petra Extension
Thursday, March 9 – Eilat on the Red Sea
Morning airport transfer for domestic flight to Eilat.
Descend into a Red Sea coral reef at Eilat’s Underwater Observatory where you look out the window at the surrounding marine life. Continue exploring Eilat’s remarkable undersea world at the observatory’s aquarium.
Lunch on own.
Check-in to Isrotel Ganim Hotel or similar in Eilat.
Dinner on own.
Overnight: Isrotel Ganim Hotel, Eilat
Friday, March 10 – The Wonders of Petra
Early departure for Petra to explore the amazing red sandstone structures carved by the ancient Nabateans. Enter Jordan at the Arava Crossing and travel to Petra by bus (approx. 2.5 hours). Tour its Treasury (“Khaznieh”), Roman theatre, impressive caves and rock formations of this Nabatean City.
Buffet lunch included.
Return to Eilat.
Overnight: Isrotel Ganim Hotel, Eilat
Saturday, March 11 – Red Sea Delight
Red Sea Sail – Board a touring yacht at the Eilat marina for a leisurely cruise and lunch on the Red Sea. Snorkeling equipment is available for a closer look with the most exquisite coral reefs and tropical fish to be found in the world.
Evening domestic flight to Ben Gurion Airport.
Check-in for U.S. flight at Ben Gurion Airport Terminal 3.
Sunday, March 12
Arrive in USA
Tour Package Includes:
- Hotels: Metropolitan Hotel, Tel Aviv; Nof Ginosar Hotel, Sea of Galilee; and Prima Kings, Jerusalem
- All Breakfasts, Friday night “Shabbat” Dinners, 5 Weekday dinners and lunches as per itinerary
- Touring with Rabbi Mills and one of Israel’s Top Tour Guide educators in a WiFi enabled deluxe touring Motor Coach A Few Tour Highlights:
- Tour of Old Jaffa – The ancient port city through which Jonah fled and Solomon brought the Cedars of Lebanon. Hear about Peter’s vision in Jaffa and its impact on Jewish–Christian relations.
- Shehekhiyanu-Welcome ceremony on ancient Tel Jaffa overlooking Modern Tel Aviv.
- Visit the Palmach Museum in Ramat Aviv to learn about the elite underground organization which played a critical role in the founding of the State of Israel.
- Explore Capernaum where Jesus’ Ministry in the Galilee began, including its ancient synagogue.
- Visit Mt. of the Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.
- Walk in the lush Tel Dan Nature Reserve, one of the sources of the Jordan River,
- Take in Jerusalem’s special atmosphere in Greeting the Sabbath at the Western Wall.
- Visit Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity in Manger Square.
- Tour Mt. Zion to visit David’s Tomb and the Cenacle (Last Supper room)
- Tour of the Jewish Quarter including the Cardo and Broad Wall and rooftop panoramic view of the Old City’s Four Quarters, each with its distinct form.
- Cross the Judean Desert and ascend Masada by cable car, tour the ruins of Herod’s palace.
- Tour of Yad Vashem – Israel’s national Holocaust memorial and museum.
- Visit Yad Lakashish, a unique employment project helping elderly, where shopping is a mitzvah!
- Visit the Israel Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Model of ancient Jerusalem
- And much much more!
Print Application for Submission
$3695 Land Only Package (Discounted rate for payment by check)
$4995 Land and *Air Package (Discounted rate for payment by check) $995
Single Room Supplement (Discounted rate payment by check)
$3843 Land Only Package (Full cost for credit card payment)
$5195 Land and *Air Package (Full cost for credit card payment)
$993 Single Room Supplement (Full cost for credit card payment)
Subtract $110 Reduction for 3rd adult in room
Added to the costs above are tips for Guide, Driver, Restaurants and Porterage $195 (pre-collected).
Optional Eilat-Petra Extension: March 9 – 12, 2023 — Price per person based on double occupancy Per Person 2 participants $1650: 4-5 Participants $1475: 6-7 pax $1350: 8-9 pax $1295: 10 pax $1350
Tips for extension $40
