Family Bar & Bat Mitzvah Israel Tour August 16-28, 2015
1/20/2015 3:33 PM Sunday, August 16 En Route Depart the US on your flight to Israel on El Al Flight 28 departing at 130PM from Newark Airport
Overnight, En Route
Monday, August 17 Welcome to Israel Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport at 7:00am. Upon arrival, we will meet our guide and begin our journey through amazing Israel!
Drive to Neot Kedumim, the Biblical Landscape Reserve responsible for preserving local Israeli agriculture and landscapes. We may herd sheep and make pita bread!
Continue to Jerusalem for a Shehecheyanu at Mt Scopus.
Jerusalem’s Old City Relax upon checking in to our hotel and an arrival dinner at the fabulous Olive and Fish Restaurant which is right across the street.
Overnight: Inbal, Jerusalem Tuesday, August 18 Old City Begin the day with a visit to the Old City Rampart Walk on top of the old city’s walls. From here you can enjoy a scenic panorama of the walls and the Old City. Explore the Jewish Quarter, the main residential area for Jews in the Old City of Jerusalem
Continue to the Davidson Center at the Southern Wall Archaeological Gardens and enjoy a modern, kid-friendly, interactive virtual presentation. Through the films and exhibits, the Visitor's Center explains the archaeology of Jerusalem covering the First and Second Temple, Byzantine, Islamic and Crusader periods.
Enjoy the mesmerizing Sound and Light Show at the Citadel Museum. The show depicts Jerusalem’s history through music and the most colorful pictures cast on walls of the museum. Make sure to bring a jacket! Jewish Quarter
Overnight: Inbal, Jerusalem Wednesday, August 19 Massada and Dead Sea Drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to Massada. Ascend by cable car and tour the ancient fortress where the Zealots made their last stand against the Romans in 73 AD. Descend by cable car, time and weather permitting, an opportunity will be provided to enjoy a Lunch and Swim at a Mineral Beach.
Hike in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve home to beautiful hot springs, fascinating plants and wildlife along with great hiking trails. Dead Sea On your way back to Jerusalem stop at Genesis Land for some of Abraham’s hospitality and a camel ride.
Meet the Rabbi for the Bar Mitzvah rehearsal. Continue to the hotel for a relaxing evening and dinner. Overnight: Inbal, Jerusalem Thursday, August 20 Bar Mitzvah Day
Enjoy your incredible Bar Mitzvah day at Ezrat Israel! Continue with an incredible Kiddush at the Southern Wall in the Old City.
Visit the Western Wall Tunnels and the Kotel and the Jewish Quarter
In the City of David (Ir David), explore the recently excavated fortresses and
Southern Wall passageways. Here you can relive King David’s conquest of the Jebusite city. Visit the Hezekiah Tunnels. These tunnels were dug underneath the city as an aqueduct to provide th water during an impending siege by the Assyrians. They date back as far as the 8 century B.C.
Enjoy dinner a Gala Bnai Mitzvot dinner at Picolino Restaurant.
Overnight: Inbal, Jerusalem Friday, August 21 Jerusalem
Begin the day with a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and museum where you can walk through the Children’s Pavilion, visit the museum, and explore the Avenue of the Righteous. (Children under 10 years of age will be taken to another site as they are not allowed in Yad Vashem).
Continue to the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, famous for its collection of wildlife featured in the Torah.
Yad Vashem Explore Machane Yehuda, 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.
Have a Shabbat of a Lifetime experience at a local home including Shabbat dinner and home hospitality.
Machane Yehuda Overnight: Inbal, Jerusalem
Saturday, August 22 Jerusalem Morning you may want to go to early services
Late morning/early afternoon - Participate in a fun filled scavenger hunt Nachlaot is one of Jerusalem’s best-kept secrets, and on this tour game, you will discover this colorful, surprising and eclectic neighborhood. On your navigation adventure, you will get to know the pioneers of the early Jerusalem neighborhood, you will make your way through alleys with timeless charm and you will peek into the Machaneh Yehuda market – all this while engaging with the unique Nachlaot vibe.
Afternoon at leisure Old City Overnight: Inbal, Jerusalem Sunday, August 23 North of Israel
Head north via the Jordan Valley to the Golan Heights, and learn about its strategic significance to Israel.
Have an exciting tour of the Golan by ATV at Merom to get the lay of the local land.
Mt. Bental Stop by Mt. Bental, overlooking the Golan and nearby Mt. Hermon.
Continue to a delicious chocolate factory and indulge in the Golan’s favorite culinary offerings!
Visit Kesem Hagolan, the Golan Visitors center that boasts a movie theatre, a large model of the Golan that explains the area, as well as a famous brewery.
Golan Heights Overnight: Kibbutz Kfar Blum including dinner Monday, August 24 Safed
Begin the day in Safed, an orthodox community and the center of Jewish mysticism (kabala), where you will visit the Joseph Caro and Ha’ Ari synagogues, the most important synagogues in the city and stroll down the famous Artists quarter. Meet local soldiers to get a feel for the diverse Safed community.
Enjoy an afternoon of rafting on the Jordan River, and continue to explore the Hulu
Safed Valley Nature Reserve.
Overnight: Kibbutz Kfar Blum including dinner Tuesday, August 25 Galilee and Coastal Route
Stop at Rosh Hanikra, archeological grottos formed along the coast of the Mediterranean. Explore the grounds and enjoy the geological wonders the coast has to offer.
Visit Acre, the coastal city served as one of the key ports of Israel over much of its long history. The Canaanites and Phoenicians utilized Accos port, and the city is mentioned in Dead Sea ancient Egyptian records. Walk along the city’s old harbor and visit the local market. Visit the underground Templar Tunnels.
Continue to Haifa, the largest city in Northern Israel and the 3rd largest city in Israel and a major seaport. Enjoy the panoramic view from Mt Carmel with views of the Bahai Shrine and Gardens.
Next travel to Caesarea, capital of Judea under the Romans. See the excavations of the Crusader city and the Roman port, aqueduct and the amphitheater that has been restored to its former glory as a concert venue.
Overnight: Carlton, Tel Aviv
Masada Wednesday, August 26 Tel Aviv
Begin the day at the Palmach Museum. The aim of the museum is to give a sense of the period, which led to the founding of the State of Israel. Appropriately, the main exhibit takes place underground in a series of chambers. Remarkably realistic sets, sounds, lighting, special effects and even moving rooms, make the visitor feel part of this extraordinary experience.
Palmach Museum Visit the Ayalon Institute (Bullet Factory). In 1945, the Haganah determined that at the end of the British Mandate a struggle would ensue between the Jews and Arabs of the land. A decision was made by the Haganah to establish a secret plant. In just three weeks, preparations for the factory were completed and it was code named the Ayalon Institute, a military industry factory in the early pre-state days.
Overnight: Carlton, Tel Aviv Ayalon Institute
Thursday, August 27 Tel Aviv
Enjoy a morning archeological dig at Tel Maresh, a historical site near Tel Aviv.
Continue to Latrun, the site of many famous military battles. A memorial museum now stands in its place. Explore the history of the Israeli Defense Force at the Yad Lashiryon Corps Museum where you will enjoy the rich history of Israel’s famous military forces.
Your rooms are held until 6pm.
Latrun End the evening with a farewell dinner at the festive Maganda Restaurant and transfer to the airport for departure.
Friday, August 28 Departure via El Al 027 at 1230am arriving back into Newark at 540am this morning.