TEMPLE BETH EL DURHAM TRIP TO ISRAEL- WITH RABBI GREYBER JUNE 2016 Updated by JJ Jonah- March 25, 2015 Guide- Note: Itinerary is subject to change based on time, weather, security and other considerations. Tour Educator: DAY ONE MONDAY, JUNE 20 TH - ARRIVAL- NORTH Welcome to Israel!!! Arrival at Ben Gurion airport flight? Where you will be met by Israel Maven representatives. Opening session at the amazing ruins of the City of Caesarea- discuss the dilemmas of the Jew between living a Jewish life surrounded by the appealing Hellenistic culture. Stop at the Roman Aqueducts by the beach for an introduction to the trip- goals and expectations Continue North Welcoming and tree planting ceremony in the Lavi Forest- together with JNF representatives Dinner at the Hotel DAY TWO TUESDAY, JUNE 21 ST - UPPER GALILEE- WATER AND BORDERS Nature walk in the beautiful streams of Tel Dan, one of the main sources to the Jordan River. Open the Tanach and read about the settling of the Land by the tribe of Dan at Ancient Dan ATV rides on the slopes of the Golan Heights Falafel/picnic Lunch Hear the heroic story of the spy Eli Cohen at the old Syrian bunker of Tel Facher Options for activity: o Enjoy rafting down the Jordan River! Be prepared to get wet!!!! o Bike ride/carts through the Nature reserve of Hula Lake where millions of birds use as a landing ground as they migrate from Africa to Europe Dinner at the Hotel
DAY THREE WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22 ND TZFAT AND WESTERN GALILEE Descend by Cable Car to the beautiful Grottos of Rosh Hanikra Meet with Bobby Daudi who will give an overview of the border with Lebanon including the wars and the present tensions. Meet with combat Soldiers guarding the Northern Border Lunch at the "Beef Bahar" in Moshav Yaara Discover the Mystical City of Tzfat including beautiful synagogues, picturesque alleyways and artists colony. Meet with local Kabbalistic artist in Tzfat- Sheva Chaya- where she will demonstrate through her Glass blowing ideas of Kabbalah Dinner in Tiberias on own Return to hotel DAY FOUR THURSDAY, JUNE 23 RD GOLAN HEIGHTS- TO JERUSALEM Check out and departure Ascend the Golan Heights- Overlook into Syria from the Old Israeli bunker on Mount Bental and discuss the complex relationship between Israel and Syria Nature Walk in the Nature reserve of Gamla- hear the heroic story of the people of the City. Lunch together with daughter of Rabbi in Emeritus in the Golan (Bnei Yehuda) Short dip in the natural springs of the Sachne pools Travel to Jerusalem שהחיינו overlook- Welcoming and introduction to Jerusalem at the Mount Scopus Dinner on own in Jerusalem Option: Challah Tour in Meah Shearim explore the streets of the Ultra-Orthodox neighborhoodsincluding understanding the different sects and fashions. Walk to bakeries as they prepare the Challot for Shabbat.
DAY FIVE FRIDAY, JUNE 24 TH ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG AND PREPARATION FOR SHABBAT Travel to the Shfela Region Overlook into the Ella Valley and see the place where David Slew Goliath Take part in a live Archeological Dig at Tel Maresha Spelunk through ancient caves that were used by the local residents for storage rooms Free time and lunch at Machane Yehuda Market and feel the vibes of Jerusalem as Shabbat comes in Theatrical tour of the picturesque neighborhood of Nachlaot- understanding the real life of Jerusalemites on a Friday afternoon. Preparation for Shabbat at the hotel Join thousands as they bring in Shabbat at the Kotel- the Western Wall! 2 nd option- Shira Chadasha "Shabbat of a lifetime"- Shabbat dinner hosted by a local Jerusalem Family. DAY SIX SHABBAT, JUNE 25 TH SHABBAT IN JERUSALEM Morning at leisure - option to visit different synagogues in the vicinity Optional study session about the portion of the week with Rabbi Greyber Enjoy Shabbat lunch at the Fuchsberg Center together with Lone Soldiers from the IDF Meet Jerusalem Post columnist Gil Hoffman to hear the latest updates on the fascinating politics in Israel Optional walking tours of the beautiful neighborhoods of Yemin Moshe & Talbieh OR Christian Quarter and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher Musical Havdalah at Yemin Moshe overlooking the Old City Shopping time on Ben Yehuda Street & dinner (not included) DAY SEVEN SUNDAY, JUNE 26 TH OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM Introduction to the City at Jaffa Gate Walk on the Old City Ramparts from Jaffa Gate to Zion Gate Family Scavenger hunt through the alleyways of the Jewish Quarter Lunch in the Jewish Quarter Witness the destruction of the Temple as you walk through the Davidson Center and the Southern Wall Excavations Time for reflection at the Kotel Discover the secrets of the Temple as you walk through the amazing Western Wall Tunnels Dinner at local Tzidkiyahu restaurant
DAY EIGHT MONDAY, JUNE 27 TH JUDEAN DESERT Depart for the Judean Desert Ascend Masada by cable car & relive the bitter confrontation between Zealots & Romans Lunch at the footsteps of Masada Nature walk in the beautiful "Nachal David" springs- where David fled from King Saul Float on the Dead sea at one of the beaches in the Judean Desert Dinner, Camel riding and desert hospitality Genesis Land Drive back to Jerusalem DAY NINE TUESDAY, JUNE 28 TH NEW JERUSALEM Pay tribute to the Six Million Jews who perished in the Holocaust at Yad Vashem memorial Museum. Hear stories about leadership and heroism during the most difficult times for the Jewish people. Lunch Hear the amazing stories of some of Israel's greatest leaders and heroes at Mount Herzl Visit the Absorption Center in Mevasseret Tzion where we can meet members of the Ethiopian Community and understand the Challenges they face in Israel Dinner in Jerusalem Enjoy the Sound and Light show at the tower of David Museum DAY TEN WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29 TH TO TEL AVIV - check out 10:00- Group Volunteer project as we gather fruits and vegetables for the needy at Leket Travel to Tel Aviv Lunch on own in the Carmel Market area Short tour of the neighborhood of Nve Tzedek Relive the declaration of the State of Israel at Independence Hall Check into Hotel- time to relax and use hotel facilities Late afternoon walk through the Old City of Jaffa the "Gateway to the Holy Land" and its Port and the Flea Market and enjoy the beautiful Sunset Dinner at the Blackout restaurant at the Na Lagaat Center, where you will be experiencing dinner in total blackout Overnight: Herod's Hotel, Tel Aviv
DAY ELEVEN THURSDAY, JUNE 30 TH TEL AVIV- DEPARTURE Study session in the Secular Yeshiva of Alma- meet with director Ruth Calderon. Topic is Israeli Music in Judaism- meet with local musician and discuss Israeli and Jewish Culture through text Lunch on own Late afternoon time for last minute shopping and relaxing- option to walk down the beach and relax. Check out and load bus (Late check out) Closing dinner at a local restaurant in Tel Aviv- Summary of the trip Travel to Ben Gurion Airport Depart for the US on Flight #? NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM!!!