Stamford JCC Women’s Trip to Israel February 1-12, 2017 ITINERARY shalom! Welcome to Israel! During our journey together, we will learn about an unusually diverse and dynamic land in the midst of one of the world’s most ancient regions. We will explore Israel’s culture and history through art, cuisine, entertainment, the landscape and fashion. We anticipate that during your journey to Israel you will feel a special camaraderie among the women in the group, be challenged by new experiences and be pampered a bit, too! Please note: Some meals or items indicated in the program are at the participant’s expense. The itinerary is subject to change. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Schiffman at the JCC at 203-487-0941, [email protected] or Risa Goldblum at 203-856-2882, [email protected] Stephen P. Seiden, Chair Alan Mann, Interim President Leah Garber, Vice President, JCC Israel Center Sara Sless, Assistant Director, 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 Program developed and implemented 12 Moshe Hess Street | Jerusalem, 94185, ISRAEL by the JCC Association Israel Center tel: 011-972-2-625-1265 | fax: 011-972-2-624-7767 ITINERARY DAY 1 – DEPART USA for ISRAEL Wednesday, February 1, 2017 DAY 2 – Welcome to Israel Thursday, February 2, 2017 Upon arrival in Israel we will ascend from the coast to the political and spiritual center of Israel, Jerusalem, and officially launch our trip. Within view of the city that King David proclaimed Israel’s capital 3,000 years ago, we will recite the Shehechiyanu blessing of gratitude before checking into our hotel and dining together tonight as our adventure begins. AFTERNOON with tour educator and staff from JCCA Land at Ben Gurion International airport Israel Center in Tel Aviv, where you will be met by tour Check-in at hotel educator and JCCA staff member Transfer to Jerusalem Overnight – Mamilla Hotel, Jerusalem EVENING Arrival to Jerusalem, and opening Shehechiyanu at Yemin Moshe observation point or at Haas Promenade Opening dinner at local Jerusalem restaurant and orientation to the program DAY 3 – JERUSALEM OF GOLD Friday, February 3, 2017 A chance to explore interactively the antiquities and architecture of Jerusalem in its Old City. There will be plenty of free time in the afternoon before we welcome in Shabbat together. MORNING followed by departure for Kabbalat 9:00 A.M. Shabbat at Western Wall or at local Depart for visit to the Old City of synagogue Jerusalem – an opportunity to look at 7:30 p.m. Jerusalem as the center of major religions, Enjoy Shabbat dinner at hotel including visit to the Jewish Quarter and the Western Wall tunnels AFTERNOON Overnight –Mamilla Hotel, Jerusalem 1:00 p.m. Lunch on own in the Jewish Quarter, Mamilla outdoor mall, Ben Yehuda street or Machane Yehuda fruit and vegetable market Free afternoon to enjoy watching Jerusalem as its residents prepare for Shabbat EVENING 4:30 p.m. Meet at hotel lobby for candle lighting Draft 2 - May 18, 2016 | 3 DAY 4 – SHABBAT SHALOM Saturday, February 4, 2017 The pace of Shabbat is slower but no less exciting. With a full day of leisure ahead, there are opportunities to explore the city and observe the distinctly different atmosphere--either traditionally, or with the best contemporary Jerusalem has to offer. From synagogue attendance to family picnics, soccer games or sitting at cafes, Jerusalem offers a pluralistic array for this day of rest. MORNING EVENING Free time to rest and enjoy Jerusalem, 4:30 p.m. attend local synagogue services, meet Return to hotel friends “Trying to Make Sense of What is Going on 11:00 am in Israel: An Update on Current Events,” with Yoga and meditation in the park (optional, Israeli journalist with sign up) 6:00 p.m. AFTERNOON Havdallah and tie-in discussion Lunch at hotel Israeli cultural event (music or dance) TBD 2:30 p.m. Walking tour of the lesser known sites in the Old City of Jerusalem, in the Christian and Overnight –Mamilla Hotel, Jerusalem Armenian Quarters DAY 5 – EXPLORING COLLECTIVE MEMORY Sunday, February 5, 2017 Today we explore collective memory as we touch upon the chapter of the Holocaust in Jewish History and see how Israel commemorates this event. MORNING 3:00 p.m. 9:00 am Depart for Machane Yehuda outdoor “The changing place of the Holocaust in fruit and vegetable market with chef Tali Israeli Society” with Rachel Korazim in Friedman for a guided tour and tasting preparation for visit to Yad V’Shem of the market. Join her in “Tali Friedman’s Atelier” to participate in a 10:30 am cooking workshop and enjoy the fruits Participants choose preferred track of your cooking Depart for Yad V’Shem, Israel’s Track 1: 8:00 p.m. Holocaust Memorial and Museum for a Return to hotel ,or stay in the market to guided tour of the museum and children’s enjoy the pubs and cafes which fill the memorial market space at night Track 2: Depart for a guided visit to -or selected exhibitions at the Israel Museum Tzahal Shalom/Shlichim reunion AFTERNOON 1:00 p.m. Lunch on own in Ein Kerem neighborhood Overnight –Mamilla Hotel, Jerusalem 4 | Stamford JCC | Boarding Pass Women’s trip to Israel DAY 6 – LEGENDS AND LANDSCAPES Monday, February 6, 2017 We depart from Jerusalem and head south to learn about Ben Gurion’s vision for the desert and appreciate the space and colors of the desert landscape. MORNING Gurion to hear about Israel’s first Prime 8:30 am Minister, David Ben Gurion’s vision for the Check out of hotel country and for the developing the desert Depart for guided visit to the Chagall Depart for Beresheet hotel and spa windows at the Hadassah Ein Kerem Afternoon to enjoy the scenery or spa hospital and visit to the new, state of the art facilities (massages and other treatments Davidson wing at own expense) 10:30 am Dinner at Beresheet Depart for Sde Boker, home to Paula and Star-gazing program under the night David Ben Gurion in the Judean desert skies over Mitzpe Ramon 1:00 p.m. Lunch in Sde Boker at Ronit’s home – dine on wonderful dishes and hear the chef’s Overnight – Beresheet Hotel and story of living in the Negev Spa, Mitzpe Ramon Visit the graves of Paula and David Ben DAY 7 – SOUTHERN ADVENTURES Tuesday, February 7, 2017 The Mitzpe Ramon crater is full of beautiful landscapes, colors and nature. Enjoy the slower pace and the opportunity to connect with nature. MORNING 5:30 p.m. 9:00 am Return to Beresheet to relax Depart for hike in Ein Avdat –a mystical Tie-in discussion oasis in the desert at Sde Boker EVENING Lunch on own Dinner at Beresheet AFTERNOON Depart for a jeep ride off the beaten track in Mitzpe Ramon Overnight – Beresheet Hotel and Spa, Mitzpe Ramon Depart for visit to IDF army base to meet with soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Forces and an opportunity to hear from them about their Jewish and Israeli identity and relationship to the Diaspora (army base) -or- Depart for wine tasting at Carmey Avdat Farm where the ancient art of wine making has become one of Israel’s leading industries in the international market place Draft 2 - May 18, 2016 | 5 DAY 8 – ART COMES TO LIFE Wednesday, February 8, 2017 An encounter with two different women trying to make a difference and hear the stories of the people behind the projects. MORNING walk through the Old City of Jaffa. Meet Early morning walk and meditation artists Dorit Gur and Ilan Hasson in their (optional) studios 8:30 am Check into hotel Check-out of hotel Dinner on own and free evening in Sarona Depart for Netiv Ha’asara moshav (village) market complex in Tel Aviv and meet with artist Tsamerit Zamir to or learn about her project Netiv L’shalom (Path Tzahal Shalom/Shlichim reunion to Peace). Participate in Israeli mosaic activity on the border wall which divides the Gaza Strip and the Moshav, and get a sense Overnight – Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv of what it has been like for people living in the shadow of the Gaza strip Possible lunch in winery on the way to Tel Aviv AFTERNOON Depart for Tel Aviv Overview of Tel Aviv from Jaffa and guided DAY 9 – TEL AVIV AND THE “NEW” JEW Thursday, February 9, 2017 Founded in 1909, Tel Aviv draws inspiration from the past to cultivate Modern Hebrew culture as a form of Jewish identity. The city today is one of the best blends of arts, innovation, and diversity. MORNING Optional morning walk on the beach Dinner in the region followed by return to 10:00 am Tel Aviv Meet for TLV-style Boutique Tour with founder, Galit Reismann who will introduce you to this creative side of Tel Aviv, and Overnight – Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv meet with young Israeli fashion designers AFTERNOON 12:15 p.m. Lunch at Dr. Shakshuka’s 2:00 p.m. Depart for Afula-Gilboa partnership region to meet with women in Partnership2gether and experience the Olive Tree Project 6 | Stamford JCC | Boarding Pass Women’s trip to Israel DAY 10 – DISCOVERING TEL AVIV Friday, February 10, 2017 Discover Tel Aviv’s history, take a bicycle tour, visit some galleries and do some shopping before enjoying our final Shabbat together. MORNING or the Carmel fruit and vegetable market in Tel 9:00 am Aviv Track 1: Depart for cycle ride through Tel Free time Aviv along the sea front and enjoy stops at Rabin Square, along Rothschild Avenue EVENING 4:30 p.m.