FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES NATIONAL LEADERSHIP MISSION NOVEMBER 9-16, 2018 ITINERARY NOVEMBER 9-16, 2018 fidf.org/missions fidf@fidf.org 1-888-318-3433
SCHEDULE AT-A-GLANCE FRIDAY, NOV 9: WELCOME TO ISRAEL! Optional visit to the Kotel Official commencement ceremony and Shabbat dinner SATURDAY, NOV 10: LIVE ISRAEL S HISTORY (LEISURE DAY) Optional walking tour of the Old City, neighborhood tour of Rehavia and Nahalot OR trip to Masada Geopolitical briefing Unforgettable Havdalah service SUNDAY, NOV 11: THE SKY S THE LIMIT! Visit Israeli Air Force Base Exclusive concert with IMPACT! students MONDAY, NOV 12: THE POWER OF THE IDF Visit to Kfir Infantry Brigade Dinner with special guest TUESDAY, NOV 13: PROTECTING ISRAEL AND HER ASSETS Visit with the Northern Command See soldiers in the field in the pastoral Golan Heights Unique dinner to experience WEDNESDAY, NOV 14: SALUTING THE IDF SOLDIERS! Visit to Michve Alon Education and Youth Corps base THURSDAY, NOV 15: THE BIG PICTURE AND RE-ENTRY Visit the IDF Gaza Division Meet Israeli President Reuven Rivlin Celebratory closing dinner FRIDAY, NOV 16: NEXT YEAR IN ISRAEL! (END OF MISSION)
ITINERARY FRIDAY, NOV 9: WELCOME TO ISRAEL! AFTERNOON Check-in to the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. The King David hotel was founded in 1931 by a wealthy Egyptian Jewish banker and has remained a fixture in Jerusalem from Israel s struggle for statehood, through the War of Independence, the division of Jerusalem, the reunification, to present day. It has become known for its frequent hosting of heads of state, dignitaries and other prominent figures during their visits to Jerusalem. 03:00 pm Optional: Visit the Western Wall (Kotel), Israel s most spiritual site, for a Shabbat experience. The Western Wall or the Kotel, is widely considered to be the holiest place in the world for Jews to pray. Comprised of remnants of the outer wall of the Temple Mount, it is the only wall that remains standing of the Second Temple built that was destroyed in 70 C.E. From 1948 to 1967, Jews had been banned access to the Temple Mount. This year, we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Six-Day War after which Jews were once again able to visit and pray at the Kotel. It is customary to insert written prayers into the Kotel s wide cracks between stones. EVENING 07:00 pm Your mission will officially begin with an FIDF Leadership Mission to Israel Commencement Ceremony. Enjoy a moving Shabbat dinner with the Former IDF Chief Cantor Lipa Glantz and the Former Rabbinical Ensemble. They will welcome you, together with special guests. OVERNIGHT: KING DAVID HOTEL, 23 KING DAVID ST., JERUSALEM +972-2-620-8888 1
SATURDAY, NOV 10: LIVE ISRAEL S HISTORY (LEISURE DAY) MORNING Choose from one of the following opportunities to experience Israel s history or create your own itinerary: 10:00 am Take a walking tour of the historic Old City of Jerusalem with an emphasis Christian history. The Old City of Jerusalem is a 0.35 square mile walled area within the modern city of Jerusalem that constituted the entire city until 1860, when the Jewish neighborhood Mishkenot Sha'ananim was established. We will discover the Old City s centuries of history in this three-hour walking tour. OR Enjoy a neighborhood tour of Rehavia and Nahlaot. You will trace the history of these neighborhoods from the British Mandate to present day. You will trace the history of these neighborhoods from the British Mandate to present day. Nahlaot and Rehavia represent the expansion of Jerusalem outside of the Old City walls. Reminiscent of European garden neighborhoods, they became the most prestigious neighborhoods where Israeli leaders lived before 1948, and where Israel s President and Prime Minister resided after Independence. 2
OR Ascend to Masada for a breathtaking tour of this historic fort. Inhale the unique beauty of Israel s unimaginable panoramas and visit to the Dead Sea (minimum of ten participants required; at additional cost). Masada, a fortress with an incredible history built atop a plateau overlooking the Dead Sea was the battleground for the famous siege held by the Romans against the Jewish rebels during the first Jewish- Roman war. You will take a cable car to the top where you will explore the ancient ruins. After Masada, you will continue to the Herods hotel in the Dead Sea where you will have lunch. You will have access to the hotel s facilities, pools, spa and private beach. OR Take leisure time to create your own special moments experiencing Jerusalem. AFTERNOON The mission continues for everyone: 05:00 pm Receive an in-depth geopolitical briefing by a top Israeli geopolitical expert. 06:00 pm Participate in an unforgettable Havdalah service in the holiest city on earth with the Former IDF Chief Cantor Lipa Glantz and the Former Rabbinical Ensemble. EVENING Take a free evening to enjoy the incomparable beauty of Jerusalem at night. OVERNIGHT: KING DAVID HOTEL 3
SUNDAY, NOV 11: THE SKY S THE LIMIT! MORNING Be completely transfixed by the Israeli Air Force Base, featuring the most advanced technology in aeronautics in the world. Meet the legendary F-15/16 pilots and hear their amazing stories about flying during times of war and peace, and the advanced technologies used in IAF operations. AFTERNOON Get to know the unit s soldiers by joining them for lunch. EVENING Taste Israeli culture through an exclusive concert, sing-along, and dinner together with your IMPACT! student whose life you have touched! OVERNIGHT: KING DAVID HOTEL 4
MONDAY, NOV 12: THE POWER OF THE IDF MORNING - Checkout From Hotel Visit Kfir Infantry Brigade AFTERNOON After the visit we will continue to our hotel and check in. EVENING Dinner with special guest OVERNIGHT: HAGOSHRIM HOTEL, UPPER GALILEE +972 4-681-6000 5
TUESDAY, NOV 13: PROTECTING ISRAEL AND HER ASSETS MORNING Visit the Northern Command and hear an extensive overview of the security situation in the region from it's commander, Maj. Gen. Yoel Strick. The Northern Command is the regional command responsible for the northern border with Syria and Lebanon. It's soldiers are faced with numerous threats on the borders every day from the terror organizations Hezbollah, ISIS and the different factions in civil war-torn Syria. AFTERNOON Visit the pastoral and historic Golan Heights to see soldiers in the field, and receive a briefing by a high ranking officer who is knowledgeable about Israel s history and the dangers that the IDF still faces every day. EVENING Unique dinner to experience OVERNIGHT: HAGOSHRIM HOTEL 6
WEDNESDAY, NOV 14: SALUTING THE IDF SOLDIERS! MORNING - Checkout From Hotel Visit Michve Alon Education and Youth Corps base where the emotional stories of the instructors and their soldiers will move you to tears. EVENING - Enjoy a free night to explore the exciting city of Tel Aviv on your own. OVERNIGHT: HILTON TEL-AVIV HOTEL, HAYARKON 205, TEL AVIV, +972-3-520-2222 7
THURSDAY, NOV 15: THE BIG PICTURE AND RE-ENTRY MORNING Visit Gaza Division, for an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see how soldiers serve to keep Israel safe under any circumstance. Meet with the President of Israel, Reuven "Ruby" Rivlin at the President s Residence. TBD AFTERNOON Take time to enjoy the sights, shopping, and beaches of Tel Aviv. EVENING Participate in an exclusive closing dinner to celebrate and reminisce about your Israel experience. OVERNIGHT: HILTON TEL-AVIV HOTEL 8
FRIDAY, NOV 16: NEXT YEAR IN ISRAEL! (END OF MISSION) *Itinerary is subject to change based on IDF activities and availability of locations. 9
Their job is to look after Israel. Ours is to look after them. fidf.org/missions fidf@fidf.org 1-888-318-3433