Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Depart he US for Israel
Depart Newark-Liberty on El Al flight LY28 at 2:30PM

Thursday, June 25, 2009 Shalom and welcome home to Israel! Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport (8:05AM), meet your Tour Educator and head to the Neot Kedumim Biblical Reserve (10:00AM). Plant a tree to mark your arrival in Israel Head south to Sde Boker in the Negev Desert Pause at the gravesite of David Ben Gurion and talk about his dream to turn the desert green Opening sessions Evening activity on desert ecology Overnight: Kibbutz Mashabei Sadeh

Friday, June 26, 2009 Head to a real desert oasis as you hike to Ein Avdat Continue south to view the Ramon Crater from Mitzpe Ramon and arrive in Eilat Prepare for Shabbat Kabbalat Shabbat on the Beach Shabbat programs Overnight: Shalom Plaza, Eilat

Saturday, June 27, 2009 Discussion of Parashat Hashavua: Parashat Korach: Numbers 16:1-18:32 Korach incites a mutiny challenging Moses' leadership and the granting of the kehunah ("priesthood") to Aaron, accompanied by Moses' erstwhile foes, Dathan and Aviram. Joining them are 250 distinguished members of the community, who offer the sacrosanct ketoret (incense) to prove their worthiness for the priesthood. The earth opens up and swallows the mutineers, and a fire consumes the ketoret-offerers. A subsequent plague is stopped by Aaron's offering of ketoret. Aaron's staff miraculously blossoms and brings forth almonds to prove that his designation as High Priest is Divinely ordained. G-d commands that a terumah ("uplifting") from each crop of grain, wine and oil, all firstborn sheep and cattle, and other specified gifts be given to the Kohanim. Enjoy a walk through Eilat's hot-spots: the promenade, Um Rashrash and more Set sail on the blue waters of the Red Sea on your yacht (2:00PM) Then enjoy some time to relax on the beach or by the pool Havdallah Night time jeep ride to see desert wildlife Overnight: Shalom Plaza, Eilat

Sunday, June 28, 3009 Enjoy a snorkeling adventure on a coral reef (9:00AM) Tour the Timnah Park and see King Solomon's Pillars or Travel deep into the desert and hike through the Red Canyon Onward to a camel trek deep into the desert Enjoy a traditional Bedouin Hafla (feast) Overnight: Hanokdim, Bedouin Tent in the desert

Monday, June 29, 2009 Ascend Massada via the Roman Ramp to see the sunrise After touring the site, enjoy a chance to swim in the Dead Sea Onward to Ein Gedi for a nature walk to the waterfall Ascend to Jerusalem Pause to say Shehehianu at a vantage point overlooking the city In the evening, an interactive map program Overnight: Caesar Hotel, Jerusalem

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 Start the day at the Israel Museum to view the model of Jerusalem from the Second Temple Period and the Dead Sea Scrolls. Walk the Old City ramparts from Jaffa Gate and to Mt. Zion followed by a visit to King David's Tomb - the founder of Jerusalem. Enter the Old City from the Zion Gate, like Jewish warriors have for generations. Descend the Western Hill to the City of David (3:30PM) and walk through Hezekiah's Tunnel Evening excursion to Ben Yehuda Street Overnight: Caesar Hotel, Jerusalem

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 Start the day with a hands-on archeological experience while sieving through debris dug out from the Temple Mount area (09:00AM) Onward to Tel Azeka and view the Ella Valley where David Fought Goliath Explore the Midras Caves where Bar Kochba's warriors hid and continue to visit the Luzit Bell Caves In the evening visit the Kotel Tunnel (21:20 +21:40) Overnight: Caesar Hotel, Jerusalem

Thursday, July 2, 2009 Explore the Jewish Quarter including the Cardo (an 1800 year-old shopping mall, where you can still shop today), the Broad Wall, and visit the Southern Wall Excavations including the stairs that were used by Jewish pilgrims as the entered the Temple Mount for the sacrifice Ceremony. Overnight: Caesar Hotel, Jerusalem

Friday, July 3, 2009 In the morning enjoy a hike at the Sataf Springs and learn about Biblical agriculture Return to Jerusalem and see Jerusalem prepare for Shabbat with a visit to the Machne Yehuda Market Kabbalat Shabbat at a local synagogue Shabbat programs Overnight: Caesar Hotel, Jerusalem

Saturday, July 4, 2009 Discussion on Parashat Hashavua Parashat Pinchas: Numbers 25:10-30:1 Aaron's grandson, Pinchas, is rewarded for his act of zealotry in killing the Shimonite prince Zimri and the Midianite princess: G-d grants him a covenant of peace and the priesthood. A census of the people counts 601,730 men between the ages of 20 and 60. Moses is instructed on how the Land is to be divided by lottery among the tribes and families of Israel. The five daughters of Zelophehad petition 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. Moses empowers Joshua to succeed him and lead the people into the Land of Israel. The Parshah concludes with a detailed list of the daily offerings, and the additional offerings brought on Shabbat, Rosh Hodesh (first of the month), and the festivals of Passover, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret. Walking tour to view the Supreme Court Building or Mishkenot Sha'ananim Shabbat programs Havdallah In the evening a program on The Burma Road Overnight: Caesar Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday, July 5, 2009 Head north to the shores of the Mediterranean and tour Caesarea to see the Roman Theatre and the Crusader Fortress Then view The Bahai Garden from atop Mt. Carmel and enjoy authentic Druze lunch (12:30PM) Continue either to Akko to visit the Crusaders Halls and walk the escape tunnel or continue across the Yisrael Valley to swim in the Sachne springs Time permitting swim in the Kinneret In the evening, sway to the beat as you join a Drummers Circle Overnight: Kibbutz Hokuk in the Galilee

Monday, July 6, 2009 Early morning and weather permitting hike down the near vertical Arbel Cliffs Enjoy kayaking experience on the Jordan River followed by Pizza party Ascend the Golan Heights and head to visit Katzrin Golan Museum to hear the story of Gamla. Continue to Gamla for short hike (weather permitting). Pause at Mitzpe Ha'Shalom to view the region of the Sea of Galilee, hear about Israel's master spy, Eli Cohen and descend the Golan Heights via Hamat Gader. In the evening a Talent Contest Overnight: Kibbutz Hokuk in the Galilee

Tuesday, July 7, 2009 Preparation session for the Mifgash 11:00 Arrival to the Region (Rayman's teen club) Orientation to Partnership 2000 & the Mifgash itinerary 11:30-12:20: Ice-breaking activities 12:30-2:00PM: Outdoor training 2:00-4:00pm: Lunch and free time at the pool 4:00-7:00 pm: Hiking-"P2K Trail", including baking Pitas & other activities on the route. Overview of the city of Karmiel & the region of Misgav 7:00 pm: Hosting families will pick up

Wednesday, July 8, 2009 8:00 - 6:00pm: Day trip to the Golan Heights - "Following the trail of the Crusaders" Visit to an army base. Overview from Bental Mountain & the Bacha Valley. Hiking in Ein Tina 7:00-9:00pm: Night swim & Falafel Overnight: Home Hospitality

Thursday, July 9, 2009 8:00-10:00 am: Volunteering in Karmiel summer camps with a session: "American Day" 10:00am-7:00pm: Day trip- Ice-skating in Ma'alot. Rosh Hanikra Activities dealing with the environment at Achziv beach. Omega into the water 7:00- 9:00 pm: Bowling & Pizzas Overnight: Home Hospitality

Friday, July 10, 2009 9:00-11:00: Joint work shop - Israel & Diaspora relations 12:00-15:00: Head to Zfat, city of Mystical Judaism (Kabbalah) and explore its narrow alleyways lined with ancient synagogues and artist's galleries Friday Night with hosting families Overnight: Home Hospitality

Saturday, July 11, 2009 Shabbat with hosting families 8:30PM: Gathering at the youth club for Havdalah 9:00-11:00 PM: Farewell party with light refreshments Overnight: Home Hospitality

Sunday, July 12, 2009 8:00-9:00AM: Summary of visit 9:00AM: Americans- Departure to the Maccabi games The group gathers and departs for the JMI games followed by a visit to Latrun Overnight: Hafetz Haim

Monday, July 13, 2009 Start the day with a Tikun Olam activity with Table to Table - picking fruit that will be handed out to the needy (9:15AM). Then to Machon Ayalon - a secret munitions plant from the British Mandate period (11:30AM). In the afternoon/evening, view the Maccabiah Games Overnight: Hafetz Haim

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 Explore your roots at Beit Hatefutzot - the Museum of the Diaspora (09:30AM) Tour Old Jaffa and hear about Jonah and the Whale, Andromeda, Napoleon and others who have passed through this ancient port. Enjoy a walking tour through the Neve Zedek quarter Explore the arts and crafts fair on the Nahalat Binyamin pedestrian mall, trendy Shenkin St. and the colorful Carmel Market In the evening, hang out at the Marina in Herzeliya Overnight: Hafetz Haim

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 Drive to Tel Aviv and relive history at Independence Hall where David Ben Gurion proclaimed the creation of the State of Israel. Continue to a short city tour and pause at Rabin Square to remember, reflect and speak of peace. Relax at the beach Preparation session for Yad Vashem Overnight: Hafetz Haim

Thursday, July 16, 2009 Ascend to Jerusalem and visit Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust memorial for a program to include a Yizkor Service and a meeting with a survivor as well as a tour of the complex (09:00AM) Continue to Mt Herzl to the graves of Herzl, Golda Meir, Yitzhak Rabin and other Zionist Luminaries. View the Supreme Court Building, the Knesset and the Menorah Farewell visit to the Kotel Depart toward Mini-Israel to recap your visit, closing session and farewell dinner Drive to Ben Gurion Airport

Friday, July 17, 2009
Depart on El Al flight LY027 at 12:05 AM
Arrive at Newark-Liberty at 5:05AM
Shalom U'lehitraot!

* Program is subject to change