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Sample Itinerary

DAY

PROGRAM

 

Sun

Depart North America on your Overnight: flight to Israel

Mon

Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport
Shalom and Welcome Home to Israel by SEC Israeli Staff
Ascend to Jerusalem
Say "Shehehianu" at the Haas Promenade while overlooking the Old City and its stunning view
Opening sessions: Getting to know you, what you expect from your trip and from Israel
Session: The Many Faces Of Israeli Society - an overview of Israeli society
Overnight: Hotel Neve Ilan

Tue

Ascend to Jerusalem
View the Old City from Mt. Zion
Enter the Jewish Quarter via the Zion Gate
Tour the Jewish Quarter and learn about it's history using key sites:

  • The Hurva Synagogue
  • The Cardo
  • The Broad Wall
  • The Herodian Mansion
  • The Southern Wall Excavations
Enjoy a spiritual visit to the Western Wall
Ascend to the rooftops of the Old City for a "birds eye" tour of Jerusalem - city of three religions
Depart Jerusalem and head north
Enjoy home hospitality and dinner (kosher) at the Druze Village of Ossafia, and learn about this unique minority which is very loyal to the State of Israel
Continue to the hotel in Haifa
Session: Preparation for the Mifgash (meeting with Israelis) - what makes Israelis different from you
Overnight: Haifa



Wed

Israelis arrive at the hotel for the Mifgash program
Session: Icebreaking and getting to know the Israelis
View the magnificent Bahai Gardens
Drive to Zfat - city of Mystical Judaism
Explore the narrow alleyways lined with ancient synagogues and artists galleries
View the Golan and deep into Syria from atop Mt. Bental
Hike the Bannias Springs - including a refreshing waterfall
Onward to Kibbutz Merom Golan
Session: Meet with residents of the Kibbutz and discuss the price of peace (return of the Golan Heights)
Overnight: Kibbutz Merom Golan

Thu

Visit the beautiful reserve of Ein Tina and take a gorgeous nature tour
Converse and meet Israeli soldiers on border with Lebanon
View the Hula Valley from Mitzpe Gadot
Visit the Talmudic Synagogue in Katzrin
Kayak the Jordan River
Head to a Kibbutz on the Sea of Galilee
Group discussion on "Israel Society&Culture"
Enjoy a beautiful look around the ancient city of Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee
Overnight: A Kibbutz on the shores of the Sea of Galilee

Fri

Visit the Kibbutz Kinneret Yard and Cemetery to hear about the Halutzim, the pioneers who came to the Land of Israel at the end of the 19th century to build the land, and to be built by the experience.
Visit Zichron Ya'akov - Hear the stories about this quaint town's past including romance, wine, spies and betrayal
Arrive in Tel Aviv
Kabbalat Shabbat at sunset
Festive Shabbat Dinner
Group Activity following dinner "What does Shabbat mean to Me?"
Overnight: Tel Aviv - social activity

Sat

Optional Shabbat Services
Session: Parashat Ha-Shabbat - the weekly Torah reading
Walking tour of Tel Aviv - the first modern Hebrew speaking metropolis
Session: "Politics in Israel and the Middle East" includes visit to Rabin Square
Briefing Session
Havdallah
Ascend to Jaffa and a visit to Ilana Goor's the famous Israel Artist museum
Disco Party at one of Tel Aviv hottest clubs
Overnight: Tel Aviv

Sun

Begin the day with a visit to Independence Hall, where Ben Gurion declared the rebirth of the Jewish state
Continue to Tel Maresha for a "Hands On" experience with the past as you participate in an archeological dig
Visit the Israeli Air Force Museum in Hatzerim
Head south into the desert
Enjoy a Camel Trek, followed by a Hafla (feast) in a Bedouin Tent
Special desert music evening
Overnight: in a Bedouin Tent in the desert

Mon

Ascend Massada via the Roman ramp, tour Herod's Palaces and hear about its Jewish defenders who chose death over slavery at the hands of the Romans
Descend via the Snake Path
Enjoy a chance to swim (float) in the Dead Sea
Visit Ein Gedi Desert Oasis
Make your way south to the Israeli Cancun: Eilat
Evening excursion to a pub or club
Overnight: Eilat

Tue

Start the day at the Coral Reef for snorkeling and a chance to see the marine wildlife up close
Then head to the Ramon Crater for a hike
Go to Kibbutz Sde Boker to Ben Gurion's Burial Place to speak about his dream - to turn the desert green
Ascend to Neve Ilan
Workshop on programs in Israel
Preparation Session for Yad Vashem
Overnight: Hotel Neve Ilan

Wed

Program at Yad Vashem including meeting with a Survivor, visits to the museum, the Children's Memorial and a service at the Valley of the Lost Communities
Continue to Mt. Herzl, to the gravesites of Herzl and Rabin and the Military Cemetery, to complete the idea of "From Destruction to Rebirth"
Enjoy a farewell visit to the Wall
Return Hotel Neve Ilan
Closing sessions: What did the trip achieve for you, Going back to your community and Feedback (logistics)
Drive to Ben Gurion Airport

 

 

This Trip is a Gift from Taglit-birthright israel

 

 

 

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sample-itinerary