JCC of Greater Washington
All Access Adults Trip to Israel MAY 16-26, 2016 ITINERARY
shalom!
Join the JCC family and embark on a journey to Israel. The trip will include many of the popular sites – such as the Western Wall and Masada, but also give you the opportunity to go off the beaten track. You will be cared for and looked after by staff from your JCC together with your experienced tour educator Joe Freedman, who will open up for you windows into Israel. Please be aware that while the program has been tailor made for relatively active seniors, it does involve walking and climbing stairs and a full and exciting itinerary. In some cases we have offered more active and less active options. Please note: Some meals or items indicated in the program are at the participant’s expense. The program is subject to change.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Debbie W. Sokobin Director, Senior Adult Programs | JCC of Greater Washington dsokobin@jccgw.org | (301) 348-3760
Stephen P. Seiden, Chair Dr. Stephen Hazan Arnoff, President & CEO Leah Garber, Vice President and Director, JCC Israel Center Sara Sless, Assistant Director, JCC Israel Center Shira Lupiansky Hasson, Boarding Pass Associate, JCC Israel Center 520 Eighth Avenue, 4th fl. | New York, NY 10018 tel: 212-532-4949 | fax: (212) 481-4174 JCC Israel Center Solomon & Mary Litt Building 12 Moshe Hess Street | Jerusalem, 94185, ISRAEL tel: 011-972-2-625-1265 | fax: 011-972-2-624-7767 jcca.org
Program developed and implemented by the JCC Association Israel Center together with Routes
ITINERARY Day 1 – Depart USA for Israel Monday, May 16th, 2016
Day 2 – Arrive in Israel Tuesday, May 17th, 2016
Travel from Ben Gurion Airport up to Jerusalem. Enjoy a Shehechiyanu welcome ceremony upon arriving in Jerusalem and program orientation.
MORNING 10:15 am
Arrival in Tel Aviv on United Airlines #84 Guided visit to Neot Kedumim, Israel’s Biblical nature for short guided visit around the nature reserve, welcoming brunch and tree planting)
AFTERNOON
Travel up to Jerusalem and check-in at Dan Boutique Hotel
EVENING 7:00 p.m
Depart for overview of old and new Jerusalem from the Hass Promenade and Shehechiyanu (blessing of gratitude) on arriving in Israel Dinner at Jerusalem restaurant (in private room) Overnight –Dan Boutique, Jerusalem
Day 3 – Layers of Jerusalem Wednesday, May 18th, 2016
A look at the historical layers of Jerusalem, while walking through the Old City. Learn about how the city is central to the worlds’ three major religions.
MORNING 9:00 a.m.
Depart for a guided walk through the Old City of Jerusalem focusing on the Jewish Quarter - including the Kotel (Western Wall) and the Western Wall Tunnels
1:00 p.m
TRACK 1: Depart for guided visit to selected exhibits at the Israel Museum including the wing for Jewish Life and Art TRACK 2: Return to hotel to relax
EVENING 5:00 p.m
Lunch on own in Old City and some shopping time in the Arab market
Free time
AFTERNOON 2:30 p.m.
Dinner followed by Sound and Light Show at Jaffa Gate
Drive by some of the symbols of the modern city – the Knesset, Supreme Court
7:00 pm
Overnight –Dan Boutique, Jerusalem
Participants can choose preferred track:
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Day 4 – The Dead Sea and Masada – Desert Experience Thursday, May 19th, 2016
The landscape of the desert reveals its many secrets, beauty and legends on a colorful journey today.
MORNING 8:00 a.m.
Depart for the Dead Sea. Take the cable car up Masada for a guided tour of the extensive excavations. Learn about Herod’s fortress and discuss what it means for Jewish survival then and now
1:30 p.m.
*Lunch on own at Masada food court followed by departure to Dead Sea spa
3:00 p.m.
Dip and float in the Dead Sea and enjoy the Dead Sea mud or just relax or order a massage (massage at own expense) Tie- in discussion
5:30 p.m.
Depart for desert experience: dinner followed by drumming circle under the stars Overnight –Dan Boutique, Jerusalem
Day 5 – Memory and Commemoration Friday, May 20th, 2016
Today we will look at how Israel remembers the Holocaust and experience the change of pace as the city of Jerusalem prepares for Shabbat.
MORNING 9:00 a.m.
Depart for Yad Vashem – Israel’s Holocaust Museum for a guided tour with tour educator
12:00 p.m.
EVENING 6:00 p.m.
Depart for the Western Wall for Kabbalat Shabbat and to enjoy the change of atmosphere as Jerusalem prepares for Shabbat
Short guided visit to Mount Herzl cemetery – to the graves of the nation’s leaders and those of the soldiers who are buried there
7:30 p.m.
AFTERNOON 1:30 p.m.
Overnight –Dan Boutique Hotel,
* Lunch on own and free time on Ben Yehuda pedestrian mall or Mamilla
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Shabbat Dinner with lone soldiers serving in the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) at the Michael Levin Lone Soldier center Jerusalem
Day 6 – Shabbat
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 Experience and celebrate Shabbat as a Jerusalemite – whether in services, relaxing in one of the city’s many parks or meeting friends.
MORNING
5:30 p.m.
TRACK 2: Shabbat services at local synagogue
EVENING 7:30 pm
TRACK 1: Free morning to relax or meet up with friends and family
1:00 p.m.
Enjoy optional walk at Yemin Moshe neighborhood
Tie in discussion followed by Havdallah
Shabbat lunch at hotel
Dinner on own and free evening
AFTERNOON 4:00 p.m.
Overnight –Dan Boutique Hotel,
Israel Update – update about current events in Israel with journalist, Matti Friedman (at hotel)
Jerusalem
Day 7 – Tastes and Smells of Israel Sunday, May 22nd, 2016
As we travel to Israel’s Northern region we will expose all of our senses will explore the sights, tastes, and smells of Israel.
MORNING
AFTERNOON 1:00 p.m.
Check-out and breakfast
9:00 a.m.
Depart hotel and travel North
Enjoy a wine and chocolate tasting at the Tishbi Winery in Zichron Yaakov.
11:00 a.m.
Lunch on your own in Zichron Yaakov.
Visit Utopia Orchid Park, one of Israel’s newest attractions, and enjoy its tropical rainforest and botanical garden.
-OR“Israel in the 21st Century” - Visit to one of Israel’s hi-tech companies to learn about how Israel has become known as the Start-Up Nation
-ORPossible opportunity to visit the Mekorot visitor center to learn about Israeli technology and innovation for water resource management
4:00 p.m.
“A Window into Israeli Arab Culinary World,” depart for culinary workshop through Galileat followed by eating the fruit of your labors over an early dinner
EVENING 7:00 p.m.
Continue on to Kibbutz Lavi and checkin at hotel Overnight – Hotel Lavi, Kibbutz Lavi
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Day 8 – Northern Communities and Borders Monday, May 23rd, 2016
A chance to explore some of the different communities of the North – the kibbutz, the mystical city of Tsfat and the communities of the Golan Heights.
MORNING 9:00 a.m.
AFTERNOON 1:00 p.m.
10:00 a.m.
Drive to the Golan Heights for an overview of the border with Syria and learn about the issues of security and water in Northern Israel
Guided visit around the kibbutz with kibbutz member and learn about the changes the kibbutz has undergone in recent years, and what makes it such a special community Travel to Tsfat and enjoy a guided visit of the synagogues in Tsfat and free time to enjoy the art galleries *Lunch on own in Tsfat
Travel to the Hula Valley Nature Reserve for a tour by golf cart or bicycle.
Return to the Kibbutz for dinner Overnight – Hotel Lavi, Kibbutz Lavi
Day 9 – Jewish Life in Roman times to Modern Life Tuesday, May 24th, 2016
Travel south by way of Tsippori for a look at Jewish life under Roman rule and arrive in the modern Hebrew City of Tel Aviv
MORNING 9:00 am
Check-out and depart for Tsippori National Park Guided visit to the excavations in Tsippori, which includes the extensive mosaics and what has become known as the Mona Lisa of the north Travel south
AFTERNOON 1:30 PM
Lunch on own and free time at the arts and crafts fair on Nachalat Binyamin and the Carmel market
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4:00 pm
Check-in to hotel and time to rest
EVENING 6:00 pm
Enjoy optional walk on beach promenade Dinner in Tel Aviv or Jaffa Overnight – Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv
Day 10– Tel Aviv – Modern Hebrew City (erev Lag B’Omer) Wednesday, May 25th, 2016
A look at Tel Aviv, the first Hebrew City, where the State of Israel was proclaimed.
MORNING 9:00 a.m.
From Jaffa to Tel Aviv – a guided walk and ride from the Old City of Jaffa through the early neighborhood of Neve Zedek and the beginnings of the modern city of Tel Aviv.
11:00 am
Guided visit to Independence hall where the State of Israel was proclaimed in 1948
-orVisit to the Palmach museum which tells the story of the Palmach brigade fighting during the war of Independence
AFTERNOON 12:30 p.m.
TRACK 1: Lunch on own and time to relax on the Tel Aviv promenade TRACK 2: Lunch on own and visit the new food and culture complex at Sarona
EVENING 5:00 p.m.
Meet up for Wrap up discussion followed by dinner (in private room)
8:00 p.m.
Depart for airport for evening flight to the US
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