Remember that time when...

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Feb 7 - Bon Voyage! Nesiya Tova!

Get up early and travel to the airport on Flight LY 007 departing at 9:40 am and arriving at JFK airport at 3:15 pm.

Day 10 (Feb 6) - Shoah: The Holocaust/Collective Memory

This morning we ill visit Israel's memorial and museum for the Holocaust (Yad Vashem).  The impact of the Holocaust (Shoah) on Israeli society will become evident through the development of different elements of this unique memorial since its establishment in the 1950's.  The museum will give a detailed account of the history of the Holocaust (Shoah), ending up in the powerful Hall of Names.  After lunch, we will participate in a volunteer project at a local ecological community garden as an act of repairing the world (Tikkun Olam).
This project emphasizes the important Jewish value of affirming which will counterbalance the exposure to death and destruction that we will experience at Yad Vashem.  We will have a dinner at the hotel and a summary discussion before enjoying an evening out in Jerusalem.

• Israel's Museum and memorial to the Holocaust (Yad Vashem)
• Please do not bring packpacks into Yad Vashem (Leave them on the bus)
• Lunch of your choice
• Green activity (Tikkun Olam)
• Summary Discussion
• Dinner at the hotel

Hotel - Jerusalem Gate Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 9 (Feb 5) - Choices

First we will visit the mystical city of Safed (Tzfat) wander the alleyways and synagogues, and breathe the mountain air as you explore the ideas of Jewish Mysticism (Kabbalah) and repairing the world (Tikkun Olam).  In the Middle-Ages, the Kabbalists made their way to Safed (Tzfat), eventually establishing a city.  The Kabbalists hoped to connect to God and to repair the world (Tikkun Olam).  Explore Safed (Tzfat), and its art lined streets, on your own.  Next, travel to the ancient city of Tzippori.  Following the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, Tzippori became the capital city of Jewish life in the Galilee.  In Tzippori we will be able to see how the conflict of being a minority in a foreign dominant culture has existed throughout Jewish history.  We will learn how this city impacts you and your life today.  We will then drive to our hotel for dinner and then have an evening activity about your Jewish future back home.

• Safed (Tzfat)
• Tzippori
• Travel towards center of Israel
• Dinner at the Hotel
• Reform Jewish Futures

Hotel - Jerusalem Gate Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 8 (Feb 4) - Choices

Together, we will travel to the Golan Heights to hike and explore the area.  While exploring we will see both the beauty of the landscape and its history of war and struggle.  We will hear the stories of courage and determination that allowed Israel to fight for its existence as we travel through the Golan Heights.  In addition we will discuss the modern day challenges and hopes for peace in this region.  We will see the view from Mount Bental and from the Dado Outlook.  Then we will need to say farewell to our Israeli participants before visiting the Nature Reserve at Tel Dan and returning to our hotel for dinner.  This will be followed by an educational evening program.

• Mount Bental
• Dado Outlook
• Lunch of your Choice
• Farewell to the Israeli Friends
• Nature Reserve at Tel Dan
• Dinner at Hotel
• Evening Program about Reform Jewish Futures

Hotel - Poriya Youth Hostel, Near the Sea of Galilee

Day 7 (Feb 3) - Struggle

We will begin our day with a visit to the memorials and pay tribute to Israel's fallen soldiers from our many wars located at the national military cemetery of Israel - Har Herzl.  In addition to learning about the soldiers lives, we will visit the gravesites of some of Israel's greatest leaders, including Yitzhak Rabin and Theodore Herzl.  Following this, we will begin our journey to our hotel in Northern Israel near the Sea of Galilee.  We will make a stop in the picturesque town of Zichron Yaakov on our way.  When we arrive at the hotel, we will get an update on the political situation in Israel eat dinner and participate in a fun activity planned by the Israelis on our trip.

• Har (Mount) Herzl National Military Cemetery
• Choice of Lunch
• Drive north
• Zichron Yaakov-town south of Haifa
• Current Events Political Update
• Dinner at hotel
• Fun activity planned by Israelis

Hotel - Poriya Youth Hostel, Near the Sea of Galilee

Day 6 (Feb 2) - Shabbat

Celebrate Shabbat with your new found friends at the hotel.  Shabbat is a special time for reflection and relaxation.  In the morning, join the group for a Shabbat morning activity.  The ceremony separating Shabbat and the rest of the week (Havdalah) will be celebrated at the hotel.  After ending Shabbat, we will spend time in Tel Aviv where you can see Israel transition from Shabbat (the day of rest) to the bustle of the new week.  While out in Tel Aviv you will have the chance to explore the night life.

• Optional Breakfast
• Shabbat Morning Activity
• Ceremony marking the end of Shabbat (Havdallah)
• Dinner at hotel
• Evening out in Tel Aviv

Hotel Ma'aleh Hachamisha Kubbutz Guest House, near Jerusalem

Day 5 (Feb 1) - Continuity

This morning, you will wake up before dawn to climb up Masada.  The ascent up the Roman ramp will lead you to watch the sunrise from the top of an ancient fortress that was home to the Zealots.  After a short worship service (T'filla), we will explore this spectacular mountain refuge on the Dead Sea fr Jews escaping from the Roman legions after the destruction of Jerusalem in the year 70 of the first century.  We will marvel at the courage of those last Jewish defenders, whose dedication to Jewish continuity was exemplary. Afterwards we will hike in the oasis of Ein Gedi.  Finally, we will get to swim and float in the lowest place on Earth, The Dead Sea, before sitting back and relaxing for the drive to our hotel.  Once we have settled in to our rooms, we will do a prayer service, t'fillot, for Shabbat and eat dinner in the hotel.

• Ascent of Masada from Roman Ramp
• Sunrise from the top!
• Please bring bathingsuit, hiking shoes, towel, water sandals
• Hike in Ein Gedi oasis
• Float in the Dead Sea
• Shabbat services, t'fillot
• Dinner

Hotel Ma'aleh Hachamisha Kubbutz Guest House, near Jerusalem

Day 4 (Jan 31) - Challenges

Our day begins when our new Israeli participants (soldiers and/or students) join the group as we continue our collective journey.  Afterwards we will visit three sites in Jerusalem including a view of the security fence.  The day will raise the dilemma of the security challenges of maintaining safety and security while considering moral issues.  We will then head down to the Judean Desert for camel riding and to experience Bedouin Hospitality for dinner.

• Pick up Israeli participants
• Three sites in Jerusalem with an eye to security
• Travel to Judean Desert
• Camel Riding
• Bedouin Hospitality
• Dinner in the Bedouin tent

Hotel: Kfar HaNokdim Bedouin Tent (sleeping bags provided), near Masada

Day 3 (Jan 30) - Aliyah

This morning, we will head to Jerusalem for an amazing overlook on the city and a brief overview of the history of our people.  After taking in the view, and saying a few prayers of thanks, we will follow in the footsteps of our ancestors as they made their way to Jerusalem, the national, cultural, and religious capital of Israel.  We will learn about history from the archaeological excavations of the Southern Wall of the Temple and explore the Kotel (the Western Wall), the last remnant of the Second Temple.  Lunch will also serve as an opportunity to discover the Old City's Jewish Quarter.  After exploring the historical city of Jerusalem including Mount Zion, we will return to the hotel for dinner.  Afterwards, there will be an activity to prepare us for meeting the Israeli participants on our trip.  The Israelis, students and/or soldiers, will be part of our comunity (Kehillah) for the next five days, and together we will create a cohesive unity.  Follow this, we will participate in a cultural program with Michal.

• Overlook of Jerusalem at Haas Promenade
• Southern Wall Excavations
• The Kotel (Western Wall)
• Lunch of Your Choice - The Jewish Quarter
• Mount Zion
• Dinner at hotel
• Prepare for Meeting Israelis
• Cultural Program with Michael

Hotel: Jerusalem Gate Hotel in Jerusalem

Day 2 (Jan 29) - Welcome Home!

Welcome to Israel!  After landing at the airport, we will begin our day with breakfast and a ceremony in Old Jaffa.  While exploring the neighborhoods of Neveh Tzedek and Nachalat Binyamin, we will discover the markets and shops of Israel's "Greenwich village". We will experience the modern Israeli society through the lens of Tel Aviv "the city that never stops" We will gain an understanding of how Tel Aviv emulates the vision of Cultural Zionists as the first Hebrew City and the major rol Tel Aviv played in the esablishment of the State of Israel in 1948, as we visit Independence Hall.  We will then drive our hotel for dinner and an orientation program.

• Breakfast and ceremony (tekes) in Jaffa
• Independence Hall
• Lunch of your choice
• Explore the Shenkin neighborhood
• Dinner and orientation at the hotel in Jerusalem

Hotel: Jerusalem Gate Hotel in Jerusalem

Day 1 (Jan 28) - Bon Voyage

Meet at Newark Airport Terminal B to depart for Israel on El Al Flight #028 departing for Tel Aviv at 1:15 pm and arriving on Tuesday at 6:50 am at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.