Sunday, March 22, 2009
Depart the US for Israel

Monday, March 23, 2009 Shalom and welcome to Israel Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport 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

Tuesday, March 24, 2009 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

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 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

Thursday, March 26, 2009 Descend the Jerusalem Hills to spend time at Table to Table activities (fruit picking) as your Tikun Olam project. Visit Machon Ayalon, underground Ammunition plant. After lunch continue the day with a unique hike through the Sataf Springs to view and learn about Biblical Agriculture. Return to Jerusalem Overnight: Jerusalem

Friday, March 27, 2009 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 (pending confirmation). 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. See the city prepare for Shabbat and Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel Festive Shabbat Dinner and Shabbat programs Overnight: Jerusalem

Saturday, March 28, 2009 Shabbat Services and Shabbat sessions Havdallah Enjoy a leisure evening at the pedestrian street of Ben Yehuda Overnight: Jerusalem

Sunday, March 29, 2009 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, March 30, 2009 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, March 31, 2009 Travel to the Jezreel Valley on the way 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 1, 2009 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 Quneitra 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 2, 2009 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 3, 2009 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 4, 2009 "Shabbat Host"

Sunday, April 5, 2009 Start the day with a short city tour of Tel Aviv, pause at Rabin Square to talk about peace and to remember 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). 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. 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

Monday, April 6, 2009
Depart for the US
Shalom U'lehitraot

* Program is subject to change