shachar gal Hands on Israel +3124898330 shachar@handsonisrael.com Monday June 18th, 2018 - Monday July 2nd, 2018 Sarasota-Manatee Teen Mission to Israel Itinerary for Andrea Eiffert and anat Monday June 18th Desert charm Tuesday June 19th Gaza and Sderot Wednesday June 20th Thursday June 21st Friday June 22nd Saturday June 23rd Sunday June 24th On the way to Tel Mond Tel Mond Noa Dancers Tel Aviv by the beach Shabbat with host families! Gilboa Mt and the valley of springs Monday June 25th Visit Haifa Tuesday June 26th Deserts and Camels Wednesday June 27th Thursday June 28th Friday June 29th Saturday June 30th Sunday July 1st Monday July 2nd Hike up Masada City of David Jerusalem from weekday to Shabbat Golan Hights A day in the Galilee Tel Aviv and goodbye 1
Monday June 18th Desert charm Arrive at Ben Gurion- Meet your guide, Shachar Gal, guard and bus driver, and dance your way out of the terminal. Dinner in Tel Aviv and then drive South to the desert. Star Gazing in Mitspe Ramon- Join star gazing aficionado, Nadav Silbert, around the camp fire with tea and Greek mythology stories as we view the night sky from the Ramon Crater, one of the least light-polluted places in Israel. After we put the fire out, Nadav, who has the biggest collection of portable telescopes in Israel, will show us places far, far away. Overnight at Youth Hostel Mitspe Ramon. 2
Tuesday June 19th Gaza and Sderot Visit Beer-Sheva, the place where Abraham began his journey See the mound of Beer-Sheva that was an ancient city from over 4,500 years ago. Hike Ein Ovdat springs - an amazing Canyon in the middle of the desert with a waterfall and a creek. Visit Sde Boker and the tomb of Ben Gurion. Pay respect to the person most responsible for the modern state of Israel's existence, the first prime minister. In his later years Ben Gurion moved to Sde Boker Kibbutz where he and his wife are buried today. 3
Wednesday June 20th On the way to Tel Mond Leket pick some vegetables for the NGO. Lend a helping hand to an organization that is dedicated to stopping hunger in underprivileged families in Israel. This non-profit grows food on their own and utilizes volunteers to pick it. Visit the Ayalon Institute, a bullet factory disguised as a kibbutz, and learn about the heroic story of the men and women who risked their lives to make bullets for the War of Independence under the rule of England. They just may be the ones that helped win the war. Visit Hagal Shelly NGO, to learn how to surf. We know that you are from Florida, but here is a chance to surf and do a mitzvah: your guides are kids your age that have endured hardships throughout their lives, but found a second home and purpose teaching surf classes. Overnight at Tel Mond with host family 4
Thursday June 21st Tel Mond Noa Dancers Spend the day in Tel Mond, getting to know the Tel Mond Young Ambassadors and their families. Take a tour of this small municipality and learn about what teens in Tel Mond do for fun! In the evening, watch the Noa dancers perform in their final recital for the school year. Overnight with host families. 5
Friday June 22nd Tel Aviv by the beach Start with the old city of Jaffa- just another 7,000 year-old port city. Walk the narrow streets that Jonah the prophet, St.Peter, and pharaohs of Egypt helped shape. Walk to Neve Tzedek the first Jewish neighborhood out of Jaffa. Today, Neve Tzedek is a very romantic and quiet part of the crazy city (Tel Aviv) around it. Visit the Independence Hall where the state of Israel was declared. Sit in the very room where the establishment of Israel was declared on 14th May, 1948. Listen to the incredible story and hear actual footage from this historic day. Go to Rabin Square- Learn about Prime minister, Yizhak Rabin, who was assassinated here by a Jewish man in 1995. Hear about the life of the first "Sabra" born leader who became Prime Minister. Go to the artist market of Nahalat Binyamin- a unique place in Israel where every artist sells original art and jewelry. A great place to buy gifts and souvenirs! Overnight at Tel Mond with host families. 6
Saturday June 23rd Shabbat with host families! Spend the day with your Tel Mond family and experience a real Israeli Shabbat. At night join the group for a festive and fun activity! 7
Sunday June 24th Gilboa Mt and the valley of springs Hike to the top of Mt. Gilboa- Look around from the top into Jordan and all around, while the Jezreel Valley is spread beneath you with all of it's green fields. Swim in the Sachne natural olympic pools. These springs under the Gilboa Mountain create huge natural pools that are cool and clean year round and therefore an attraction for all Israelis. Have an Israeli Picnic mangal lunch- the Israeli version of a barbecuing, only much better. Outdoor training- work together with your friends to solve missions and bond as we put you through some challenges. Overnight: Tel-Mond 8
Monday June 25th Visit Haifa Haifa is Israel s third largest city, beautifully set on the slopes of Mount Carmel facing the Mediterranean Sea. Haifa is known across Israel for its mixed population of Jews and Arabs who peacefully coexist and the result is some amazing fusions of Arabic and Jewish cultures across the city. See the Bahai Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the most holy site of the Bahai faith. Visit Beth- Hagefen a community institute that promotes co-existence.. Walk through Wadi Nisnas neighbourhood and learn how the Jews, Christians, and Muslims here live together. Hike in "little Switzerland" nature reserve on Mountain Carmel for an hour. 15:00-Visit a Druze village called Osafiya and enjoy a delicious traditional Druze meal. Visit German Colony, lined with trendy cafes, restaurants, and boutiques. 9
Tuesday June 26th Deserts and Camels It is time to give back to the community that hosted you for the past week. Engage in community service activities within the town of Tel Mond. In the afternoon say goodbye to Tel Mond and your host families and depart for the desert! Spend the night in a Bedouin village, complete with camel rides, Bedouin hospitality and drum circle. Sleep on soft cushions in huge tents and prepare to climb Masada in the wee hours of the morning! Night at Kfar Hanokdim Bedouin tent 10
Wednesday June 27th Hike up Masada Wake up really early to ascend Masada in time to watch the sun rise atop an ancient fortress built by King Herod s army and refuge to the Jewish Zealots. Hike Ein Gedi, an oasis of water, up the mountain to a hidden waterfall. Visit Qumran, where the Dead Sea scrolls where hidden in caves 2,000 years ago and found in 1947. Some say it is the biggest Archaeological find of the 20th century. Float in the Dead Sea, which borders Israel and Jordan and is the Earth s lowest elevation on land. Cover yourself in mud and relax after a long morning! Enter Jerusalem view the old city from Mt. Scopus and say Shehecheyanu. Start your visit to the holy city the right way from a place where you ll begin to learn the history of the world s three major religions. Overnight at Leonardo Jerusalem 11
Thursday June 28th City of David Start your day at Haas Promenade lookout for a panoramic view of Jerusalem. Tour the City of David and walk through the water tunnels Hike through the water of Shiloah to find the Shiloch inscription in ancient Hebrew. Time elevator -a short movie/ride about the history of Jerusalem. Walk around the rose garden outside of the Knesset- the parliament of Israel and learn about politics in Israel. Visit Mt. Herzl Israel s national cemetery. Visit the graves of Theodore Herzl, Golda Meir, Yizhak Rabin and many more. Night biking in the city of light. Overnight Leonardo Jerusalem. 12
Friday June 29th Jerusalem from weekday to Shabbat 10:00-13:00-Visit Yad Vashem Hear from a Holocaust survivor during your guided tour of the Israeli Holocaust Memorial Institute. Tour the Old City- Walk the streets of the Jewish quarter, see the Western Wall and stroll along the Cardo, Jerusalem s main street from 1,500 years ago. Enjoy a tasting tour of Mahane Yehuda a market bustling with people on Friday afternoons when all Israeli s prepare for Shabbat. Taste from the best produce and prepared food at the market. Kabbalat Shabbat at the Western Wall. Come dance and sing Shabbat songs and experience a different kind of Shabbat in the holy city. Overnight Leonardo Jerusalem 13
Saturday June 30th Golan Hights Hike to the Banias Falls-a wonderful trail which contains an abundance of natural and historical beauty, from the ruins of ancient cities to the roaring Banias Waterfall. Visit Mt.Bental, 1,170 meters above sea level which offers a spectacular, panoramic view of Syria, Lebanon and NE Israel. 12:00-Raft in the Jordan River- meander along, splashing and paddling for a fun way cool off in the middle of a hot day! 14:30-16:30- jeep tour-kibuts gonen. Make your own chocolate artwork- set your inner child and artistic side free. Overnight at Kibbutz Afikim 14
Sunday July 1st A day in the Galilee Hike Mt. Arbel for an amazing view of the whole Galilee and Golan from one spot. 10:00-Visit Tsfat- a mystical city and the birthplace of Kabbalah. Participate in a workshop with a real scribe and learn about how a Torah is written. 15:00-17:30-Tour an Eco farm and milk goats - Israel is one of the leading countries with Eco farming. Feed the animals yourselves and taste some great cheese prepared on the spot. 17:30-Boat ride on Sea of Galilee - go sailing and dance while looking at a great view of the whole Sea of Galilee. Overnight at Kibbutz Afikim 15
Monday July 2nd Tel Aviv and goodbye 12:00-15:00-Dig for a day Take part in a real archaeological excavation where you'll learn from professionals how it's done. Many have found remarkable ruins in the caves and we will hopefully find some too! Shopping time in Tel Aviv at the Jaffa flea market. Take your time and find some souvenirs to take back home, enjoy the Tel Aviv vibe and ice cream. Final dinner at Shipudei Hatiqwa- a well-known restaurant that is very cozy and welcoming, to have a last l chaim" together. Drive to Airport. Image credits: Pixabay 16