Sunday, March 14, 2010 - The journey begins...
Depart the US for Israel
EL-AL Flight LY002 JFK/TLV Departs 07:20 PM

Monday, March 15, 2010 - Shalom and Welcome Home Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport (11:40 AM) and meet your guide and driver Drive to Beit Guvrin area, Hurbat Midras, to explore the Bar Kochba's Hideouts and for a visit to the man-made Bell Caves. Check into hotel and have dinner In the evening, an interactive map program Overnight: Marina Hotel, Tel Aviv

Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - The City that Never Sleeps 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. In the evening enjoy a cultural musical event @ the Punch Line Restaurant. Overnight: Marina Hotel, Tel Aviv

Wednesday, March 17, 2010 - Deep in the desert Depart Tel Aviv and drive via Tel Azeka to view the battlefield where David fought Goliath. 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. Deep in the desert enjoy a camel ride followed by a Bedouin Hafla (feast).in a Bedouin Encampment Overnight: Chan Shayarot Bedouin Tent

Thursday, March 18, 2010 - 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. Ascend to Jerusalem and start with a spectacular view of Jerusalem from a vantage point and say ‘Shehehianu'. Visit Mount Zion and the tomb of King David, founder of the city. Enter the Jewish Quarter through the Zion Gate like generations of Jewish Warriors in the past. Descend the Western Hill to the City of David. Prepare to get wet as you explore the tunnel built by King Hezekiah about 2700 years ago. Enjoy a spiritual visit to the Western Wall Overnight: Kings Hotel Jerusalem

Friday, March 19, 2010 - 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: Kings Hotel Jerusalem

Saturday, March 20, 2010 - Shabbat Jerusalem Style Shabbat Services and Shabbat sessions about Parashat Hashavua Parashat Vayikra: Leviticus 1:1-5:26 G-d calls to Moses from the Tent of Meeting, and communicates to him the laws of the korbanot, the animal and meal offerings brought in the Sanctuary. These include: The "ascending offering" (olah) that is wholly raised to G-d by the fire atop the Altar; Five varieties of "meal offering" (minchah) prepared with fine flour, olive oil and frankincense; The "peace offering" (shelamim), whose meat was eaten by the one bringing the offering, after parts are burned on the Altar and parts are given to the Kohanim (priests); The different types of "sin offering" (chatat) brought to atone for transgressions committed erroneously by the High Priest, the entire community, the king, or the ordinary Jew; The "guilt offering" (asham) brought by one who has appropriated property of the Sanctuary, who is in doubt as to whether he transgressed a divine prohibition, or who has committed a "betrayal against G-d" by swearing falsely to defraud a fellow man. Havdallah Enjoy a leisure evening at the pedestrian street of Ben Yehudah Overnight: Kings Hotel Jerusalem

Sunday, March 21, 2010 - 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. Afternoon and time permitting drive to the Jerusalem Hills for a short hike of the Sataf Springs. Learn about Biblical mountain agriculture Overnight: Kings Hotel Jerusalem

Monday, March 22, 2010 - 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 travel to Beit She'an, on the way pause at Tel Jeezrael to see how Biblical stories mesh with the lay of the Land like, the battleground where King Saul and his son Jonathan fought their last battle against the Philistines. Continue with a tour of the partially reconstructed ruins of the ancient Roman city and Amphitheatre. Overnight: Kibbutz Hokok Guest House

Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 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 Hokok Guest House

Wednesday, March 24, 2010 - 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, March 25, 2010 - Shalom U'lehitraot
Depart Israel on flight home to the US
El-AL Flight LY001 Departs 1:00 AM
Arrive in the US at 6:00 AM
Shalom U'lehitraot

* Program is subject to change