Sunday, April 29, 2007
Depart the US for Israel

Monday, April 30, 2007 Shalom and welcome to Israel Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport and meet your Tour Educator Ascend to Jerusalem to say Shehehianu at a vantage point overlooking the Old City Opening sessions Overnight Jerusalem

Tuesday, May 01, 2007 Start the day with a walking tour to the David Citadel museum. View the Old city from top of Phasael 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 Wall Promenade from Jaffa Gate to Zion Gate. Visit King David's Tomb. Then descend the Western Hill to David's City. Visit the new excavations and learn why King David chose this location. Walk through the famous water tunnel built by King Hezekiah nearly 3000 years ago. Continue to the Jewish Quarter, entering through the Dung Gate for a spiritual visit to the Western Wall. Overnight: Jerusalem

Wednesday, May 02, 2007 Depart Jerusalem for the North. Make your way to the foot of the Gilboa Mountain for a short hike to Yizrael Springs near Tel Yizrael. View the battleground of King Saul last struggle with the Philistines. Relax at the Sachne and visit the Kangaroo Park. Continue to visit the reconstructed Roman City of Beit She'an. Then ascend to the Golan Heights to view deep into Syria and (time permitting) visit the Talmudic Synagogue in Katzrin. Descend the Golan Heights via Mitzpe Gadot to view the Hula Valley and to speak of the Israeli master spy, Eli Cohen. Ascend to Zfat, city of mystical Judaism (Kabbalah). Overnight: Zfat

Thursday, May 03, 2007 Daven Shacharit in one of Tzfat Synagogues. Explore the narrow alleyways lined with ancient synagogues and artists' galleries. Continue for a Kayaking adventure down the Jordan River Enjoy Zip Line activity into the Jordan River In the afternoon hike down the Arbel cliffs. Drive to Tiberias to visit the tombs of Rambam and Rabbi Akiva Overnight: Zfat

Friday, May 04, 2007 Head to Rosh Hanikra to visit the Sea Grottos Continue south to Haifa for a view of the city atop Mt Carmel Visit the Druze village of Ossafia and enjoy a special Druze hospitality and lunch Continue to Jerusalem and see Jerusalem prepare for Shabbat Kabbalat Shabbat Festive Shabbat Dinner and Shabbat programs Overnight: Jerusalem

Saturday, May 05, 2007 Shabbat Services Walking tour of Jerusalem neighborhoods Return to the hotel for Havdallah This evening, take a ride on the Time Elevator to learn more of Jerusalem's 3000 years of history. Participate in Lag Ba'Omer evening activities Overnight: Jerusalem

Sunday, May 06, 2007 – Lag Ba'Omer Depart Jerusalem to Tel Azeka and view the Valley Ella, David and Goliath's battle ground Head to Hof Ashkelon to meet new Israeli friends and share experiences In the evening, a Lag Ba'Omer party with your new Israeli friends Overnight: Home hospitality in the Ashkelon region

Monday, May 07, 2007 Say goodbye to your Israeli friends Enjoy a "hands on" experience with the past as you participate in an Archeological Dig. Explore the unique Bell Caves in Beit Guvrin including the Columbarium - all carved from stone. Review the area where the major Bar Kochva rebellion has taken place and how it all relates to Lag Ba'Omer Head south into the desert for a camel trek followed by a Bedouin Hafla (feast). Overnight: In a Bedouin Tent in the desert

Tuesday, May 08, 2007 Ascend Massada and tour the site, hearing tales of Herod and the Zealots who chose death over slavery at the hands of the Romans Then swim (float) in the Dead Sea Head to Ein Gedi for a hike to the waterfall Travel via Qumran to where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found Overnight: Tel Aviv

Wednesday, May 09, 2007 Enjoy a day tour in Tel Aviv Start the day at Independence Hall, where you will relive the Birth of the State of Israel Continue on walking tour of Old Jaffa rife with stories of Andromeda, Napoleon and Jonah and the Whale. Follow the development of Tel Aviv starting from the Neve Zedek neighborhood Pause at Rabin Square to speak of peace Enjoy a walk of the trendy pedestrian streets of Nahalat Binyamin and Shenkin Overnight: Tel Aviv

Thursday, May 10, 2007 Visit Yad Vashem, Holocaust Memorial site for a program and a Yizkor service Continue to Mount Herzl for a ceremony by the graves of Herzl, Rabin and others. Explore the Jewish Quarter taking in highlights such as the Cardo, the Broad Wall, the burned House and the Hurva Synagogue. Explore the Western Wall Tunnels (pending confirmation) followed by a farewell visit to the Western Wall Head to Park Mini Israel where you will recap your visit to Israel Closing sessions and dinner at Mini Israel Depart for Ben Gurion Airport Fly back to the US Shalom U'lehitraot!

Friday, May 11, 2007
Arrive in the USA

* Program is subject to change