CONGREGATION L'DOR V'DOR OAKLAND LITTLE NECK JEWISH CENTER PRESENTS: ISRAEL, A LIGHT UNTO THE NATIONS May 30-June 12, 2016 extension: June 12- June 15 Updated by JJ Jonah- August 29, 2017 With Rabbi Gordon Yaffe Note: Itinerary is subject to change based on time, weather, security and other considerations. DAY ONE THURSDAY MAY 31 ST WELCOME!!- 70 YEARS TO ISRAEL! Welcome to Israel!!! Arrival at Ben Gurion airport at 12:40 p.m. where you will be met by Israel Maven representatives. Travel to Jerusalem Hills- Jeep Tour on Burma Road and overlook from the Jerusalem Hills and be transported in time to the War of Independence and the battles on this significant approach to Jerusalem. Plant trees with a JNF representative to honor life and the State of Israel. Continue to Tel Aviv- Check into hotel, settle in, relax and take a dip in the Mediterranean. Welcome dinner at Maganda in the Yemenite Quarter. DAY TWO FRIDAY, JUNE 1 ST TEL AVIV Visit the state-of-the-art Palmach Museum and walk in the footsteps of young Palmach recruits, advancing through the history of the Palmach until the end of the War of Independence. Relive the declaration of the State of Israel at the Independence Hall. Enjoy the best of Israeli culture at the Nachalat Binyamin Arts and Crafts fair. Lunch on your own Return to hotel to prepare for Shabbat and relax. Join Israeli Shabbat at the Beach. Shabbat dinner at hotel DAY THREE SATURDAY, JUNE 2 ND - SHABBAT IN TEL AVIV Morning- join the Masorti community of Neve Tzedek with Rabbi Arbib for morning services Shabbat lunch at hotel Afternoon - Learn with scholar Rachel Korazim in Jaffa: "Tel Aviv as a Jewish City or as an Israeli city?" Late afternoon walking tour of the Old City of Jaffa Havdalah by the pool Dinner on own in Tel Aviv
DAY FOUR SUNDAY, JUNE 3 RD - ISRAEL TODAY Learn about the amazing desalinization development at Shafdan that has solved many of the water problems in the region. Visit Campus Tel Aviv- the Google Israel hub space for developers and entrepreneurs for an introduction to Israeli High Tech. Lunch en route Visit the Yitzchak Rabin Center and live through the history of the State of Israel through the eyes of the late Prime Minister. Take a Culinary tour of the local neighborhood market in the Shchunat Hatikva Dinner on own in Tel Aviv DAY FIVE MONDAY, JUNE 4 TH TRAVEL NORTH- MAKING A DIFFERENCE - check out Stop at the Detention camp of Atlit!! In honor of Israel s 70 th birthday, learn about the years leading up the formation of the State when the Hagana smuggled Jewish refugees into Israel. Meet with local Druze representative and hear about the unique religion. Enjoy an authentic Druze lunch. Visit Yad B Yad school- meet with teachers and students from this unique school that brings Jews and Arabs together to bridge the gaps. Meet with the Hashomer Hachadash the new pioneers of Israel who guard Israeli lands from outside intrusion. Based on the Shomer from the 1920s. Dinner at hotel Overnight: Ramot Resort DAY SIX TUESDAY, JUNE 5 TH GALILEE AND GOLAN HEIGHTS Visit the ancient Synagogue of Um el Kanatir- and hear about the history of the Jews in the region. Meet with archeologist Michael Osbend who will talk about the development of Archeology in Israel since its establishment. Meet with Army General at Tel Saki- one of the famous battle sites during the Yom Kippur War and hear about the bravery of the battle. Lunch on own in the town of Katzerin Visit the Golan Winery one of Israel s finest and winner of many international winery awards. Tour of Kibbutz Lavi- one of many Kibbutzim still functioning as a Kibbutz and learn about their amazing style of life and see the amazing things developed in the Kibbutz. Dinner at the Livnim restaurant in Hukuk. Overnight: Ramot Resort
DAY SEVEN WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6 TH TO JERUSALEM- SETTLEMENT THEN AND NOW - check out Drive to Rawabi, a Palestinian city north of Ramallah for a glimpse one man s vision for translating the Palestinian hope for statehood in to a concrete reality on the ground. We plan to meet with developer Bashar El Masri to discuss the driving vision behind one of the more significant Palestinian responses to a new sense of peoplehood and desire for statehood. Drive to the city of Ariel where we will have lunch with some of the residents of one of the largest Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria and one of the most advanced cities in Israel. We will meet with some of the city founders and hear of their original dreams and what their reality has become. Welcome to Jerusalem!!!! Overlook the City from Mount of Olives. Check into hotel and settle in. Dinner on own in Jerusalem DAY EIGHT THURSDAY, JUNE 7 TH OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM- CITY OF 3 RELIGIONS Full Israeli breakfast at the hotel (early) Morning Services at Robinson's Arch/Ezrat Yisrael Ascend Temple Mount- learn about the holy sites for Islam and try to understand the complexity of the location and the challenges with the status Quo Discover the secrets of the Temple as you walk through the amazing Western Wall tunnels. Walk through the Muslim Quarter and visit one of the Jewish Homes "Beit Hatzalam" Lunch in the Jewish Quarter Hear some fascinating stories walking through the Jewish Quarter Explore the Christian Quarter and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher- meet with local Priest Dinner on own and stroll through the Machane Yehuda Market. DAY NINE FRIDAY, JUNE 8 TH JUDEAN DESERT & PREPARATION FOR SHABBAT Full Israeli breakfast at the hotel OPTIONS IN JERUSALEM Or a Trip to Masada and the Dead Sea: Depart for Judean Desert - Option to stop for a camel ride. Ascend Masada by cable car and hear the amazing story of the Jewish Zealots and their battle against the Romans. Discuss the relevance to Israeli society today. Lunch at the footsteps of Masada (on own) Nature walk in the springs of Ein Gedi- where David hid from King Saul. Float on the Dead Sea and make a visit to a hotel Spa for Spa treatments (based on availability) 5:00pm- stop at the "Tachana" for some live music as they bring in the Shabbat Preparation for Shabbat at the hotel Join thousands as they bring in Shabbat at the Kotel- the Western Wall! Shabbat Dinner- hosted by a local family
DAY TEN SATURDAY, JUNE 9 TH SHABBAT IN JERUSALEM Morning at leisure with an option to visit different synagogues in the vicinity for Shabbat services. Enjoy Shabbat lunch at the Fuchsberg Center for Conservative Judaism 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 tour: Jerusalem outside the Old City wall- walk through the beautiful neighborhoods of Yemin Moshe & Talbieh Musical Havdalah at Yemin Moshe overlooking the Old City Shopping time on Ben Yehuda Street & dinner on own DAY ELEVEN SUNDAY, JUNE 10 TH - JERUSALEM TODAY Tour of Israel s parliament- the Knesset Work with the elderly at their art workshop Lifeline for the old - Yad Lakashish. Lunch on own in the Jaffa road area Visit Jerusalem s City Hall and meet with city officials about the future of the city and the challenges it faces in coming years- see the amazing model of the city of Jerusalem. Travel to Mevasseret Tzion and visit the Ethiopian absorption center and hear about the Ethiopian community and their difficult adjustment into Israeli and modern society. Dinner on own in Mailla Mall. Enjoy the spectacular Sound and Light show at the Tower of David Museum. DAY TWELVE MONDAY, JUNE 11 TH MEMORIES FOR THE FUTURE The Holocaust in the Hearts and Minds of Contemporary Israelis with scholar Shalmi Bar Mor. Option I Yad Vashem Historical Museum- Guided visit through the Avenue of the Righteous Among the Nations, the Historical Museum, concluding with the Children s Memorial. Option 2- Special program at the Yad Vashem Art Museum, with art both from the time of the Holocaust and contemporary art which uses Holocaust motifs, concluding with a visit to the Center of Major Questions. Visit the Archive and with an archivist, explore some of the newly found materials relating to the Holocaust. Lunch on own Visit the graves of Israel's leaders and heroes as we walk through the Mt. Herzl National Cemetery. Tour of the Supreme Court- with Yizhar Hess, Executive Director of the Masorti Movement in Israel. Farewell dinner at Joy restaurant wrap up discussion. Continue to airport and depart Israel (those who are not extending). (those who are extending)
NEGEV EILAT EXTENSION DAY THIRTEEN TUESDAY, JUNE 12 TH BEN GURION'S DREAM - check out and depart Visit the Neve Chana Youth Village in Kiryat Gat for an opportunity to meet with students and staff in this project which gives young people from dysfunctional families a new chance in life. Visit the Cyber Security Research Labs at Ben Gurion University for a briefing on the latest advances in cyber security, with by Prof. Yuval Elovici, director of the labs. Visit the Ayalim student village at Ashalim, for a glimpse at pioneering in the 21st century. Drive to Beer Sheva. Ben Gurion s Dream, drive through the Negev to Sde Boker and stop at the graves of Paula and David Ben Gurion, overlooking the Wilderness of Zinn. Continue through the Ramon Crater to Eilat. Check into hotel Dinner on our own, and a free evening to enjoy Eilat. Overnight: Dan Hotel, Eilat DAY FOURTEEN WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13 TH EILAT/PETRA - check out OPTION 1- Day of relaxation in Eilat- OPTION 2- PETRA Depart for the Yitzhak Rabin Arava Border Crossing and cross into Jordan. Drive through the Jordanian Araba to Petra. Guided visit through the Nabatean red city of Petra, through the Siq to the Treasury, past the Theater and concluding at the Petra Basin return to the entrance, followed by lunch. Return to Eilat Overnight: Dan Hotel, Eilat DAY FIFTEEN THURSDAY, JUNE 14 TH EILAT/KETURA AND DEPARTURE Drive to Kibbutz Keturah for a special program with the Arava Institute, including a visit to the Keturah Solar Fields, followed by a guided drive around the Hills of Eilat exploring the realities on the borders of Egypt and Jordan, which have been at peace with Israel for the past 37 and 20 years respectively. Return to Eilat. Check out of hotel Depart by flight to Tel Aviv. Transfer to a Tel Aviv restaurant for a wrap up discussion and final dinner. Travel to Ben Gurion Airport Depart for the U.S. Arrive in U.S. early Friday Morning, June 15, 2017. NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM!!!