Temple Israel of the City of New York WINTER FAMILY ISRAEL TRIP With Cantor Irena Altshul December 22, 2016 January 1, 2017 Pre-Tour Vacation to Eilat/Petra, Jordan December 19-23, 2016 Create a Hanukah Miracle in Israel This Year Day 1, Thursday, December 22, 2016: DEPARTURE Depart the United States on our overnight flight to Israel. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Day 2, Friday, December 23, 2016: WELCOME TO ISRAEL! Afternoon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, with assistance by an Ayelet representative. As we enter Jerusalem, we stop at the Haas Promenade overlooking the City of Gold for a special Shehechianu ceremony We enter the Old City for the first time, and enjoy time for reflection at the Western Wall. Check into our hotel. Shabbat services at Kol HaNeshama, an Israeli Reform Congregation. Enjoy a leisurely walk back to our hotel where we will be enveloped in the spirit of Shabbat. We enjoy a special Shabbat welcome dinner together at our hotel this evening. O/N Jerusalem Day 3, Saturday, December 24, 2016: SHABBAT SHALOM! Enjoy a relaxing Shabbat morning, participate in Shabbat services or enjoy a walk around the neighborhood. Enjoy a walking tour of Old City including the Christian Quarter, Jewish Quarter and Tower of David. Enjoy dinner (on own) as Jerusalem returns to life after the calm of Shabbat. We suggest a visit to the Mamilla Pedestrian mall with its varied assortment of cafes and restaurants. Tonight we light the first candle of Hanukah together. Later this evening we walk together to the Tower of David, where we enjoy the new Sound & Light show spectacular!
O/N Jerusalem Day 4, Sunday, December 25, 2016: NEW JERUSALEM We begin this morning with a visit to Alyn Hospital for Children, treating challenged children from around the Mid-East in ways we ve never witnessed. We enjoy a lecture with Holocaust scholar Dr. Rachel Korazim. Continue with a visit to Yad Vashem, Israel s memorial to the Holocaust, where we view the many moving exhibitions, including the Hall of Names and the Avenue of the Righteous among the Nations OR Option for children (accompanied by adults) to visit the nearby Biblical Zoo. Continue to the Mt. Herzl's military cemetery (Israel s Arlington National Cemetery) to visit the gravesites of Golda Meir, Theodore Herzl, Yitzhak Rabin, and many who have died in defense of Israel. Hear stories of Israel s path to foundation from our guide. We continue with a visit to the Herzl Museum, where we learn about the life and work of the great Zionist visionary. We light the second candle of Hanukah together this evening. O/N Jerusalem Day 5, Monday, December 26, 2016: MASADA & THE DEAD SEA Early morning departure to King Herod's fortresses and castle atop Masada, ascending by cable car or snake path. Visit the remains of the walls, palaces, synagogue, and the bathhouses, learning about the Jewish Zealots last stand against the Roman forces. Enjoy an early lunch and an unsinkable swim in the healing salty waters of the Dead Sea. This afternoon, we enjoy a visit to a paratrooper base. Return to Jerusalem. Tonight we light the third candle of Hanukah. O/N Jerusalem
Day 6, Tuesday, December 27, 2016: TO THE NORTH We begin this morning with a tour of the Western Wall Tunnels. Depart Jerusalem, traveling north through the Jordan Valley. Stop to view the Roman ruins of Beit Shean and the intricate mosaic floor of the synagogue at Beit Alpha. Continue to our kibbutz in the Galilee. Chinese dinner at Pagoda this evening. Tonight we light the fourth candle of Hanukah. O/N in the Galilee Day 7, Wednesday, December 28, 2016: NORTHERN ADVENTURES Breakfast at our kibbutz. Morning jeep tour of the Golan Heights, passing by old Syrian bunkers along the way Take in the views stretching far into Syria from atop Har Bental Try your hand at chocolate making and learn from the experts in a delicious and fun experience at the Dekarina Chocolate Factory Continue to the Golan Winery for a tour and select wine tasting Visit the mystical city of Safed, where we view the beautiful ancient synagogues and walk through the Artists Quarter. Dinner at Deck s Restaurant this evening. Tonight we light the fifth candle of Hanukah O/N in the Galilee -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day 8, Thursday, December 29, 2016: TO TEL AVIV Breakfast at our kibbutz. Check out of our kibbutz. Travel to Akko, where we explore the Crusader-era fortifications and British Prison as we learn about this historically important port. To the eyes of kids, it s the world of Harry Potter! Continue to Haifa for a panoramic view from Mt. Carmel, including the Bahai Temple and Persian Gardens.
We continue to INTRA, Israel National Therapeutic Riding Association, training people with disabilities of all ages, including children, survivors of terror attacks & injured soldiers. Visit with Anita Shekedi and meet Temple Israel s therapeutic horse for children, a gift of Mitzvah Day and TI B nai Mitzvah kids TINY! Enter the city of Tel Aviv, known as the city that never sleeps, with its centers of culture, recreation and national history, great beaches and fine stores. Check into our hotel. Tonight we light the sixth candle of Hanukah. O/N Tel Aviv Day 9, Friday, December 30, 2016: DIGGING INTO HISTORY Very early this morning, we continue with a short visit to Latrun, Israel s outdoor armed corps museum, where we explore the tanks and artillery used by the Israeli Defense Force throughout the country s history. We journey to the Beit Guvrin region through the Haella Valley where the battle between David and Goliath took place. Take part in a unique "hands-on" experience at the archeological dig in the caves of Tel Maresha. Boxed lunch en route. This afternoon, discover the secret underground ammunition factory that played a pivotal role in Israel s fight for Independence at the Ayalon Institute. We light the seventh candle of Hanukah together this evening. Kabbalat Shabbat services at a local Israeli Reform Synagogue. Walk to the Port Area with Cantor Althsul for dinner (on own). O/N Tel Aviv
Day 10, Saturday, December 31, 2016: SHABBAT SHALOM Enjoy a relaxing Shabbat morning, participate in Shabbat services or enjoy a walk around the neighborhood. Through Beit Daniel, the progressive congregation in Tel Aviv, we ll visit Old Jaffa for a Co- Existence Tour. This experience brings together a Jewish and Arab tour guide to explore the mixed city of Jaffa, where Arabs and Jews live side by side; tracing the different historical narratives. We explore the possibility of creating a common future and shared society. Enjoy lunch at one of the many cafes in Jaffa (on own). We enjoy Havdalah before we light the eighth candle of Hanukah together this evening. Farewell dinner together this evening at Maganda, an energetic Moroccan restaurant. Depart for the airport for our flight back to the United States. ------------ Day 11, Sunday, January 1, 2017: ARRIVE HOME We arrive home. ------------ Eilat/Petra Pre-Tour Vacation December 19 23, 2016 Day 1, Monday, December 19, 2016: DEPARTURE Depart the United States on our overnight flight to Israel. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Day 2, Tuesday, December 20, 2016: EILAT We arrive in Tel Aviv and transfer to the airport for our flight to Eilat. Upon arrival, we are transferred to our beautiful hotel in Eilat. Enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure at our hotel on the shores of the Red Sea. O/N Eilat
Day 3, Wednesday, December 21, 2016: EILAT AT LEISURE Enjoy the day at leisure on own in Eilat - Suggestions include visiting the Underwater Aquarium, OR a barbecue lunch and snorkeling cruise on the Red Sea, OR just relaxing poolside or seaside. O/N Eilat Day 4, Thursday, December 22, 2016: PETRA - THE EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD OR AT LEISURE IN EILAT We cross the border into Jordan and begin our full day tour of Petra, the Red Rose City. Explore the Nabatean City (as seen in Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade). Walk through the Siq and view the ancient temples. Discover the famous Treasury, the Roman Theater, and more at this, the Eighth Wonder of the World. (Note border taxes are due in USD at the border crossing currently $65 per person) Pass Wadi Ram before returning to Israel. OR Enjoy a day of leisure in Eilat. O/N Eilat Day 5, Friday, December 23, 2016: DEPARTURE Enjoy the morning at leisure. Time for lunch (on own) this afternoon. Transfer to the airport for our flight back to Tel Aviv where we will meet up with main group arriving today. The Memories Last Forever!!! *Itinerary subject to change U:\ITINERARY\Altshul Cantor Irena DEC 2016 ITIN V2.docx