Michael Medved Israel Trip

Transcription

1 Michael Medved Israel Trip June 24 July 3, 2013 Monday, June 24 ARRIVAL Arrive in Tel Aviv. Out and About in the White City: Tel Aviv s Unique Bauhaus Architecture. Optional Walking Tour through one of the largest collection of Bauhaus structures in the world, in what has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Opening Program: Cocktails and Dinner with our Host, Mr. Michael Medved. Enjoy cocktails overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and a personal introduction and welcome by Michael Medved. Michael will broadcast from our hotel to nearly 5 million listeners throughout the United States and you are invited to be part of the live listening audience. Overnight: Royal Beach Hotel, Tel Aviv (Tel Aviv s newest and most elegant hotel!) Tuesday, June 25 TEL AVIV: THE FIRST HEBREW CITY IN 2,000 YEARS From the Bible to the Twenty-First Century: Visit ancient Jaffa, from where the Prophet Jonah set sail as he attempted to flee from God. The First Hebrew City: After 2,000 years in the Diaspora, the Jewish people returned to the Land of Israel. Tel Aviv is the first Hebrew City since the time of the Romans. Explore the city with architect and guide, Abe Silver. Wander through the Nahalat Binyamin open air crafts market. Free time for lunch, shopping, and relaxation. Molding Israel s Soul: Visit one of Israel s pre-army academies in Tel Aviv, where secular and religious Israelis meet to learn about their shared Jewish heritage and discuss its implications for Israel s future, as they prepare to serve the country in the Israel Defense Forces. Dinner in Tel Aviv. Evening: The Cameri Theater: Israel s national theater will present one of its outstanding productions. Afterwards, we ll meet with the theater s Artistic Director, Noam Semel, to hear about his view of the role of theater in Israeli society. 1Page Overnight: Royal Beach Hotel, Tel Aviv

2 Wednesday, June 26 NEIGHBORS Breakfast at the hotel and early departure. Travel to Samaria, part of the disputed territories conquered by Israel in the Six Day War of 1967, for a geopolitical tour and meetings. A View from the Heights: Visit Alfei Menashe to appreciate the topographical advantage of the mountains of Samaria over Israel s coast A Different Model? Visit Rawabi, a planned community near Ramallah. Meet with its visionary of Palestinian economics and education, Basher El Masri Visit the Amona outpost, slated to be evacuated, for a meeting with its residents Meet settler and ideologue, Israel Harel, in the settlement of Ofra, to learn about his vision of the future of the disputed territories Travel to Jerusalem s E1 District, site of a planned Jewish neighborhood and the center of recent international controversy. Dinner at the Isrotel Dead Sea Hotel Overnight: Isrotel, Ein Bokek Thursday, June 27 OPTIONS DAY 1 Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Depart for one of two options: OPTION 1: WHAT PRICE FREEDOM? o What Price Freedom? Early departure for Masada, stronghold of the Zealots. Tour the Herodion and Zealot ruins. In the cool of an ancient water cistern, consider the forces that led to the dramatic end of the revolt against the Romans and the mass suicide which took place on this mountaintop. o Float in the Dead Sea, lowest point on earth o Lunch on your own o The Wild Goats of Ein Gedi: Explore the oasis of Ein Gedi, where the young shepherd David fled from King Saul o Finish our day at Qumran, community of the Essenes and site of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls 2Page OPTION 2: IRON DOME o Early float in the Dead Sea, lowest point on earth o Travel to the area surrounding the Gaza Strip to evaluate life in this frontier district o Visit Sderot, the town which has endured over 4,000 rockets fired at its civilian population. Have lunch on your own and then meet with its mayor and tour the outdoor artwork which the situation has inspired o Visit an Iron Dome facility or nearby IDF base. (Pending availability) o David and Goliath: Travel by jeep to one of Israel s most sensational new archaeological sites: Kirbet Kayfa, identified as Sha arayim, a Biblical site mentioned in the context of David s fateful battle with the Philistine adversary, Goliath. Travel to Jerusalem Free evening in Jerusalem

3 Friday, June 28 OPTIONS DAY 2 Speaker: Michael Bar-Zohar, author of The Mossad: The Greatest Missions of the Israeli Secret Service. Depart for one of two options: OPTION 1: FROM ASHES TO REBIRTH o From Holocaust to Redemption: Visit Yad Vashem, Israel s National Holocaust Memorial, including the Historical Museum and the Children s Memorial OPTION 2: THE SPRING OF THE VINEYARD o Spring of the Vineyard: Travel to the Jerusalem neighborhood of Ein Karem to visit the Church of the Visitation o Meet with Sister Ann Kristina of the Sisters of Zion Order. Sister Kristina is involved in Jewish-Christian dialogue, teaches Judaism in the Palestinian Authority, and is a real Jerusalem personality Both Options: Visit the Machaneh Yehuda Market at the height of its Friday frenzy as Jerusalem Prepares for Shabbat Pre-Shabbat (Sabbath) session with Michael Medved, who will speak about Jewish customs and traditions, as well as the meaning of Shabbat observance. Kabbalat Shabbat: Visit the Kotel (Western Wall) together with tens of thousands of Jerusalemites and visitors as Jerusalem welcomes the Shabbat. Walk through the streets of Jerusalem to get a sense of the enchanting Shabbat atmosphere of the Holy City as we return to the hotel (cabs available for those who choose). Festive Shabbat dinner at the hotel with Michael Medved and his brother, Jon Medved, a Jerusalem venture capitalist and visionary. Shabbat, June 29 OPTIONS DAY 3 3Page OPTION1: MOUNT OF OLIVES o The Mount of Olives, Guided walk through the churches of the Mt. of Olives including Dominus Flevit, the Garden of Gethsemane and the Basilica of All Nations. o Visit The Garden Tomb, traditional site of the tomb of Jesus o Optional tour of the Via Dolorosa OPTION 2: SHABBAT IN JERUSALEM: o Shabbat in Jerusalem. Time to join one of the many synagogues near the hotel for Shabbat morning services. o Free time for rest and relaxation. o Walking tour of Jerusalem neighborhoods. The Third Meal: Enjoy a shared meal towards the end of the Sabbath. Commemorate the concluding ceremony of Shabbat, Havdalah, overlooking the Old City, followed by free time in Jerusalem.

4 Sunday, June 30 JERUSALEM: THE TWICE-PROMISED CAPITAL Optional early morning visit to the Temple Mount, known as Harem e-sheriff by the Moslem world, and site of the First and Second Temples. Our guide will be Archaeologist Dr. Gabi Barkai, who has been a leader in protection of the antiquities of the site for several decades. Visit Beit Yonatan, in the heart of an Arab neighborhood, for a meeting with Deborah Housen-Couriel, author of Whither Jerusalem? Tour Jerusalem s Security Barrier with its architect, Danny Tirza. Finish our day at Israel s Parliament, the Knesset, for a tour and meeting with an Israeli Knesset Member or Government Minister. Evening: Dinner and Israeli cultural event. Monday, July 1 OPTIONS DAY 4 Early breakfast at the hotel. OPTION 1: JESUS' MINISTRY IN THE GALILEE o Depart Jerusalem via the Jordan River Valley to the Sea of Galilee. Stop at the Qasr Al Yahuda Baptismal Site for an up close and personal visit to this incredible site along the border with the Kingdom of Jordan. o Continue north to the Mt. of Beatitudes to remember the Sermon on the Mount o Visit Tabgha where the miracles of the loaves and the fishes is commemorated o Tour Capernaum, home base of Jesus' Ministry. OPTION 2: TECHNION - ISRAEL'S FACE TO THE SEA o Travel to Herod s capital of Judea, Caesaria for a tour of its harbor and ancient temple. o Continue to the British Detention Camp at Atlit to hear the dramatic story of the struggle for a Jewish state during the British Mandate and meet with a sailor from one of the ships which brought Jews to the Land of Israel, despite the British blockade. o Visit the Technion, Israel s Institute of Technology, for a meeting with one of its scientists, who will speak about Israel s role in solving Israel s and the world s future challenges. 4Page Continue to The Carmel Forest Spa, Israel s most exclusive spa hotel. Dinner at the Carmel Forest Spa. Overnight: Carmel Forest Spa

5 Tuesday, July 2 ISRAEL S FACE TO THE FUTURE Free morning to enjoy the spa. Lunch at the hotel. Travel to Har Adir on the Lebanese border to discuss Israel s sensitive northern border and the role of the Hizbollah and Iran in Israel s complex strategic equation. Return to Carmel Forest Spa. Final Banquet at the Carmel Forest Spa. Overnight: Carmel Forest Spa Wednesday, July 3 DEPARTURE For those people continuing with the tour group on our Extension to Greece, from July 3 to July 5, early breakfast and check out of the Carmel Forest Spa, proceeding to Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv for departure to Athens. For those flying back to the US, transfer to Ben Gurion airport for flight back to the US. *Please note: All names mentioned are pending confirmation of individuals and institutions. 5Page