CONGREGATION TORAT-EL • TRIP TO ISRAEL • LED BY RABBI AARON SCHONBRUN

N TORA O -MA T- I IL 22 Y 2, E T R 20 L A AP 2 EG 0 R G N O C THE ISRAEL TRIP

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New York: 500 7th Ave | 8th Floor | New York, NY 10018 Prague: Soukenicka 1194/13 | 110 00 Prague 1 | Czech Republic Jerusalem: 19 Washington Street | P.O. Box 71047 | Jerusalem, Israel 9171000 Tel Aviv: 6 Beit Hillel Street | Tel Aviv, Israel 6701709

YOUR TOUR EDUCATOR

Every journey we offer is accompanied by a Tour Educator (TE) who brings your itinerary to life. Some of our TE’s have decades of firsthand experience leading people to particular places.

Your TE will provide you with an authentic understanding of the locations you will visit, will introduce you to the locals, and will share his/her enthusiasm and passion for the local culture. The result is a journey that transforms your understanding of a place, connecting you to the people and places you encounter in a way that is palpable and unforgettable.

Our TE's are like no other: intelligent, knowledgeable, engaging and fun. They will become an indispensable part of your experience and some might just become lifetime friends. OUR TRIP

APRIL 22 – MAY 2, 2020

FROM $3,669 LAND ONLY

HIGHLIGHTS

ƒ Journey of connection and exploration

ƒ Behind the headlines: new perspectives on Israel

ƒ What is the relationship like between Jews in US and Israel?

ƒ Discover the Israeli Masorti movement

ƒ Shabbat in the holy city of Jerusalem

ƒ Experience mosaic and diversity of populations

ƒ Dialogue with scholars and thinkers on issues of the day

ƒ Celebrate Israel’s Independence Day in the north of Israel

ƒ Superb service and top-notch educator

DAY ONE  WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020 ƒ Going Under, Going Deeper: Explore the Western Wall Tunnel, the DEPARTURE underground continuation of the Kotel, and examine important archaeological discoveries that are revising our understanding of ƒ Depart the US. daily life in ancient Jerusalem. Overnight: Flight ƒ Take a walking tour through Jerusalem's Old City and the Jewish Quarter and experience the center of Jewish life, history, and DAY TWO  THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020 holiness. Among the highlights will be: ARRIVAL ƒ A walk along the rooftops that will provide an extraordinary ƒ Arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport. scene of multi-faith Jerusalem. From this one spot, we will see ƒ Individual transfers to Jerusalem. the domes of three great religious landmarks: The Church of ƒ Welcome to Jerusalem: Upon entering the vibrant and colorful the Holy Sepulchre (marking where Jesus is believed to have ancient city of Jerusalem, experience the convergence of the old been crucified); the Jewish Quarter's Hurva synagogue; and and the new. the Dome of the Rock, one of Islam's most sacred and beautiful ƒ Check into hotel. sites. ƒ Welcome to Israel! Welcome dinner at a local restaurant. ƒ The Cardo, the main street of Roman-controlled Jerusalem and its spectacular Byzantine-era columns. Overnight: Jerusalem ƒ King Hezekiah's Broad Wall, a massive wall built to protect DAY THREE  FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020 Jerusalem from invasion 2,700 years ago. THE LAYERS OF JERUSALEM ƒ Hurva Square, the center of modern-day life in the Jewish Quarter. ƒ Breakfast at an Israeli hotel is an experience in itself. Start the day ƒ “The Best Falafel in the World! Right Here in the Old City”: The with a bounteous buffet before departing the hotel. competition for the best street food in the Jewish Quarter is ƒ Meet your tour educator who will accompany you on this journey tough. Check out the contestants with lunch (not included in of education and inspiration. package). ƒ Together at the Wall: Celebrate Rosh Chodesh with a pluralistic ƒ Return to the hotel prayer service at Ezrat Israel. This space for egalitarian prayer at ƒ Kabbalat Shabbat services at Kehillat Zion, led by Rabbi Tamar Judaism's holiest remaining site, the Kotel (Western Wall), was Appelbaum. only established after great struggle and sacrifice. We'll join ƒ Dinner at the hotel. Women of the Wall, leaders in the struggle, in welcoming the arrival of the new month with a service of joy and togetherness. Overnight: Jerusalem DAY FOUR  SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2020 DAY FIVE  SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2020 THE CITY OF SHABBAT MEMORY NEAR AND FAR ƒ Breakfast at the hotel. ƒ Breakfast at the hotel. ƒ Shabbat services at one of the many local Jerusalem synagogues. ƒ The Holocaust and Israel Today: Talk with scholar Shlomo Balsam ƒ Lunch at the hotel. on how the memory of the Holocaust continues to influence the ƒ Yemin Moshe and Mishkenot Sha'ananim: Get to know the great country, its politics, and its people. banker and philanthropist Sir Moses Montefiore as you explore Option 1: the pastoral neighborhoods, the famous windmill, and the artists' ƒ Visit Yad Vashem, the national memorial to the six million Jewish colony that he developed, which transformed Jerusalem in the victims of the Holocaust, an essential emotional and educational 19th En route, view two of modern Jerusalem's most storied experience. Your guided tour will include: and important landmarks: the King David Hotel and the YMCA ƒ The Avenue of the Righteous, where trees symbolic of the building. renewal of life have been planted along with plaques honoring ƒ A Mountain Holy to Many: Experience the overlapping religions brave non-Jews who saved Jews during the Shoah. and the complexity of inter-religious relations at Mt. Zion. The site ƒ The Historical Museum, a state-of-the-art interactive display is venerated by Christians as the location of Jesus's Last Supper reflecting decades of research and educational expertise. The but was once a mosque while, in a room directly below, Jews pray story of the Holocaust, with an emphasis on individual victims, is at the place where King David is believed to have been buried. told through survivor testimonies, original artifacts, and personal ƒ Return to the hotel. possessions saved from the ghettos and camps. ƒ Ben Kodesh Lechol: Havdallah overlooking the Old City. ƒ The Children's Memorial, where candles shine like stars in the sky to ƒ Stroll along the Ben Yehuda Street and Nahalat Shiva pedestrian commemorate the 1.5 million children lost during the Holocaust. malls, joining the many Israelis out on the town, with dinner (not Option 2: included in package). ƒ View the vibrant Chagall stained-glass windows in the synagogue of Hadassah Hospital, Ein Kerem. The artist was inspired by the Overnight: Jerusalem Bible and Jacob's death-bed blessings of his twelve sons - the ancestors of the tribes of Israel. ƒ Explore the wonderfully creative Israel Museum, with its eclectic collection, ranging from archaeology and the Dead Sea Scrolls to Jewish life and art, European art, contemporary Israeli art, and the open-air model of Jerusalem in the Second Temple period. All: to have made their final attempt to resist Roman invaders (c 74 ƒ Explore the colorful and ethnically diverse Mahane Yehuda Shuk CE) before committing mass suicide. We'll learn about Masada's (market) of Jerusalem, with lunch (not included in package). importance as a symbol of Jewish defense and discuss its ƒ 1 City, 2 States, 3 Religions, and 4 Quarters: Take a ride on influence on modern Israel. Jerusalem's light rail, starting at the Pisgat Ze'ev neighborhood, ƒ Lunch in Kibbutz Ein Gedi, a lush oasis in the middle of the Judean continuing through the Arab villages of Shuafat and Beit Hanina desert. and the ultra-Orthodox area of Ramot Eshkol, and ending at the ƒ We'll drive by Qumran, where a separatist Jewish sect from the Old City. Experience the mosaic and diversity of the Jerusalem Second Temple period created an isolated community and where population and discuss the difference between East and West the Dead Sea Scrolls, some of the most ancient and important Jerusalem and the ongoing struggles between the city's different religious manuscripts in existence, were discovered. communities. ƒ The Sea of Salt: Float into happiness at the Dead Sea. Not much ƒ Return to the hotel. can live or swim in what is the saltiest piece of water in the world, ƒ Free time in the Mamilla pedestrian arcade, a contemporary nine times saltier than the ocean, but the weightless feeling of shopping area with a touch of the past, located outside the Jaffa floating is great fun. Gate of the Old City. This is a great place for dinner (not included ƒ Return to Jerusalem. in package). Option 2: ƒ Breakfast at the hotel. Overnight: Jerusalem ƒ The Geopolitics of Jerusalem: Travel through the city of Jerusalem, DAY SIX  MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2020 exploring some of its political and diplomatic complexities - INTO THE DESERT: MASADA & THE DEAD SEA including the Security Barrier - to gain a behind-the-headlines insight into current developments. Option 1: ƒ Visit the Museum on the Seam, dedicated to tolerance and ƒ Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before setting out to explore showcasing points of conflict within Israeli society. the Dead Sea ƒ Lunch (not included in the package), en route. ƒ As Low as It Goes: We'll drive to the Dead Sea Basin, 1412 feet ƒ Return to the hotel. below sea level and the lowest place on earth. The desert, the ƒ Educating for Peace & Coexistence: Dialogue with Yakir Englander, landscape, and the views are breathtaking. Vice President of the international Kids4Peace organization. ƒ The Last Stand: Take the cable car to the top of Masada with its Founded in Jerusalem in 2002, Kids4Peace is a global movement extraordinary views and fascinating archaeological remains. This of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim youth, dedicated to ending UNESCO World Heritage Site is where Jewish rebels are believed conflict and inspiring hope in divided societies around the world. ƒ Enjoy a gourmet vegetarian lunch (not included in package) at Tour the Jerusalem campus and gain insight into their successes the Ein Camonim farm and restaurant, renowned for their award- and the challenges they face. winning goat cheeses. All: ƒ Perhaps it's the combination of mysticism and art, and maybe it's ƒ Early dinner at the hotel. the mountain air in Israel's highest city; entering Tsfat, there is a ƒ A Time to Mourn… We'll join a local ceremony marking the sense of something uniquely Jewish but not quite of this world. beginning of Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day) and stand in silent Here, you'll: tribute to Israel's fallen soldiers and civilian victims of terror. ƒ Visit the Ari Synagogue and share in the inspiration and innovation that moved Rabbi Isaac Luria (the Holy Ari) and Overnight: Jerusalem his fellow mystics. In Tsfat they developed the Kabbalah, the DAY SEVEN  TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020 esoteric insights of Judaism and created Kabbalat Shabbat, the MEMORIAL DAY prayers sung on Friday evenings to welcome the arrival of the FROM THE HILLS OF JERUSALEM TO THE HILLS Sabbath. OF THE NORTH ƒ See the Caro Synagogue, built originally, like the Ari, in the 16th It is where Rabbi Joseph Caro, one of the greatest of all Jewish ƒ Breakfast at the hotel, followed by check-out legal authorities, taught and lived. Hear the story of how he was ƒ As we drive north on the Trans-Israel Highway, there will be plenty visited here by a maggid, an angelic messenger, who revealed of opportunities to see the Security Barrier which runs along the secrets of the Torah. seam zone between Israel and the Palestinian territories and to ƒ Walk through the cobbled streets and alleyways to the Artists' learn about the barrier's effects on Israeli security and Palestinian Colony with its galleries, shops, and studios. communities. ƒ Drive to the hotel, check in, and enjoy dinner. ƒ Get Holistic, Get Herbal: Bara Herbs is using plants mentioned in ƒ …And a Time for Joy: As Memorial Day finishes, the country the Bible to get into the international market for herbal medicines. quickly moves into party mode for Yom Ha'Atzmaut (Israel's See how the combination of Israeli plants, Chinese medical Independence Day). We'll join the crowds as the nation celebrates, knowledge, and Western herbalism is creating natural medicines, with pride and happiness, the State of Israel and all it has food additives, and cosmetics. We'll also experience how healthy achieved. can be delicious with a smoothie-making workshop. ƒ 11 a.m. Moment of Silence: Stand, once again, with Israel as the Overnight: Kibbutz Hotel, Upper Galilee sirens ring out and the nation mourns and recalls the soldiers and citizens who fell. “Sabra, the Hebrew name for prickly pear cactus fruit, fruit of the nopale cactus, native to Mexico, now endemic in the Middle East.” From Wikipedia

DAY EIGHT  WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020 ƒ Meet with Rabbi Dubi Hayun, who heads the Masorti Moriah YOM HAATZMA'UT Synagogue in Haifa, for a dialogue about Israel as a Jewish and SERENITY AND SECURITY IN THE GOLAN democratic state and the role of the conservative movement in the country. ƒ Breakfast at the hotel. ƒ Lunch (not included in package), en route. ƒ Visit a military base on the Golan Heights (pending confirmation). ƒ From the top of Mount Carmel view the Baha'i Gardens and gold- ƒ Northern Borders, Northern Battles: We'll gaze across the Golan and domed Shrine of the Bab, one of the holiest sites of the Baha'i into Syria from the top of Mount Bental and gain powerful insights religion. into Israel's geopolitical and security situation. Analyze the current ƒ Visit the Yemin Orde Youth Village, one of Israel's most innovative challenges Israel faces on its northern border, examine the impact educational institutions, specializing in integrating new of the tragic civil war in Syria, and hunker down in bunkers from the immigrant youth into Israeli society. Dialogue with faculty and vital battles that took place here during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. students. ƒ Israeli-style picnic barbecue lunch for Yom Ha'atzmaut. ƒ Drive to Tel Aviv, also known as “the city that never sleeps.” ƒ Visit the Katzrin Talmudic Village and explore its archaeological A place of sun and fun, its centers of culture and history are remains, including the partially reconstructed synagogue and complemented by great beaches, stores and entertainment. homes from a thriving ancient Jewish community. ƒ Check into the hotel. ƒ Visit the award-winning Golan Heights Winery, located in Katzrin, ƒ The City at Night: Tel Aviv's food scene is on fire with world-class which launched its first wines in 1984 and has since become chefs and a huge range of happening restaurants. See and taste world renowned; wine tasting is included. for yourself during a free evening with dinner (not included in ƒ Return to the hotel for dinner. package). Afterward, those who love the nightlife can sample the Overnight: Kibbutz Hotel, Upper Galilee city's bar, club, and café culture or stroll along the refurbished promenade and port. DAY NINE  THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2020 ƒ (Optional) Dinner (not included in package) at Blackout, a FROM SEA TO SEA restaurant completely in the dark, at the Nalaga'at deaf and blind ƒ Breakfast at the hotel, followed by check-out. theater group home. ƒ A Time to Glean: Pick your way to a better world as we join the Overnight: Tel Aviv volunteer organization Leket Israel for a hands-on Tikkun Olam opportunity. We'll harvest fruit and vegetables that will be donated to the needy. DAY TEN  FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 ƒ Kabalat Shabbat at Neve Schechter, a Masorti synagogue in the TEL AVIV: THE FIRST HEBREW CITY heart of Tel Aviv - with an Israeli-Italian rabbi and members who hail from every continent - the congregation has a rich, vibrant, ƒ Breakfast at the hotel. and diverse tradition of Jewish worship and community life. ƒ A Culture of Creativity: Talk with technology journalist Viva Sarah ƒ Dinner at the hotel. Press about how tiny Israel is playing a giant role in hi-tech. We'll hear the personal stories behind the Start-Up Nation and find Overnight: Tel Aviv out why Israeli innovation (and chutzpah) is changing the hi-tech world and our lives. DAY ELEVEN  SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020 ƒ Ascend from the port of Old Jaffa through the renovated DREAMERS AND PIONEERS IN TEL AVIV alleyways to the Jaffa Overlook for an introduction to Tel Aviv at ƒ Breakfast at the hotel. the place where it all began. ƒ (Optional) Shabbat services at one of the many local Tel Aviv ƒ Walk through Jaffa's famous flea market - Shuk Hapishpeshim. synagogues. ƒ From Hebrew City to Hebrew State: Walk along the newly opened ƒ Lunch at the hotel. Independence Trail and embark on a remarkable journey that ƒ Neve Zedek was one of Tel Aviv's first neighborhoods as the begins with the founding of Tel Aviv in 1909 and ends with the city grew outside of Jaffa. Stroll through this stylish area with its establishment of Israel in 1948. boutiques, galleries, and the Suzanne Dellal Center, Israel's world- ƒ Stroll down the Nahalat Binyamin pedestrian mall, with its bi- class home of contemporary dance. weekly craft fair and eateries. Alongside is the colorful Carmel ƒ Return to the hotel. open-air market. ƒ Seudat Shlishit at the hotel. ƒ What's Going on in Bohemian Tel Aviv? Join an expert on Tel Aviv's ƒ Ben Kodesh Lechol: Havdallah on the Tel Aviv beach. alternative scene for an urban adventure. Explore the latest street ƒ Late check-out. art, slang, and graffiti and find out what they reveal about life, ƒ Check out and transfer to Ben Gurion International Airport for ideas, and ideology in Israel's cultural capital. your return flight to the US. ƒ Return to the hotel Overnight: Flight

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