Rabbi David Locketz
Bet Shalom Congregation
and Minneapolis Jewish Federation
Israel Adventure
December 18 - 30, 2016


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:

This Amazing Tour Includes:

To watch guide Julie Baretz preview our program
during her recent visit to Bet Shalom, click
HERE

2 nights David Intercontinental, Tel Aviv, Israel
2 nights
Kibbutz Nof Ginosar Hotel, Galilee, Israel
4 nights
Dan Panorama, Jerusalem, Israel
2 nights
Ramon Inn, Mitzpe Ramon, 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 & 1 lunch
Winery tour & tasting
ATV/Ranger ride
Pre-Shabbat workshop
Home hospitality Shabbat dinner in Jerusalem
Walk/discussion with Prof. Paul Liptz
Emek Tzurim sifting project
Tower of David Sound and Light show
Optional tour to Masada/Dead Sea
Workshop at Siach Shalom
Archeological dig
Jeeps to the Ramon Crater
Eshkol region visit
Transfers included if arriving/departing with the main group
Entrance fees as per itinerary
Porterage

The Eilat/Petra price includes:

Breakfast daily
One way flight from Eilat to Tel Aviv
Day tour to Petra
(not including border tax/visa fees - approx. $60 per person)
Transfers in Eilat

These prices do not include:

Roundtrip airfare & departure taxes and fuel surcharges
(available to book 11 months prior)
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, Sunday, December 18, 2016: DEPARTURE

• We depart the U.S on our overnight flight to Israel.

Day 2, Monday, December 19, 2016: WELCOME TO ISRAEL!

• Afternoon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, with assistance by an Ayelet representative.
• Transfer to our hotel in Tel Aviv for check-in.
• Welcome dinner together this evening.

O/N Tel Aviv

Day 3, Tuesday, December 20, 2016: TEL AVIV

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• We "join up" with the paramilitary forces at the Palmach Museum.
• We next travel to nearby Rehovot, our sister city. Here, through our Federation partnership, we will enjoy a very special afternoon of programming, including VIP meetings, and a chance to see firsthand the amazing work being supported by our federation dollars here.
• Next we discover the secrets of the Ayalon Institute where we discover the underground ammunition factory that played a pivotal role in Israel's fight for independence.
• Later this afternoon, we enjoy Mifgash meetings with locals.
• Dinner this evening hosted at Café Mada.

O/N Tel Aviv
 
Day 4, Wednesday, December 21, 2016: GALILEE

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• 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.
• Drive north to Caesarea, once the Roman capital of the region. See the excavations of the crusaders' city, the aqueduct and the Roman Theatre that has been restored as a concert venue.
• Meet Lydia Aisenberg, who takes us to a lookout point to help illustrate the challenges of the Security Wall. We'll be able to see Barta'a, an Arab village literally cut in half by the security fence, and hear from Lydia the impact its construction has had on residents.
• Continue to our kibbutz in the Galilee.
• This evening enjoy dinner at our Kibbutz.

O/N in the Galilee

Day 5, Thursday, December 22, 2016: GOLAN HEIGHTS

• Breakfast at our kibbutz.
• Morning visit the mystical city of Safed, where we view the beautiful ancient synagogues and walk through the Artists Quarter.
• Take a hike along Tel Dan, ancient source of the Jordan River.
• Re-live the decisive tank battles of the 1973 war at the Oz 77 memorial, including the chance to view the powerful documentary film at nearby Kibbutz El Rom. On the kibbutz we'll also hear the stories of the northern settlers who so often lived in shelters when Syrians controlled this crucial military high ground.
• Enjoy dinner at our Kibbutz.

O/N in the Galilee

Day 6, Friday, December 23, 2016: TO JERUSALEM

• Breakfast at our kibbutz.
• Check out of our kibbutz.
• We visit Beit Alpha, where we see the beautiful mosaics.
• Pre-Shabbat creative workshop.
• This morning, we enjoy an ATV/Ranger Ride in the Judean Hills, concluding with a pre-Shabbat creative workshop.
• Continue into the heart of Jerusalem.
• Upon arrival in Jerusalem, we stop atop the Haas
Promenade to recite a special “Sh'hekiyanu” blessing as we overlook the City of Gold.
• Check into our hotel.
• Shabbat services at a local Reform Congregation this evening, followed by home hospitality Shabbat dinner hosted by community members.

O/N Jerusalem

Day 7, Saturday, December 24, 2016: SHABBAT SHALOM

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Enjoy Shabbat services this morning. Options abound, all within a short walk of our hotel.
• OPTIONAL: Travel south to the Dead Sea Basin. Here we ascend the desert plateau of Masada by cable car to view the remains of King Herod's palace and fortifications, and hear the story of the Jewish Zealot's last stand against the approaching Roman armies. We have time to enjoy the mud baths and an unsinkable swim in the salty waters of the Dead Sea.
OR
• Enjoy a Jerusalem walk and political discussion with Prof. Paul Liptz (Hebrew Union College) entitled: "The Interaction of War and Politics: 1948 to the Present," beginning at Beit Sh'mu'el.
• Evening free for dinner on own as Jerusalem returns to life.
• Later this evening we walk to the Tower of David, where we enjoy the new Sound & Light show spectacular!

O/N Jerusalem

Day 8, Sunday, December 25, 2016: THE NEW CITY

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• We begin this morning at Emek Tzurim, where we participate in the dig that is sifting the Temple Mount rubble - new and important finds are made here every day.
• This morning we visit Ir David, the original City of David, located just outside the Old City. Here, we explore together the archeological excavations dating back to the time of King David.
• Travel to nearby Mevaseret Tzion to visit a Federation supported Ethiopian Absorption Center
• Free time for dinner along the Mamilla Pedestrian Mall.
 
O/N Jerusalem

Day 9, Monday, December 26, 2016: JERUSALEM

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Workshop with Siach Shalom, a new innovation in creating dialogue between disparate parts of Israeli society, facilitated by Alec Isaacs.
• Visit Susan's House, a Federation sponsored project helping teens at risk learn skills, particularly creating unique glass, jewelry and house wares.
• 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.
• Free time for dinner on own.
• Late Night Tour the famed Western Wall Tunnels, where we discover the archaeological wonders that remained untouched for centuries.

O/N Jerusalem

Day 10, Tuesday, December 27, 2016: MITZPE RAMON

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Check out of our hotel and depart south into the Negev desert.
• Enjoy a fascinating afternoon program at Soroka Hospital and Ben Gurion University Medical School, focusing on the synthesis of medicine and social innovation in new methods for treating the Bedouin Dispersion.
• Stop at Sde Boker where we visit the gravesite and original hut of Ben Gurion deep in the heart of the Negev Desert.
• We continue to the boutique Carmei Avdat farm & winery for a delightful tour and tasting.
• Check into our hotel and have time to relax and enjoy this beautiful and awe inspiring location.
• Dinner together this evening at our hotel.

O/N Mitzpe Ramon

Day 11, Wednesday, December 28, 2016: ESHKOL

• Sunrise Jeep tour of the Ramon Crater, watching the sun reflect on the golden and red rock.
• Return to our hotel for breakfast.
• Today we explore the southern frontier region of Eshkol in the Negev.
• We'll speak with students and teachers about their lives as we tour the Eshkol Region's Protected School. We'll witness their bravery and hope, as we view the buildings which are used for both learning and shelter.
• We visit blacksmith, Yaron Bob. Struck by the terror of shell attacks, Yaron decided to transform something horrible into something beautiful - and so began “Rockets to Roses”.
• Dinner together this evening at our hotel.

O/N Mitzpe Ramon

Day 12, Thursday, December 29, 2016: AT LEISURE

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Enjoy the remainder of the morning at leisure to rest and relax by the infinity pool overlooking the crater or make a spa appointment (on own - reservations in advance recommended), rent a bike or enjoy one of the other options available at our beautiful resort.
• Continue to Tel Aviv.
• Farewell dinner together this evening at the Port of Tel Aviv.
• Transfer to the airport for our flight back to the United States.

Day 13, Friday, December 30, 2016: ARRIVE HOME

• We arrive in the United States.


The Memories Last Forever!!!


*Itineraries subject to change