Beth Sholom Congregation Community Israel Experience December 28, 2016 January 8, 2017 START YOUR JOURNEY Join Rabbi and Cantor Hersh on Beth Sholom s 100th year anniversary journey to Israel! Together we will celebrate our vibrant present and future by exploring the place that has shaped, and continues to shape, the Jewish people. From the ancient stone walkways of Jerusalem s Old City, through the desert landscapes of the Negev and Judean Deserts, to the mystical mountains and streets of Tzfat, and upon the shoreline of the Galilee, we will discover not only the history of the Land of Israel, but experience the magic of this place which has captivated the heart of Judaism for over 3,000 years. Understanding its past will serve as a foundation for exploring its present as we uncover the richness and vibrancy that is the modern State of Israel. From the mountain tops of the Golan Heights to visits with local Israeli communities, we will gain a new perspective on the complexity of Israeli security and the diversity of Israeli society. Taste some of Israel s finest wines, sample your way through the shuk-- Middle Eastern outdoor market, wander Tel Aviv s street festival or her Mediterranean beaches, meet local artists, and explore the exhibits of world class museums. Through this trip we will strengthen the bond to our community, our people, our Land and our history. The journey promises not only to be one of history and culture, but also a voyage of personal and communal self-discovery. L Shana Habah Birushalayim! Our Travel Partner. Authentic Israel is a Tel Aviv-based tour operator with three decades of experience in educational travel. More at authenticisrael.com.
Beth Sholom Congregation Community Israel Experience 2016 2 PROGRAM ITINERARY The following is a projected itinerary, which is subject to minor change and will be re-confirmed about two months prior to departure. Meals Included: B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner Wednesday, Dec. 28 Flight to Israel Depart on a self-booked flight or a group flight EL AL #028 departing from Newark at 2:15pm Thursday, Dec. 29 Welcome - Baruch HaBah! VIP greeting at Ben Gurion Airport A complimentary transfer to our hotel in Jerusalem is available to everyone arriving today NOTE: For participants arriving earlier in the day, a tour of Neot Kedumim Park will be provided Check into hotel and meet as a group in the hotel lobby for a short orientation Welcome dinner at Joy in the Mamilla area Evening: Tower of David Sound & Light Show Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem [D] Friday, Dec. 30 Foundations of Jerusalem A panoramic introduction to Jerusalem and group welcome ceremony from the Haas Promenade Enter the Old City at Zion Gate and explore the rooftops, alleys and squares of the Jewish Quarter Lunch on own and shopping in the Jewish Quarter Reflections at the Kotel The Western Wall Go deep under the Old City on the Kotel Tunnel Tour and explore the Southern Walls Excavation Return to our accommodations in the late afternoon as Jerusalem prepares for Shabbat Evening: Kabbalat Shabbat service in Jerusalem Festive Shabbat dinner at hotel with lone soldiers Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem [B / D] Saturday, Dec. 31 Shabbat in Jerusalem Relaxed morning or Shabbat service options Lunch and learning at USCJ s Fuchsberg Center Beyond the Walls Walking tour of Yemin Moshe, Montefiore s Windmill, the Old Train Station and Rehavia (home to the Prime Minister and President s residences) Evening: Community havdallah followed by a night out on Ben Yehuda Street. Dinner on own Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem [B / L] Sunday, Jan. 1 Loss & Renewal Docent-led visit to Yad Vashem Experience the color of Mahane Yehuda marketplace and enjoy a Shuk Bites lunch Explore the grounds of the Knesset and Supreme Court Community photo at National Menorah Afternoon to explore the Israel Museum including the Dead Sea Scrolls and Temple Model Evening: Free evening and dinner on own Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem [B / L] Monday, Jan. 2 Faces of the Negev Desert Check-out of our Jerusalem accommodations and travel south to the Negev Discover the Bell Cave in Beit Guvrin National Park Lakiya Encounter with a Bedouin community at a women s weaving cooperative (lunch included) Meet with members of a thriving Masorti community in Beer Sheva Wine tasting at Yatir a pioneer desert winery Check-in to accommodations in Arad, a model desert community dinner on own in Arad Overnight: Inbar Hotel, Arad [B / L] Tuesday, Jan. 3 The Judean Desert Ascend Masada via the Roman Ramp Walking tour of the Masada mountaintop fortress complex Floating & relaxation at Ein Gedi Dead Sea Spa Nature walk to the desert waterfalls at Ein Gedi Travel north to the Galilee via the Jordan Valley Check-in and dinner at our kibbutz accommodations on the Sea of Galilee beach Overnight: Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar, Galilee [B / D]
Beth Sholom Congregation Community Israel Experience 2016 3 Wednesday, Jan. 4 Perspectives from the Golan Ascend the Golan Heights and explore the region on an off-road jeep tour Strategic perspectives on the Golan from Mt. Ben Tal overlooking Israel s neighbors Experience traditional Druze hospitality, enjoy a local lunch and learn about one of Israel s most fascinating ethnic groups at the Ein Kinya village Visit the Banias waterfalls and/or Tel Dan Return to our accommodations and freshen up Evening: Dinner on own on the Tiberias lakefront Overnight: Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar, Galilee [B / L] Thursday, Jan. 5 The Jezreal Valley Walking tour of ancient Tsfat The historic center of Jewish mystical thought Browse the famous Tsfat artist quarter, enjoy lunch on own in the market, and meet with Kabbalistic artist, Avraham Lowenthal Ingathering of the Exiles Visit a local Absorption Center in Tsfat and meet with Ethiopian students Tour of the Tel Meggido excavations overlooking the historic Jezreal Valley Stop to view the Bahai Gardens on Mt. Carmel overlooking Haifa (time permitting) Arrive to Tel Aviv in the early evening Check-in to our beachfront accommodations Evening: Dinner on own in Jaffa with the option to attend a performance at Nalagaat Israel s deaf/blind theater troupe Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv [B] Friday, Jan. 6 Founding the State of Israel Rabin Center or Palmach Museum Discover the heroic stories of Israel s founding Celebrate the creation of the State of Israel at Independence Hall Tap into the spirit of Tel Aviv at Nahalat Binyamin street festival and Carmel Market - Lunch on own Discover the diversity of global Jewry at Tel Aviv University s Diaspora Museum (time permitting) Kabbalat Shabbat at Congregation Neveh Tzedek (Masorti) with Rabbi Roberto Arbiv Shabbat dinner at accommodations Overnight: Dan Panorama, Tel Aviv [B / D] Saturday, Jan. 7 Shabbat in Tel Aviv Free morning to attend local services or explore Tel Aviv on your own Shabbat lunch is served at our accommodations Afternoon walking tour of the ancient Jaffa Seaport and historic Neve Tzedek Evening: Havdallah followed by a closing dinner at Maganda in the Yemenite Quarter Return to Ben Gurion Airport for overnight flights back to America [B / L / D] Sunday, Jan. 8 L Hitraot Farewell! Arrive back to America in the AM NOTE: The group flight return is on EL AL #027 arriving back to Newark at 5:00am WHAT S INCLUDED o Optional group flight on EL AL Airlines o VIP airport greeting and hotel transfer for anyone arriving on Dec. 29th o Licensed, English speaking, Israeli guide o Deluxe touring bus o Hotel accommodations per the itinerary o Two meals daily per day on average o Activity cost and program fees per the itinerary o Travel insurance (worldwidetripprotector.com)* o Guide, driver, restaurant and hotel gratuities* Not Included: Hotel incidentals *Through the generosity of the Beth Sholom sisterhood, a substantial subsidy has been provided that will cover the additional costs of tips and travel insurance. Any funds remaining from this subsidy will be distributed equally to reduce the cost for each trip participant.
Beth Sholom Congregation Community Israel Experience 2016 4 TRAVEL TO ISRAEL Participants not traveling on the group flight should arrive in Tel Aviv no later than 4:00pm on Thursday, December 29 for the start of the program on Thursday evening. A complimentary pick-up will be provided on December 29th. For those participants arriving earlier in the day, a tour of Neot Kedumim Park will be provided. At the end of the program, participants are escorted back to Ben Gurion Airport on Saturday, January 7th in the evening in time to catch overnight flights back to North America (departing between 10:30pm and 1:00am the next day). Participants on return flights outside of this window can be accommodated by special arrangement, and additional fees will apply. PACKAGE SELECTIONS Please indicate number of applicable travelers. An itemized receipt will be included with your confirmation message soon after your registration is received. Land Package Double Room [$2,340/p] Air & Land Package Double Room [$3,455] Single Room Supplement [$635/p] Triple/Quad Room Discount [-$75/p] EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT Register by May 1, 2016 to receive a $100/person discount (i.e. $2,240/p). The deposit is refundable up to four months in advance, so your savings are risk free, and your spot will be guaranteed. Selection Notes (if applicable): TERMS & CONDITIONS To reserve your place on our community travel experience, a fully refundable deposit of $250/person is due with your registration. The deposit becomes non-refundable after August 1, 2016. The balance of payment is due by no later than October 20, 2016. Participants cancelling after this point are not entitled to a refund. Cancellations must be made in writing to Beth Sholom. The program deposit is payable by check or credit card. If you wish to pay by credit card, an additional 3% processing fee applies (credit card fees are not refundable) This program is most suitable for travelers comfortable touring ~eight to ten hours in a day Pricing is subject to a minimum of 20 confirmed participants as of August 1, 2016. Should the group exceed 25 confirmed participants, a discount will apply to all participants.
Beth Sholom Congregation Community Israel Experience 2016 5 GET REGISTERED Participant #1(Primary Contact) Email: Tel (Cell): Tel (Other): Participant #2(if applicable) Email: Tel (Cell): Tel (Other): Participant #3(if applicable) Participant #4(if applicable) Participant #5(if applicable use copies of this page for additional participants) Mailing Address: Please enter your name as it appears on your passport. Please note that according to Israeli customs regulations, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your travel. Rooming Notes: Medical & Dietary Notes: Emergency Contact: Full Name: Relation: Email: Tel (Cell): Tel (Other):
Beth Sholom Congregation Community Israel Experience 2016 6 PAYMENT INFORMATION Deposit Due with Registration ($250/Person): $ Payment Method (choose one): Check An additional 3% processing fee applies in paying by credit card Visa / Mastercard Name: Signature: Date: Payment Notes: Complete forms can be sent to Marcia Newfeld at Beth Sholom Congregation 1011 N. Market St. Frederick, MD 21701 or scanned/photographed and sent by email to mnewfeld@bethsholomfrederick.org. o For general questions, contact Marcia Newfeld at 301-663-3437 or mnewfeld@bethsholomfrederick.org o For questions about travel logistics, contact Bonnie Shoval at our travel partner, Authentic Israel, at 202-537-6056 or bonnie@authenticisrael.net STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY Except for the willful negligence of its direct employees, Authentic Israel and Beth Sholom Congregation assume no liability or responsibility for any injuries, inconvenience, illness, theft, property damage, irregularity, or incidental damages occasioned by circumstances beyond the control of the tour operator or by any person or reason whatsoever including but not limited to events such as strikes, revolts, wars, natural disasters, closures of airports and/or hotels, default or omission of any common or private carrier or the default, negligence or omission of and by any third party providing services or facilities to or included in this tour or any part thereof. Any and all disputes between the parties arising out of or relating to this agreement, whether grounded in contract, tort or statutory law, shall be resolved exclusively by arbitration in Washington, DC. The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Dispute Resolution Rules of JAMS. The prevailing party in the arbitration shall be entitled to its attorneys fees and costs plus any fees and costs incurred in connection with confirming the arbitrator s award. Enrollment in and payment for the tour constitute your acceptance of the program conditions and this Statement of Responsibility.
Beth Sholom Congregation Community Israel Experience 2016 7 PRE-TRIP PREPARATION More detailed pre-trip preparation material and program luggage tags are distributed approximately three months prior to arrival. Passport & Visa Rules Please check to make sure that you know where your passport is and that it is not expired or about to expire. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive in Israel. If your passport expires within this period, please start the renewal process today. Many airlines will deny you boarding if your passport is not valid according to this policy. If you are traveling to Israel on a USA, Canadian, or European Union member country passport, a visa is not needed to enter Israel. If you are traveling on a passport from another country, you may need a visa to enter Israel. Our office is able to provide you with an official ticket confirmation if needed. Israel Sources & Resources We hope you look forward to your Israel travel as an experience not just a tour. With that in mind, we have assembled a Sources & Resources document which you will receive in Israel. You can explore the material in advance at www.authenticisrael.com/sources to put your upcoming travels in context.