Stamford JCC Women s Trip to Israel February 1-12, 2017 ITINERARY
shalom! Welcome to Israel! During our journey together, we will learn about an unusually diverse and dynamic land in the midst of one of the world s most ancient regions. We will explore Israel s culture and history through art, cuisine, entertainment, the landscape and fashion. We anticipate that during your journey to Israel you will feel a special camaraderie among the women in the group, be challenged by new experiences and be pampered a bit, too! Please note: Some meals or items indicated in the program are at the participant s expense. The itinerary is subject to change. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Schiffman at the JCC at 203-487-0941, nschiffman@stamfordjcc.org or Risa Goldblum at 203-856-2882, risa@swcoffice.com Stephen P. Seiden, Chair Alan Mann, Interim President Leah Garber, Vice President, JCC Israel Center Sara Sless, Assistant Director, JCC Israel Center 520 Eighth Avenue, 4th fl. New York, NY 10018 tel: 212-532-4949 fax: (212) 481-4174 JCC Israel Center Solomon & Mary Litt Building 12 Moshe Hess Street Jerusalem, 94185, ISRAEL tel: 011-972-2-625-1265 fax: 011-972-2-624-7767 Program developed and implemented by the JCC Association Israel Center
ITINERARY DAY 1 DEPART USA for ISRAEL Wednesday, February 1, 2017 DAY 2 Welcome to Israel Thursday, February 2, 2017 Upon arrival in Israel we will ascend from the coast to the political and spiritual center of Israel, Jerusalem, and officially launch our trip. Within view of the city that King David proclaimed Israel s capital 3,000 years ago, we will recite the Shehechiyanu blessing of gratitude before checking into our hotel and dining together tonight as our adventure begins. Land at Ben Gurion International airport in Tel Aviv, where you will be met by tour educator and JCCA staff member Transfer to Jerusalem Arrival to Jerusalem, and opening Shehechiyanu at Yemin Moshe observation point or at Haas Promenade Opening dinner at local Jerusalem restaurant and orientation to the program with tour educator and staff from JCCA Israel Center Check-in at hotel Overnight Mamilla Hotel, Jerusalem DAY 3 JERUSALEM OF GOLD Friday, February 3, 2017 A chance to explore interactively the antiquities and architecture of Jerusalem in its Old City. There will be plenty of free time in the afternoon before we welcome in Shabbat together. 9:00 A.M. Depart for visit to the Old City of Jerusalem an opportunity to look at Jerusalem as the center of major religions, including visit to the Jewish Quarter and the Western Wall tunnels Lunch on own in the Jewish Quarter, Mamilla outdoor mall, Ben Yehuda street or Machane Yehuda fruit and vegetable market Free afternoon to enjoy watching Jerusalem as its residents prepare for Shabbat 4:30 p.m. Meet at hotel lobby for candle lighting followed by departure for Kabbalat Shabbat at Western Wall or at local synagogue 7:30 p.m. Enjoy Shabbat dinner at hotel Overnight Mamilla Hotel, Jerusalem Draft 2 - May 18, 2016 3
DAY 4 SHABBAT SHALOM Saturday, February 4, 2017 The pace of Shabbat is slower but no less exciting. With a full day of leisure ahead, there are opportunities to explore the city and observe the distinctly different atmosphere--either traditionally, or with the best contemporary Jerusalem has to offer. From synagogue attendance to family picnics, soccer games or sitting at cafes, Jerusalem offers a pluralistic array for this day of rest. Free time to rest and enjoy Jerusalem, attend local synagogue services, meet friends 11:00 am Yoga and meditation in the park (optional, with sign up) Lunch at hotel 2:30 p.m. Walking tour of the lesser known sites in the Old City of Jerusalem, in the Christian and Armenian Quarters 4:30 p.m. Return to hotel Trying to Make Sense of What is Going on in Israel: An Update on Current Events, with Israeli journalist 6:00 p.m. Havdallah and tie-in discussion Israeli cultural event (music or dance) TBD Overnight Mamilla Hotel, Jerusalem DAY 5 EXPLORING COLLECTIVE MEMORY Sunday, February 5, 2017 Today we explore collective memory as we touch upon the chapter of the Holocaust in Jewish History and see how Israel commemorates this event. 9:00 am The changing place of the Holocaust in Israeli Society with Rachel Korazim in preparation for visit to Yad V Shem 10:30 am Participants choose preferred track Track 1: Depart for Yad V Shem, Israel s Holocaust Memorial and Museum for a guided tour of the museum and children s memorial Track 2: Depart for a guided visit to selected exhibitions at the Israel Museum Lunch on own in Ein Kerem neighborhood 3:00 p.m. Depart for Machane Yehuda outdoor fruit and vegetable market with chef Tali Friedman for a guided tour and tasting of the market. Join her in Tali Friedman s Atelier to participate in a cooking workshop and enjoy the fruits of your cooking 8:00 p.m. Return to hotel,or stay in the market to enjoy the pubs and cafes which fill the market space at night -or Tzahal Shalom/Shlichim reunion Overnight Mamilla Hotel, Jerusalem 4 Stamford JCC Boarding Pass Women s trip to Israel
DAY 6 LEGENDS AND LANDSCAPES Monday, February 6, 2017 We depart from Jerusalem and head south to learn about Ben Gurion s vision for the desert and appreciate the space and colors of the desert landscape. 8:30 am Check out of hotel Depart for guided visit to the Chagall windows at the Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital and visit to the new, state of the art Davidson wing 10:30 am Depart for Sde Boker, home to Paula and David Ben Gurion in the Judean desert Lunch in Sde Boker at Ronit s home dine on wonderful dishes and hear the chef s story of living in the Negev Visit the graves of Paula and David Ben Gurion to hear about Israel s first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion s vision for the country and for the developing the desert Depart for Beresheet hotel and spa Afternoon to enjoy the scenery or spa facilities (massages and other treatments at own expense) Dinner at Beresheet Star-gazing program under the night skies over Mitzpe Ramon Overnight Beresheet Hotel and Spa, Mitzpe Ramon DAY 7 SOUTHERN ADVENTURES Tuesday, February 7, 2017 The Mitzpe Ramon crater is full of beautiful landscapes, colors and nature. Enjoy the slower pace and the opportunity to connect with nature. 9:00 am Depart for hike in Ein Avdat a mystical oasis in the desert at Sde Boker Lunch on own Depart for a jeep ride off the beaten track in Mitzpe Ramon Depart for visit to IDF army base to meet with soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Forces and an opportunity to hear from them about their Jewish and Israeli identity and relationship to the Diaspora (army base) -or- Depart for wine tasting at Carmey Avdat Farm where the ancient art of wine making has become one of Israel s leading industries in the international market place 5:30 p.m. Return to Beresheet to relax Tie-in discussion Dinner at Beresheet Overnight Beresheet Hotel and Spa, Mitzpe Ramon Draft 2 - May 18, 2016 5
DAY 8 ART COMES TO LIFE Wednesday, February 8, 2017 An encounter with two different women trying to make a difference and hear the stories of the people behind the projects. Early morning walk and meditation (optional) 8:30 am Check-out of hotel Depart for Netiv Ha asara moshav (village) and meet with artist Tsamerit Zamir to learn about her project Netiv L shalom (Path to Peace). Participate in Israeli mosaic activity on the border wall which divides the Gaza Strip and the Moshav, and get a sense of what it has been like for people living in the shadow of the Gaza strip Possible lunch in winery on the way to Tel Aviv Depart for Tel Aviv Overview of Tel Aviv from Jaffa and guided walk through the Old City of Jaffa. Meet artists Dorit Gur and Ilan Hasson in their studios Check into hotel Dinner on own and free evening in Sarona market complex in Tel Aviv or Tzahal Shalom/Shlichim reunion Overnight Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv DAY 9 TEL AVIV AND THE NEW JEW Thursday, February 9, 2017 Founded in 1909, Tel Aviv draws inspiration from the past to cultivate Modern Hebrew culture as a form of Jewish identity. The city today is one of the best blends of arts, innovation, and diversity. Optional morning walk on the beach 10:00 am Meet for TLV-style Boutique Tour with founder, Galit Reismann who will introduce you to this creative side of Tel Aviv, and meet with young Israeli fashion designers 12:15 p.m. Lunch at Dr. Shakshuka s 2:00 p.m. Depart for Afula-Gilboa partnership region to meet with women in Partnership2gether and experience the Olive Tree Project Dinner in the region followed by return to Tel Aviv Overnight Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv 6 Stamford JCC Boarding Pass Women s trip to Israel
DAY 10 DISCOVERING TEL AVIV Friday, February 10, 2017 Discover Tel Aviv s history, take a bicycle tour, visit some galleries and do some shopping before enjoying our final Shabbat together. 9:00 am Track 1: Depart for cycle ride through Tel Aviv along the sea front and enjoy stops at Rabin Square, along Rothschild Avenue Track 2: Visit to Israeli Museum 11:30 am Track 1: Guided visit to Hechal Ha atzmaut (Independence Hall) where Israel s independence was proclaimed in 1948 Track 2: Visit to some of the art galleries along Rothschild Boulevard, or the Rubin Museum in Tel Aviv which is dedicated to the art of Reuven Rubin, one of Israel s pioneer artists and also features guest exhibitions which focus on Israeli art Lunch on own and free time to enjoy the Nachalat Binyamin art and crafts market or the Carmel fruit and vegetable market in Tel Aviv Free time 4:30 p.m. Meet at hotel lobby for candle lighting 7:00 p.m. Shabbat dinner with EAT WITH an Israeli initiative which gives locals and travelers alike the opportunity to be hosted for dinner in people s homes, with people who love to cook and entertain -or- Shabbat dinner at hotel Overnight Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv DAY 11 SHABBAT SHALOM Saturday, February 11, 2017 Our last day together will be spent soaking up some more flavors of Tel Aviv before our departure tonight. Optional attendance of synagogue services, free time to enjoy the beach, meet friends 11:00 am Track 1: Bootcamp type activity with past Stamford JCC Tzahal Shalom officer (on beach if weather permits) Track 2: Depart for short guided walk through Neve Tzedek, one of the first Jewish neighborhoods to be built outside of Jaffa Lunch on own (lunch is available at the hotel at extra cost) 2:00 p.m. Optional guided tour of selected exhibitions at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art with tour educator Time for last minute packing and preparations for flight 5:00 p.m. Check out of hotel Meet in hotel for final wrap up discussion with tour educator and Havdallah 6:30 p.m. Celebratory final dinner in Maganda restaurant. Depart for airport or holiday extension Draft 2 - May 18, 2016 7