Day 1: Tuesday, December 21, 2021: DEPART USA
• We depart the United States on our overnight flight to Israel.
Day 2: Wednesday, December 22, 2021: THE ASCENT TO JERUSALEM
• We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport and are met and assisted by an Ayelet representative.
• We begin our journey planting trees, connecting us physically and spiritually to the land of Israel.
• As we enter Jerusalem, we stop atop Mt. Scopus to recite a special “Shehecheyanu!” blessing overlooking the City of Gold.
• We check into our hotel with time to refresh before we enjoy a welcome dinner together at a local restaurant.
Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 3: Thursday, December 23, 2021: JERUSALEM
• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we begin with a meaningful visit to Yad L'Kashish, the “Lifeline for the Aged”.
• We continue with a tour of Ir David (City of David), and the new excavations, ending at Robinson's Arch.
• This afternoon, we view the amazing Chagall windows at Hadassah Hospital.
• Dinner on own in one of the many cafes along the Mamilla Mall.
• Later tonight, we gather together and head underground for a tour of the Western Wall tunnels, where we discover the archaeological wonders that once remained untouched for centuries.
Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 4: Friday, December 24, 2021: HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE AND CONTINUITY
• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we explore Yad Vashem, Israel's national Holocaust memorial and museum, to explore the Valley of the Lost Communities and Children's Memorial.
• We continue to Mt. Herzl Cemetery to discover chapters in the history of Israel at the graves of Yitzhak Rabin, Golda Meir, Theodore Herzl, Hannah Senesch and Shimon Peres.
• We take a group photo at the menorah outside the Knesset before exploring the raucous Machane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem's outdoor marketplace, filled with foods of every variety.
• We visit the picturesque Nachalaot neighborhoods along the way back to our hotel for time to freshen up before Shabbat.
• We come together to welcome Shabbat with the people of Jerusalem at the Western Wall, followed by Shabbat dinner at our hotel.
Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 5: Saturday, December 25, 2021: SHABBAT SHALOM!
• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Morning at leisure. You may choose to attend Shabbat services at Hebrew Union College, or perhaps explore the Israel Museum on own!
• This afternoon, we gather together for a walking tour of the Old City including the Jewish, Christian and Arab quarters.
• We join together for Havdalah and an early dinner together at Bulghorji.
• After dinner, we walk to the Tower of David to see the spectacular Sound and Light show!
Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 6: Sunday, December 26, 2021: HEADING SOUTH
• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• Before heading south, we engage in an unforgettable 90-minute hands-on experience of packing food staples included in monthly food baskets, delivered to Israel's neediest families at Pantry Packers.
• We travel to Mitzpe Ramon to check into our hotel and look out over stunning Makhtesh Ramon ("Ramon Crater") from its northern rim.
• Next, we stop at the Mitzpe Ramon Visitor's Center to learn about this amazing crater and take in the views.
• We return to our hotel for dinner together this evening.
• Later tonight, we experience stargazing in the desert, marveling at pinpricks of light in the black night sky along with a night walk to the cliffs of the Ramon Crater with our guide.
Overnight in Mitzpe Ramon
Day 7: Monday, December 27, 2021: B'NAI MITZVAH ON THE EDGE OF THE CRATER
• Today, we set out on a sunrise jeep tour through the heart of the Ramon Crater, meandering through canyons and unique geological phenomenon.
• At the crater's edge, we participant in a beautiful B'nai Mitzvah service - Mazel tov!
• We return to our hotel for a late breakfast.
• We board the bus and head to the Salad Trail, where we will participate in a unique hands-on agricultural tour and witness how Israeli innovation is literally making the desert bloom with crops grown out of some of the most inhospitable sands imaginable. We will pick and taste fruits and vegetables straight from the kibbutz's self-picking farm. We enjoy lunch together while here.
• This afternoon, we continue to Sde Boker to visit the gravesite and hut of David Ben Gurion deep in the heart of the Negev Desert.
• We continue to the oasis of Ein Avdat for a nature walk along the canyon bed, see the fresh water pools, the beautiful natural surroundings and tour the archeological site.
• We return to Mitzpe Ramon for a celebratory dinner together at our hotel.
Overnight in Mitzpe Ramon
Day 8: Tuesday, December 28, 2021: MASADA, THE DEAD SEA AND THE GALILEE
• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• Today, we set out across the desert and ascend Masada by cable car to tour the ruins of Herod's fortress and the last outpost of Jewish independence.
• We descend the mountain and 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. Enjoy time at the spa on own. Lunch is included at the resort.
• As we head north, we stop for a camel ride through the desert at Eretz Beresheet!
• We continue to the Galilee and check into our kibbutz with time to freshen up before dinner together this evening.
Overnight in the Galilee
Day 9: Wednesday, December 29, 2021: THE GOLAN
• Breakfast at our kibbutz.
• This morning, we visit the mystical city of Safed, one of the four holy cities of Judaism. We stroll through the cobblestone streets to view the ancient synagogues and shop in the artist's quarter.
• This afternoon, we choose between a chocolate making workshop at DeKarina Chocolate Factory OR stop at the Golan Heights Winery for a tour and a tasting!
• Next, we drive 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.
• We enjoy dinner together this evening at our kibbutz.
Overnight in the Galilee
Day 10: Thursday, December 30, 2021: COASTAL ISRAEL
• Breakfast and check out of our kibbutz.
• This morning, we depart the Galilee and travel down the coast to Akko, where we explore the Crusader-era fortifications and Templar tunnels, as we learn about this historically important port.
• We continue to Hedera to visit the Technoda Science and Technology Center, where our community has a personal connection!
• We continue to our hotel in Tel Aviv for check in.
• Evening on own to explore this city at your own pace!
Overnight in Tel Aviv
Day 11: Friday, December 31, 2021: TOURING TEL AVIV
• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we head to Beit Guvrin and participate in a hands-on archaeological dig to unearth remnants from Israel's ancient past.
• We continue to Rehovot for a guided tour of the Ayalon Institute, an underground bullet factory used by Jewish forces before the founding of the State of Israel.
• We return to hotel this afternoon with time to freshen up before Shabbat.
• This evening, we gather for Shabbat services, followed by Shabbat dinner together.
Overnight in Tel Aviv
Day 12: Saturday, January 1, 2022: TEL AVIV AT LEISURE
• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Enjoy the day at leisure. Options abound, from attending Shabbat services to visiting Old Jaffa, strolling along the beachfront promenade, or taking in a museum, it's a wonderful chance to experience all this metropolitan Mediterranean city has to offer!
• We gather for Havdalah and our farewell dinner this evening as we recount all we have experienced together!
• After dinner, we transfer to the airport for our flight back to the United States.
Day 13: Sunday, January 2, 2022: DEPARTURE
• We arrive home this morning.
THE MEMORIES LAST FOREVER!
*itinerary subject to chan
|