Sunday, April 03, 2011 - The journey begins…
Depart the US for Israel
April 03 El Al Flight 004 Depart JFK 12:00 PM (arrive TLV 5:25 AM April 04)

Monday, April 04, 2011 – Shalom and Welcome Home Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport and meet your guide and driver (05:25) Drive to Beit Guvrin area, Hurbat Midras, to explore the Bar Kochba's Hideouts and for a visit to the man-made Bell Caves. short city tour of Tel Aviv, pause at Rabin Square to talk about peace and to remember Opening session and interactive map program Overnight: Marina Hotel, Tel Aviv

Tuesday, April 05, 2011 – The City that Never Sleeps Start the day at Nahalat Binyamin Pedestrian arts and crafts market and trendy Shenkin St Relive history as you gather at Independence Hall where the State of Israel was born. 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. Meet Israeli relatives at the hotel Overnight: Marina Hotel, Tel Aviv

Wednesday, April 06, 2011 – Deep in the desert Depart Tel Aviv and drive via Tel Azeka to view the battlefield where David fought Goliath. Spend time at Table to Table activities (fruit picking) as your Tikun Olam project. Visit Machon Ayalon, underground Ammunition plant. Deep in the desert enjoy a camel ride followed by a Bedouin Hafla (feast).in a Bedouin Encampment Overnight: Chan Shayarot Bedouin Tent

Thursday, April 07, 2011 – Massada Rocks! Start the day by climbing Massada for a spectacular sunrise. The palatial fortress is known as the last independent Jewish territory from the destruction of the second Temple to the rebirth of the modern State of Israel. Descend to the Dead Sea area and stop for lunch and swim (float) in the Dead Sea. Proceed to Ein Gedi for a nature hike through the desert oasis and waterfall. Ascend to Jerusalem and start with a spectacular view of Jerusalem from a vantage point and say ‘Shehehianu’. Overnight: King Solomon Hotel, Jerusalem

Friday, April 08, 2011 – City of King David Start the day walking the Old City Ramparts from Jaffa Gate to Zion Gate. Explore the Jewish Quarter taking in highlights such as the Cardo (a Roman shopping street still active today), the Broad Wall (First Temple period) and more. Walk the Western Wall Tunnels (pending confirmation) See the Jerusalemites prepare for Shabbat with a visit to the colorful Machne Yehuda Market - a riot of sounds and smells, from fruit to Arab coffee to flowers to spices to fresh Challah being baked for Shabbat In the evening join thousands of Jewish People of all ages and backgrounds as they head to the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest place to welcome the Shabbat. Overnight: King Solomon Hotel Jerusalem

Saturday, April 09, 2011 – Shabbat Jerusalem Style Shabbat Services and Shabbat sessions about Parashat Hashavua Parashat Metzora (Leviticus 14:1-15:33) Last week's Parasha described the signs of the metzora ("leper") -- a person afflicted by a spiritual malady which places him or her in a state of ritual impurity. This week's Torah reading begins by detailing how the recovered metzora is purified by the Kohen (priest) with a special procedure involving two birds, spring water in an earthen vessel, a piece of cedar wood, a scarlet thread and a bundle of hyssop. A home can also be afflicted with "leprosy" by the appearance of dark red or green patches on its walls. In a process lasting as long a nineteen days, a Kohen determines if the house can be purified or it must be demolished. Ritual impurity is also engendered through a seminal or other discharge in a man, and menstruation or other discharge of blood in a woman, necessitating purification through immersion in a mikvah. Havdallah Enjoy a leisure evening at the pedestrian street of Ben Yehudah Overnight: King Solomon Hotel Jerusalem

Sunday, April 10, 2011 - Remembrance 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. 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. Visit to the Israel Museum to see the model of Jerusalem from the Second Temple period and the Dead Sea Scrolls, housed in the dramatic Shrine of the Book Afternoon and time permitting drive to the Jerusalem Hills for a short hike of the Sataf Springs. Learn about Biblical mountain agriculture After dinner - time to Israeli relatives visit at the hotel loby Overnight: King Solomon Hotel Jerusalem

Monday, April 11, 2011 – Northern Exposure Start the day by spending time at Table to Table activities (fruit picking) as your Tikun Olam project. Visit Machon Ayalon, underground Ammunition plant. After lunch Visit the ancient city of Caesarea – check out the acoustics in the ancient Roman Theatre and the mysterious waterless moat of the Crusader Fortress. Overnight: Kibbutz Gonen Guest House

Tuesday, April 12, 2011 – Go Golan! Ascend the Golan Heights and visit 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. Enjoy a kayak adventure down one of Jordan River's tributaries Overnight: Kibbutz Gonen Guest House

Wednesday, April 13, 2011 – Glorious Galilee Start the day with a visit to Zfat - city of Mystical Judaism (Kabbalah). Explore the narrow alleyways lined with ancient synagogues and art galleries. Drive along the northern border with Lebanon to Rosh Hanikra. Descend by cable car to visit the glorious sea grottos carved by the sea. Drive to Tel Aviv area for farewell dinner and closing session After dinner depart for Ben Gurion Airport

Thursday, April 14, 2011 - Shalom U’lehitraot
April 14 El Al Flight 001 Depart TLV 1:00 AM (arrive JFK 5:40 AM April 14)
Depart Israel on flight home to the US
Arrive in the US
Shalom U'lehitraot

* Program is subject to change