The Temple, Congregation B'nai Jehudah's Family Friendly Adventure in Israel Led by Rabbi Stephanie Kramer July 26 - August 6, 2023 - Ayelet Tours - Israel Tours - Jewish Heritage Tours - Bar/Bat Mitzvah Tours

Day 1: Wednesday, July 26, 2023: DEPARTURE

• We depart the United States on our overnight flight to Israel.

Day 2: Thursday, July 27, 2023: OUR JOURNEY BEGINS - WELCOME TO ISRAEL!

• Shalom and Bruchim Habaim - welcome to Israel! Our time in this incredible land has officially started and our excitement mounts as we set off on the adventure ahead. Just beyond passport control, an Ayelet Tours representative will meet us in the baggage claim area and assist us through customs.
• Our adventure begins as we ascend to Jerusalem, stopping at the Haas Promenade to say a special Shehecheyanu as we look out over the City of Gold for the first time together.
• We check into our hotel and have a chance to refresh before our welcome dinner this evening.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 3: Friday, July 28, 2023: HISTORY & SPIRITUALITY IN JERUSALEM

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we set out to explore the history of Jerusalem. We begin at Ir David, the City of David, where the stories of the Biblical King David come to life through the palace excavations, underground passageways and monumental fortifications. For the fearless, descend with a flashlight into Hezekiah's Tunnel, a 2,700-year-old pitch-black water-filled tunnel, a marvel of engineering, that brought water into the ancient city.
• Next, we catch our first glimpse of the Old City. One cannot visit Jerusalem without experiencing the Kotel (Western Wall), which many consider to be Judaism's holiest site. Millions of people visit the wall every year and leave small notes or prayers in the wall's cracks. While here, we learn about and discuss the importance of the Kotel in contemporary Jewish life.
• We will also have a chance to visit Azarat Israel, the pluralistic section of the Kotel, a space for egalitarian prayer and togetherness. This portion of the wall was established after sustained struggle and the issue of progressive prayer at Judaism's most sacred site remains one of the most controversial issues in the Jewish world.
• This afternoon, we set out on a walking tour through the Jewish quarter for a chance to discover the archaeological treasures and experience the center of Jewish life, history and holiness, including:
o The Cardo Market, the main shopping street in the Old City
o A stop at King Hezekiah's First Temple-period Broad Wall
o A visit to Hurva Square, the center of modern-day life in the Jewish quarter
o A Live the Bible experience, where authentic atmosphere, costumes and amazing backgrounds allow you to dress up like Moses, Ruth or a Temple Priest and prepare for your photo shoot!
• We stop for lunch on own en route.
• Later this afternoon, we return to our hotel for a chance to relax and refresh.
• As the sun begins to set, we join together to travel outside Jerusalem to Kibbutz Gezer, where we join with Rabbi Steve Burnstein and Kehilat Birkat Shalom Progressive community members for Kabbalat Shabbat services.
• Following the service, we enjoy home hospitality Shabbat dinner with members of the community.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 4: Saturday, July 29, 2023: SHABBAT SHALOM!

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Today, we return to the Old City and set out on a walking tour of the three additional quarters. We enter the Ottoman walls via the Jaffa Gate and stroll through colorful and exotic vendors of the Arab shuk. We continue into the Christian quarter to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Jesus was crucified, through the bustling alleys of Via Dolorosa and into the Muslim quarter.
• Next, we set out on a scavenger hunt in the Yemin Moshe neighborhood. By uncovering the riddles and with some ace detective work, we will make our way through the winding alleys, explore the legendary windmill and discover how Jerusalem expanded beyond the Old City.
• As day turns to night, we join together for Havdallah, marking the end of Shabbat and the beginning of a new week.
• This evening, enjoy dinner on own at the Mamilla Mall, an upscale pedestrian shopping and dining street outside the Jaffa Gate.
• Lights, Camera Action! Following dinner, we delight in the Tower of David Night Spectacular, a sound and light show that transforms the walls of David's Citadel into the living story of Jerusalem.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 5: Sunday, July 30, 2022: MEMORY & RENEWAL

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Today, we take part in tikkun olam with a visit to Yad L'Kashish, the Lifeline for the Aged, an artisan workshop which empowers and supports hundreds of elderly and disabled Jerusalem residents. We will hear personal stories and see the artisans in action, speak with those running this inspirational organization and check out their fabulous gift shop that support this endeavor.
• While younger children join a youth counselor at the Bloomfield Science Museum or the Biblical Zoo, adults and youth over the age of 12 will visit Yad Vashem, Israel's memorial to the Holocaust and an essential, emotional and educational experience. Our visit will include:
o The Avenue of the Righteous Among the Nations, where trees symbolic of the renewal of life have been planted along with plaques honoring brave non-Jews who saved Jews during the Shoah.
o The Historical Museum, a state-of-the-art interactive display reflecting decades of research and educational expertise. The story of the Holocaust, with an emphasis on individual victims, is told through survivor testimonies, original artifacts and personal possessions saved from the ghettos and camps.
o The Children's Memorial, where candles shine like bright stars in the sky to commemorate the 1.5 million children lost during the Holocaust.
• We travel to Beit Guvrin and take part in a real, live archaeological expedition! Through our digging and sifting, we will uncover the ancient past, hidden for over 2,200 years, and turn their trash into our treasure.
• We return to Jerusalem and enter the hustle and bustle of Machane Yehuda, accompanied by a chef, for a sensual immersion into the vibrant colors, smells and flavors that make up this famous marketplace. We wander through the pyramids of spices, brightly colored exotic vegetables, platters of nuts and olives and delicious halva creations. After our introduction to the fundamentals of Israeli cuisine, we prepare dinner together with our purchases.
• The remainder of the and evening is at leisure to explore downtown Jerusalem, including Ben Yehuda Street and the Nahalat Shiva neighborhood.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 6: Monday, July 31, 2022: DESERT EXPLORATION

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• We set out early this morning and travel south to the Dead Sea basin. Upon arrival, we ascend the imposing mountain of Masada by cable car to view the remains of King Herod's fortress, including the synagogue, walls and bathhouse, as we learn about the Jewish Zealots' fateful last stand against the Roman forces.
• We descend the mountain and set out on a short hike in Nahal David in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. This is a desert oasis with springs, waterfalls and freshwater pools. Along the way, we may see ibex, hyrax and other desert mammals that live in the area. Nahal David is named after the biblical David, who fled here to escape from the murderous King Saul. Time permitting, we enjoy a dip in the pools to cool off.
• Lunch on own en route.
• We head to the beach for an unsinkable swim in the luxuriating, salty and mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, where we can cover ourselves in silky, healing mud and float at the lowest place on Earth.
• Along the way, we pass by Qumran, the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by a local shepherd.
• We arrive at Kfar Hanokdim, where guests will take a camel out for a test ride through the Judean wilderness, then return to our Bedouin tent to relax and enjoy hospitality and a traditional hafla dinner as we get a feel for what life was like in biblical times.
• This evening, we lay under the desert night sky for an astrology and stargazing experience and camping in the desert.

Overnight in the Desert

Day 7: Tuesday, August 1, 2023: THE ROAD TO THE GALILEE

• Breakfast at our encampment.
• This morning, we depart the desert and travel north along the Trans-Israel Highway with plenty of opportunities to see the Security Barrier, which runs along the seam zone between Israel and Palestinian territories. Our guide fills us in on the barrier's effect on Israeli security and Palestinian communities.
• This afternoon, we will be welcomed into the home of an Israeli-Arab family for a taste of the Galilee and a chance to hear about their lives. We will enjoy a mini workshop on the culinary traditions of the area through the Galileat program, where our host family will prepare some delicious local delicacies and provide expert advice as we whip up a classic dish of our own for lunch.
• Following lunch, we visit Kfar Kedem for a hands-on family friendly experience exploring Jewish life of 2,000 years ago, including donkey rides, costumes, pita baking and more!
• We continue to Tiberias located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee and one of the four holy cities of Israel due to its connection with the codification of the Talmud some 1,600 years ago.
• We set sail on a Sea of Galilee cruise on a boat inspired by the fishing vessels used here 2,000 years ago, but with much better safety precautions and comfort levels that modern day affords us.
• We return to shore and check into our kibbutz, where we enjoy free time before dinner together this evening.

Overnight in the Galilee

Day 8: Wednesday, August 2, 2023: SERENITY AND SECURITY IN THE GOLAN

• Breakfast at our kibbutz.
• This morning, we travel to the mystical city of Safed (Tzfat), home to legends, myths and miracles. While here, we will:
o Visit the H'Ari Synagogue and share in the inspiration and innovation that moved Rabbi Isaac Luria (the Holy Ari) and his fellow mystics. Here, the Kabbalah was developed and Kabbalat Shabbat, the prayers sung on Friday evening to welcome the Sabbath were born.
o See the Caro Synagogue, built originally like the Ari in the 16th century. It is where Rabbi Joseph Caro, one of the greatest of all Jewish legal authorities, taught and lived. We hear the story of how he was visited here by a maggid, an angelic messenger, who revealed the secrets of the Torah.
o Meander through the cobblestone streets and winding alleyways of the Artist's Colony, filled with galleries, shops and studios, where we see some of the local artists at work.
• Next, we set out on an adventurous jeep tour through the Golan Heights, riding along ancient Roman roads, passing through Syrian ruins and admiring the stark beauty of this windswept plateau. We ascend to the top of Mount Bental, a former Israeli bunker overlooking the ruins of Quneitra and the Valley of Tears. As the full vista comes into view, we reach a deeper understanding of both the past and present complexities facing Israel in a hostile Middle East.
• Lunch on own along the way.
• Our adventure continues with a kayaking tour down the Jordan River with a calm current suitable for all ages and a great chance to cool off.
• We return to our kibbutz for a relaxing evening and dinner together tonight.

Overnight in the Galilee

Day 9: Thursday, August 3, 2023: SEARCHING FOR ROOTS

• Breakfast and check out of our kibbutz.
• This morning, we depart the Galilee and travel west to Rosh Hanikra, where we discover the chalk cliff grottoes carved out by the Mediterranean waters over many years.
• We walk about a mile through the lush green fields to the Goat with the Wind Farm and Restaurant, where we will enjoy a gourmet organic vegetarian lunch and wine tasting. The farm is renowned for its award-winning organic goat cheeses.
• We continue to the Druze village of Daliyat el Karmel. Here, we meet with members of the community, a population still largely unknown to Israelis and visitors alike. We will explore their background, discover the complexities of their relationship with Israel and enjoy home hospitality and some Druze desserts.
• We travel south along the beautiful Mediterranean coast to Caesarea National Park, the Roman regional capital. Here, we view the ancient theater, stroll through the hippodrome and Roman theater and stand in awe at Herod's palace and harbor.
• We continue to Tel Aviv, known as the “the City that Never Stops”, with is centers of culture, recreation, national history, great beaches and fine stores. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel and have time to freshen up.
• This evening, we set out for dinner on own at the Old Port of Tel Aviv with its wonderful restaurants, cafes and shops right on the water's edge; OR at the Tachana, Jaffa's old railway station, renovated and restored as a pedestrian complex filled with shops, restaurants and great people watching.

Overnight in Tel Aviv

Day 10: Friday, August 4, 2023: TEL AVIV - THE FIRST HEBREW CITY

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we head to Old Jaffa and wander through the alleyways to the Jaffa Overlook for an introduction to Tel Aviv at the place where it all began.
• While in Jaffa, we spend time perusing through the famous flea market, Shuk Hapishpeshim.
• Next, we join an expert on Tel Aviv's alternative scene for an urban adventure. We explore the latest street art and graffiti and find out what they reveal about life, ideas and ideology in Israel's cultural capital.
• Lunch on own en route.
• This afternoon, we embark on a remarkable journey as we follow Independence Trail through the Rothschild District, discovering the architectural, cultural and intellectual foundations of this great city along the way, including a stop at the famed Independence Hall, where Israel was declared a state in 1948.
• We immerse ourselves in the vibrant colors, smells and flavors that make up the bustling Carmel Market and stroll through the charming Nachalat Binyamin Craft Fair, a biweekly market featuring Israeli artisans and entertainers who bring the streets of Tel Aviv to life.
• We return to our hotel to relax and refresh.
• As day turns to night, we come together for Kabbalat Shabbat with Beit Tefilla Yisraeli at the Tel Aviv Port, including, music, dance, prayer and poetry.
• Our evening is complete with Shabbat dinner at Beit Kandinof, a great example of the Jaffa food scene with its Mediterranean menu, including pizzas, shawarma, fish and cocktails in a historic stone building. In between courses, check out the contemporary local art on the walls.

Overnight in Tel Aviv

Day 11: Saturday, August 5, 2023: ALTNEULAND - DREAMS & REALITIES IN TEL AVIV

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel. We store our luggage for the day.
• Shabbat Shalom! Today, we experience the diversity and dynamism of Jewish life at ANU: Museum of the Jewish People (formerly the Diaspora Museum), recently renovated and featuring interactive audio-visual exhibits that bring life and color to the vibrant history of the Jewish people outside the land of Israel following the destruction of the Second Temple. A highlight is their new synagogue exhibition, which combines the museum's famed collection of synagogue models with thrilling video art exploring the places where Jews pray around the world and through the ages. The tour will also include:
o Our Heroes: Younger visitors will be inspired and entertained by Heroes: Trailblazers of the Jewish People, an interactive exhibition about Jews who have changed the world.
o Have You Heard the One About…?: Get ready to laugh and learn with Let There be Laughter , a celebration of Jewish humor from Sholem Aleichem to Seinfeld.
• We stop for lunch on own at a local café along the way.
• This afternoon, we visit the Ayalon Institute and uncover its role in the establishment of the State of Israel. This secret ammunition factory produced millions of bullets for Jewish forces fighting for a Jewish state and the end of British rule over Palestine.
• Wander the city on own to explore the many hidden gems, shop or just relax at the beach and watch the world go by.
• This evening, we return to our hotel to retrieve our luggage, then enjoy the best of Israeli cuisine and hospitality as we visit the home of Chef Dan Cretella for our festive farewell dinner. The pastoral views from his Ben Nun village are lovely and the menu is seasonal, local and delicious as Dan demonstrates why Israel is increasingly becoming known not just for its politics and history, but also for its food.
• We transfer to the airport for our overnight flight back to the United States.

Day 12: Sunday, August 6, 2023: FAREWELL

• We arrive back in the United States this morning and begin planning our next community trip together!

THE MEMORIES LAST FOREVER!!
*Itinerary subject to change

BOOK THIS TOUR

The Temple, Congregation B'nai Jehudah's
Family Friendly Adventure in Israel
Led by Rabbi Stephanie Kramer
July 26 - August 6, 2023

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