Rabbi Jonathan Roos Temple Sinai A Memorable Adventure to Israel June 20 July 1, 2018 (As of 8/7/17) DAY 1: Wednesday, June 20, 2018: DEPARTURE We depart the United States on our overnight flight to Israel. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DAY 2: Thursday, June 21, 2018: WELCOME TO ISRAEL! We arrive in Israel this afternoon and are met by an Ayelet Tours representative. Transfer (on own) to our hotel in Tel Aviv for check-in. This evening, we enjoy a welcome dinner at Derby Bar together with the members of the other Temple Sinai group. DAY 3: Friday, June 22, 2018: TEL AVIV Our day begins at Independence Hall, the site of the signing of Israel s Declaration of Independence in 1948. This morning, we visit Old Jaffa for a co-existence tour as a Jewish and Arab tour guide lead us side by side. We trace the different historical narratives, as we explore the possibility of creating a common future and shared society. Browse among the street vendors and artisans at Nachalat Binyamin, as the locals busily prepare for Shabbat. Time for lunch on own here. Stop for a moment of reflection at Rabin Square, the place where former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated. Return to our hotel to freshen up. This evening, we participate in Kabbalat Shabbat services (details TBD) followed by Shabbat dinner together.
DAY 4: Saturday, June 23, 2018: SHABBAT SHALOM! Today we visit the Ayalon Institute, where we discover the secrets of the underground ammunition factory that played a pivotal role in Israel s fight for independence. Choose to spend the afternoon with Rabbi Roos at the beach with possible organized paddle boarding (cost on own). On own options abound from the Tel Aviv Museum of Art to a stroll along Rothschild Blvd. Spend the evening at leisure and enjoy dinner on own as Shabbat comes to an end. DAY 5: Sunday, June 24, 2018: NORTHERN OUTREACH Breakfast and check out of our hotel. This morning, we visit the Palmach Museum, where we join up with the paramilitary forces from Israel s pre-statehood days. We travel north along the Mediterranean Coast to Caesarea, where we explore the seaside relics from ancient times, including the Roman Theater and ancient aqueduct. Continue on to Zichron Yaakov, one of the first moshavs built in Israel. Enjoy a tour of the neighborhood followed by lunch on own. This afternoon, we visit the former British detention camp at Atlit. We continue to our kibbutz in the Galilee to check in and refresh. Dinner together at our kibbutz this evening. Overnight in the Galilee DAY 6: Monday, June 25, 2018: GOLAN/GALILEE ROOTS Breakfast at our kibbutz. Our morning begins with a short hike through the Tel Dan Nature Reserve, source of the Jordan River and site of ancient archeological finds. We take in the views stretching far into Syria from atop Har Bental. Continue to a Druze village, where we will enjoy home hospitality and lunch as we learn about this unique community. We take a jeep ride through the Golan Heights, passing Syrian bunkers on our way to the top of Har Bental for panoramic views stretching far into neighboring Syria. We return to our kibbutz for a relaxing evening and dinner. Overnight in the Galilee
-------------- DAY 7: Tuesday, June 26, 2018: SAFED AND THE ROAD TO JERUSALEM Breakfast and check out of our kibbutz. Today, we travel to the mystical city of Safed, where we view the beautiful ancient synagogues and stroll through the Artist s quarter. We drive south through the Jordan Valley Rift to Jerusalem. Upon arrival in Jerusalem, we stop atop Mt. Scopus to recite a special Shehecheyanu blessing as we look out over the City of Gold for the first time. We check into our hotel, then head out for dinner together at Piccolino. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day 8: Wednesday, June 27, 2018: JERUSALEM S OLD CITY We begin our day at the Tower of David Museum for a guided tour of the Citadel moat and the Kishle, one of the most fascinating hidden spaces in the museum compound. Enjoy a walking tour through history into Jerusalem s Old City, exploring the Jewish quarter and the Arab market (shuk). Continue with a fascinating visit through the famed Western Wall tunnels, where we discover the archaeological wonders that once remained untouched for centuries. Hummus lunch (on own) at Lina or Abu Shukri. We continue to Emek Tzurim, where we participate in the dig that is sifting the Temple Mount rubble new and important finds are made here every day. Free evening for exploring and dinner in Jerusalem; we suggest enjoying a stroll along Ben Yehuda Street or Emek Refaim. -------------
DAY 9: Thursday, June 28, 2017: MASADA & THE DEAD SEA We depart early this morning for the Dead Sea basin. Upon arrival, we ascend to King Herod's fortresses and castle atop Masada, by cable car or snake path. We visit the remains of the walls, palaces, synagogue, and the bathhouses, learning about the Jewish Zealots last stand against the Roman forces. Lunch is included at a Dead Sea resort. We head to the resort s beach for an unsinkable swim in the healing, salty waters of the Dead Sea. Dinner on own this evening at the shuk. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DAY 10: Friday, June 29, 2018: DISCOVERING JERUSALEM This morning, we visit Yad Vashem, Israel s memorial to the Holocaust, where we view the many moving exhibitions, including the Hall of Names and the Avenue of the Righteous Among the Nations. Children under the age of 13 will enjoy a tour of the Biblical Zoo. This afternoon, we visit Machane Yehuda, where we take in the sights, sounds and smells as we taste our way through the marketplace. As the sun begins to set, we participate in Kabbalat Shabbat services with the members of Kol Haneshama, followed by a Shabbat dinner with our friends from Temple Sinai at Notre Dame Rooftop restaurant.
DAY 11: Saturday, June 30, 2018: SHABBAT IN JERUSALEM Today, we join together with our friends from Temple Sinai to celebrate our B nai Mitzvah in the beautiful Persian gardens at Hebrew Union College (HUC). Mazel Tov! This afternoon, we enjoy Shabbat lunch at Beit Shmuel together. Return to the Old City and enjoy a walk through the Christian Quarter, strolling along the Via Dolorosa, and concluding at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Check out of our hotel. This evening, we enjoy a festive farewell dinner with our friends from Temple Sinai, as we recall all that we have experienced together. Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our overnight flight back to the United States. ------- DAY 12: Sunday, July1, 2018: WELCOME HOME! We arrive home this morning. THE MEMORIES LAST FOREVER!! *itineraries subject to change U:\ITINERARY\Roos Rabbi Jonathan Israel JUNE 2018 ITIN.docx