Itinerary Subject to Change • Welcome to Israel! Upon individual arrivals, meet your transfer and proceed to the luxurious Inbal Hotel in Jerusalem, the spiritual hub of Israel. Our journey officially begins with a welcome dinner at a delicious local restaurant in Jerusalem the area this evening. Afterward, consider exploring Ben Yehuda Street, the beating heart of Jerusalem’s center-city life, filled with boutiques, galleries, and cafes. A stroll down this bustling street is a great opportunity to meet Israelis from all walks of life, and is often dotted with musicians and street performers. Overnight, Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem Ben Yehuda Street • Following a delicious Israeli breakfast at the hotel, depart for the Old City of Jerusalem. En route, stop at the Haas Promenade, which offers a sweeping view of the Old City and, in true Jerusalem fashion, is replete with thousands of years of history. Arrive in the Old City for a comprehensive walking tour. Explore the Jewish & Christian Quarters in all of their history and wonder. Hear the soft sounds of prayer and contemplation at the Western Wall before taking a tour through the Western Wall Haas Promenade Tunnels, an incredible labyrinth of underground tunnels, arches and passageways. Afterward, take time to walk around and shop on your own. Following lunch this afternoon, tour the Begin Museum; a dynamic, experiential, multimedia exhibit that provides a compelling look into the life of Menachem Begin, former Prime Minister of Israel and Co-recipient of the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize award. End the day with a visit to American Independence Park (AIP), which serves as JNF’s Kotel central location for commemorating American support for the State of Israel. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Jerusalem. Afterward, consider experiencing the nightlife in Jerusalem’s Shuk. See the new after-hours art gallery “When the Shutters Close”, which portrays modern-day heroes, scholars and musicians in a contemporary, graffiti-style art display. Alternatively, consider exploring the open- aired shopping center at Mamilla Mall, often described as the “Saks Fifth Avenue” of Jerusalem. American Independence Park Overnight, Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem Itinerary Subject to Change • Following breakfast, depart the hotel and proceed south towards the Negev. Visit Aleh Negev-Nahalat Eran, a one-of-a-kind rehabilitative village that provides the highest quality care, medical services, and support to people with severe cognitive and developmental disabilities. See the various therapeutic facilities as you walk along the Aleh Negev beautifully landscaped grounds, which were strategically constructed to positively stimulate the senses using natural herbs and flower gardens. Enjoy a delicious buffet-style home hospitality lunch in Ofakim, a small but rapidly growing city in the Negev. Hear from the chef and local resident, Osi, who will share her captivating story of growing up in the area and the challenges of living near the Gaza border. Home Hospitality lunch Afterward, proceed to Halutza, a community founded by a group of people whom were forced to evacuate their homes during Israel's disengagement from Gaza in 2005. See how JNF is helping to develop this formerly uninhabitable area with the establishment of new communities, greenhouses, fields of organic crops, and high-quality public facilities. Continue towards Be’er Sheva, the capital of the Negev. Drive-through Be’er Sheva Halutza River Park, the centerpiece of JNF’s efforts to provide a renaissance for the city by providing residents and tourists with social, economic, and recreational opportunities. Learn how this project has inspired JNF’s Blueprint Negev campaign, an initiative that focuses on building new communities and sustainable economies in the region. End the day at the Sderot Indoor Recreation Center, a JNF signature project that has provided a much-needed sense of normalcy and fun to local residents and children living in the hard hit town of Sderot- located less than one mile from Gaza. This secure Be’er Sheva River Park playground was strategically built so that play areas double as bomb shelters, ensuring that all occupants can quickly reach safety in the case of a rocket attack. Witness a special dedication ceremony of the C. Hugh Friedman Music program, which was established to enrich the lives of the children of Sderot by teaching them how to play instruments and cultivating an ongoing appreciation of music. Afterward, proceed back to Jerusalem for a free evening and dinner on own. Sderot Indoor Recreation Center Overnight, Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem Itinerary Subject to Change • Today will be spent commemorating this very special 50th Anniversary of the liberation and reunification of Jerusalem, known as Yom Yerushalayim Day. Join together with all four mission tracks at Ammunition Hill, site of the pivotal battle of the Six-Day War, for the State of Israel’s official Jerusalem Day Ceremony. Hear from various high-level dignitaries, public figures, and other Deputy leaders attending this VIP exclusive event. Jerusalem Day Ceremony at Ammunition Hill Later this evening, enjoy a festive dinner together with all mission participants at Mercaz Shimshon, a beautifully designed complex situated in the heart of Jerusalem that offers breathtaking views of the Old City walls. Overnight, Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem • Mercaz Shimshon Following breakfast and check-out, today begins with a tour of Ammunition Hill. Follow in the footsteps of the soldiers who fought here by walking through the battlegrounds and bunkers preserved at this unique heritage site. Hear from Yoel Rosby, JNF- Ammunition Hill Liaison, and see the new multimedia exhibit and movie that tells the story of the fierce battle that reclaimed Jerusalem for the Jewish state. End at JNF’s Wall of Honor, which commemorates Jewish veterans from around the world. Afterward, visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum & Memorial, strategically situated Yad Vashem on the green slopes of Har HaZikaron, translated to mean “Mount of Remembrance.” A sprawling complex of tree-studded walkways leading to various exhibits, archives, and monuments and memorials, Yad Vashem tells the story of the Holocaust from a unique perspective by emphasizing the experiences of Jewish victims and survivors through original artifacts, testimonies, and personal possessions. Lighten the mood this afternoon at the colorful Mahane Yehuda Market and immerse yourself in the bustling energy of Jerusalem’s “Shuk.” Enjoy lunch on own at one of the Mahane Yehuda Market many local restaurants or cafés, or simply fill up on delicious sample-size foods from the variety of vendors selling fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and sweets. Depart Jerusalem for Tel Aviv. En route, visit the JNF 9/11 Memorial, which depicts the World Trade Center and Pentagon through sculpture and landscape architecture. Built in memory of the September 11 terrorist attacks, it serves as the only site outside of the United States that recognizes the names of the victims of 9/11. After arriving in Tel Aviv, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in the area this evening. 9/11 Memorial Overnight, Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv Itinerary Subject to Change • This morning, we will rejoin with all mission tracks for a day of touring through Tel Aviv. Begin at the Ben Gurion House Museum, which served as Ben Gurion’s residence until he and his wife settled in the Negev. A visit to the museum allows for a real, tangible and personal “touch” of the constitutive events in the history of the State of Ben Gurion House Museum Israel, as well as a direct encounter with the figure and lifestyle of David Ben-Gurion. Afterward, depart for Sarona, a former German Templar colony that has been transformed into one of Tel Aviv’s trendiest neighborhoods filled with shops, cafés, and art galleries. Leading our tour will be Noa Gefen, Executive Vice-Chairman of the Society for Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites (SPIHS), who will discuss how JNF and SPIHS are working together to preserve and restore important historical sites Sarona throughout Israel. Spend the remainder of the afternoon at the Nachlat Binyamin Arts & Crafts Fair, a festival of arts, crafts, pottery, and street performances. Pass through the Carmel Market and capture all the liveliness and vibrancy of this iconic, open-aired market. Enjoy free time to wander, shop, and grab lunch on own from one of the many local restaurants or food vendors. Nachlat Binyamin Arts & Crafts Fair Return back to the Carlton Hotel with time to freshen up and prepare for Shabbat. Early this evening, we will mark the beginning of Shabbat by participating in the spirited ritual of Kabbalat Shabbat before rejoining with all mission tracks for a special Shabbat Dinner. Overnight, Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv Shabbat Shalom! Itinerary Subject to Change • Today will be at leisure in honor of Shabbat. Shabbat services will be offered for those who wish to attend. Spend the day relaxing by the hotel pool or at the beach. Alternatively, consider joining the optional day trip to Masada and the Dead Sea. Masada If partaking in the day trip, depart the hotel and drive via the Judean Hills along the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest place on Earth. Continue to Masada, the mountain fortress built by King Herod, where the Zealots made their last stand against the Romans. Learn about the story of the Jewish fighters before taking a cable car to the top of the Herodian Palace Complex. See the remains of the historic walls, palaces, synagogues, water cisterns, mosaic floors and Roman baths. Descend the mountain to the depths of Dead Sea to swim in the buoyant waters and relax at the beach. Dead Sea For those choosing to stay in Tel Aviv, consider a visit to the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, one of Israel's leading artistic and cultural institutions. This evening, enjoy the night at leisure, exploring Tel Aviv’s exciting night life and culinary scene at your own pace.