Goldberg Bar Mitzvah Trip | Summer 2022

Activities:

• Shalom - arrival at Ben Gurion Airport - 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.

• Private transfer to Jerusalem & check-in to your hotel

• Welcome dinner at a local restaurant - Closer to time we will be happy to give restaurants and reservations (on your own, meal and transfers are not included)

• Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel - Every day enjoy a delicious Israeli buffet breakfast in the hotel. Meet your guide at the hotel lobby and begin your journey. This transfers in a taxi are included.

• Welcome to Israel - magnificent lookout from Mount of Olives - The Mount of Olives offers a panoramic lookout over the city. There are countless Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions about Mt. Olives, including that from here the Messiah will come, and from here the dead will be resurrected in the vision of the End of Days. Enjoy a beautiful lookout of the Holy Basin, the old and new city of Jerusalem.

• City of David - Visit the excavation of the City of David. King David captured a Jebusite citadel to build his capital. The city was well fortified with its own water source and Jerusalem was a perfect site for the new kind of national state that David envisaged.

• Exciting walk through ancient water cistern - Biblical King Hezekiah had the Siloam tunnel built in preparation for an Assyrian attack in the 8th or 7th century BCE, to redirect water from the Gihon spring into Jerusalem. Today, you can splash through the knee-deep water as you marvel at this astonishing feat of ancient engineering that is still standing today. (Walk in a dark narrow tunnel, this is a highlight but not suitable for claustrophobic people).

• Proceed to the Kotel - Proceed to the Kotel (The Western Wall), sacred because it is one of the last remnants of the Second Temple that was destroyed by the Romans. Feel the stones that have witnessed so much in the history of the Jews. Place your special and personal prayer in the cracks of the stones.

• Lunch break in the Arab Market - Browse in the famous Arab shuk (market) in the Muslim Quarter. Check out the local hummus and sweets, the many stalls selling spices, pastries, pottery, sheepskin, embroidered clothes, and so much more. Meet store owners whose stores have been in their family for generations. (meal not included)

• Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - The church is situated on the hill called Golgotha or Calvary and contains the last five Stations of the Cross, including the sites of Jesus' crucifixion and burial. Several Christian denominations claim ownership to various parts of this site so holy to Christendom.

• Tour of the Jewish Quarter - The Jewish Quarter is best known for the Western Wall, but there’s a lot more to see and do here. See archaeological finds from the First and Second Temple periods, Roman ruins, vibrant synagogues, and learning institutions, all jostling for space in these busy stone streets.

• Afternoon - rest and enjoy the hotel's amenities, dinner on your own - We will be happy to make restaurant recommendations and reservations closer to the trip.

• Machane Yehuda culinary tour - In the heart of the city, 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. (tastings will replace dinner)

• Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Yad Vashem - B’nei Mitzvah tour with Yad Vashem's Twinning Program. Israel’s national Holocaust museum presents a profoundly Jewish memorial of the Shoah. From its dramatic structure to its powerful exhibits, such as the labyrinthine Valley of the Communities and the chilling Children’s Memorial, Yad Vashem is an unforgettable place of tribute and remembrance.

• After a meaningful morning take time to enjoy the vibrant life of Jerusalem today

• 'Shtisel' Tour - A taste of the Ultra-Orthodox world-walk the streets of the ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods, get to know the people, the food, and feel the vibrations of this life. On a busy Friday, when people are preparing for Shabbat, 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, and, of course by eating freshly baked challah.

• Rest and get ready for Shabbat - Optional: join a local community for a Friday night service.

• Suggested: dinner at Majda restaurant - Majda, a restaurant in the Jerusalem Hills village of Ein Rafa, is famous for its innovative fusion cuisine, beautiful property and views from its rooftop and an appearance on Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. The menu is full of creative local dishes all prepared by Yakub and Michal, the Arab-Jewish couple who own Majda. (meal and transfers are not included)

• Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast and early start

• Masada National Park - Ascend the mountain by cable car to explore Masada, scene of the epic stand by Jewish rebels at the end of the Great Revolt against Rome nearly 2,000 years ago. The new museum at the Visitor Center reveals the secrets of the daily life of the rebels, the story of the excavations, and how the site became one of Israel’s most important symbols.

• Dead Sea Resort for swim and lunch - Israel’s Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth, a stunning, other-worldly landscape of shimmering blue water ringed by bare, orange and yellow hills. The waters of the Dead Sea hold a potent solution of minerals and salts that have strong healing properties. Together with its ethereal beauty, these health-giving minerals make the Dead Sea’s beaches and spas popular vacation spots for Israelis and tourists alike. At one of the local hotels, have lunch and 'float' in the Dead Sea.

• Ein Gedi oasis - This beautiful nature reserve features Nahal David, a spectacular water hike for all ages. Trails in a range of levels of difficulty take you alongside and through the cool, fresh waters of Nahal David, down waterfalls, along jaw-dropping canyons, and past caves. If you’re both quiet and lucky, you might even glimpse the sure-footed ibex and other local animals.

• Travel back to Jerusalem, free evening

• Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast & check-out from hotel

• Machal Memorial - The Machal Memorial dedicated in 1993, was created to honor volunteers who came from outside of Israel to fight on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people. The memorial is made up of the letters Mem, Chet and Lamed, forming the word Machal.

• Burma Road by jeep - Tour along the road that was formed during the Independence War as part of the struggle to break into Jerusalem and stop the siege. Their mission was to make sure Jerusalem is part of the new Jewish state.

• Brothers For Life - At Beit Achim Center you will meet one of the staff members of Brothers for Life non-profit organization and hear about their special mission. BFL vision is that every wounded combat soldier receives the care and support needed to ensure his return to fulfilling and contributive life. The visit requires a donations. Eat lunch with the former soldiers.

• Take a dip and swim in the Sachne - A popular spot for Israelis on hot days.

• Dinner at a local restaurant - suggested: 1910 - (meal not included)

• Check-in to your hotel

• North

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Begin your day with Snir water hike - Walk between the beautiful water streams, water plants and shaded track, in one of the Jordan’s water sources.

• Continue to Woodsong Harp Workshop - In Rosh Pina, enjoy a Harp Workshop with harp maker Pete Isacowitz who founded Woodsong Harps and fulfilled his life-long dream.

• Go back to the hotel to swim, rest and get ready to the ceremony

• Afternoon - Ari's Bar Mitzvah ceremony - A family special ceremony in the ancient basalt synagogue in Korazim, the ancient Jewish town overlooking the Kinneret. The beautiful synagogue at Korazim, built at the end of the fourth century or the beginning of the fifth century CE, is made of basalt, the region’s most common stone, carved in geometric, floral and faunal patterns.

• Festive dinner - Recommendations: Tibis / Magdalena / Moshbutz (meal not included)

• North

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Golan jeep tour - Take a geo-political tour of the Golan with an expert. While traversing the rich landscape, learn about the history, flora, and fauna of the area. Stop for a lookout over the border with Syria from Mt. Bental to get a better understanding of the geography and strategical role this region has for the State of Israel. Your local guide touches on the nuances of living so close to the Syrian border and what that has meant for Israel as it relates to security and humanitarian issues.

• Sweet stop in the chocolate boutique factory - DeKarina Chocolate boutique factory in Kibbutz Ein Zivan. Hear about the process of making chocolate and the story of Gyora Chepelinski that made Aliya, founded the workshop and fulfilled her dream. Taste some of the finest chocolate in Israel and have a cold chocolate drink or coffee.

• Go back to hotel to swim and rest

• Sunset kayak adventure in the Jordan River and Kinneret - Discover the hidden savannah. Row through one of the most beautiful spots in Israel, amongst the plants, trees, and waterfalls in the middle of this magical Kinneret savannah.

• Dinner at a local restaurant - (meal not included)

• North

Activities:

• Breakfast & check-out from hotel

• Stop at Buza Ice Cream - Buza, the Arabic word for ice cream, is owned and operated by Alaa Sweetat, a local Muslim and Adam Ziv, a Jew from Kibbutz Sasa. A delicious Co-Existence venture. Taste their unique flavors.

• Drive along the northen road and stop at the Talking Walls - Graffiti Project - Come see the Lebanese border from a new perspective. Talking Walls is a 400 meters long murals on the cement walls located on the Israeli-Lebanese border. This is a corporation of artists from Israel and around the world. The local residents were involved and shared their feelings and thoughts about living on the border, which was translated into art. This is an opportunity to delve into the human perspective of the challenging geo-political reality.

• Fun Tornado Boat Ride - Take a fun tornado boat ride to Rosh Hanikra, Israel’s northernmost coastal border. It is best known for its stunning chalk-white cliffs. Enjoy the view of the Mediterranean coastline stretched out before you and the view of the grottos below the cliff, created by pounding waves’ eroding the rock for thousands of years. While the boys and Deborah are going on the boat ride the tour guide can drive mother and husband to a nice local cafe and patisserie.

• Alternative activities - - Akko - stone carving workshop with a local artist at his studio in the old city.
  - Haifa - food tour
  - Glass blowing workshop in Caesarea
  - Arrive earlier in TLV and evening bike tour

• Quickie cooking workshop and Druze home hospitality - Together with your hosts in their private home, prepare traditional Druze Galilean dishes and then enjoy the feast you create. Learn about Druze culture and history from your hosts and from the food you eat.

• Drive to Tel Aviv & check-in to your hotel

• Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Enjoy the morning at the pool / beach

• Drive south to explore the Negev Desert

• Light meal at Kornhmeil farm - Kornmehl organic goat cheese farm, set among views of the desert hills, faces remnants terraces belonging to an ancient farm that is over 5,000 years old. This is one of the many havot bodedim (lone farms) built by Anat and Daniel Kornmehl, modern-day pioneers who are making David Ben-Gurion’s vision of the desert blooming come to life. The Kornmehl’s place emphasis on keeping traditional values of cheese making, while adapting them to the local environment, creates cheeses that are personal interpretations of famous French varieties from their antibiotic and hormone free goats who live in excellent conditions with good food. Taste some delicious cheese, kanffe and ice cream.

• Pola and David Ben Gurion's Tomb - Visit the grave of David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first Prime Minister, whose vision for settling the desert is continues to bloom today. Throughout the day, you’ll see his vision come to life.

• Mitzpe Ramon Visitors Center - Learn the geological story behind this unique and amazing work of nature through interactive exhibits. At the center, pay tribute to Ilan Ramon, Israel’s first and only astronaut, who tragically died on a space mission in 2003. View the crater from a stunning vantage point, at the heart of the promenade which stretches along the Ramon Crater mouth. There is a hanging terrace providing a marvelous observation point over the depths of the crater.

• Exciting rappeling experience - For a real thrill slide down a 15 meters cliff with a stunning view of the Ramon Crater.

• Authentic Beduion style dinner

• Star gazing magical experience in the Ramon Crater - Professional guided star gazing with a binocular.

• Proceed back to Tel Aviv

• Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Independence Trail tour - Inspired by the Freedom Trail in Boston, the new Independence Trail leads to 10 of Tel Aviv’s heritage sites teaching visitors the history of this great city along the way. The trail begins at the intersection of tree-lined Rothschild Boulevard and Herzl Street, home to Tel Aviv’s first kiosk. The trail ends across the street at Independence Hall, where on May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion read aloud the Declaration of Independence as Israel was declared an independent Jewish state.

• Carmel Market Tasting Tour - Continue to Carmel Market (Shuk HaCarmel), the largest market in Tel Aviv. Touring the market reveals the taste of the ages of Tel-Aviv in the youthful atmosphere of the city's central market. The Polish, the Persian, and the Yemeni... in this case, it is not the start of a joke, but the fascinating culinary traditions that mix in this place. The established market that was founded over 90 years ago, can now reveal its secrets, stories, and legends to you. (The tasting tour replaces lunch)

• Peres Center for Peace and Innovation - A leading non-profit and non-governmental organization focused on developing and implementing unique and cutting-edge programs. The center presents the incredible story of Israel, the "innovation nation", and showcases the diverse fields and people behind Israeli innovation.

• Afternoon tour of Old Jaffa - Jaffa is one of the most ancient port cities in Israel and the Mediterranean basin. Today Jaffa is a mixed city, where Jews and Arabs live alongside each other. Tel Aviv, Jaffa's younger sister, was established centuries later, in the year 1909, but the two were united into one municipality in 1949, yet each part kept its unique feel and atmosphere. Jaffa has been regenerated in recent years with the old narrow streets and courtyards becoming a highly popular part of Tel Aviv’s urban tapestry. Watch the sunset from the top of the hill overlooking Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean sea.

• Dinner at a local restaurant - (meal not included)

• Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Free day to explore Tel Aviv - Some suggestions for your day (not included, can be arranged):
  - Surfing lesson
  - Tour of the ANU Museum of the Jewish People

• Enjoy beach and pool time

• Farewell Shabbat Friday night dinner - Options: a great local restaurant OR EatWith dinner with a Tel Avivian host (meal not included)

• Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Check-out by noon

• Optional: Giving back opportunity - Leket Israel - Volunteers go into fields to pick and gather fruits and vegetables that were not collected during the commercial harvest. We will volunteer at the logistics center to help sort and pack the collected produce in preparation for distribution to soup kitchens, food pantries, senior citizen centers, homeless shelters and other places serving those in need.

• Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport and fly back home

• We look forward to hosting you again in our beautiful country