Congregation Emanu-El Women’s Trip- October 2023

Activities:

• 8:30 p.m. Meeting point at airport for transfer to Jerusalem - Participants who arrive prior to the group arrival at 8:00 p.m. at the airport are invited to meet the group at the airport and travel to Jerusalem with those arriving on the flight. Alternatively, you can make your way to the Orient Hotel on your own for check in starting at 3:00 p.m.

• Arrival of United 954 group - Your VIP agent will be waiting to greet you at the sleeve of the plane. After assisting with arrival procedures and collecting your baggage, you will be taken to meet your driver.

• Transfer to your hotel - A boxed snack-light dinner will be given to those who arrive on flight 954

• Isrotel Orient Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Make a circle to start the journey with spiritual leader, Rabbi Beth Singer and tour guide Lior Hochberg and set off on your trip

• Start the day on the lookout in front of Feel Beit - Feel Beit is the home to Mekudeshet- a cultural home for creating art, expanding perspectives, and imagining new ways forward for Jerusalem. Meet Karen Brunwasser, Director, who created this independent arts organization created in 2010 to be a strategic force for the renewal of Jerusalem as a more vibrant, pluralistic and open city by using arts as a tool for effective social change.

• Dissolving Boundaries Tour - Join real people from Jerusalem on an adventure across perspectives, passions, and divides. You are the protagonist on the journey, which begins in your home, travels through inspiring voices and places in Jerusalem, and constantly finds its way back into your reality. Dissolving Boundaries celebrates the courage, ingenuity and stirring humanity of regular people in an extraordinary place, and asks you to discover the boundary dissolver within yourself.

• Machane Yehuda Tasting Tour will be part of the Dissolving Boundaries tour - In the heart of Jerusalem, a bustling multi-ethnic market bursting with life, art, and flavor, a tasting tour through Machane Yehuda market is an adventure for your taste buds. Enjoy the hustle and bustle with all the rich fragrances, colors, and sounds this iconic Jerusalem market offers.

• Visit to Mezilot Mazon - Metzilot Mazon, the Jerusalem Food Rescuers, aims to create a more Just and sustainable urban food system with less waste. Working with the wholesale market, they divert surplus produce that would have otherwise gone to waste and support communities that don’t have equitable access to food, engage in food literacy focused activities such as lectures and workshops with kids and adults, and run a sustainable catering business.

• Return to the hotel to get refreshed before dinner

• Dinner at Rama's Kitchen - “Rama’s Kitchen” was founded by Rama Ben Zvi 22 years ago, as a unique restaurant in the Jerusalem hills. Over the years Rama’s Kitchen has become a thriving culinary landmark and is consistently ranked as one of Israel’s leading restaurants. The magnificent surroundings enhance a total and uniquely special culinary experience. The menu constitutes a confluence of contemporary western cooking techniques and traditional Arab and Mediterranean cuisine.

• Isrotel Orient Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• The Old City and the women who lived there - Hear the story of women throughout history who have left their mark on Jerusalem's Old City. "Meet" women like Naomi Shemer who wrote song "Jerusalem of Gold." Observe the Al-Aqsa Mosque that tells of Aisha, Muhammad's third wife- also called "Mother of Believers." Visit a women-owned bakery in the Muslim Quarter. Hear the story of Mary, mother of Jesus, Learn about Esther Arditi the "Angel in White" who was a nurse caring for troops in battles for the Old City during the War of Independence. Consider what these women and others have in common because of Jerusalem. During your time in Jerusalem you'll touch upon women who are commemorated and made their marks on other parts of the city as well.

• Old City Tasting Tour - Have a “taste of history” that interweaves stories and anecdotes, historical information and, of course, combine the senses of smell, taste, and sound.

• 'Shtisel' Tour - Walk the streets of the ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods, get to know the people, the food, and feel the vibrations of this life. Gain a more complex appreciation for the people by listening to their music, visiting synagogues, various institutions, seeing unique leisure, fashion, and art this world encompasses.

• Make a stop at the Art Shelter Gallery - In the ultra Orthodox neighborhood of Mekor Barchuch adjacent public bomb shelter is the Art Shelter Gallery, the only gallery in Israel, and presumably in the world, that operates in a Haredi neighborhood and that is deemed appropriate for that public. Discover how this gallery has become a refuge for artists of all kinds to find a place to be revealed.

• Meet Helen Gottstein in her one-woman show Four Faces of Israel - Four Faces of Israel is an interactive program on modern day Israel: its challenges, its divisions, its history, its passions, and its people. The four characters convey a great deal of information on the nature of the state, Middle East history, modern Jewish identity, and the complex challenges Israel faces.

• Dinner at HaSadna Restaurant or similar - HaSadna Restaurant's menu features fresh ingredients with a minimum of treatment. Part of the charm is the interior of this building which was once a warehouse that served the Jerusalem railroad and railway station built in 1892. Part of the Machneyuda group, HaSadna is a jewel of contemporary Israeli Cuisine.

• Isrotel Orient Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel - Check out of the hotel

• Drive to the Jerusalem Hills

• Hike part of the Israel National Trail in Sataf - Explore the Jerusalem Hills at the beautiful Sataf forest for a hike through the area. The Sataf is on the site of ancient agricultural terraces which date to the time of the ancient Israelites. If it’s warm enough, there’s even an option to take a dip in some of the natural springs. Along the way - forage for edible plants.

• What the Earth Brings Forth- workshop with Nurit Hertz - In the lush Mate Yehuda, meet Nurit Hertz in her natural habitat- the outdoors. Nura will teach you identify edible plants then you'll cook a delicious lunch with these fresh greens.

• During lunch drink the wines of Sphera Winery - Sphera Winery is a boutique winery featuring only white wines from the Judean Hills of Israel. "We believe in a clear and minimalistic approach that brings out the fruits’ true essence, while ensuring wines that are layered with rich and complex flavours."

• Begin your drive to the North

• Meet the women of Sindyanna of the Galilee and join them in the olive harvest - Sindyanna of Galilee, a female-led non-profit that actively promotes the concepts of “business for peace” and Fair Trade in Israel. Sindyanna’s premium products are sold in the international marketplace according to Fair Trade principles with the profit being channeled back locally to Arab women’s education. Taste their excellent olive oil and learn about the craft of basket weaving that they teach women in order for them to earn money.

• Check into the hotel

• Dinner at the hotel

• Bayit Bagalil

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Shaharit service and musical tour in the ancient synagogue of Um el Kanatir - Um el Kanatir, also known as Ein Keshatot, is home to a Jewish village from the Period of the Mishna and Talmud, with a magnificent synagogue in its center. Enter a synagogue that features the original Ark Complex – the most preserved and magnificent ever to be discovered in Israel. The synagogue was excavated and reconstructed with advanced technological methods, and today it stands at a height of one story. You will be accompanied by musicians playing biblical instruments and leading the group in familiar and new songs.

• Meet photographer Dikla Laor - Dikla Laor brings the stories of female biblical figures to life through the camera lens, embarking on a unique project to imagine these characters’ appearances, dress, and demeanor against breathtaking backdrops. Her “Biblical Women Series” includes the “first woman,” Eve, the Jewish matriarchs – Sarah, Rivka (Rebecca), Leah and Rachel – Lot’s wife, the Queen of Sheba, the prophetess Deborah, and Jezebel, and more. Meet Dikla in her home and see her work.

• Wine tasting and light lunch at Mika Winery - Mika Winery in Moshav Natur in the Golan Heights was established in 2006, out of a desire to live and uphold the values of land, family, and creation. Along with the wines, the highest quality products are served, carefully and lovingly produced in the neighboring farms in the Moshav or the Golan Heights: cheeses, olive oil, breads, seasonal fruits, patisseries and more.

• Explore the beautiful Agamon HaHula on bikes or golfcarts - The Hula valley sits in part of the northern Syrian African Rift Valley which stretches as far south as Mozambique in Africa. During every migration season over 500 million birds travel through the Hula Lake. This wetland paradise is the perfect stopover for small waterfalls, cormorants, heron, pelicans, raptors, storks, and cranes. Early morning ride through the park.

• Elias House - Home Hospitality - Dinner at the beautiful home of Chef Gadi Elias, a holistic culinary and cultural experience of Galilee cooking.

• Bayit Bagalil

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Check out and drive towards Akko

• Explore the stunning Akko Tunisian Synagogue - The Or Torah Tunisian synagogue in Akko is unique even in a land of synagogues. Built by a community of Tunisian Jews from Djerba, it offers four stories of glorious mosaics and stained-glass windows both inside and out, showing a varied range of stories, plants, and animals.

• Shuk tour and lunch at Beit Elfarasha - At Beit Elfarasha meet the true gems of the city, the local women. Beit Elfarasha's programs empower women of Akko by bringing them together to create connections and make change. Join some of the women in a cooking workshop in their beautiful center as well as touring the city with the women and hearing their stories.

• Drive to Tel Aviv and check into your hotel

• Kabbalat Shabbat services and Home Hospitality Dinner with Rabbi Galit Cohen-Kedem and Congregation Kodesh VeChol in Holon

• Isrotel Royal Beach Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Morning Tefilot at the beach - Torah study- Parashat Bereishit!

• Two tour options:

• Untold Tel Aviv Walking tour: Giborot - the Women Who Built Tel Aviv - From the early days of the establishment of Tel Aviv as the first Hebrew city, women have played a key role in building the foundation of what has become Tel Aviv as we know it today. Follow in the footsteps of women who were silenced and women that created reality from a dream alone and let their voices be heard. Join us through the streets of TLV places that you have walked through hundreds times before. We will give voice to women like Golda Meir, Rachel the Poet, Tzina Dizingoff, Ahuva Ozeri and others who were the movers and shakers that were part of making this city so great.

• What is Israeli Art? - In this dynamic tour we'll figure out what makes Israeli art into what it is, and what’s it relationship with the Zionist narrative as well as the international art world. This tour through the extensive Israeli collection at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art is an amazing way to visually explore the Israeli narrative from the early 20th century until today. What is the story the Arts Establishment tells about Israeli Art?

• Shabbat Brunch of traditional Shabbat foods - led by Adeena Sussman - In private setting indulge in a Jewish Shabbat Brunch. Enjoy the variety of classic ethnic foods that are part of the Shabbat day meal. These dishes are brought directly from the homes in which the food was cooked for families that share their heritage and flavors.

• Free time to enjoy the beach or rest

• Meet member of Mamanet with Ophra Abramovich, chairwoman and founder of Mamanet‎ at Mamanet International mothers league - Established in 2005 Mamanet –Every Mother Can- league is the largest social sports league specifically for mothers in Israel today. With thousands of mothers-players in over 90 cities across Israel, Mamanet is now spreading in many countries such as Austria, Italy, Greece, Cyprus & the US with additional countries pending. In Mamanet every mother can with no barrier of age, height, or weight. Women from across the spectrum of Israel's population play together.

• Havdalah on the beach

• Dinner at Claro - Chef Ran Shmueli is one of Israel’s most respected veteran chefs who has led innovative culinary ventures for the last 25 years. Claro (“clear” in Spanish) is chef Shmueli’s first restaurant. Claro is not just a restaurant; it’s a place of entertainment, providing an experience that embodies all of Shmueli, and his staffs, knowledge in hospitality and event planning. It is a relaxed venue for social gathering and offers a warm atmosphere, good music, and a superb dining experience.

• Isrotel Royal Beach Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Workshop at KitePride - KitePride is an Israeli, Tel Aviv based fashion social enterprise. They create functional, one-of-a-kind BAGS from upcycled kitesurfing kites, sails, parachutes, and wetsuits in order to provide jobs to survivors of human trafficking and prostitution. Through each bag sold, continuous jobs are created and fabric is saved from landfill.

• Continue to Levinsky Market for aTasting Tour - The Levinsky Market specializes in spices and Mediterranean delicacies. It is, in many ways, the best market in Tel Aviv, known for its variety, freshness, and special atmosphere. Whether you are looking for a rare Indian spice or some good quality saffron - this is the place. Shops offer a cornucopia of excellent cheeses, smoked fish, wines, and other delicacies. Tour the market and have "tastings" throughout.

• Make a stop at Ouzeria on the tour - Meet Chef Avivit Priel, who was named Best Female Chef of Tel Aviv in 2017.

• ANU Museum of the Jewish People - In June 2021, after ten years of planning and construction, the largest Jewish museum in the world opened its doors. You’re invited to join a fascinating journey that portrays the story of the Jewish people through the generations and up to the present time. The Museum represents all parts of the Jewish people and highlights the creative works and cultural riches of a variety of communities in different periods of history. This story is about all of us and each and every one of us is part of it.

• Mapping the Journey - Now is your opportunity to reflect on the time you’ve spent in Israel and to share the experiences, sites, and people you’ll want to remember most after you’ve returned home. With the "Kol HaOt" team, we will explore the personal meaning of Israel using colors and symbols to give ourselves and our fellow participants a visual picture of what this journey meant to us

• Final dinner at Morris on the Roof - Morris on the Roof is a rooftop food bar in a secret location that you book a place on Instagram. Secret meals are held every two weeks and tonight you'll have a private invitation and the place to yourselves. Chef Shay Alfasi brings his excellent Mediterranean cuisine to you with a 360 degree view of Tel Aviv.

• Transfer to the airport