This mission begins in Tel Aviv where we will stay for several days at the Carlton Hotel. We will travel to the Negev for a day trip and then on to Jerusalem in time for Shabbat. The mission ends with the 2008 General Assembly in Jerusalem. The GA (General Assembly) will feature world renowned speakers (the 2003 GA featured Ariel Sharon, Benjamin Netanyahu, Shimon Peres, to name a few), tremendous workshops and one day of touring Israel based on your personal areas of interest.
Cost: $3800 double occupancy
$703 single supplement
Includes: all land costs, airfare, 7 days touring on a luxury bus, security, authentic Israeli breakfast daily, 5 lunches, 4 dinners.
NOTE: Flight leaves from Chicago on Nov. 9 at 11:05 a.m. Charter bus will leave from Peoria late in the day on Saturday the 8th.
Cost is $75.00 per person (round trip). A charter bus will meet us at the airport for the return trip to Peoria on the 20th.
Rooms have been reserved at the Baymont Inn O'Hare for Saturday, Nov. 8. Cost is $79.00 double occupancy.
Mission Dates in Israel: November 10 – 20, 2008
Day One: Monday, November 10, 2008
Arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport
Shalom! You have arrived in Israel, forging another link in the bridge
between the Diaspora and Israel.
Our Mission begins in Tel Aviv, Israel's metropolis of one million people.
Founded almost 90 years ago on desolate sand dunes, it has become the symbol
of progress and modernity, the cultural and commercial center of the State.
Independence Hall is housed in what was one of the first homes in Tel Aviv
and the private home of Meir Dizengoff, first mayor of Tel Aviv. On the 5th
of 'Iyar, May 14, 1948, the People's Council gathered to hear David Ben
Gurion proclaim the establishment of the State of Israel.
Continue to Neve Tzedek, a gentrified neighborhood containing some of the
city’s hottest property, to view some of Tel Aviv’s first buildings erected
at the beginning of the century: the Eden Cinema, Beit Schlush, the Shai
Agnon House and the Suzanne Dallal Cultural Center, a modern cultural
complex created on the site of Tel Aviv’s first school.
Possible walk through the Carmel or Levinsky market – time permitting
Check in hotel and short rest
Opening dinner in one of the restaurants at Tel Aviv Port
OVERNIGHT: Carlton Hotel Tel Aviv
Day Two: Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Breakfast
8:30 am
Depart for the north
9:30 am
Caesarea, built by Herod, was the Roman capital of Palestine for nearly 600
years. The extensive seaside ruins here date back to Roman, Byzantine and
Crusader times. Explore the 2,000-year-old Roman Theater, Crusader harbor
and 12th-century ramparts.
Continue to Atlit
Relive the harrowing experiences of clandestine immigrants to Palestine,
many of them Holocaust survivors, who were incarcerated during the British
Mandate at the Atlit detention camp. The camp was reconstructed based on
reports of those who were held there.
Continue to Haifa
Light lunch on route (falafel)
2:00 pm
Haifa is Israel's third largest city and northern capital. Situated in a
broad natural bay between the Mediterranean Sea and the Carmel Mountain, the
city's terraced landscape offers a rich variety of breathtaking panoramas.
Tour the Bahai Gardens. The Bahai religion originated in Iran and its
followers decided to build their world center in Haifa when they came under
persecution. The State of Israel allocated the land and donations were
amassed from Bahai followers all over the world to build the magnificent
center overlooking Haifa Bay. The Bahai Gardens include terraces that
stretch six-tenths of a mile from the base of the mountain to its peak,
flanking the gold-domed Shrine with a panoramic view of the sea. The Gardens
feature fountains, ponds, flowing water, flowerbeds, walkways, trees,
shrubs, balustrades, and wrought-iron gates.
Technion visit
Tour the “coexistence road” in Wadi Nisnas, an Arab neighborhood in Haifa
Participate in a discussion and workshop at Beit Hagefen to learn about
challenges facing the issue of Jewish-Arab coexistence in Israel today in
general, and in Haifa in particular.
Return to Tel Aviv
Dinner at leisure
OVERNIGHT: Carlton Hotel Tel Aviv
Day Three: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Breakfast
8:30 am
Depart hotel for the south
Rishon LeZion, whose name is derived from a biblical verse: "First to Zion
are they, and I shall give herald to Jerusalem" (Book of Isaiah 41:27), was
founded on July 31, 1882 by a group of ten Hovevei Zion pioneers from
Kharkov, Ukraine. The group purchased 835 acres of land southeast of
present-day Tel Aviv, but the new settlers faced numerous difficulties. The
soil was sandy, water was scarce and the settlers had no agricultural
experience. After a well was dug and more pioneers arrived - the Biluyim -
the colony slowly took shape. When Baron Edmond James de Rothschild took
over, sending in his administrators, major progress was made in the spheres
of agriculture, citrus and viticulture. Under Rothschild's patronage, the
Carmel-Mizrahi Winery was established in 1886.
Visit the Rishon LeZion Pioneer Museum housed in 100 year-old buildings,
includes exhibits such as a reconstruction of the world's first
Hebrew-speaking school and a sound-and-light show that depicts the First
Aliyah.
11:30 am
JDC-Israel seeks to enhance the quality of life for Israel's vulnerable
populations by developing innovative model programs to meet their most acute
needs. Strategic alliances with partners in the governmental and private
sectors optimize the use of the country's social service resources. The
impact of the programs is multiplied through widespread replication.
communities. We will visit a JDC project-this is your campaign dollars at work.
1:00 pm
Lunch in the area
Visit Sderot to learn about the current security situation in the area
surrounding Gaza Strip and on life in the shadow of a constant Kassam
rockets threat
Partnership 2000 is the major program for communities abroad to become
directly involved in developing Israel's national priority areas - the
Negev, Galilee and Jerusalem. Partnership 2000 marks a noticeable transition
from the traditional twinning model whereby one side gives and the other
receives. It serves as a framework for partnership in the fullest sense of
the word. Today we visit our partner community of Kibbutz Nachal Oz and join
with Israelis for dinner and home hospitality
Continue to the Negev
Check in at Mitzpe Ramon Inn
OVERNIGHT: Mitzpe Ramon Inn
Day Four: Thursday, November 13, 2008
Breakfast
8:00 am
Ramon Crater, or in Hebrew Machtesh Ramon, is a unique geological phenomena.
We will visit the Visitors Center, learn about the history of the area and
view the vegetation and rich mineral content unique to this region.
Jeep ride through in the Ramon Crater
Visit Ben Gurion's house and grave at Sde Boker
The first prime minister of the State of Israel, David Ben Gurion, was not
only a shrewd political and military leader but also the symbol of the
Zionist vision. At a relatively advanced age, Ben Gurion and his wife,
Paula, "retired" to the Negev with a cry that others should follow. When he
died, he requested to be buried in the Kibbutz cemetery, overlooking the
valley that the children of Israel had come through on their way to the
Promised Land.
Lunch and Bedouin "hafla" (feast) in the area
2:00 pm
Proceed to Jerusalem. The word "aliyah" which denotes the physical ascent to
Jerusalem takes on new meaning as we climb from the Judean lowlands to the
city which is the political and spiritual center of the State of Israel.
Within view of the city King David proclaimed Israel's eternal capital 3,000
years ago, we recite Shehecheyanu, the blessing expressing our gratitude
upon reaching Jerusalem.
Check in hotel
For a different perspective on the history of Jerusalem, head underneath the
Old City’s chaotic maze of buildings to the Western Wall Tunnel. The
extension of the retaining wall was built 2,000 years ago by Herod the Great
to support the massive compound where the Temple stood. The excavated tunnel
is one of the city’s most phenomenal sites.
Dinner on own
OVERNIGHT: Dan Panorama Hotel Jerusalem
Day Five: Friday, November 14, 2008
Breakfast
Depart hotel for Yad Vashem
9:00 am
A solemn time is to be spent at Yad Vashem, Israel’s national Holocaust
memorial. The new museum presents state-of-the-art exhibits and the story of
the Shoah from the perspective of the individuals, through original
artifacts, survivor testimonies and personal possessions, presented in a
multi-sensory experience. The dramatic structure, designed by world-renowned
architect Moshe Safdie, cuts through the mountain in the form of a spike,
with its uppermost edge protruding through the mountain ridge. The complex
includes other powerful exhibits such as, the new synagogue, the
labyrinthine memorial in the Valley of Jewish Communities and Yad LaYeled,
the chilling memorial to the one and a half million children who perished
during the Shoah.
Machane Yehuda is Jerusalem's colorful outdoor market. We will have falafel
lunch, Israel's national dish, and view Jerusalemites preparing for Shabbat.
Depart for the Western Wall
Shabbat is often referred to as the Shabbat Kallah, the Sabbath bride, a
theme found throughout the traditional Friday night prayers. Sixteenth
century mystics of Safed created the Friday evening service, called in
Hebrew Kabalat Shabbat, which means Welcoming the Sabbath.
5:00 pm
Shabbat candle lighting
Festive Shabbat dinner at hotel with Cantor Even Cohen of Kehilat Har-El,
and wife
OVERNIGHT: Dan Panorama Hotel Jerusalem
Day Six: Saturday, November 15, 2008
Breakfast
Optional Tours:
Shabbat is a day of rest and reflection. Join morning services at one of
Jerusalem's many synagogues.
OR
Day tour in the Dead Sea:
Ascend Masada and tour King Herod’s historic hilltop fortress, where a small
band of Jewish zealots took refuge after the Roman destruction of the Second
Temple in 70 BCE, resisting a prolonged siege by the Roman army. Today,
Masada is a source of self-reflection for Israelis and Jews around the
world: Is there any price too high for religious freedom? Is martyrdom a
Jewish value? Now, over 50 years after the establishment of the State of
Israel, what does Masada mean to the Jewish people?
Lunch and swim at the Hod hotel
At 1,300 feet below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth.
You can make this visit a high point by venturing into the waters for a
“float”, swimming suspended by the high concentrations of salts and
minerals.
The landscape, climatic conditions and water sources at the Ein Gedi Nature
Reserve have created a unique ecosystem of springs, waterfalls and pools
surrounded by lush greenery in a desolate desert setting. We will have the
opportunity to hike up to and cool off in the refreshing pools and
waterfalls of the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. The stunning Ein Gedi oasis
consists of two separate waterways: Nahal David (David’s Stream), where
David took refuge from King Saul; and Nahal Arugot, where remains of a
6th-century synagogue were discovered.
Return to Jerusalem
6:18 pm
As the sun sets over the Jerusalem hills and Shabbat draws slowly to a
close, come together with your group to take part in Havdalah. Havdalah
means separation. The Havdalah prayers mark the end of Shabbat thereby
distinguishing it from the rest of the week. A multi-wicked candle is used
to signify the "flames of fire". Fragrant spices are passed around in order
to cheer us up with the last whiff of Shabbat as we leave it for our mundane
activities and the wine we use flows over the rim of the cup, symbolizing
the "overflowing blessing" we expect in the next week.
Free evening and dinner on own in Jerusalem’s bustling downtown area where
shops, restaurants and cafes cater to a diverse crowd of Israelis and
tourists.
OVERNIGHT: Dan Panorama Hotel Jerusalem
Day Seven: Sunday, November 16, 2008
Breakfast
8:30 am
Tour Ir David – the City of David. King David captured a Jebusite citadel in
order to build his capital. The city was well fortified with its own water
source; it had never belonged to any of the Israelite tribes and was,
therefore, unlikely to provoke jealousy among them. In spite of the fact
that it was not on a major thoroughfare or centrally located to all the
tribes, Jerusalem was a perfect site for the new kind of national state that
David envisaged. Today we will tour the archaeological excavation in David's
Jerusalem.
Visit the Temple Mount, a site holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians alike.
The Temple Mount is conspicuous whether viewed from the Mount of Olives, or
from the Lutheran church tower across from the Holy Sepulchre, or from the
Citadel Museum roof. Normally tranquil and peaceful with its park like
setting, one would hardly guess that this small parcel of land - less than
50 acres - is the center of the world and the hottest piece of real estate
anywhere on earth. Biblically speaking, it's most exciting history lies yet
ahead.
Free time for shopping
Lunch on own
4:00 pm
Mount (Har) Herzl is the burial place of Israel's founding fathers, the
country's leaders and the site of Jerusalem's military cemetery. Our Mission
will pay tribute to those whose vision helped build Israel and those who
gave their lives to keep it safe.
Continue to the Binyanei Hauma conference center
Dinner tba
7:00 pm
Opening of the GA
OVERNIGHT: Dan Panorama Hotel Jerusalem
Day Eight: Monday, November 17, 2008
GA
OVERNIGHT: Dan Panorama Hotel Jerusalem
Day Nine: Tuesday, November 18, 2008
GA
OVERNIGHT: Dan Panorama Hotel Jerusalem
Day Ten: Wednesday, November 19, 2008
GA
Depart for Ben Gurion International Airport
Day Eleven: Thursday, November 20, 2008
Return to the US