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Congregation Ohav Shalom
Adventure in Israel
Led by Rabbi Dan Ornstein
February 12-23, 2020

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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INCLUDED IN MAIN TOUR:

4 nights Prima Kings, Jerusalem
2 nights Kibbutz Hagoshrim Guesthouse, Upper Galilee
3 nights Metropolitan Hotel, Tel Aviv
All touring and sightseeing in a deluxe air-conditioned vehicle with an expert English-speaking guide
Breakfast daily
6 dinners, including Shabbat dinners in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv
2 lunches
Tree planting
Kastel rope course program
Scavenger hunt in the Old City
Machane Yehuda tasting tour
Ziplining or Shorashim/Roots program
Jeep tour in the Golan Heights
Chocolate workshop or wine tasting
Visit to Kibbutz Malkia
Hummus making challenge
Glass blowing workshop in Safed
Beit Guvrin archaeological dig
Tips to guide, driver and dining room waiters
Transfer upon arrival/departure with main group
Entrance fees per itinerary
Porterage
Bottled water on the bus

INCLUDED IN EILAT/PETRA EXTENSION:

2 nights Queen of Sheba Hotel, Eilat
Petra day tour
Jordanian visa fee
Roundtrip flights from Eilat to Tel Aviv
Transfers in Eilat & Tel Aviv

NOT INCLUDED:

Roundtrip airfare, departure taxes and fuel surcharges
Border taxes (Jordan - $65 per person to be paid in USD at the border)
Sound and Light show in Jerusalem ($25 per person)
Nalagaat Center performance ($85 per person)
Meals not listed above
Items of a personal nature
Travel insurance (highly recommended)

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Wednesday, February 12, 2020: DEPARTURE

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

Day 2: Thursday, February 13, 2020: WELCOME TO ISRAEL!

• We arrive in Israel and are met by an Ayelet Tours representative.
• Our first stop is at Neot Kedumim to plant trees, connecting us physically and spiritually to the land of Israel.
• We enjoy lunch on own along the way.
• This afternoon, we stop at the Kastel to participate in outdoor training and group bonding exercises, such as rope courses and games.
• Upon entering Jerusalem, we stop at the Haas Promenade to say the “Shehecheyanu” as we look out over the City of Gold.
• We check into our hotel and join together for our welcome dinner this evening.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 3: Friday, February 14, 2020: THE ROOTS OF OUR PAST

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we have a moving experience at Yad Vashem, Israel's memorial to the Holocaust, where we visit several exhibits, including the Hall of Names and the Avenue of the Righteous Among the Nations (options for children available). We conclude our visit with a memorial service.
• This afternoon, we visit Machane Yehuda to watch the locals busily preparing for Shabbat and split into groups for a tasting tour at the restaurants and food stalls.
• This evening, we attend Shabbat services at various Jerusalem synagogues with community members, followed by Shabbat dinner together at our hotel.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 4: Saturday, February 15, 2020: SHABBAT IN JERUSALEM

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Free time to attend Shabbat services or explore the city.
• We enjoy Shabbat lunch together at our hotel.
• Choose one option for your afternoon adventure:
o This afternoon, we set out on a walking tour of charming Yemin Moshe, one of Jerusalem's historic neighborhoods established in the late 1800s outside the Old City.
OR
o We participate in a scavenger hunt through the Old City.
• We gather together to enjoy a special Havdalah overlooking the Old City.
• Dinner on own tonight.
• Optional: We join together later this evening and walk to the Tower of David to see the spectacular Sound and Light show. (additional cost - $25 per person)

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 5: Sunday, February 16, 2020: SHABBAT SHALOM!

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Just outside the Old City walls, we visit Ir David, the City of David, where we wander through the carefully preserved archaeological excavations dating back to the time of King David. We head underground and travel through the tunnel to the Davidson Center.
• We enter the Old City and walk through the alleyways of the Jewish quarter while hearing the stories of those who have lived here throughout the ages.
• Lunch on own in the Old City.
• Choose one option for your afternoon adventure:
o This afternoon, we have the option to take a ride on the zipline at Deer Land Park, Israel's largest zipline.
OR
o We visit Gush Etzion for a dialogue with Ali Abu Awwad and Rabbi Shaul Yudelman, the founders of the Shorashim/Roots program. Shorashim fosters a grassroots movement of understanding, non-violence and partnership between Israelis and Palestinians.
• We return to Jerusalem and enjoy an evening at leisure and dinner on own.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 6: Monday, February 17, 2020: MASADA & THE DEAD SEA

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• This morning, we travel south to the Dead Sea basin.
• Upon arrival, those who wish may climb the snake path to the top of Masada while the rest of the group will ascend by cable car to celebrate our B'nai Mitzvah, view the remains of King Herod's palace and hear the story of the Jewish Zealots' last stand against the Roman forces.
• We descend the mountain and head to the beach for lunch and an unsinkable swim in the healing, salty waters of the Dead Sea.
• We begin traveling north, passing through the Jordan Valley and see the amazing cliffs of the desert.
• We arrive in the Galilee and check into our kibbutz with time to refresh before dinner together.

Overnight in the Galilee

Day 7: Tuesday, February 18, 2020: THE BEAUTIFUL NORTH

• Breakfast at our kibbutz.
• This morning, we take a short hike in the Banias Nature Reserve.
• Next, we set out on an exciting jeep tour through the Golan Heights, stopping in Katzrin to view the ruins, then passing former Syrian bunkers on the way to the top of Har Bental, where we take in the views reaching into Syria.
o Youth Track: This afternoon, we try our hands at chocolate making and learn from the experts in a delicious and fun experience at the DeKarina Chocolate Factory.
o Adult Track: This afternoon, we enjoy a wine tasting at the Pelter Winery adjacent to the chocolate factory.
• We continue to Kibbutz Malkia located along the Israel-Lebanon border, where we meet with IDF unit on the border and security personnel to learn about the steps they take to protect a smal frontier community.
• Our next stop is at Dubrovin Farms, where we participate in a hummus making challenge.
• We complete our day with a celebratory dinner in honor of our b'nai mitzvah.

Overnight in the Galilee

Day 8: Wednesday, February 19, 2020: THE MYSTICAL NORTH

• Breakfast and check out of our kibbutz.
• Today, we travel to the mystical city of Safed, where we explore the ancient synagogues and the artist's quarter. We also have the chance to take part in a hands-on glass blowing workshop.
• We begin traveling south and stop to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Akko, where we walk through the old port and colorful bazaar.
• We continue to the European style village of Zichron Yaakov to visit the Nili Spy Museum.
• Upon our arrival in Tel Aviv, we check into our hotel, then set out for an evening at leisure to explore this metropolitan city and enjoy dinner on own.

Overnight in Tel Aviv

Day 9: Thursday, February 20, 2020: DIGGING ISRAEL

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we visit the Ayalon Institute, where we discover the underground ammunition factory that played a pivotal role in Israel's fight for independence.
• Next, we travel to Beit Guvrin, where we participate in a hands-on archaeological dig, allowing us the opportunity to unearth remnants from Israel's ancient past. Those who wish can participate in cave crawling through the underground tunnel.
• We continue to Latrun, Israel's outdoor armored corps museum, where we explore the tanks and artillery used by the Israeli Defense Forces throughout the country's history (time permitting).
• We return to our hotel to relax and refresh before dinner on own.
• Optional: Enjoy a moving performance of “Not by Bread Alone” at the Nalagaat Center for the deaf and blind. (Additional cost - $85 per person)

Overnight in Tel Aviv

Day 10: Friday, February 21, 2020: FIGHTING OUR WAY TO TODAY

• Breakfast of our hotel.
• We begin our day at the Palmach Museum, where we “join up” with the paramilitary forces from Israel's pre-statehood days.
• Next, we follow Independence Trail, a historical walking tour through the Ahuzat Bayit neighborhood, where the city was originally developed.
• This afternoon, we stroll along Nachalat Binyamin, where the artists and entertainers bring the streets to life and the local busily prepare for Shabbat.
• As the sun sets, we join together for informal Shabbat services, followed by Shabbat dinner together at our hotel.

Overnight in Tel Aviv

Day 11: Saturday, February 22, 2020: SHABBAT SHALOM!

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Free time to attend Shabbat services or explore the city on own.
• Tonight, we check out of our hotel and enjoy a festive farewell dinner together, remembering all that we have experienced on our journey.
• We transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our overnight flight back to the United Stated, arriving tomorrow morning.

OR JOIN US ON AN
EILAT/PETRA, JORDAN EXTENSION

• We transfer to the airport for out short flight to Eilat.
• Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel to check in.

Overnight in Eilat

Day 12: Sunday, February 23, 2020: PETRA - THE EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we cross the border into Jordan for our day tour of Petra, the Red Rose City and Eighth Wonder of the World.
• We explore the Nabatean City (as seen in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) and walk through the Siq, view the ancient temple, the famous Treasury, the Roman theater and more.
• As we return to the border, we view Wadi Rum, a protected desert wilderness with sandstone mountains and natural arches.
• We return to our hotel for a relaxing evening and dinner on own.

(Note, border taxes are due in USD at the border crossing - currently $65 per person)

Overnight in Eilat

Day 13: Monday, February 24, 2020: LEISURE IN EILAT/DEPARTURE

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Enjoy the day at leisure in Eilat. Optional on own activity suggestions include:
o Visit the Underwater Aquarium
o Barbeque lunch and snorkeling cruise on the Red Sea
o Swimming with the dolphins
o Scuba diving
• We check out of our hotel later this afternoon and transfer to the airport for our short flight back to Tel Aviv to connect with our overnight flight back to the United States.

Day 14: Tuesday, February 25, 2020: WELCOME HOME!

• We arrive back in the United States this morning.



THE MEMORIES LAST FOREVER!!
*itinerary subject to change