UNFORGETTABLE ISRAEL Experience the best of Israel at 70 with the Shaare Zedek Congregation Mahane Yehuda market Old City Quarter With Rabbi Alan W. Bright and Cantor Daniel Benlolo ITINERARY 01 & 02 MONTREAL - TEL AVIV The magic of Yom Ha atzmaut Travel to the heart of Israel as it celebrates 70 years of independence. Meet the people, and feel the energy of this mighty nation firsthand, during a very unique Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha atzmaut celebration. An action-packed tour alongside members of our congregation, for what promises to be an unforgettable 11 days. 1 Arrive into Ben Gurion airport in the morning. Begin your journey at Independence Hall - where it all began. The Dizengoff House, that would eventually become Independence Hall, is the birthplace of Tel Aviv. Guided tour of Independence Hall followed by a walking tour of the White City of Tel Aviv. UNESCO has declared Tel Aviv a World Cultural Heritage Site. Tour the central area of Tel Aviv, tracing the routes lined by beautiful buildings and extraordinary balconies, which have been preserved and even enhanced in recent years. Lunch on your own in the heart of the city and then check-in at our hotel. You ll have time to rest and freshen up. In the afternoon, private tour of Beit Hatfutzot - The Museum of the Jewish People. Beit Hatfutzot conveys to the world the fascinating narrative of the Jewish people and the essence of the Jewish culture, faith, purpose and deed while presenting the contribution of world Jewry to humanity. In the evening, dinner will be in the trendy Port of Tel-Aviv. Transfer back to the hotel for the night in Tel Aviv. (D) 03 TEL AVIV - YEMIN ORDE TEL AVIV (167 KM) Breakfast session with leading journalist entitled Israel @70: current challenges and future vision. During the day, take part in activities centered on the Israeli Mosaic - a glimpse into daily life in modern Israel. See a cutting-edge leading Israeli start-up company and meet the people behind its success. Visit inspiring art galleries - featuring works of young and promising Israeli artists. Participate in a hands-on community service activity with Israeli students. Enjoy a culinary workshop with Israeli chefs. Rest at hotel before heading out for a very special Yom Hazikaron Ceremony and Concert with the students of Yemin Orde and Cantor Benlolo. Yemin Orde Youth Village, located on 77 acres atop Mount Carmel in northern Israel, is home, school and haven to 440 at-risk and immigrant youth from around the world. The Village remains open 24/7, 365 days a year, for youth who have no other place to call home in Israel. Yemin Orde provides a high ratio of staff to students and provides individualized therapeutic care and academic tutoring to those in need of extra supportive services. Additionally, the Village s Informal Educators provide mentoring to troubled youth and are available 24 hours a day. The staff work to help the children understand their connection to Judaism and Israel, as well as help them figure out who they are, where they fit in and who they want to become. As they struggle to find their place in a new country, with a new language and culture, Yemin Orde s mission is as relevant as ever on Israel s 70th anniversary. Dinner will be served during the ceremony. Drive back to Tel Aviv and overnight at the hotel. (B/L/D) 04 TEL AVIV JERUSALEM - TEL AVIV (133 KM) Breakfast at leisure in the hotel s restaurant. Ascend to Jerusalem, with a stop on the way to lay a wreath at one of the many memorial sites en route to the city. Arrive to the military cemetery at Mt. Herzl for the national memorial ceremony held at 11 am. The main Israel Defense Forces cemetery is located on the northern slope of Mt. Herzl. A special monument honoring the Victims of Acts of Terror was opened in 1997, and every year a ceremony is held on the plaza. Though not a religious holiday, special yizkor and kaddish prayers for the fallen soldiers are read at the Yom Ha zikaron ceremonies. Lunch and time for debriefing. Walking tour of the Old City of Jerusalem. Discover the stories, traditions
Umbrellas street project in Yoel Moshe Solomon st. and legends behind the stones in the ancient city with a historical, cultural and archaeological tour of the Old City s Four Quarters. The tour will include meaningful community prayer, a guided walking tour that will present some of the Old City s best secrets and locations, a special visit to the beautiful Hurba synagogue and prayer for the state of Israel. End this special day at the Kotel for a recital of the Shehecheyanu. Festive dinner in the evening - when the country moves from mourning to celebration. Happy Yom Ha atzmaut! Celebrate through the night. Transfer back to Tel Aviv for the night. (B/L/D) 05 TEL AVIV HAG SAMEACH! Join the celebrations as the entire country takes on a festive spirit! Early breakfast in the hotel followed by a visit to an IDF base for a salute to the IDF. Visit the base, meet with the soldiers and learn about some of Israel s most advanced military technologies. Time to enjoy the numerous events along Tel Aviv s beach, including the IDF air and naval demonstrations. VIP tour of the Israeli Museum at the Rabin Center. The Yitzhak Rabin Center is the national institute established by the Knesset in 1997 that advances the legacy of the late Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. The centerpiece of the Yitzhak Rabin Center experience is The Tel Aviv s famous promenade Israeli Museum. Comprised of nearly 200 short documentary films, visitors explore the history and makings of the State via its exhibit halls, each focused on historical turning points in the country s development. The exhibits present the conflicts, social challenges and dilemmas the country faced, as well as its successes. Along the inner corridor and interwoven with the exhibits narratives is the life story of Yitzhak Rabin, the connecting thread in the country s history and development. Evening celebration sing along with Israelis and overnight in Tel Aviv. (B) 06 TEL AVIV - BE ER SHEVA MITZPE RAMON (195 KM) Breakfast in the hotel s restaurant followed by check out and the start of your journery south to the Negev. See the Negev s breathtaking desert landscape, diverse ethnic communities, innovative agriculture and historic sites. Attend a security briefing along the border with Gaza. Understand the complex geo-political condition in the Otef Gaza regions. Transfer to Beer Sheva and visit one of the projects currently in collaboration with its sister city, Montreal. For almost two decades, the Jewish community of Montreal and the communities of Beer Sheva and the Bnei Shimon Regional Council have joined efforts to develop the Negev region of Israel. Their efforts have provided support for educational and social initiatives in the region and led to the development of warm, personal ties between the members of these communities. Proceed to Mitzpe Ramon and check into your hotel, the spectacular 5-star Beresheet. Time to freshen up and get ready for a Kabbalat Shabbat ceremony overlooking the Ramon Crater (Machtesh Ramon). Ramon Crater is the largest one of the three Negev craters. It contains geological formations of unparalleled beauty. Together with magnificent panoramas, it presents a fascinating story of geomorphologic evolution. Festive Shabbat Dinner and overnight in Mitzpe Ramon. (B/D) 07 MITZPE RAMON Breakfast at leisure in the hotel s restaurant. Optional activities for the day will be presented to you, including a hike at Machtesh Ramon, guided bike tours, spa treatments or a text study. Included lunch at the hotel. As the sun sets and Shabbat draws slowly to a close, come together to take part in a moving Havdalah Ceremony, marking the end of Shabbat and distinguishing it from the rest of the week. Dinner at the hotel. In the late evening, head out for an unforgettable stargazing experience. Mitzpe Ramon is among the best locations in Israel (and in the world) for stargazing as it turns pitch-black allowing you to see more of the sky s wonders. Overnight in Mitzpe Ramon. (B/L/D) 08 MITZPE RAMON - SAFED - KFAR BLUM (377 KM) Breakfast in the hotel s restaurant followed by checkout and the beginning of your departure to the North. Explore the question of the territories Israel has held since 1967, one of the major issues on the peace agenda. Tour the seam line area region of the Triangle where Jewish cities and settlements are adjacent to Area A Palestinian towns and villages. Learn about the challenges Israel is facing along this seam line and see the controversial security fence. As part of the tour the bus will stop at an IDF Check Point. Learn about the day-to-day challenges and security undertakings of the personnel who operate within a civilian population. For lunch, be infused with the warm hospitality in a Druze home while learning about this unique Middle Eastern religion whose women have equal rights and whose men serve in the IDF. The Druze community in Israel is officially recognized as a separate religious entity with its own courts and spiritual leadership. Their culture is Arab and their language Arabic but they opted against mainstream Arab nationalism in 1948 and have 2
Western Wall Beresheet Hotel, Mitzpe Ramon since served in the Israel Defense Forces and the Border Police. After lunch, you will transfer to Safed for a walking tour of the mystical city. Take part in a group treasure hunt game, strolling through the narrow alleys of Safed and meeting the artists and the people who work and live here. Afternoon departure for Kibbutz Kfar Blum and overnight in Kfar Blum. (B/L/D) 09 KFAR BLUM - NIMROD - ANI AM KFAR BLUM (130 KM) Breakfast at the Kibbutz, followed by a visit to explore Nimrod s Fortress, the biggest Crusade-era castle in all of Israel. The fortress is situated on a peak neighboring Israel s highest and only snow-capped mountain, Mount Hermon. The ruins of Nimrod Fortress are beautiful and well-preserved, a truly visible snapshot of history. Proceed to the OZ 77 memorial overlooking Emek Habacha (the valley of tears). On October 6 1973, Syrian and Egyptian forces launched a surprise attack on the State of Israel. No one in Israel on that fateful day will ever forget the piercing shriek of sirens which shattered the Yom Kippur silence and called men and women out of their homes and synagogues into uniform. Picnic lunch. In the afternoon take an ATV ride to learn about the landscape, volcanos and the springs of the 3 Golan. This ride will approach the Syrian border and give you an opportunity to learn about the geopolitical situation of the area. Briefing with a geopolitical expert. End the day with free time and dinner on your own at the picturesque artists village of Ani am. Drive back to Kfar Blum for the night. (B/L) 10 KFAR BLUM - ROSH HANIKRA AKKO - TEL AVIV (207 KM) Breakfast at the Kibbutz and check out. Drive along the Northern Road, Israel s purple line which demarcates the border with Lebanon. The border was published by the United Nations on 7 June 2000 for the purposes of determining whether Israel had fully withdrawn from Lebanon. Visit Rosh Hanikra with its stunning chalk-white cliffs at Israel s northernmost coastal border. Enjoy the view of the Mediterranean coastline stretched out before you, then take the cable car down beneath the cliffs to the grottos below and tour the system of underground caves eroded by pounding waves over thousands of years. Lunch and tour of the Old Port City of Akko, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Afterwards, visit Technion, the Israel Institute of Technology. Consistently ranked among the world s top science and technology research Church of the Holy Sepulchre universities, it is Israel s first university. Since its founding in 1912, the institute has educated generations of engineers, architects, and scientists who have played a key role in laying the State of Israel s infrastructure and establishing its crucial high-tech industries. Before heading south, enjoy wine tasting and dinner at one of the region s excellent wineries. Transfer to the airport for the return flight. (B/L/D) 11 TEL AVIV - MONTREAL Early morning return flight back to Montreal, arrive on the same day. Old City bazaar
Embark on this journey with your Shaare Zedek leaders, and revel in the magic of Israel during Yom Ha atzmaut. With carefully selected 5-star accommodations, high quality tour guides and curated local experiences, this is a tour our congregation will remember for years to come. We look forward to showing you a different side of Israel, in the comfort of an organized tour we have built alongside our travel provider, Incursion Voyages. Gmar Hatima Tova, Rabbi Alan W. Bright and Cantor Daniel Benlolo 11 days Starting at 6 999$ * *Early reservation discount until: November 30 2017 Prices are in canadian dollars, per person, in double occupancy. SINGLE SUPPLEMENT 1 893$ DATES: April 15 to April 25 Price includes Flights with Westjet and EL AL from Montreal Airline taxes and fuel surcharges Transport in a deluxe coach bus 4 nights in a 5 hotel in Tel Aviv (Sheraton or similar) 2 nights at the 5 Beresheet hotel 2 nights at the Kfar Blum Kibbutz 8 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners 2 water bottles per day Shabbat dinner overlooking Mitzpe Ramon Crater (included in the meal count) Wine tasting & farewell dinner (included in the meal count) All provided meals are Kosher Luggage porterage on arrival and departure at each hotel Services of English speaking tour guide throughout the tour Services of English-speaking local guides on location, as required Entrance fees as per activities in the itinerary All tours and transfers mentioned in the itinerary Tour leader from Shaare Zedek Congregation Tel Aviv + 7h 4
TERMS & CONDITIONS All prices listed in Canadian Dollars (CAD) $1000 DEPOSIT at time of booking Early reservation discount of $300 applied to the regular price until NOVEMBER 30 th,2017 (price listed includes this discount) Final payment: JANUARY 15 th, (90 days before departure) Cancellation Penalty (days before departure): 1. 90 days or more: deposit only penalty 2. 66-89 days: 50% penalty 3. 65 days or less: 100% penalty Land only option: available upon request NOT INCLUDED in your Tour: Gratuities or personal expenses Travel insurance Optional activities or items not listed in the itinerary PRELIMINARY HOTEL LIST Unforgettable Israel from the 15th to the 25th of April, Hotel Name City Sheraton Tel Aviv (or similar) Tel Aviv Beresheet Hotel Mitzpe Ramon Kfar Blum Kibbutz Kfar Blum This list is to give you an indication of hotel location, quality and standard for your upcoming trip. The hotels are subject to change and the list provided to you before your trip will contain the confirmed hotels for your trip.
FLIGHT SCHEDULE Unforgettable Israel from the 15th to the 25th of April, OUTBOUND FLIGHTS TO TEL AVIV Airline Date Flight No, Cities Departure Time Arrival Time Flight Time Westjet April 15th, WS 3523 Montreal Toronto YUL - YYZ 10:00 AM 11:33 AM 1h33min Connection time in Toronto: 2h27min EL AL April 15th, LY 30 Toronto - Tel Aviv YYZ - TLV 14:00 PM 08:15 AM + 1 day 11h15min RETURN FLIGHTS TO MONTREAL EL AL April 25th, LY 29 Tel Aviv - Toronto TLV - YYZ 12:50 AM 06:15 AM 12h25min Connection time in Toronto: 2h45min Westjet April 25th, WS 3520 Toronto Montreal YYZ - YUL 09:00 AM 10:24 AM 1h24min Please note that this flight schedule is subject to change. The final flight numbers and schedule will be confirmed and sent with your departure package. Seat selection will depend on the carrier's procedure and regulations. The procedure will be confirmed with your departure package.
Unforgettable Israel April 15 to April 25,