Ft. Lee Interfaith Explore Israel Tour Led by Rabbi Kenneth Stern June 14 26, 2015

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1 Ft. Lee Interfaith Explore Israel Tour Led by Rabbi Kenneth Stern June 14 26, 2015

2 Monday, June 15 Entering the Land Arrive in Israel to be met and assisted by your ITC representative (today s program depends on arrival time) Ascend to Jerusalem through the biblical Ayalon Valley. She he che yanu/welcome Ceremony overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem. Check in to Mt. Zion Hotel in Jerusalem Dinner at hotel Orientation session Tuesday, June 16 Where it all began Exploring Ancient Jerusalem We'll use archaeology and the Bible to explore The City of David, including its Royal Palace (Eilat Mazar excavations) and ancient water systems. Then discover 1 st century Jerusalem at Robinson's Arch, Southern Wall and Hulda Gates. In the course of the morning we will uncover Jerusalem of David, Hezekiah, Herod, Jesus and beyond. Western Wall - Connect with an ancient Jewish legacy. Fascinating underground tour of Western Wall Tunnels Then follow the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Dinner at local restaurant Wednesday, June 17 From the Mt. of Olives to Mt. Zion and the Jewish Quarter Begin touring with a visit to Pater Noster, where Jesus taught his disciples the Lord's Prayer. The look out at Jerusalem's most iconic view from the top of the Mt. of Olives. Hear about its ancient Jewish cemetery and discuss the Mt. of Olives in Jewish and Christian scripture as we walk down its slopes to the Garden of Gethsemane and Church of All Nations. Tour of Jewish Quarter including Broad Wall, Cardo and a view of the Old City from its rooftops. Visit Mt. Zion, including Oscar Schindler's grave and the Cenacle (Last Supper room), David s Traditional Tomb (right downstairs!), The Chamber of the Holocaust (precursor to Yad Vashem, right across the road). Visit the Garden Tomb An alternate site for Calvary. Dinner on own.

3 Thursday, June 18 Ascending to Jerusalem Early morning tour of the Temple Mount - See up close the exteriors of the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Participate in hands on archaeological work as we sift construction debris from Temple Mount at Emeq Tzurim and help recover lost artifacts. Visit Herodian - Herod's desert mountain top palace, which later became his tomb. Drive to nearby Bethlehem to visit Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity. Return to Jerusalem. Encounter Israeli society: BBQ dinner with young Israeli soldiers on an army base near Jerusalem. Friday, June 19 Holocaust, Remembrance and Continuity Guided tour of Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and museum, including the Avenue of the Righteous and the Children s Memorial. Visit the Yad Herzl Military Cemetery and the graves of many of Israel s Prime Ministers and Presidents. Lunch on own and opportunity to explore Jerusalem's raucous Machane Yehuda Market. See the picturesque Nachlaot neighbourhoods along the way. Free time to relax and get ready for Shabbat. Friday/Sabbath evening options: Take in Jerusalem's special atmosphere by joining worshipers Greeting the Sabbath at the Western Wall. Option to pray together as a congregation in the new Ezrat Yisrael section, where men and women can stand together Traditional Shabbat dinner at hotel Shabbat, June 20 And on the Seventh Day in Jerusalem Free morning or attend Shabbat morning services at a local synagogue. Walking tour to Tower of David Museum next to Jaffa Gate. Traditional Shabbat Lunch at Hotel. Late afternoon walking tour to the historic Montefiore Windmill to discover the beginnings of the new city of Jerusalem outside its ancient walls and/or visit Ketef Hinom, where the oldest biblical text ever discovered was found. Havdalah - Conclusion of Sabbath ceremony with Rabbi Stern. Free evening, Dinner on own. Recommendation: Visit the First Station Compound, Jerusalem's restored Ottoman Railway Station turned restaurant-cafe area.

4 Sunday, June 21 Legacies in Jerusalem Free morning or attend church services. Several Jerusalem churches offer mass and other prayer services in English. Visit the Israel Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and Second Temple model and explore other exhibits on own. Tour the picturesque village of Ein Karem and its churches dedicated to the Visitation Dinner on own in Mamilla Pedestrian Mall. Watch the Night Spectacular Sound and light show at the Tower of David. Monday, June 22 Jewish and Christian Beginnings in the Galilee Drive north to the Galilee. Explore ancient Tzippori where Rabbi Judah the Prince sealed the Mishna. Discover its magnificent mosaics, including Mona Lisa of the Galilee and puzzle over what a wheel of the zodiac is doing on an ancient synagogue floor. "Come and see" Tour nearby Nazareth to visit the Basilica of the Annunciation and the Synagogue Church to see where Christianity began. Visit the Yardenit Baptismal Site on the Jordan River. Maimonides Grave and Rabbi Akiva s Grave in Tiberias Dinner on own in Tiberias. Continue to check-in at the Nof Ginosar Hotel on Kibbutz Ginosar by the Sea of Galilee. Overnight: Kibbutz Nof Ginosar, Galilee Tuesday, June 23 The Sea of Galilee and the Sources of the Jordan Begin the day at Capernaum, where Jesus began his Ministry in the Galilee. Continue on to visit nearby Tabha Site of the Multiplication of the Fish and the Loaves. Then drive up to the Mt. of the Beatitudes Site of the Sermon on the Mount. Visit the Banias A source of the Jordan River and the site of ancient Caesarea Phillipi, where Jesus gave Peter the "keys to the kingdom of heaven"). Return to Ginosar for late afternoon swim in the Sea of Galilee. Dinner at hotel. Overnight: Kibbutz Nof Ginosar, Galilee.

5 Wednesday, June 24 Exploring the Mediterranean Coast Explore Acco's Crusader Knights Halls in the Ottoman Old City. Visit Acco's Tunisian Synagogue with its remarkable mosaic covered interior. Lunch own. Tour the ruins of Caesarea, including its Roman theatre and amphitheatre. Major events which shaped Jewish and Christian destinies took place in Caesarea during the 1 st Century. Drive to Tel Aviv. Check in to Dan Panorama Hotel on Tel Aviv's Mediterranean Coast. Dinner on own. Comic relief with English speaking Israeli comedian Benji Lovitt. Overnight: Dan Panorama, Tel Aviv. Thursday, June 25 - Day of Departure Tour the alleys and hear the tales of Old Jaffa, the ancient port city once known as the Gate of Zion. At St. Peter's Church discuss Peter's vision in Jaffa and its impact on Christian- Jewish relations. Afternoon free for last minute shopping. Farewell Dinner at Maganda Restaurant in Tel Aviv. Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport Friday, June 26 - Arrive in USA Copyright 2014 Israel Tour Connection, llc - CHT Tours No part of this document may be reproduced, altered or used for commercial endeavors without the written permission of Israel Tour Connection, llc. CHT Tours

Holy Land. Israel: Exploring the

Holy Land. Israel: Exploring the Israel: Exploring the Holy Land 7 Nights * 9 Days * 6 Touring Days Tuesday Departure/Wednesday Arrival 4 nights Jerusalem * 2 nights Galilee * 1 night Tel Aviv Day 1: Tuesday: DEPARTURE We depart the United