Tentative Itinerary Israel Travel Course Version: Oct 30 As we get closer to the course we will finalize the itinerary to add topics. Additional programming to add to schedule as we get closer to travel: Visit: Temple Mount Topic: Jerusalem (Tel Aviv or Hebrew U) Topic: Indian Jewish community at Nevatim in Israel: Contact: Ruth Greenfield. Topic: Bahai: contact Geoff Kellowe Topic: Druze community (Tel Aviv or Hebrew U) Topic: Qmran lecture (Tel Aviv U or Hebrew U) Topic: A Discussion with Havruta s Daniel Jonas (Orthodox LGTBQ community) Contact: Daniel Jonas, daniel.jonas@havruta.org.il Topic: Jewish Religion and Identity in the State of Israel. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Akiva Tor, Head of the Bureau for World Jewish Affairs and World Religion. Topic: Islam & Muslim community in Israel (Tel Aviv U or Hebrew U) Topic: Stephen Fine, Yeshiva University, Arch of Titus / Archeology Topic: Ethiopian-Israelis: Preserving Ethiopian Culture in Israel. Atachlit, Beta Yisrael village in Kiryat Gat Contact: Shalev Maharat, shalev.maharat@gmail.com Date & travel schedule Day 1: Wednesday, May 2, 2018 DEPARTURE May 2, 2018: Ottawa to Toronto: Flight 453 Departure YOW at 1300 Arrive YYZ 1404 May 2, 2018 Toronto to Tel Aviv Flight 84 Departure YYZ 1640 Arrive TLV 1005 May 3 Day 2: Thursday May 3 Arrive Tel Aviv 10:05 am Smile service upon arrival Group Lunch stop Transfer to Hotel in Tel Aviv Settle in. TBD: Orientation, and intro to the course in Israel. TBD: Welcome group dinner at hotel Accommodations: Tel Aviv (1)
DAY 3: FRIDAY MAY 4, 2018 : Breakfast at the hotel. Diaspora Museum: http://www.bh.org.il/ Bus to Old Jaffa: Lunch on your own in Old Jaffa PM: As time permits, seminar organized by Dr. Butler: Shabbat in Israel Community Shabbat service at Tel Aviv port with progressive Jewish community. Dinner Group Shabbat dinner Accommodations: Tel Aviv (2) DAY 4 - SATURDAY MAY 5, 2018 Day of rest, breakfast at hotel, lunch and dinner on your own, recommendations will be provided. Recover from jet lag. Check out the beach Evening: Course resumes Sunset Havdalah service with IDF conversion teachers followed by evening seminar led by Dr. Butler. Accommodations: Tel Aviv (3) DAY 5 -SUNDAY MAY 6, 2018 8 Lecture organized by Dr. Butler: Topic Religion and State in Israel Palmach Museum Lunch on your own Neve Shalom (Oasis of Peace) (and if time permits Bedouin visit) Return to Tel Aviv Dinner on your own Accommodations: Tel Aviv (4) (B) DAY 6 - MONDAY, MAY 7, 2018 8 Breakfast at hotel Entrance to Beit Govrin National Park Archeological Dig at Tel Maresha
Box lunch will be provided Tel Lachish Return to Jerusalem Dinner on your own Accommodations: Caesar Jerusalem, Jerusalem (1) (B, BoxL) DAY 7 - TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2018 08:30-09:30 Mt. of Olives: historical overview of Jerusalem as a city 10:00-12:00 The Museum for Islamic Art- 12:30-13:30 Lunch on own at Yad Vashem Cafeteria 13:30-16:30 Yad Vashem: Before touring on your own, we will discuss how the Holocaust is remembered in Israel and by Jews in the Diaspora. Bus to hotel Group dinner at hotel Evening program: Bus to Sound and Light show at Tower of David: Accommodations: Caesar Jerusalem, Jerusalem (2) DAY 8 - WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 2018 Breakfast at Hotel
City of David & Hezekiah s Tunnel: Lunch on own at the Jewish Quarter Burnt House: Visit Kotel: Western wall of the Temple Mount. Davidson Center: The Jerusalem Archaeological Park, Ramparts Walk Dinner on your own (transfer back to the hotel by bus or stay in the old city for dinner) Accommodations: Caesar Jerusalem, Jerusalem (3) DAY 9 - THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018 7:45 on the bus Church of the holy Sepulcher Temple Mt. Sifting Project (emek Tzurim) with lecture by Gabriel Barkay. Kotel Tunnels: Lunch on own Via dolorosa, Bethesda Pool, Mea shearim Accommodations: Caesar Jerusalem, Jerusalem (4)(B) DAY 10 FRIDAY, MAY 11, 2018 Breakfast at Hotel Israel Museum Women of wall Shop and prepare for Shabbat when most stores and restaurants are closed in the area. Traditional Shabbat dinner as a group. Accommodations: Caesar Jerusalem, Jerusalem (5)(B) DAY 11- SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2018 Shabbat, day of rest No scheduled activities Go explore!
Accommodations: Caesar Jerusalem, Jerusalem (6) DAY 12 - SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2018 Lecture organized by Dr. Butler: Topic TBA Visit to the Knesset Lunch on your own Leave the city Dead Sea swim Baptism site at Jordan River (Israeli side) Stop at Ahava factory (bathrooms and shop) Dinner: Abraham s tent & Camel ride Accommodations: Masada Guest Youth Hostel (1) DAY 13 - MONDAY, MAY 14, 2018 AM: Boxed breakfast. First cablecar up to Masada 8 a.m.. Optional hike the snake path at 4 a.m. Qmran Lunch at Masada or Kalia Beach Dead Sea Mud and Floating Kalia Beach Dinner at Masada Youth Hostel Accommodations: Masada Guest Youth Hostel (2) (BoxB,D)
DAY 14 - TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2018 Beit Shean Megiddo Nazareth tour and visit to mosque. Accommodations: Dinner and Overnight: Kibbutz Degania (1) DAY 15 - WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2018. Capernaum Mount Bental viewpoint Lunch the guide will arrange a stop at a self-service restaurant. Lecture about Kibbutz history and life by Kibbutz member to be organized by Eshet Tours. Accommodations: Kibbutz Degania DAY 16- THRUSDAY MAY 17, 2018. Safed Lunch on your own Rosh Hanikra: caves and sea views, wear rubber soled shoes, may be slippery. Akko: Crusader Fort, sea views, and market Bahai Temple and Gardens: Group dinner Accommodations: Acco Youth Hostel DAY 17 FRIDAY MAY 18, 2018 Caesaria
Group Lunch (ADD) Transfer to Tel Aviv (B) Course is now over. You may travel on your own after Caesaria or return to Tel Aviv with the group. Drop offs to train and bus stations can be arranged in advance. Make own arrangements for lodging for tonight until departure. Travel agent will help and can advise on range of affordable options.