Larchmont Temple's Family Friendly
Israel Adventure
Led by Rabbi Jeffrey Sirkman & Cantor Tracey Scher


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:

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2 nights David Intercontinental, Tel Aviv, Israel
2 nights Kibbutz Nof Ginosar Hotel, Galilee, Israel
4 nights Inbal 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
Shabbat dinner in Tel Aviv
2 Kibbutz Dinners
Druze lunch
Shabbat dinner in Jerusalem
Lunch and Swim at the Dead Sea  Camel Ride and Bedouin dinner
Farewell dinner
Jeep tour in the North
Chocolate Factory workshop
Tower of David Sound and Light Show
Archaeological dig
Shabbat walking tour
Transfers included if arriving/departing with the main group
Entrance fees as per itinerary
Porterage

NOT INCLUDED - This quote does not include:

Roundtrip airfare & departure taxes and fuel surcharges
(listed separately)
Any border taxes or visas
Tips to guides, driver, and dining room waiters
($15.00 per person, per day-pre-collected)
Any items of a personal nature
Travel Insurance (highly recommended)


Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Thursday, February 15, 2018: DEPARTURE

• Depart the United States on our overnight flight to Israel.

Day 2: Friday, February 16, 2018: WELCOME TO ISRAEL!

• Afternoon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, with assistance by an Ayelet Tours representative.
• We transfer to our hotel in Tel Aviv for check in.
• We hold a welcome ceremony and say a blessing as we mark our safe arrival to Israel, in Jaffa overlooking Tel Aviv.
• We join together for Kabbalat Shabbat services at Progressive Congregation Beit Daniel, led by Rabbi Meir Azari. (5:15 pm)
• We return to our hotel for a Shabbat welcome dinner together.

Overnight in Tel Aviv

Day 3: Saturday, February 17, 2018: SHABBAT SHALOM!

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• We begin our morning with Shabbat services on the shorefront near our hotel (weather permitting).
• We take a guided walk through the neighborhood of Neve Tzedek, one of the first neighborhoods built outside of Jaffa in the late 1800's.
• Continue along Bialik Street through part of the White City to see the Bauhaus architecture and get a peek into the lives of some of Tel Aviv's most significant residents of years gone by, as featured at the Gutman Museum, Bialik House, the Reuven Rubin House, as well as the Old City Hall and Square.
• We discover the Ayalon Institute, a linchpin in Israel's War of Independence.
• At sundown we participate in Havdallah, followed by dinner on our own.
• We meet again after dinner to attend a private showing of “Say Orange” followed by a VIP meeting with the director at the Nalagaat Theater for the deaf and blind.

Overnight in Tel Aviv

Day 4: Sunday, February 18, 2018: THE GALILEE

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• This morning, we begin with a visit to Independence Hall, where the establishment of the state of Israel was declared.
• Volunteer through the Jaffa Institute's Chesed projects (packing supplies), serving the needy. We will learn about the huge difference the Jaffa Institute makes in the lives of children living in poverty in Israel.
• We continue to the Palmach Museum, where we “join up” with the paramilitary forces from Israel's pre-statehood days.
• We stop atop Mt. Carmel, where we take in the panoramic views of the port city, and admire the beautiful Bahai Temple and Persian Gardens.
• Continue to our kibbutz in the Galilee and meet with kibbutz members to learn about the challenges of communal living in modern times and how kibbutzim have adjusted.
• Dinner together at our kibbutz this evening.

Overnight in the Galilee

Day 5: Monday, February 19, 2018: MYSTICISM & THE GOLAN

• We celebrate our sunrise B'nai Mitzvah ceremony, as we sail in our private boat upon Yam Kineret (Sea of Galilee). Outside guests invited. Please contact Ayelet Tours to reserve guest breakfast.
• Return to Nof Ginosar for breakfast. Outside guests are invited. Please contact Ayelet Tours to reserve guest breakfast.
• We set out on an exciting jeep tour of the Golan Heights, passing by old Syrian bunkers along the way to a beautiful viewpoint at Kfar Haruv, overlooking the Galilee below.
• Try your hand at chocolate making and learn from the experts in a delicious and fun experience at the DeKarina Chocolate Factory at Ein Zivan OR choose to join a wine tasting at the adjacent Pelter Winery.
• Continue to a Druze village, where community representatives will offer us insight on their unique culture and how they fit into the Israeli mosaic. We enjoy lunch together here.
• Dinner together at our kibbutz.

Overnight in the Galilee

Day 6: Tuesday, February 20, 2018: TO JERUSALEM

• Breakfast and check out of our kibbutz.
• We visit the mystical city of Safed, center of Jewish mysticism and Kabbalah. We view the beautiful ancient synagogues and admire the crafts in the artists' quarter.
• Drive south through the Jordan Valley Rift to Jerusalem.
• Upon arrival in Jerusalem, we stop at the Haas Promenade to recite a special “Shehecheyanu!” blessing overlooking the City of Gold.
• We enjoy a walking tour of the Cardo, with time to do some shopping.
• We end our day with a fascinating visit through the famed Western Wall tunnels, where we discover archaeological wonders that once remained untouched for centuries.
• Check in to our hotel and refresh.
• Spend the evening at leisure and enjoy dinner on own.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 7: Wednesday, February 21, 2018: THE NEW CITY

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Our day begins at the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC), where we meet with Director Noa Sattath or founder Anat Hoffman. We learn about the struggles for equality, pluralism and social justice in Israel, and take part in their Olim (immigrant) program.
• Continue with a tour of Ir David (City of David), and the new excavations, ending at Robinson's Arch.
• We continue with a visit to 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.
• At Mt. Herzl, we visit the gravesites of Theodore Herzl, Golda Meir, Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres, and hear the stories of those who sacrificed their lives in defense of the Jewish state.
• Continue to the Herzl Museum, where we learn about the life and work of the great Zionist visionary.
• Dinner on own tonight.
• Later this evening, we walk to the Tower of David, where we enjoy the spectacular Sound and Light show! (optional will need head count by Sunday, Feb. 18)

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 8: Thursday, February 22, 2018: REACHING OUT & DIGGING INTO HISTORY

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we help build strollers and walkers at Yad Sarah, an organization helping the senior residents of Jerusalem.
• We continue to Beit Guvrin, where we participate in a “hands on” archaeological dig, allowing us the opportunity to unearth remnants from Israel's ancient past.
• We partake in tree planting, linking us physically and spiritually to the land of Israel.
• Return to Jerusalem, where we have time to refresh.
• Later this evening, we visit Machane Yehuda to take in the sights, smells and sounds as we stroll through the marketplace. You may choose to stay here for dinner on own.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 9: Friday, February 23, 2018: MASADA & THE DEAD SEA

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Early this morning, we depart for the Dead Sea basin.
• Upon arrival, we ascend Masada by cable car or snake path to view the remains of the walls, synagogue, and the bathhouses, while learning about the Jewish Zealots' last stand against the Roman forces.
• We continue to Kfar Hanokdim for an authentic Bedouin experience in the desert, including a camel ride and hospitality.
• Enjoy lunch and an unsinkable swim in the healing salty waters of the Dead Sea.
• Take a short hike to the hidden waterfalls in the desert oasis of Ein Gedi. (time permitting)
• We return to Jerusalem for Kabbalat Shabbat services, followed by Shabbat dinner together at beautiful Blaustein Hall, overlooking the Old City.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 10: Saturday, February 24, 2018: SHABBAT SHALOM!

• Breakfast at our hotel. Check out and store our luggage for the day.
• This morning, we attend Shabbat services at Hebrew Union College.
• We enjoy a walking tour through history into the Old City, exploring the Jewish quarter, Arab market (shuk) and the Christian quarter, where we stroll along the Via Dolorosa and at end at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
• Last minute time for shopping.
• Tonight, we enjoy a farewell dinner together as we recount all we have experienced together!
• Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our overnight flight back to the United States.

Day 11: Sunday, February 25, 2018: ARRIVE HOME

• We arrive home early this morning.


THE MEMORIES LAST FOREVER!
*itinerary subject to change