Sunday, April 15, 2007
Depart the US for Israel

Monday, April 16, 2007 - Shehehianu and First Temple Period Shalom and welcome to Israel! Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport and meet your tour educator Ascend to Jerusalem Pause to say Shehehianu at a vantage point overlooking the city. Then head to Mt Zion, and visit King David's tomb (founder of the city). Descend the Western Hill to the City of David to see where it all began followed by a pleasure walk through Hezekiah Tunnel. Enjoy a spiritual visit to the Western Wall Check into the hotel for relaxation Late afternoon spend some time with the question: "What does Israel mean to me?" - An interactive program in which the participants express and clarify their conceptions of Israel and their expectations from the program in Israel. This will be reflected upon at the end of the program. In the evening a session: "Israel-Diaspora Relations - a new approach" with Shlomo (Momo) Lifshitz, President of Oranim Educational Initiatives Overnight: Jerusalem

Tuesday, April 17, 2007 - Second Temple Period Start the day with a special preparation session on Jerusalem: "Geographical layout of Jerusalem through the ages" Continue with a visit to the David Citadel museum. View the Old city from top of Fazael Tower. Continue to visit the model of Jerusalem as it was in the Second Temple Period and the 19th Century model (It is very important to visit the site before entering the city for it provides a better understanding once inside the city) Walk the Old City Walls Promenade from Jaffa Gate to Zion Gate. Enter the Jewish Quarter through the Zion Gate as generations of Jewish Warriors have. Explore the Jewish Quarter taking in highlights such as the Cardo (Old Roman "shopping street" - still active today, Yeeeee), the Broad Wall, the Hurva Synagogue and the Burnt House. Visit the Southern Wall Excavations In the evening a workshop on Israel in the Media - How Israelis are portrayed in the world media, what Israelis think of events as compared to how they are shown in the world press. Participants will be asked to role-play in this activity. Overnight: Jerusalem

Wednesday, April 18, 2007 - How Biblical Text Mesh with the lay of the Land- Rosh Hodesh 'à Morning session: how Biblical texts mesh with the lay of the Land Drive north to Beit Shean area, where the ancient Israelites, with King Saul and his son Jonathan heading them, fought their last battle with the Philistines. View and better understand the story of Jezebel and the Navoth Vineyard. Visit Beit Alpha ancient Synagogue to see the unique and naïve synagogue mosaic Onward to the Yigal Alon House on the shores of the Sea of Galilee - visit the 2,000 years old reconstructed fisherman's boat and the Galilee artists' gallery. Enjoy an evening cruise on the Sea of Galilee with a special Rosh Hodesh program. Overnight: Kibbutz by the Sea of Galilee or Tiberias

Thursday, April 19, 2007 - The Northern Heights - Rosh Hodesh 'á Head to Zfat, city of mystical Judaism (Kabbalah). Explore the narrow alleyways lined with ancient synagogues and artists' galleries, meet with local Kabbalah artists and visit the candle factory. Ascend the Golan Heights and view the Hula Valley from Mitzpe Gadot and hear about Eli Cohen, Israel's master spy. Continue to visit Katzrin ancient Talmudic village and Synagogue. Pause for a wine tasting at the world-famous Golan Wineries. From atop Mt. Bental view deep into Syria and look down on the ghost town of Kuneitra. In the afternoon drive to the Dan Springs for leisure walk along the Jordan River tributaries and follow the Biblical text about the ordeals of the tribe of Dan. In the evening head to Tiberias for some free time to explore the promenade Overnight: Kibbutz by the Sea of Galilee or Tiberias

Friday, April 20, 2007 - The Lowest South Depart the Galilee and head south to the Dead Sea Continue to Massada, ascend and descend by cable car and hear tales of Herod and the Zealots who chose death over slavery at the hands of the Romans Later, enjoy a swim (float) in the Dead Sea Pause at Ein Gedi for a short hike to the waterfall Return to Jerusalem via Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found Ascend to Jerusalem for Kabbalat Shabbat and Festive Shabbat Dinner Shabbat program: "Jerusalem at the center of the Jewish History, Tradition and Life" - an interactive discussion that will introduce the participants to the history of Jerusalem, starting with Abraham and King David to its becoming the united capital of the State of Israel. This will be achieved through readings and stories Overnight: Jerusalem

Saturday, April 21, 2007 - Shabbat at Leisure Optional Shabbat Services Parashat Hashavua discussion: Parashat Tazria/Metzora discusses the act and meaning of purification. This parasha also relates the Metzora (leprosy) with Tzarut Ain (miserly, miser) and Leshon Hara (slander). Walking tour of Jerusalem neighborhoods Session: Politics in Israel - an overview with Neil Lazarus Havdallah Evening at leisure to explore Jerusalem Ben Yehuda Pedestrian Street (or in short, shopping) Overnight: Jerusalem

Sunday, April 22, 2007 - Erev Yom Ha'zicharon Morning session with Gadi Wolfsfeld or with Paul Liptz or a speaker on Jewish Education from the Ministry of Education. (Pending confirmation) Visit Yad Vashem, Holocaust Memorial site: Walk along the Avenue of the Righteous Meet with a survivor Tour the new museum Visit the Children's Memorial and other memorials Yizkor service in the Valley of Lost Communities Session with the head of the School for Holocaust Studies Continue to Mount Herzl for a ceremony by the graves of Israeli soldiers and Herzl, Rabin and others. This will surmise the day's educational idea of "The reason and cost of having a Jewish Homeland". A short discussion will revolve around the question of "What would Israel be like if there was no Holocaust?" Farewell visit to the Western Wall Drive to visit the Druze Village of Ossafia for early dinner and home hospitality. Descend to the city of Haifa port for an evening ceremony at the Haifa Naval Base ushering in Memorial Day for Israel's fallen. Overnight: Haifa

Monday, April 23, 2007 - Yom Ha'zicharon - Erev Yom Ha'atzmaut Gather with teachers in Haifa, for a Memorial Day Ceremony at one of the schools. Follow the service with lunch and an informal discussion. After lunch In Haifa view the city and the magnificent Bahai Gardens atop Mt. Carmel Drive to Tel Aviv for a short panoramic tour of the city and stop at Rabin Square. Enjoy a walking tour of Old Jaffa, to hear of Napoleon, Andromeda and Jonah and his whale. Closing session: What Did This Trip Do for me?" An interactive program in which the participants express and clarify their conceptions of Israel at the end of their visit to Israel. This will be compared with their expectations from the beginning of the program In the evening celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut with Israelis like Israelis Overnight: Tel Aviv (in case flight is April 24, early morning) Late check out from Hotel (in case flight is April 23, late night) Festive farewell dinner Depart for Ben Gurion Airport

Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - Yom Ha'atzmaut
Depart for the US
Shalom U'lehitraot!

* Program is subject to change