SECOND TIMERS FOR ACTIVE SENIORS Personally escorted by Susan Blum and guided by Meir More

NOVEMBER 7-20, 2017 5/1/2017 4:27 PM

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7 Departure via 028 at 115pm. Arrival in at 650am. Meet the guide at the airport. Neot Kedumim – arrival around 830am. You will be taken on a tour of this beautiful Biblical landscape. Visit the ancient cistern, oil press and wine press. Get familiar with typical biblical plants of the forest of Milk and Honey and the Land of Seven Species. Draw water from the cistern, prepare a condiment from Hyssop and plant a tree! We will enjoy a light snack made from the biblical foods. Lunch along the way (pay on own) in Modiin, a relatively new city in between Tel Aviv WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8 and made of many neighborhoods. Shehecheyanu upon arrival in Jerusalem at the overlook at Mt Scopus. Enjoy the magnificent view of Jerusalem Festive Welcome Dinner at Darna – a fabulous Moroccan restaurant. (4 minute walk from the hotel) Overnight – Jerusalem – Herbert Samuel

Davidson Center – The Davidson Center helps visitors appreciate what Jerusalem looked like in the late Second Temple Period (1st century) through a combination of exhibitions of artifacts, illustrations, interactive multimedia, and its highlight, a virtual reality reconstruction of the on the eve of its destruction. There are two short files which are continuously screened: “The History of the Archaeological Research in Jerusalem” and “A Pilgrim’s Story”. Of particular interest are the coin collections and the probable implications – showing the importance of Jerusalem. Chain of Generations Center – Fifty-five exciting minutes of an unforgettable experience – a special journey following the secret of the Jewish people’s existence; with special effects and an amazing view of the Western Wall. This is a museum that fuses contemporary glasswork art with thousands of years of Jewish history. Crafted by the internationally acclaimed glass artist Jeremy Langford, the exhibit uses nearly 150 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9 tons of shining glass to tell the story of a nation. Tour - This tour deals with the essence of democracy and the role and responsibilities of the Knesset, and also relates to the principle art works in the Knesset building. The tour stops include: The Knesset Committee Rooms, the Plenary Chamber, the Chagall Hall, and the display of the Declaration of Independence. Food tasting at Machane Yehuda market - the largest and busiest outdoor market in all of Israel. Buy all sorts of fresh fruit and vegetables and experience the excitement as everyone prepares for Shabbat. It is widely recognized as a symbol of Jerusalem. Jerusalemites see it as a place that represents them, symbolizes them, and gives them a unique identity in a larger Israeli social context. Dinner on your own Overnight – Jerusalem – Herbert Samuel Menachem Begin Heritage Center. This museum pays tribute to former Israeli Prime Minister and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Menachem Begin. Move from room to room with headsets and hear stories of the great leader. Yemin Moshe walking tour - Created as a solution to the overcrowding within the old city walls, this area is now an upscale Jewish neighborhood surrounded by gardens and a panoramic view of the old city walls. King David Hotel Bombing discussion – head to the King David Hotel, the site of a FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10 bombing attack against the British government of Palestine by members of Irgun, a militant Zionist organization. Tomb of King Herod – located in Herodium, tour the tomb of the legendary builder of ancient Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Shabbat dinner at your hotel. Overnight – Jerusalem – Herbert Samuel

Shabbat. At leisure Optional Tour to Masada and Dead Sea available (Call for information) Masada – Masada (Hebrew for “fortress”) is a place of gaunt and majestic beauty that has become one of the Jewish people’s greatest symbols as the place where the last Jewish stronghold against Roman invasion stood. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11 Dead Sea – the Dead Sea is a landlocked salt lake located between Israel and Jordan. The Dead Sea is the world’s lowest point at 394 meters below sea level. Enjoy floating in the highly salinated water and pamper yourself using the world-renowned Dead Sea mud. Dinner on your own Overnight – Jerusalem – Herbert Samuel

Departure for the Desert Sde Boker - In 1953, Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion resigned from office and moved to the kibbutz. Although he returned to politics in 1955, he continued to live in the kibbutz until his death in 1973, when he was buried nearby at Midreshet Ben-Gurion aside his wife Paula Ben-Gurion. Ben-Gurion moved to the kibbutz due to his vision of cultivating the arid Negev Desert and building up its surrounding towns. He believed that eventually the Negev would be home to many who would move to Israel SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12 after having made , and he felt that Sde-Boker was a trailblazer and an example for what should follow. Avdat - the ruins of the greatest Nabatean city in the Negev, lie on a limestone hill overlooking the desert. The remains include two impressive Bysantine churches, a wine press and many other interesting finds Carmey Avdat Farm and winery for some wine tasting and a lovely lunch. Overnight – Ramon Crater – Ramon Inn including dinner

Jeep Tour in the Crater – ride along the edge of the crater’s cliffs taking in the fabulous views at the top of the Atzmaut Ascent. After a short explanation at the viewpoint, descend into the Machtesh and cross half its width to the Wadi Ramon to stop for an MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13 explanation on what a Machtesh is and how it was formed. Continue across the floor of the Crater to the summit of Mt Gvanim where it offers a stunning view of the entire Machtesh and from there, stopping in some shade of an Acacia tree for an explanation of the flora and fauna in the region. 9:30pm - Stargazing at the Ramon Crater with Ira Machefsky – join Ira “The Starman of ” Machefsky for an evening of stargazing. Observe the sky both unaided and with the use of telescopes. Ira will help in identifying constellations, learning sky lore, and understanding how the sky works. Overnight – Ramon Crater – Ramon Inn including dinner

Departure for Lakiya Weaving - established in 1991 as an income generation project for Palestinian Bedouin women living in villages and encampments in the Negev desert in the southern Israel. Through the network of 6 women's centers across the area, approximately 150 Bedouin women are provided with an opportunity to develop the traditional skills of spinning and weaving the wool, to acquire new roles and skills in dyeing, production and business management, and to earn incomes through the work. Lakiya's rugs are hand woven outdoors on traditional ground looms using the TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14 wool of local desert sheep. By increasing demand for their weaving, the Project aims to revive and preserve a craft central to Bedouin social and cultural heritage. Traditional patterns and colors are incorporated in the products for contemporary lifestyle, including floor rugs, tapestries, cushion covers and bags. – located less than a mile from Gaza, Sderot is home to many Israeli’s who were relocated from Gaza in 2005 by the Israeli government. Overnight Ashkelon – Leonardo including dinner

Path to Peace – a joint mosaic creation by thousands of people, towards hope, love and happiness between all people, which is placed upon the border wall that divides the Gaza Strip and Netiv HaAsara adjacent to the Moshav’s home. Salad Trail at Moshav Talmei Yosef - get a feel for the land and its produce. Here you WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15 will pick vegetables but also understand how they grow, learn about the environment and understand the agricultural innovations and technologies. Dinner at a local restaurant Overnight Ashkelon – Leonardo

On to – home to Israel’s largest port, it accounts for 60% of its imported goods. Ashdod is mentioned 13 times in the Bible and was settled by the Canaanites, Philistines, Israelites, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, and Ottoman Turks. Weitzmann Institute of Science - The Weizmann Institute of Science is one of the world’s leading multidisciplinary basic research institutions in the natural and exact sciences. It is located in Rehovot, Israel, just south of Tel Aviv. The State of the Art THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16 Levinson Visitors Center is the gateway to the Institute giving visitors a window into the unique nature of scientific investigation and discovery at the Institute. Atlit- the site of one of the “illegal” immigrant camps used by the British to imprison tens of thousands of Jewish refugees, who attempted to immigrate to the during and after the Holocaust. Dinner at a restaurant in the German Colony Overnight Haifa – Dan Carmel Technion Israel Institute of Technology – Visit the Technion and learn how the university has contributed to Israel and the world and better understand the vital connection between education, research and industry. Hecht Museum - The Reuben and Edith Hecht Museum at the was inaugurated in 1984. It was the initiative of the late Dr. Reuben Hecht, founder of the Dagon Silos in the port of Haifa and a founding member of the University of Haifa Board of Governors. From his youth, Dr. Hecht was interested in the archaeology of the Land of Israel, and for a period of sixty years he assiduously collected archaeological FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17 artifacts representing the material culture of the Land of Israel in ancient times. He took special interest in finds from the Canaanite period to the end of the Byzantine period, a time of great significance for the Jewish people. Dr. Hecht, who was known for his Zionist activities, believed that archaeology was an important expression of and that the discovery of ancient artifacts was proof of the link between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. Shabbat dinner at the hotel Overnight Haifa – Dan Carmel

Shabbat in Haifa 12Noon - Walking tour to Bahai Gardens Bahai Gardens – These gardens, located in the heart of Haifa, comprise a staircase of nineteen terraces extending all the way up the northern slope of . The golden-domed Shrine of the Bab, the resting place of the Prophet-Herald of the Baha’i Faith, stands on the central terrace, looking across the bay towards Akko. Continue on to the Mane Katz Museum. Mane Katz Museum – Mane-Katz was one of the most prominent artists of the “School of Paris”, a group of young artists, some Jewish, who came to Paris from Eastern and Central Europe in the beginning of the twentieth century. This school changed the face SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18 of art in Paris during the period between the two world wars, and grounded the status of Paris as the global capital of art, which drew to it fresh and extraordinary creative forces. Mane-Katz decided to immigrate to Israel in 1957, after he came into an agreement with the mayor of Haifa, Abba Hushi, that he would bequeath his entire estate and work to the city of Haifa, while the city will provide him with a house and after his death establish a museum that would commemorate his name and work. In 1977, the museum was opened, and in 2010 it was renovated, its showrooms were renewed, the foundations improved, and a café that sprawls into the balcony was opened. Dinner on your own Overnight Haifa – Dan Carmel

Departure day Acre- the coastal city served as one of the key ports of Israel over much of its long history. The Canaanites and Phoenicians utilized Acco’s port, and the city is mentioned in ancient Egyptian records. Walk along the city’s old harbor and visit the local market. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19 Visit the underground Templar Tunnels. Ethiopian House “Mavrhatey” at Kibbutz Evron - At Kibbutz Evron, in the Western Galilee, "Mavrhatey” awaits you – an authentic Ethiopian house built out of mud and straw, just like countless other "gojos” that are spread around Ethiopia – which will provide you with an experience that will stay with you for a long time. Rosh Hanikra- where the rocky cliffs descend steeply into the sea, allowing the waves to carve grottos of a thousand shapes. Take the cable car down to the grottos for fun exploring through the rocky passageways. Farewell dinner in Herzliya at a local restaurant After dinner, proceed to for your return flight, El Al 027 departing at 12:30am (Nov 20).

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20 Arrival at 600am back into Newark Airport.

US CONTACT ISRAEL CONTACT GUIDE SUSAN BLUM DALIA DJIJI MEIR MORE GIL TRAVEL GROUP (054) 678 7863 1511 WALNUT STREET OR PHILADELPHIA PA 19102 AYELET ANTEBI SHARABANI 215 568 6655 EXT 238 (054) 678 7962 [email protected]

**Itinerary and guide are subject to change due to timing and unforeseen circumstances.**