Sunday, July 12, 2009 - On our way!
Depart North Shore for Israel via Newark
LY 028 EWR/TLV 14:30 - 7:45 13JUL

Monday, July 13, 2009 - Welcome Home Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport (7:45AM) and meet your Tour Educator Enjoy light refreshments upon arrival and head to Neot Kedumim, the biblical reserve for a program and tree planting. Drive north along the Mediterranean coast to Atlit, the British detention camp where "illegal" Jewish immigrants were held. Time permitting take a short hike up the Carmel Mountain following the route the prisoners took after being freed by the Palmach. End at the pre-historic "Ha-Etzba" Cave. Visit the Druze Village of Ossafiyah for lunch and home hospitality. Continue for early hotel check-in and welcome home dinner and Bus Groups: Ice breakers and “Getting to Know You" Activities Overnight: Galilee area

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 - Go Galilee Start the day late with an opening session - The Message, with Shlomo (Momo) Lifshitz, President of Oranim Educational Initiatives Enjoy a Kayaking adventure down the Jordan River. Splash into the river at the end of a zip-line! In the late afternoon and into the evening head to Israel's most exciting water park by the shores of Sea of Galilee. Overnight: Galilee area

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - Northern Exposure Ascend the Golan Heights Drive to the Mount Bental viewpoint and view deep into Syria and the Ghost Town of Kuneitra. Hike one of the Jordan River tributaries, Dan, Snir or Hermon, see Israel green, and wet-even in the summer. Head to Manara Cliffs and ascend the cliff by cable car and take in the magnificent view. Then enjoy a rappelling adventure on your way down In the evening enjoy a cruise on the Sea of Galilee Overnight: Galilee area

Thursday, July 16, 2009 - Holy Cities Start the day in Zfat, city of mystical Judaism (Kabbalah). Explore the narrow alleyways lined with ancient synagogues and artists' galleries. Depart for Beit She'an the reconstructed ancient Roman town of Scytopolis. Beit She'an contains some Israel's most spectacular archaeological finds. See the colonnaded streets, ritual baths, basilica and Roman temple. Enjoy a relaxing swim at the Sachne Springs Ascend to Jerusalem and pause at a vantage point overlooking the city to say Shehehianu and enjoy a spiritual visit to the Western Wall Visit the Time elevator for an introduction to Jerusalem's 3000 years of history Overnight: Jerusalem

Friday, July 17, 2009 - Urban Origins Start the day at 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. Walk the Old City Wall Promenade from the Jaffa to Zion Gates. Visit Mt Zion and the Tomb of King David, founder of Jerusalem. Enter the Old City through Zion Gate as Jewish Warriors have done for generations. Descend the Western Hill to the City of David, where it all began. Enjoy a wet walk through Hezekiah Tunnel, dug in biblical times See Jerusalem prepare for Shabbat Kabbalat Shabbat at the Hotel followed by Shabbat dinner Enjoy a night walk to the Kotel Overnight: Jerusalem

Saturday, July 18, 2009 - Shabbat Shalom Optional Shabbat Services at the hotel After services enjoy a Shabbat leisure walk (Oneg Shabbat) through some of the new neighborhoods of Jerusalem. Return to the hotel for lunch After lunch spend some time in small group discussions on Jewish Identity and Parashat Hashavua Matot-Massei Numbers 30:2--36:13 Moses conveys the laws governing the annulment of vows to the heads of the tribes of Israel. The tribes of Reuben and Gad (later joined by half of the tribe of Menasseh) ask for the lands east of the Jordan as their portion in the Promised Land, these being prime pastureland for their cattle. Moses is initially angered by the request, but subsequently agrees on the condition that they first join, and lead, in Israel's conquest of the lands west of the Jordan. The boundaries of the Promised Land are given, and cities of refuge are designated as havens and places of exile for inadvertent murderers. Afternoon Shabbat program: Jewish Roots of Christianity and Islam Havdallah After dinner, enjoy a unique Jerusalem by night tour including Ben Yehuda Street and the Western Wall Tunnels (pending confirmation) Overnight: Jerusalem

Sunday, July 19, 2009 - Discovering Hidden Secrets Start the day with a hands-on archeological experience at Ein Tzurim while you sieve through debris dug out of the Temple Mount. Depart Jerusalem via Tel Azeka, where David fought Goliath. Continue to a Tikun Olam activity of Table to Table Visit to Machon Ayalon, a secret Hagana munitions plant. Head south along the Arava Valley to the Red Sea resort town of Eilat In the evening stroll the promenade, do a little duty-free shopping. Overnight: Eilat

Monday, July 20, 2009 - The Cool Blue Waters of the Red Sea Enjoy a full day in Eilat including the Underwater Observatory where the fish watch you! Snorkel along the spectacular reefs; soak up the sun. In the evening, board a disco boat for a cruise down the Gulf of Eilat, dance the night away. Overnight: Eilat

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - Canyons and Craters Depart Eilat early morning enjoy a hike through the Red Canyon and see the layers of amazing multi-colored sand. Continue to the Ramon Crater, a unique geological formation that exists only in Israel Enjoy a unique Jeep ride through the Ramon Crater and proceed into the Negev desert for a camel ride followed by a Bedouin Hafla (feast). In the evening meet your Israeli peers, engage in ice-breaking activities, enjoy the Drummers' Circle and more fun! Overnight: a Kibbutz in the Negev

Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - Desert Delights In the morning enjoy hiking through Ein Avdat Desert Oasis or visit the Nabateans city of Avdat. Visit Sde Boker and Ben Gurion's Grave where you will discuss Ben Gurion's vision of turning the desert green. Continue via the Great Crater to Arad Overnight: Arad

Thursday, July 23, 2009 - 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. Stop for lunch and swim (float) in the Dead Sea. Drive to your Israeli Peers home town and enjoy a relaxing evening and dinner at their homes Overnight: Tel Aviv or Jerusalem area

Friday, July 24, 2009 - Creating the State In the morning, "join" a Palmach unit at the fabulous multi-media Palmach Museum (Beit Hapalmach - pending confirmation) to trace the events that led to the founding of the state. Relive history as you gather at Independence Hall where David Ben Gurion Proclaimed Israel's Independence. Enjoy a short city tour of Tel Aviv, pause at Rabin Square to reflect and talk about peace and remember. Enjoy Nahalat Binyamin Pedestrian-Shopping Street and trendy Shenkin Street Kabbalat Shabbat Overnight: Tel Aviv or Jerusalem area

Saturday, July 25, 2009 - Shabbat Shalom and Le'hitraot Enjoy a relaxing Shabbat at the hotel pool Parashat Devarim (Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22) On the 1st of Shevat (37 days before his passing), Moses begins his repetition of the Torah to the assembled Children of Israel. Asking them to keep the Torah and observe its commandments in the land that G-d is giving them as an eternal heritage, into which they shall cross after his death. Moses also sends a message to his successor, Joshua, who will take the people into the Land and lead them in the battles for its conquest: "Fear them not, for the L-rd your G-d, He shall fight for you." As the Shabbat sets out enjoy farewell party with your Israeli peers. Say Shalom and L'hitraot to your Israeli peers as they return to their homes. Overnight: Tel Aviv or Jerusalem area

Sunday, July 26, 2009 - Jerusalem United Start the day with a view of the Old City from atop Mount Scopus. Learn the story of the Hebrew University and Hadassah Hospital, an Israeli enclave within Jordan. Enter the Jewish Quarter and take in some highlights of the Jewish Quarter such as the Cardo and the Broad Wall (First Temple period) and then explore the Southern Wall excavations, the Davidson Center and reflect on the centrality of the Temple in Jewish life. Afternoon enjoy a lively evening Israeli dance instruction and have a small group discussion on the meaning of the Mifgash In the evening meet Doron Kornbluth for a discussion on Jewish identity and dating and marrying Jewish Overnight: Tel Aviv or Jerusalem area

Monday, July 27, 2009 - Remembrance, Return and Farewell Start the day with a visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial. Experience the museum, the Children's Memorial, the Valley of the Communities, and the Boulevard of the Righteous Among the Nations. Continue to Mount Herzl and visit the gravesites of Herzl, Golda Meir, Yitzhak Rabin and other Zionist luminaries as well as the graves of fallen Israeli soldiers. Return to the old city for a farewell visit to the Western Wall Closing session - The Message, with Shlomo (Momo) Lifshitz, President of Oranim Educational Initiatives Closing session - individual groups Overnight: Tel Aviv or Jerusalem area

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 - Leaving on a Jet Plane
Depart for the US
LY 027 TLV/EWR 12:05 - 04:45
Shalom U'lehitraot!

* Program is subject to change