Medoff Bat Mitzvah family trip | March 2024

Activities:

• Welcome - 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 Tel Aviv & check-in to your hotel - Please note: check in time is from 3:00 PM.

• Shabbat dinner as a family at the hotel - (Meal included)

• Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel - Every morning you'll enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast at the hotel.

• Enjoy a Shabbat stroll around Park Hayarkon and the beach Promenade - Tel Aviv’s largest green space offers something for everyone, with a water and adventure park; climbing walls, basketball, tennis, and soccer courts, and trampolines for the athletic; boat rental on the central lake; shady lawns and benches for relaxation; and botanical gardens, a bird sanctuary, and modern art installations for even more variety.

• Shabbat lunch at the hotel is available

• Giborot - guided tour following great women in 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. Learn about 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.

• Optional (for those who drive on Shabbat) - The Tel Aviv Museum of 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? (optional and suggested, not included)

• After Shabbat - eat out to a local restaurant - We will be happy to make restaurant recommendations and reservations closer to the trip (on your own, meal and transfers are not included)

• Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Begin your journey with a walking 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.

• Stroll through the picturesque Neve Tzedek - This is the first Jewish neighborhood to be built outside of Jaffa and currently one of the most beautiful and desired locations in Tel Aviv. It was built by some of the dignitaries of the old Jewish community of Jaffa in 1887. Looking to head out of the ever-growing and over-crowded Jaffa, they built, what was considered back then, modern and comfortable housing. In recent years, after a period of neglect, the neighborhood was restored and has become a trendy fun beautiful part of the city and a good place to try some Israeli Gelato!

• Tour along the Independence Trail - The new Independence Trail leads to several 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.

• Lunch break at Shuk HaCarmel - The Carmel Market (Shuk HaCarmel), is 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 opening line 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. (meal not included)

• Dynamic Graffiti Tour and workshop - Tour the dynamic neighborhood of Florentine, Tel Aviv’s most bohemian and upbeat neighborhood and learn about contemporary Israeli culture through the writing on the wall, graffiti and bumper stickers. Walk along the Train Track Park and learn about urban planning and ecological aspects in the city. Enjoy a creative Graffiti workshop and experience fun and artistic freedom.

• Dinner at a local restaurant - (on your own, meal and transfers are not included)

• Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel & check-out

• This morning you will visit one of the two museums offered below

• Option A - ANU Museum - 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.

• Option B - Palmach Museum - Palmach Museum which aims to provide a sense of the period that led to the founding of the State of Israel. Appropriately, the main exhibit takes place in a series of underground chambers. Remarkably realistic sets, sounds, lighting, special effects and even moving rooms, make the visitor feel part of this extraordinary experience.

• Drive along the coast and tour the magnificent Caesarea National Park - On the Mediterranean coast, Caesarea is one of Israel’s most impressive archeological sites. Here, amazing ancient harbor ruins, beautiful beaches, and impressive modern residences sit side-by-side. The city was initially built by King Herod in the 1st century BC, who dreamt of a major seaport to connect the Province of Judea with Rome. For this purpose, the king's men designed an entirely artificial harbor that was in use for about a millennium. Caesarea became a central city in Roman and Byzantine times as can be seen from the massive archeological remains on site. View the spectacular Roman amphitheater, still used today as a performance venue, as well as the hippodrome that held 20,000 spectators for chariot races.

• Druze home hospitality, cooking workshop and meal - 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. (Kosher kitchen)

• Drive to the Galilee and check-in to your hotel

• NORTH

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Begin with a nature hike in Tel Dan - This National Park combines a lush nature reserve with a biblical archaeological experience and includes a short wheelchair- accessible trail. At the heart of the park is “Tel Dan”- the capital of the ancient northern Israeli biblical kingdom.

• Tzfat old city tour - Continue your day in Tzfat, which sits at a higher altitude than any other city in Israel and has been known since the 16th century as a major center of Kabbala, Jewish mysticism. Tzfat’s mystical aura adds to its special status as one of Israel’s four holy cities, along with Jerusalem, Tiberias, and Hebron. The old synagogues, narrow alleyways and artists’ studios add to the hilltop city’s unmistakable charm.

• Lunch break in Tzfat - (meal not included)

• Afternoon magical ride in Agamon HaHula - The Hula Valley sits in part of the northern Syrian African Rift Valley which stretches as far south as Mozambique in Africa. Each migration season, over 500 million birds travel through the Hula Lake. This wetland paradise is the perfect stopover for small waterbirds, cormorants, heron, pelicans, raptors, storks, and cranes. Take a sunset bike ride or golf cart around the nature reserve.

• Optional: 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. Listen to the special instruments and hear about his personal story. This is fun for all ages.

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

• NORTH

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel & check-out

• Begin your day with a fun Horse Back Riding - With the beautiful views of the Galilee and the Kinneret, enjoy the lovely air and scenery on a horse back riding.

• Ein Keshatot ancient village - Also known as Um el Kanatir, this is a 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. The Ein Keshatot site also offers a visit to the village spring, which flows into ancient pools, surrounded by shaded areas.

• Light special lunch at Natur Dairy Cheese farm

• Tel Saki - overlook the Syrian-Israeli border - Get a geopolitical brief, understand better the strategic advantage of the Golan Heights, and learn about the heroic battles that took place here. Enter the army bunker and find your way out in the maze.

• Travel to Jerusalem & cehck-in to your hotel

• Dinner at a local restaurant - (on your own)

• Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Begin your visit to Jerusalem with a magnificent lookout from Tower of David Museum - The Tower of David Museum is located within the iconic citadel of Jerusalem and presents the city’s full story, emphasizing the importance of Jerusalem to Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It portrays the city’s relevance and its re-establishment as the capital of modern Israel.

• Continue to Mount Zion - The traditional site of the tomb of King David, holy to Jews, Christians, and Muslims. On the ground level are several Jewish synagogues. The second level the contains the Last Supper Room important to Christianity, where you can also find the remains of an old Muslim mosque.

• Tour of the Jewish Quarter - Enter from the Zion Gate and tour the Jewish Quarter. 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. Visit the Hurva Synogogue, which has been restored to its early splendor as the heart of a vibrant Jewish community.

• Lunch break at the Jewish Quarter - (meal not included)

• Herodian Quarter - Go down to a different layer and discover the wealthy quarter from the times of the Second Temple. See Mikveh, villas with beautiful decorations and even evidence to the fire and destruction of Jerusalem from 2,000 years ago.

• The Jerusalem Scribe - Kalman Gavriel Delmoor is a traditional Scribe with a modern lens. Through his unique perspectives and expertise in the ancient craft, Kalman brings the Torah to life in his art. Discover the fusion of artwork and tradition below. Meet Kalman, see him work, and learn about his mission.

• Take time to prayer and reflect at 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.

• Dinner at a local restaurant - (on your own, meal not included)

• Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Shtisel Tour and Jerusalem flavors - 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.

• Enjoy the Hussle and bustle, and the weekend's atmosphere in Jerusalem

• Rest and prep before Shabbat

• Recommended: experience Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel or at a local synogogue

• Shabbat dinner at the hotel OR with a local family

• Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Shabbat stroll and guided tour near the hotel - Walk through the earliest neighborhoods of modern Jerusalem, Mishkenot She'ananim and Yemin Moshe, guided by the writings of its poets and authors such as Yehuda Amichai and S.Y. Agnon. Enjoy the quaint alleyways and grand vistas of the Old City Walls as different perspectives of the old and the new mingle with our own.

• Optional: Museum for Islamic Art - Containing hundreds of objects representing the art of Islamic countries throughout the ages, the museum houses magnificent ceramic wares, figurines and tiles, as well as an outstanding collection of glass and metalwork, jewelry, and a selection of calligraphy, miniatures and textiles. In addition, a magnificent collection of antique clocks, watches, automata and music boxes is on display, including watches made by Breguet in Paris between 1769 and 1823. Site entry, guide and transfers are not included - can be arranged.

• Farewell dinner at a restaurant - (on your own, meal and transfers are not included)

• Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Begin with a tour of the Israel museum - Visit the unique collections and expansive grounds of the Israel Museum, the country’s national museum. Linger over the renowned international and Israeli art, the world’s most complete Judaica collections and the charming Billy Rose Sculpture Garden. You can also visit the Shrine of the Book, home to the exceptional archaeological finds of the Dead Sea Scrolls and other rare ancient manuscripts.

• Continue with a culinary tasting tour in Shuk Machne Yehuda - 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. (the tastings throughout the tour replaces lunch)

• Giving back opportunity at Pantry Packers - Pantry Packers helps feed Israelis who face nutrition insecurity in a number of ways. We deliver packages of non-perishable household food items to families. We pack and deliver ready-to-eat meals to seniors at home.

• Closure workshop at Kol Haot - 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

• Group transfer to Ben Gurion Airport and fly back home

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