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Temple Beth Elohim Presents...
Israel at its Best:
A Trip for New and Nearly Empty Nesters
Led by Rabbi Joel Sisenwine
July 8-17, 2018

Tour Rates & Dates:

There are no Departure Dates available for this Package.
*Please note that all rates displayed are based on standard room double occupancy.
All rates above are in US Dollars, and are based on full payment by credit card unless otherwise noted.
If check payment discount is available for this tour, it can be selected after clicking "BOOK" above.
(Deposit can still be paid by credit card). Upgraded room categories may be available to book later in the booking process.
If Land & Air price is displayed, the air portion includes tax and fuel surcharges, which are subject to change until ticketed.

Tour Overview:

Download a PDF version:

Escorted Tour Includes:

INCLUDED - These prices include:


2 nights Sheraton Tel Aviv Hotel & Towers, Tel Aviv, Israel
2 nights Kibbutz Hagoshrim Guesthouse, Upper Galilee, Israel
3 nights Mt. Zion Hotel, Jerusalem, Israel
All touring and sightseeing per an agreed upon itinerary in a deluxe air-conditioned vehicle with an English speaking guide
Breakfast daily 
6 dinners, including Shabbat dinner in Jerusalem and dinner at Roberg in the north 
Druze hospitality lunch 
Graffiti tour with Guy Sharett 
Nir Topper session at Makom Bagalil 
Winery tour and tasting
Hula Valley visit 
Kabbalah workshop with David Friedman 
Yitzhak Tavior concert 
Burma Road jeep tour 
Camel ride
Cooking class at Machane Yehuda (including dinner listed above)
IRAC meeting with Anat Hoffman
Geopolitical tour with Dr. Danny Tirza
Emek Tzurim dig 
Transfers included if arriving/departing with the main group 
Entrance fees as per itinerary 
Porterage

NOT INCLUDED - These prices do not include: 

Roundtrip airfare, departure taxes and fuel surcharges (Group airfare available during registration)
Any border taxes or visas 
Tips to guides, driver, and dining room waiters ($18.00 per person, per day-pre-collected) 
Any meals not listed above
Any items of a personal nature 
Travel insurance (highly recommended)

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Sunday, July 8, 2018: BEGIN OUR JOURNEY
• Depart the United States on our overnight flight to Israel.
Overnight in Tel Aviv
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Day 2: Monday, July 9, 2018: WELCOME TO ISRAEL!
• We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport this afternoon and are met by an Ayelet Tours representative.
• We begin at Independence Hall, the site of the signing of Israel's Declaration of Independence in 1948. (time permitting - if flight is delayed, will reschedule to visit tomorrow).
• We visit a viewpoint along the coast for a welcome ceremony overlooking the Mediterranean.
• Transfer to our hotel for check in.
• Welcome dinner together this evening at a gourmet Tel Aviv restaurant.
Overnight in Tel Aviv
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Day 3: Tuesday, July10, 2018: ENCOUNTERING THE MANY FACES OF ISRAEL
• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Visit the Rabin Center, where we learn about the life and work of Yitzhak Rabin. The center's spiraling exhibits lead us through the history of the modern state and broader world history, through the prism of the life of one of Israel's most beloved leaders.
• Continue to the Palmach Museum, where we “join up” with the paramilitary forces from Israel's pre-statehood days.
• This afternoon, our guide leads us through Neve Tzedek and explains about the graffiti art gracing Israel's oldest neighborhood.
• Next, we head to Old Jaffa, an ancient port city, for an introduction to the area, including a stroll through the ancient cobblestone alleyways, see the amazing artists in residence here, taste the delicious local flavors, and enjoy a chance to take in the stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea.
• Return to our hotel for time to relax or go to the beach to cool off in the Mediterranean!
• Free evening for dinner on own.
Overnight in Tel Aviv
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Day 4: Wednesday, July 11, 2018: ENTERPRISE AND INNOVATION
• Breakfast and check out of our hotel. This morning, we travel north along the Mediterranean coast. Our first stop is in Caesarea, where we see the Roman Theater and the aqueduct.
• Continue to Atlit to visit and learn the history of this former detention camp from the time of the British Mandate.
• We continue traveling north, stopping in a Druze village for home hospitality lunch atop Mt. Carmel, as we learn about their unique way of life.
• Next, we visit Kibbutz Malkia, where we meet members of the kibbutz and IDF soldiers stationed there and learn about life in this small border community.
• We continue to the Galilee to check in to our kibbutz and enjoy dinner together this evening.
Overnight in the Galilee
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Day 5: Thursday, July 12, 2018: NORTHERN BORDERS & BEAUTY
• Breakfast at our kibbutz.
• This morning, we venture out on a jeep tour through the Golan Heights, passing by old Syrian bunkers along the way.
• We stop atop Har Bental to take in the views stretching far into Syria and discuss the geopolitical situation in the region.
• We continue to the Golan winery for a tour and wine tasting.
• In Katzrin, we see an ancient wine press and olive press, and explore the day to day lives of those living in the time of the Talmud.
• Continue to the Banias Springs, for a short hike to the sources of the Jordan River, and even a chance to refresh in the waterfalls.
• Return to our kibbutz for a relaxing afternoon.
• This evening, we enjoy a sunset surrey (or bicycle) rental ride through the lovely Hula Valley Nature Reserve, major migratory route for millions of birds.
• Dinner at the outstanding Restaurant Roberg in Livnim.
Overnight in the Galilee
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Day 6: Friday, July 13, 2018: THE ROAD TO JERUSALEM
• Breakfast and check out of our kibbutz.
• We visit the mystical city of Safed, where we view the beautiful ancient synagogues and walk through the artists quarter.
• We continue to Jerusalem, stopping stop the Haas Promenade upon arrival, for a special “Shehecheyanu” blessing with challah and wine as we look out over the City of Gold for the first time.
• Continue to our hotel for check in and a chance to refresh.
• As the sun begins to set over Jerusalem, we join together for Jerusalem's progressive, communitywide Kabbalat Shabbat services at the Tachana Harishnona (The First Station), followed by Shabbat dinner at the home of Rabbi Susan Silberman. (pending confirmation)
Overnight in Jerusalem
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Day 7: Saturday, July 14, 2018: DEAD SEA & MASADA
• Breakfast at our hotel.
• We depart early this morning for the Dead Sea basin.
• Upon arrival, we ascend Masada by cable car or snake path, to the remains of King Herod's fortress. Here we learn about the Jewish Zealots' last stand against the Roman forces.
• We descend the mountain and head to the beach for an “unsinkable” swim in the healing, salty waters of the Dead Sea.
• We enjoy a camel ride through the desert.
• Return to Jerusalem for a relaxing evening at leisure and dinner on own as Jerusalem returns to life as Shabbat comes to an end.
Overnight in Jerusalem
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Day 8: Sunday, July 15, 2018: A TASTE OF JERUSALEM
• Breakfast at our hotel.
• We start this morning with an eye-opening experience at Yad Vashem, Israel's memorial to the Holocaust. Here, we see the many moving exhibitions, including the Hall of Names and the Avenue of the Righteous Among the Nations.
• Our next stop, is at Mt. Herzl, Jerusalem's military cemetery, where we pay our respects at the gravesites of Theodore Herzl, Golda Meir, Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres. We also visit the
Herzl Museum, tracing the life of Zionist visionary,
Theodore Herzl.
• 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.
• After time to refresh, we continue to Machane Yehuda for a
chef-led tour, taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the
market and concluding in a cooking class and dinner made
from our purchases. At the end of the day as the market stalls
close, we can view the art that was painted on the store
shutters and see how the night comes to life here, as bars and
restaurants open.
Overnight in Jerusalem
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Day 9: Monday, July 16, 2018: ANCIENT CITY, MODERN CITY
• Breakfast at our hotel, where we meet with Anat Hoffman of the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) for an in-depth discussion of religious tension and issues of church and state currently confronting Israel. We learn about the struggles for equality, pluralism and social justice in Israel
• Join us for a geopolitical VIP tour with Col. Dr. Dany Tirza, the chief designer of Israel's security fence who headed the Strategic Planning Unit of the IDF's Central command, as he takes us on a one of a kind tour exploring the security fence. Learn about the various aspects and complexities behind the decision to build this fence, the operational concept and humanitarian
and legal dilemmas.
• Visit the foundation stone of the city - Ir David, the City of
David. Explore the amazing archaeological wonder of this
meticulously preserved site dating back to the time of King
David, including a walk through the dry section of the Hezekiah
water tunnels.
• Our next stop is in the Old City, where we tour the Western
Wall tunnels, discovering archaeological wonders that once
remained untouched for centuries, followed by a visit to the
Davidson Center.
• Nearby, at Mt. Zion, we visit Oskar Schindler's grave.
• This evening, we enjoy a festive farewell dinner at Brothers for
Life, as we remember all that we have experienced together.
• Transfer to the airport for our flight back to the United States.
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Day 10: Tuesday, July 17, 2018: WELCOME HOME!
• We arrive home this morning.

THE MEMORIES LAST FOREVER!!
*Itinerary subject to change