Wednesday, July 16, 2008 - The journey begins
Pitt - Depart the US for Israel

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES 16JUL PITTSBURGH PA NEWARK NJ 1202A 130P
CO 2035 WEDNESDAY INTERNATIONAL LIBERTY INTL
Q ECONOMY TERMINAL C

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES 16JUL NEWARK NJ TELAVIV YAFO 405P 935A
CO 84 WEDNESDAY LIBERTY INTL BEN GURION INT 17JUL
Q ECONOMY TERMINAL C TERMINAL 3

Philly - Depart the US for Israel
DELTA AIR LINES 16JUL PHILADELPHI PA NEW YORK NY 400P 520P
DL 5492 WEDNESDAY INTL JOHN F KENNEDY
U ECONOMY TERMINAL A TERMINAL 3

DELTA AIR LINES 16JUL NEW YORK NY TEL AVIV YAFO 910P 255P
DL 86 WEDNESDAY JOHN F KENNEDY BEN GURION IN 17JUL
U ECONOMY TERMINAL 3 TERMINALS 3

Thursday, July 17, 2008 - Welcome Home and Oh, Jerusalem (welcome dinner) Shalom and welcome to Israel! Pitt - Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport (9:35AM) and meet your tour educator Ascend to Jerusalem and say Sheheyanu from a vantage point overlooking the Old City Explore the Jewish Quarter taking in highlights such as the Cardo (Old Roman "shopping street" - still active today) and the Broad Wall. Philly - Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport (2:55PM) and meet your tour educator Ascend to Jerusalem and say Sheheyanu from a vantage point overlooking the Old City Pitt + Philly - View the Southern Wall Excavations and enjoy a spiritual visit to the Kotel Enjoy a welcome dinner In the evening: "What does Israel mean to me?" - An interactive program in which the participants express and clarify their conceptions of Israel and their expectations from the program in Israel. This will be reflected upon at the end of the program. Overnight: King Solomon Hotel, Jerusalem

Friday, July 18, 2008 - Dead Sea, Desert and Kabbalat Shabbat (B, L, Shabbat-Dinner) Head south to the Dead Sea. Continue to Massada, ascend and descend by cable car and hear tales of Herod and the Zealots who chose death over slavery at the hands of the Romans After descending visit the new museum and reflect about the question "Why was there a need for Massada to become a symbol of Jewish resistance against persecution". Enjoy a nature walk to the waterfall. Later, swim (float) in the Dead Sea at the Hod Hotel and Spa. Return to Jerusalem pass by Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found Kabbalat Shabbat and Festive Shabbat Dinner at the hotel Overnight: King Solomon Hotel, Jerusalem

Saturday, July 19, 2008 - Shabbat Jerusalem style (B, L) Optional Shabbat Services Walk to the David Citadel museum. View the Old City from top of Phasael Tower. Continue to visit the model of Jerusalem as it was in the Second Temple Period and the 19th Century model (It is very important to visit the site before entering the city for it provides a better understanding once inside the city). Walk the first Neighborhoods built outside the Old City Walls. Lunch at the hotel Afternoon Parashat Hashavua discussion: Parashat Pinchas - dealing with the five daughters of Zelophehad petition to Moses that they be granted the portion of the land belonging to their father, who died without sons; G-d accepts their claim and incorporates it into the Torah's laws of inheritance. Late afternoon Session: The ABC's of Israeli Politics - with Avi Ben Hur Havdallah and then some time to explore the Ben Yehuda pedestrian mall. Overnight: King Solomon Hotel Jerusalem

Sunday, July 20, 2008 - Jerusalem where it all begun (B, D) Start the day with a visit to the Israel Museum. Visit the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are kept and displayed. Visit the Second Temple Miniature Model learn about the city of Jerusalem as it was in the eve of the Great Revolt (66 CE). Superimpose the ancient city on today's Old City. Then head to Mt Zion, and visit King David's tomb (founder of the city). Enter the Jewish Quarter through the Zion Gate and descend the Western Hill to the City of David where it all begun (1:30PM). Walk and get wet through Hezekiah Tunnel. Dinner at the Grill Bar In the evening a workshop: "Jerusalem at the center of the Jewish History, Tradition and Life" - an interactive discussion that will introduce the participants to the history of Jerusalem, starting with Abraham and King David to its becoming the united capital of the State of Israel. This will be achieved through readings and stories (9:00PM) Continue to the Western Walls Tunnel and a farewell visit to the Wall Overnight: King Solomon Hotel, Jerusalem

Monday, July 21, 2008 - From Darkness to light and to the City that Never Sleeps (B, D) Visit Yad Vashem, Holocaust Memorial site: Walk along the Avenue of the Righteous Tour the new museum Visit the Children's Memorial and other memorials Yizkor service in the Valley of Lost Communities Session with the head of the School for Holocaust Studies Continue to Mount Herzl for a ceremony by the graves of Israeli soldiers, grave of Michael Levine of Philadelphia, and Herzl, Rabin and others. This will surmise the day's educational idea of "The reason and cost of having a Jewish Homeland". A short discussion will revolve around the question of "What would Israel be like if there was no Holocaust?" Descend to Tel Aviv, the city that never sleeps Overnight: Tel Aviv After a short walking tour of Tel Aviv pause at Rabin Square to remember and talk about peace. (5:00PM) Visit the Palmach Museum Rest of the afternoon enjoy some leisure time at the beach Enjoy a diary dinner at Yotvata Bair followed by an evening walking tour of Old Jaffa, to hear of Napoleon, Andromeda and Jonah and his whale. Overnight: Renaissance Hotel, Tel Aviv

Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - Heroes - ancient and modern (B, L) Morning session: how Biblical texts mesh with the lay of the Land (9:45AM) start the day with a visit to the Independence Hall where Ben Gurion declared the independence of the Jewish Home the State of Israel. Next visit Zichron Yaacov and hear stories of pioneers, wine, love and betrayal. Continue to the Carmel Mountain to the Druze Village of Ossafiyah for an authentic Druze Lunch. Drive north to Tzippori, site of the Sanhedrin after the destruction of Jerusalem and visit the Roman Villa with the famous Mona Lisa of the Galilee mosaic. Evening discussion: The role of teacher in the Diaspora in times of crisis in Israel Overnight: Kibbutz Haon on the Sea of Galilee

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - Northern Exposure (B, D) Ascend the Golan Heights, visit Oz 77 to hear about the fierce battles on the Golan and then head to Mt. Bental, to spy deep into Syria and view the ghost town of Kuneitra Pause at Mitzpe Gadot to hear about Israel's master spy Eli Cohen and view the Hula Valley. Hike the Dan River Nature Reserve and stop at Tel Dan to better understand the pressure the Israelites had when trying to settle the Land. Dinner at the Kibbutz In the evening session on The Kibbutz in the 21st Century - what has changed, what remains the same? Overnight: Kibbutz Haon on the Sea of Galilee

Thursday, July 24, 2008 - Kabbalah and Carmiel (B) Pitt - Head to Zfat, city of Mystical Judaism (Kabbalah). Explore the narrow alleyways lined with ancient synagogues and artists' galleries. After Zfat continue to Carmiel your partnership city Overnight: Carmiel (home hospitality)

Thursday, July 24, 2008 - Kabbalah, Akko and Farewell (B, D) Philly - Head to Zfat, city of Mystical Judaism (Kabbalah). Explore the narrow alleyways lined with ancient synagogues and artists' galleries. After Zfat continue to Carmiel to drop off Pittsburgh teachers and on to Akko for a tour of the Crusaders City. After farewell dinner head to Ben Gurion Airport and depart for the US

Friday, July 25, 2008 - Home Hospitality Pitt - Kabbalat Shabbat Shabbat Dinner and Shabbat Session Overnight: Carmiel (home hospitality)

Friday, July 25, 2008 - Leavin' on a Jet plane...

Philly - Depart Israel for the US
DELTA AIR LINES 25JUL TEL AVIV YAFO NEW YORK NY 1240A 605A
DL 87 FRIDAY BEN GURION IN JOHN F KENNEDY
U ECONOMY TERMINAL 3 TERMINALS 3

DELTA AIR LINES 25JUL NEW YORK NY PHILADELPHI PA 825A 950A
DL 5107 FRIDAY JOHN F KENNEDY INTL
U ECONOMY TERMINAL 3 TERMINAL A

Saturday, July 26, 2008 - Shabbat and Shalom! Shabbat Services. Parashat Hashavua Discussion: Parashat Matot. The tribes of Reuben and Gad (later joined by half of the tribe of Manasseh) ask for the lands east of the Jordan as their portion in the Promised Land. Moses is initially angered by the request, but subsequently agrees on the condition that they first join, and lead, in Israel's conquest of the lands west of the Jordan. How may a Jewish educator, who chose to live outside the Promised Land, assist the Jewish Homeland? Closing session: What Did This Trip Do for Me?" An interactive program in which the participants express and clarify their conceptions of Israel at the end of their visit to Israel. This will be compared with their expectations from the beginning of the program Overnight: Carmiel (home hospitality)

Sunday, July 27, 2008 - Leavin' on a Jet plane...
Early morning head to Ben Gurion Airport and depart for the US

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES 27JUL TELAVIV YAFO NEWARK NJ 1140A 450P
CO 85 SUNDAY BEN GURION INT LIBERTY INTL
Q ECONOMY TERMINAL 3 TERMINAL C

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES 27JUL NEWARK NJ PITTSBURGH PA 805P 957P
CO 3240 SUNDAY LIBERTY INTL INTERNATIONAL
Q ECONOMY TERMINAL C

* Program is subject to change