Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Depart the US for Israel
JFK/TLV LY002 8:30PM-1:10PM (next day)

Wednesday, March 14, 2007 Shalom and welcome to Israel Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport Meet your Tour Educator and drive to Jerusalem Start the tour with a spectacular view of Jerusalem from the Hass vantage point and say 'Shehehianu' Enjoy a spiritual visit to the Western Wall Check into hotel and have dinner Overnight: Jerusalem

Thursday, March 15, 2007 Start the day with a view from Mount Scopus and hear the story of an Israeli enclave inside Jordan before the Six Days War. Then drive to Mt Zion, and visit the traditional tomb of King David, founder of the city. Enter the city via the Zion Gate and descend its Western Hill for a tour of the City of David. Walk through the famous water tunnel built by King Hezekiah nearly 2800 years ago. Overnight: Jerusalem

Friday, March 16, 2007 Drive to the Jerusalem Hills for a hike of the Sataf Springs and learn about Biblical time agriculture. Return to Jerusalem and see the city prepare for Shabbat Kabbalat Shabbat and Dinner Overnight: Jerusalem

Saturday, March 17, 2007 Shabbat Services and Shabbat sessions Enjoy a walking tour of Jerusalem neighborhoods, to learn about Jerusalem development over the last 100 years Havdallah Enjoy an evening of cultural activities Overnight: Jerusalem

Sunday, March 18, 2007 Visit to the David Citadel museum at Jaffa Gate to understand how the city of Jerusalem developed throughout the ages. View the Old city from top of Phazael Tower vantage point See the model of Jerusalem as it was in the 2nd Temple period Walk the Old City Wall Promenade from Jaffa Gate to Zion Gate. Enter the Jewish Quarter through the Zion Gate like generations of Jewish Warriors in the past. Explore the Jewish Quarter taking in highlights such as the Cardo, the Broad Wall (First Temple period). View the presentation at the "Burned House" to understand the conflict within Jewish society which led to the destruction of the 2nd Temple. Descend to the Southern Wall excavations. Then explore the Western Wall Tunnels," the archaeological excavations which runs the entire length of the Temple Mount. Overnight: Jerusalem

Monday, March 19, 2007 Depart Jerusalem and drive via Tel Azeka to view the battlefield where David fought Goliath. Then visit the Machon Ayalon, a secret Hagana munitions plant, where you will learn about the Jewish underground operation during the British Mandate. Spend the rest of the day with Tzadaka project of Table to Table, picking fruit that was left on the ground after harvest. Drive into the desert for a Bedouin Hafla (feast). Enjoy an evening at the Bedouin encampment. Overnight: Bedouin Tent

Tuesday, March 20, 2007 Start the day with a camel ride followed by ascending Massada, tour the site, descend via the Snake Path. Proceed to Ein Gedi for a nature hike at Nahal Arugot to see the desert oasis and waterfall. Enjoy a chance to swim (float) in the Dead Sea Drive through the Negev to the Ramon Crater for a chance to observe and study this unique geological phenomenon that exists only in Israel. Continue to Mitzpe Ramon Overnight: Mitzpe Ramon

Wednesday, March 21, 2007 Drive north for a hike in the Ein Avdat National Park, Continue to Sde Boker to pay tribute to David Ben Gurion, Israel's first Prime Minister. See his famous "Hut: and tomb and learn about his dream to turn the desert green. Head south to Tel Maresha for a "hands on" experience unearthing the past as you participate in an Archeological Dig. Explore the Bell Caves in Beit Guvrin including the Columbarium - all carved from stone. Drive to Tel Aviv Overnight: Tel Aviv

Thursday, March 22, 2007 Relive history as you gather at Independence Hall where the State of Israel was born. Then visit the Palmach History Museum (Beit Hapalmach) to trace events that led to the founding of the state. Embark on walking tour of Tel Aviv's neighborhoods Stop at Rabin Square to talk about peace; pause to remember Visit Shenkin Street with its busy shops. In the evening explore the ancient port of Jaffa, to hear of Napoleon, Andromeda and Jonah and his whale, as well as other famous visitors. Explore its cobblestone alleyways and artists' galleries. Overnight: Tel Aviv

Friday, March 23, 2007 Drive to Neot Kedumim, visit the Biblical Garden and enjoy tree planting. Drive to Latrun and Tel Aviv for meeting with families and pick up the kids for the "Shabbat Host"

Saturday, March 24, 2007 "Shabbat Host"

Sunday, March 25, 2007 Travel to the Jezreel Valley Stop at Megiddo to see the ancient Tel Megiddo. Drive to Beit Shean to tour the partially reconstructed ruins of the ancient Roman city and Amphitheatre Enjoy a visit to the wonderful park and springs of Gan Hashlosha (Sachne) Pause at Mount Gilboa to see Biblical battleground where King Saul and his son Jonathan fought their last battle against the Philistines. Drive north to Tiberias and late afternoon boat ride on the Sea of Galilee Overnight: Kibbutz Guest House

Monday, March 26, 2007 Ascend the Golan Heights and visit the Talmudic Synagogue in Katzrin Drive to Mt. Bental for a view deep into Syria and the ghost town of Kuneitra and talk about the 67 and Yom Kippur wars. Enjoy a nature hike in one of the Golan Heights streams. Head to Mitzpe Gadot to view the Hula Valley and hear about Israel's master spy, Eli Cohen. Enjoy a kayak adventure down one of Jordan River's tributaries In the evening: head to Tiberias for some free time on the Promenade Overnight: Kibbutz Guest House

Tuesday, March 27, 2007 Start the day with a beautiful hike and donkey ride at the Arbel Cliffs Then to Zfat – city of Mystical Judaism (Kabbalah). Explore the narrow alleyways lined with ancient synagogues and art galleries. Drive west along the Lebanese border to Rosh Hanikra; visit the limestone grottos, formed by centuries of sea action. Continue to Akko for a tour of the Old City including the Knights' Halls and the secret underground escape passage dug by the Crusaders. Take a long drive south east, to begin a return (farewell) visit to Jerusalem. Overnight: Jerusalem

Wednesday, March 28, 2007 Start the day at Yad Vashem Museum and Memorial, take part in a program on the subject of the Holocaust. Continue to Mount Herzl the site of the new state of the art Herzl museum and military cemetery. Explore the Herzl Museum and follow the development of Modern Zionism. Visit the final resting sites of Herzl, Rabin and other Israeli dignitaries along with the graves of Israel's soldiers including gravesite of former USY member, Michael Levin who was killed in the recent Lebanon War. Drive to the Knesset, symbol of the rebirth of Israel as the Jewish national homeland. Farewell visit to the Kotel Dinner and closing session. Drive towards for Ben Gurion Airport; stop at Mini-Israel to recap the trips itinerary Depart Israel on flight home to the US

Thursday, March 29, 2007
TLV/JFK LY001 1:00AM-6:30AM
Arrive back in the US
Shalom U'lehitraot!

* Program is subject to change