Monday, March 31, 2008
Depart the US for Israel
El Al 008, JFK/TLV, 11:50PM - 5:10PM +1

Tuesday, April 1, 2008 Shalom and welcome to Israel Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport (5:10PM) and meet your guide and driver Start the tour with a spectacular view of Jerusalem from a vantage point and say 'Shehehianu' Enjoy a spiritual visit to the Western Wall Check into hotel and have dinner Overnight: Jerusalem

Wednesday, April 2, 2008 Start the day with a 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 Phasael 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. Visit the traditional tomb of King David, founder of the city. Descend the Western Hill to the City of David and to walk the Hezekiah Tunnel (hopefully at that time the replica of the Shiloach Tablet will be placed at its original position) Overnight: Jerusalem

Thursday, April 3, 2008 Start the day with a view from atop Mount Scopus where you will hear stories about Hadassah Hospital and Hebrew University that remained as an Israeli enclave within Jordan from 1948-1967. 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 (last minute shopping), 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 (pending confirmation). Overnight: Jerusalem

Friday, April 4, 2008 Start the day with a unique hike through the Sataf Springs to view and learn about Biblical Agriculture. Return to Jerusalem and see the city prepare for Shabbat Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel Festive Shabbat Dinner Shabbat programs Overnight: Jerusalem

Saturday, April 5, 2008 Shabbat Services and Shabbat sessions Havdallah Enjoy a leisure evening at the pedestrian street of Ben Yehudah Overnight: Jerusalem

Sunday, April 6, 2008 Depart Jerusalem and drive via Tel Azeka to view the battlefield where David fought Goliath. Head south to Tel Maresha for a "hands on" experience unearthing the past as you participate in an Archeological Dig. Explore the man made Bell Caves at Beit Guvrin Tour the Israel Air Force Museum This evening, enjoy a camel trek and Hafla (feast) in a Bedouin Encampment Overnight: In a Bedouin Tent in the desert

Monday, April 7, 2008 Ascend Massada, tour the site, and descend via the Snake Path. Proceed to Ein Gedi for a nature hike through the desert oasis and waterfall. Enjoy a chance to swim (float) in the Dead Sea Drive to Tel Aviv Overnight: Tel Aviv

Tuesday, April 8, 2008 Travel to the Jezreel Valley Stop at Megiddo to see the ancient Tel Megiddo. Drive to Beit She'an 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

Wednesday, April 9, 2008 Ascend the Golan Heights and visit the Talmudic Synagogue in Katzri 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. Head to Mitzpe Gadot to view the Hula Valley and hear about Israel's master spy, Eli Cohen. Visit a military outpost near the Lebanese border. Enjoy a kayak adventure down one of Jordan River's tributaries Overnight: Kibbutz Guest House

Thursday, April 10, 2008 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. Spend exciting time at the renovated Manara Cliffs Adventure Center including rappelling and other thrilling activities. Overnight: Kibbutz Guest House

Friday, April 11, 2008 Drive to Rosh Hanikra to visit the exciting sea grottos Continue to Akko, visit the Crusaders Halls and escape tunnel while experiencing the upper Ottoman era city. Drive to Latrun and Tel Aviv for meeting with families and pick up the kids for the "Shabbat Host"

Saturday, April 12, 2008 "Shabbat Host"

Sunday, April 13, 2008 Depart Tel Aviv to spend time at Table to Table activities (fruit picking) as your Tikun Olam project. Visit Machon Ayalon, underground Ammunition plant. 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 (pending confirmation). Return to Tel Aviv for a short afternoon city tour, pause at Rabin Square to talk about peace and to remember 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: Jerusalem area

Monday, April 14, 2008 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

Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Depart for the US
El Al 001, TLV/JFK, 1:00AM - 5:35AM
Shalom U'lehitraot

* Program is subject to change