Tuesday, July 14, 2009 - The journey begins
Depart on Delta flight DL6680 from Pittsburgh to New York - Kennedy 3:20 PM - 5:00 PM
Continue on EL Al flight LY 002 From New York-Kennedy to Ben Gurion Airport 7:55 PM - 1:20 PM (July 15)

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - Welcome Home (welcome dinner) Shalom and welcome to Israel! Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport (1:20 PM) and meet your tour educator Ascend to Jerusalem and say Sheheyanu from a vantage point overlooking the Old City Spend time on orientation tour of Jerusalem including a visit to the time elevator Enjoy a welcome dinner at the Grill Bar In the evening: "What does Israel mean to me?" - An interactive program with Oranim representative 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

Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 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 Walk and get wet through Hezekiah Tunnel. Overnight: King Solomon Hotel, Jerusalem

Friday, July 17, 2009 - Oh, Jerusalem and Kabbalat Shabbat (B, Shabbat-Dinner) Explore the Jewish Quarter taking in highlights such as the Cardo (Old Roman "shopping street" - still active today) and the Broad Wall. View the Southern Wall Excavations and enjoy a spiritual visit to the Kotel See Jerusalem prepare for Shabbat at Machne Yehuda Market Kabbalat Shabbat and Festive Shabbat Dinner at the hotel Overnight: King Solomon Hotel, Jerusalem

Saturday, July 18, 2009 - 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: Matot-Massei Numbers 30:2--36:13 Moses conveys the laws governing the annulment of vows to the heads of the tribes of Israel. The tribes of Reuben and Gad (later joined by half of the tribe of Menasseh) ask for the lands east of the Jordan as their portion in the Promised Land, these being prime pastureland for their cattle. 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. The boundaries of the Promised Land are given, and cities of refuge are designated as havens and places of exile for inadvertent murderers. Late afternoon Session: The ABC's of Israeli Politics Havdallah and time to explore the Ben Yehuda pedestrian mall. Overnight: King Solomon Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday, July 19, 2009 - Dead Sea, Desert and (B, L) 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 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 Continue to the Western Walls Tunnel and a farewell visit to the Wall Overnight: King Solomon Hotel, Jerusalem

Monday, July 20, 2009 - 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?" Visit the Herzel Museum (pending confirmation) Descend to Tel Aviv, the city that never sleeps After a short walking tour of Tel Aviv pause at Rabin Square to remember and talk about peace. Visit the Palmach Museum (pending confirmation) 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 21, 2009 - Heroes - ancient and modern (B, L) Morning session with Oranim representative Start the day with a visit to the Independence Hall where Ben Gurion declared the independence of the Jewish Home the State of Israel. Continue to the Carmel Mountain to the Druze Village of Ossafia for an authentic Druze Lunch. Drive north to Zippori, site of the Sanhedrin after the destruction of Jerusalem and visit the Roman Villa with the famous Mona Lisa of the Galilee mosaic. Visit Kibbutz Afikim for a session on how to teach arts and crafts in the Kibbutz (pending confirmation) Evening discussion: The role of teacher in the Diaspora in times of crisis in Israel Overnight: Kibbutz Haon in the Galilee

Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - Northern Exposure (B, D) Ascend the Golan Heights via Mevo Hama Ascend. View the Syrian Bunkers and hike to Umm El-Kanatir Synagogue (provided weather conditions). Continue to 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 Quneitra Pause at Mitzpe Gadot to hear about Israel's master spy Eli Cohen and view the Hula Valley. Drive to Metula and visit the Dado Observation point. (Time permitting) 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 in the Galilee

Thursday, July 23, 2009 - Kabbalah and Carmiel (B) Start the day with a cruise on the Sea of Galilee followed by a visit to the 2000 years old fisherman boat, recovered from the bottom of the Sea of Galilee. Continue to Capernaum, Tabgha and end your visit at Mount of Beatitude. Drive north to Zfat, city of Mystical Judaism (Kabbalah). Explore the narrow alleyways lined with ancient synagogues and artists' galleries. Depart Zfat for Carmiel your partnership city Overnight: Carmiel (home hospitality)

Friday, July 24, 2009 - Home Hospitality Kabbalat Shabbat Shabbat Dinner and Shabbat Session Overnight: Carmiel (home hospitality)

Saturday, July 25, 2009 - Shabbat and Shalom! Shabbat Services. Parashat Devarim (Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22) On the 1st of Shevat (37 days before his passing), Moses begins his repetition of the Torah to the assembled Children of Israel. Asking them to keep the Torah and observe its commandments in the land that G-d is giving them as an eternal heritage, into which they shall cross after his death. Moses also sends a message to his successor, Joshua, who will take the people into the Land and lead them in the battles for its conquest: "Fear them not, for the L-rd your G-d, He shall fight for you." 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 26, 2009 - Leavin' on a Jet plane...(D) Spend the morning with your P2K partners. Afternoon depart Carmiel and head to Tel Aviv area for farewell dinner Late evening travel to Ben Gurion Airport and depart for the US

Monday, July 27, 2009
Depart on El Al flight LY001 form Ben Gurion Airport to New York - JFK at 1:00AM
Arrive at New York - JFK at 5:40AM
Depart New York - JFK on Delta flight DL 6615 at 8:25 AM arriving in Pittsburgh at 10:17AM
Shalom U'lehitraot

* Program is subject to change