The Temple Israel Family Trip- June 2024

Activities:

• Arrival at Ben Gurion airport. - VIP services and transfer to the Jerusalem hotel available upon request.

• Begin the trip with Shehechiyanu from a magnificent lookout - Gather with your guide to meet and say Shehechiyanu to bless the beginning of your journey together in Israel! Enjoy a 360° panoramic view from atop an ancient guard tower at Tower of David grounds. This is where the entire Old City, new Jerusalem, Mount of Olives, Mount Scopus, the Judean Desert and the Moab Mountains of Jordan, will be at your feet.

• Welcome dinner at Hatzot (or similar) - Hatzot is a part of Jerusalem’s history. Two brothers, Abraham and Michael Ajami, founded this landmark family restaurant in 1970. Legend has it that Meurav Yerushalmi - the favorite Israeli mixed grill dish - was born at Hatzot Restaurant.

• Jerusalem- Orient 5*, Ibis 4*

Activities:

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

• Look out at the 360° panoramic view from atop an ancient guard tower at the Tower of David - This is the only place in Jerusalem where the entire Old City, new Jerusalem, Mount of Olives, Mount Scopus, the Judean Desert and the Moab Mountains of Jordan, will be at your feet.

• Take a Multicultural Tour of the Old City - Tour Jerusalem’s Old City and meet the people and places that make this place so unique. In the Jewish Quarter, uncover the layers of Jewish history from the time of the First Temple until the present day. In the Christian Quarter, visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and, if conditions permit, visit one of the holiest Muslim sites, the Temple Mount. Throughout the tour explore the complexity of a city that is holy to the three major religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Visit the Kotel Tunnels and the Davidson Center, time permitting.

• Hummous lunch in the Old City

• Meet the Jerusalem Scribe - Kalman Gavriel Delmoor may be a traditional Scribe, but through his unique perspective and expertise in the ancient craft, Kalman brings the Torah to life through his art. Meet Kalman, see him work, and learn about his mission.

• Free time on the popular Ben Yehuda Street

• Kabbalat Shabbat with your group and time to reflect on the day

• Shabbat Dinner at the hotel

• Jerusalem- Orient 5*, Ibis 4*

Activities:

• Packed breakfast and early departure - Because of the heat, we will depart early for Masada.

• Ascend Masada by cable car - Explore Masada, scene of the epic stand taken 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.

• Continue to a 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 'swim' in the Dead Sea.

• Return to Jerusalem to rest and hang out

• Join together Havdalah at the Montefiore Windmill with it's stunning overview of the Old City - One of Jerusalem’s iconic landmarks, the Montefiore windmill was originally a flour mill, built in the 19th century by British philanthropist Moses Montefiore to help the Jews of the Old Yishuv support themselves. Today the windmill houses Montefiore’s golden coach, as part of a small museum about his projects to support Jewish life in the Holy Land.

• Evening on your own

• Optional-Tower of David Sound and Light Show - Amidst the archaeological remains in the David Citadel courtyard, the story of Jerusalem unfolds through virtual reality images. The Night Spectacular uses trompe l'oeil technology – the stones of the walls and structures fade into the scenes and the viewers are part of a multi-sensory experience.

• Jerusalem- Orient 5*, Ibis 4*

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel and check out

• Begin the day at Lifeline for the Old / Yad LaKashish - Yad LaKashish is a non-profit organization empowering and supporting nearly 300 elderly Jerusalem residents on a daily basis by providing them with creative work opportunities in artistic workshops.

• Continue to Yad Vashem - Visit the museum at Yad Vashem, Israel’s National Memorial to the Holocaust. Tour this memorial to the darkest moment in the world and Jewish history, its children’s memorial, and exquisite gardens. Yad Vashem is an unforgettable place of tribute and remembrance. You'll be guided by a member of the Yad Vashem staff.

• For younger children, enjoy the Jerusalem Zoo - The Tisch Family Zoological Gardens in Jerusalem is one of the most beautiful and relaxing places in Jerusalem. The vast grounds and beautiful landscape along with the wide selection of animals make this a MUST SEE for kids and adults.

• Lunch at Cafe Shalva - Shalva is a Jerusalem based organization that provides services to children with special needs and their families. Graduates of Shalva work at the café, and the café’s profits go back to the center to support its programs.

• Volunteer at Metzilot Hamazon - 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.

• Machane Yehuda Market- something for everyone! - In the heart of Jerusalem sits this bustling, multi-ethnic market bursting with life, art, and flavor. Immerse yourself in the world of Middle Eastern cuisine as you indulge in a tasting tour through Machane Yehuda Market. Learn about the market's rich history, and meet the vendors who bring this place to life, as you experience the vibrant energy unique to this iconic culinary destination.

• Adults- Tastings at Thinkers Distillery - "At Thinkers we maintain pace with all the new developments and painstakingly connect the old together with the new to fulfill our mission of taking spirits further. Our Jerusalem distillery is part research library, part chemistry lab, part advanced technology workshop, part mind and behavior study center, part design studio, and 100% passion. It’s not easy, but we will never put any product into a bottle unless we are convinced that is has been furthered in every way into the best in class."

• Kids- taste the sweets of the market

• Pizza dinner in the park

• Jerusalem- Orient 5*, Ibis 4*

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel - Check out of the hotel

• Depart Jerusalem

• (Optional) B'nei Mitzvah at Beit Guvrin - Not included

• Dig for a Day at Beit Guvrin - Explore Beit Guvrin National Park where you will be able to take part in an archeological dig. The caves of Beit Guvrin hold a rich trove of artifacts that visitors like you have uncovered over the years. Don’t forget to check out the amazing Bell Caves too.

• Beta Yisrael Ethiopian Meal and personal story - The Beta Israel Village Project is a unique social-educational center on the outskirts of Kiryat Gat, which combines agricultural and educational activities with the intent of preserving Jewish-Ethiopian heritage and establishing it as a sustainable national asset. Eat traditional food and meet with one of the staff to hear their family personal Aliya story - the journey to Israel, and hear about the beautiful unique traditions as well as the challenges in acclimating to the new country.

• Drive north and check into the hotel

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

• North- Isrotel Gomeh Hotel 5*, Kfar Blum 4* - Isrotel Gomeh Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Banias National Park - Take a refreshing walk around the Banias, one of Israel’s most beautiful nature reserves. The Banias Spring feeds into the Jordan River, the reserve’s large waterfall tumbles down a 33-foot precipice year-round, and a nearby cave houses remains of a temple to the Greek god Pan. In the wars of 1948 and 1967, when the Golan was held by Syria, the site housed a Syrian officers’ club.

• Jeep tour along the border in the Golan - 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 strategic role this region has for the State of Israel. Your local guide touches upon 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.

• Time for a lunch stop on your own

• Children's Track: Chocolate Workshop - Learn the art of chocolate making at the DeKarina Chocolate workshop on Kibbutz Ein Zivan in the Golan Heights. Taste some of the finest chocolate in Israel and then make some of your own to take home.

• Adult's Track: Winery visit and tastings - The Pelter Winery was established in 2005 and is a study in Terroir. Taste the wines made from grapes grown on the rich Golan soil and hear the story of the winery.

• Rafting Adventure and zipline into the Jordan River - During this exciting rafting adventure along the Jordan River, we'll row through one of the most beautiful spots in Israel. Here you will be amongst the plants, trees, and waterfalls in the middle of this beautiful Galilee nature reserve. At the end of the route you'll have the opportunity to get down to the Jordan River by a zipline for a real fun experience!

• Dinner at the hotel

• Evening Drum Circle

• North- Isrotel Gomeh Hotel 5*, Kfar Blum 4* - Isrotel Gomeh Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Check out from the hotel

• Havat Rom - Visit this magical organic farm, located on a mountain with a beautiful view of Meron Mountain. This is an agricultural organic farm, where they use ancient knowledge along with modern tools, in an attempt to find the balance between humans and nature. Enjoy a delicious 'farm-to-table' meal from the fresh produce and excellent cheese, tour the farm and visit the goats.

• Kibbutz experience at Kfar Masaryk - We'll eat lunch in the Kibbutz dining room. Continue with The Secrets of the Kibbutz Miracle, an experiential tour of kibbutz life. The beautifully renovated original kibbutz buildings provide visitors with a glimpse of early 1940s kibbutz living – the pioneers (Halutzim), clothes, rooms, and pastime culture.

• Tour of the magnificent Caesarea National Park - On the Mediterranean coast, Caesarea National Park is one of Israel’s most impressive archeological sites. Here, amazing ancient harbor ruins, beautiful beaches, and majestic modern residences sit side-by-side. It was Caesarea where King Herod built a large port in honor of Emperor Augustus Caesar 2,000 years ago. Visit the Roman Theater, Herod’s palace, the walled Crusader town with its galleries and restaurants and Caesarea’s latest attraction, the Time Trek, a fascinating multimedia presentation.

• Dinner at Jem's Restaurant and Brewery - Jems beer factory

• Travel to Tel Aviv and check in to your hotel

• Tel Aviv- Carlton 5*, Crown Plaza Beach 4*

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• 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. 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.

• Peres Center for Peace and Innovation - The Peres Center for Peace and Innovation is 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.

• Carmel Market Tasting Tour Lunch - 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)

• Walk the Independence Trail - 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.

• Dinner on your own with your family

• Tel Aviv- Carlton 5*, Crown Plaza Beach 4*

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Visit the Ayalon Institute - This clandestine ammunitions factory was built in 1945 by the Haganah. In just three weeks, preparations for the factory were completed and it was code-named the Ayalon Institute. Above ground, it appeared to be no more than a kibbutz. However, located eight meters below ground, this was the country's largest bullet factory. It has been said that the bullets manufactured at the Ayalon Institute played a crucial role in the success of the War of Independence.

• Nahalat Binyamin Arts and Crafts Market with time for lunch on your own - Visit Nachalat Binyamin, an open-air market in the heart of Tel-Aviv that has become synonymous with quality Israeli crafts and folk art. The market is comprised of over 100 stands representing specialty crafts and folk art in virtually every medium imaginable: wood, stone, sand, glass, ceramics, and various metals with most if not all containing materials or themes found only in Israel.

• Surfing lesson with Hagal Sheli (My Wave) - Hagal Sheli is an NGO that uses surfing as a vehicle for personal development and advancement. In 2012 Omer and Yaron, educational entrepreneurs and avid surfers, developed a unique surfing program for transforming the lives of youth-at-risk. Their mission: Empower youth to never give up, to continue to pursue their dreams and to ultimately succeed: ‘In the ocean, as in life’. Must be age 11 and up to participate.

• Prepare for Shabbat

• Kabbalah Shabbat at Beit Tefilah Israeli or other

• Shabbat Dinner

• Tel Aviv- Carlton 5*, Crown Plaza Beach 4*

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Shabbat services as a community - This can be at the hotel or alternatively, you may join the services at a local progressive community.

• - OR - Morning at leisure - enjoy the hotel's facilities and beach - Optional activities during your free time: contact us for further information
  - bike along the beach promenade - tour is available
  - private surfing lesson
  - Jaffa Flea Market
  - A visit to Ayalon Institute Bullet Factory in Rehovot

• Graffiti Tour - Enjoy a creative Graffiti workshop in the trendy neighborhood of Florentin, and experience fun and artistic freedom. Discover new and daring Israeli Graffiti Artists that are gaining recognition around the world.

• Shabbat Brunch - Indulge in a Jewish Shabbat Brunch. Enjoy the variety of classic ethnic foods that are part of the Shabbat day meal and learn about the heritage and stories behind the diverse Jewish communities.

• Free time

• Celebratory Final Dinner and Havdalah

• Transfer to the airport