Thursday, April 22

"Welcome to Israel." Scheduled arrival at Ben Gurion Airport. A member of our staff will meet you in the Arrivals Terminal where you will be assisted with passport control, baggage and customs. Transfer to Jerusalem to Yemin Moshe for a brief welcoming ceremony. Walk over to our hotel for check-in. Dinner is included for us this evening at our hotel in a private room. Overnight - Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem.>

Friday, April 23

"An introductory tour of Jerusalem." This morning there will be a breakfast briefing on the current situation. We depart our hotel for a drive along Jerusalem's seam line diving east from west. We head for the Haas Promenade, overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem. Then, southward to Gilo, overlooking Bethlehem. Onto the Old City of Jerusalem for an in-depth tour of the Jewish Quarter including the Herodian Mansions, the Cardo and the new Davidson Center to see its virtual model of Jerusalem. Lunch on our own in the Jewish Quarter, followed by some time to shop.

Before Shabbat we drive to Modiin for Kabbalat Shabbat at the progressive congregation there, followed by Friday night dinner in Modiin (not included). Overnight - Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem. 

Saturday, April 24

"Shabbat Shalom." This morning we are invited to attend services at the H U C synagogue. We meet at 12:30 PM for a walking tour of the excellent Tower of David Museum, located at Jaffa Gate. Lunch on our own today either in the hotel's coffee shop or in the hotel's main dining room. We reconvene at 6:30 PM for a study session over coffee and cake. Group Havdalah service with the Rabbi on the roof of the hotel, overlooking the Old City at 7:53 PM. Evening at leisure. Overnight - Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem.

Sunday, April 25

"The Hills of Judah." Today we head westward to the green Hills of Judah for a congregational hike in this beautiful region. Visit the Beit Guvrin region and the land of a thousand caves. Explore some of the amazing man-made caves in the region. Return to Jerusalem. This evening we participate in a Yizkor Service at a local Community Center in memory of Israel's Fallen Soldiers as tonight marks the beginning of Memorial Day for Israel's Fallen Soldiers. Flags are lowered to half staff. Late night visit to the Western Wall. Overnight - Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem.

Monday, April 26 (IDF Memorial Day)

"Jerusalem: Capital of Israel." This morning we meet with one of our Israeli rabbinical colleagues who will bring us up to date on Progressive Judaism in Israel. Then, onto Yad Vashem, central museum and memorial of the Holocaust. Onto the Keshet School in Jerusalem to participate in their Memorial Day service. As a part of this day, we will participate in a hands - on chesed project as we help distribute food at a local soup kitchen here in Jerusalem. Following lunch on our own, we proceed to Zaka, a provider of emergency assistance in time of need, for an incredible encounter with the "ultra-orthodox" volunteers who engage in "chesed shel emet". We continue to Ammunition Hill, a key battlefield from the Six-Day War. Then, return to the hotel to prepare for this evening's festivities. We shall celebrate Independence Eve in Jerusalem. Then, we all join in with the crowds and celebrate this joyous event in the streets of downtown Jerusalem. Overnight - Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem.

Tuesday, April 27 (Independence Day)

"Kings and Rebels in the Judean Desert." Depart Jerusalem this morning, heading eastward to the Judean Desert and then onto the oasis of Ein Gedi for a nature walk along the oasis and waterfalls as we see wild animals roaming through the desert. Onto Masada, fortress-palace of King Herod, dating to the first century BCE. Ascend to the summit by cable car. Following an in depth tour of the site, we descend via the cable car. Head south a bit to our hotel/spa, located along the shore of the Dead Sea for a few hours of R & R where we enjoy a delicious lunch! The hotel has a private Dead Sea beach, an outdoor sweet water pool and more (included in the cost). Return to Jerusalem. This evening we might join local Jerusalem residents and patrol the streets of Jerusalem as members of the civil guard. Overnight - Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem.

Wednesday, April 28

"Tour the coast of Israel." We depart our hotel at 8:00 AM this morning and head toward Rishon LeZion to meet with the mayor. We will also have a chance this morning to meet with some of the town's young people as well as new immigrants. Lunch en-route included today. By 12:30 PM we make our way north along the coast of Israel, stopping at Zichron Yaakov, a lovely refurbished town dating back to the 1800's. It was one of the first "new" Jewish communities. After lunch we will have a chance to walk about its lanes and enjoy the museums there that bring back the Zionist spirit of the late 19^th century. See the magnificent Museum of the First Aliya. North to Tzippori, an exciting archaeological park where Rabbi Judah the Prince compiled the Mishnah 1,800 years ago. Tour the site and enjoy the hands - on touch - screen computerized museum. We continue to Mt. Arbel for a view of the Galilee and Golan and to study a session of Ethics of our Fathers as we ponder the words of the sage, Nitai of Arbel, who lived in this village some 2,000 years ago. Drive along the lake Kinneret, arriving at our hotel in time for dinner which has been included for you this evening at your kibbutz hotel. Overnight - Hotel Kfar Blum, Galilee.

Thursday, April 29

"Wars and Waters in the Golan Heights." Tour of our kibbutz this morning as we hear of the successes and failures over the kibbutz movement over the last 93 years. From our hotel we head to the headwaters of the Jordan River to the Dan Nature Reserve and its biblical mound, a tel. The tel was excavated by the Hebrew Union College. Continue to the plateau of the Heights to the Bental Volcano from where there is a stupendous view of the Israeli- Syrian lines. We will today be luncheon guests of the IDF as we visit an active IDF base today for lunch and a chance to visit with the troops. Onto the Israeli city of Katzrin to visit the Archaeological Museum there and the audio visual program on the ancient town of Gamla. Dinner this evening at a fish restaurant along the sources of the Jordan River (included in the cost). Overnight - Hotel Kfar Blum, Galilee.

Friday, April 30

"The Hills of the Galilee." We depart our hotel early this morning. From our kibbutz hotel we head to the hills of the Upper Galilee to Safed to meet with a master artist for a workshop on Midrash and Art. Onto Baram, a majestic ancient 3rd century synagogue, from the period of the Talmud, located along the northern border. Continue to Pekiin, a unique Druze village in the hills of the Galilee, where we search out our Jewish roots. In the nearby city of Maalot-Tarshiha we meet with Jewish and Christian residents of this joint municipality. Depart the Galilee, arriving in Jerusalem two hours before sundown. Kabbalat Shabbat at the Harel Synagogue, followed by home hospitality with members of the congregation (not included). Overnight - Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem.

Saturday, May 1

"Shabbat Shalom." This morning we are invited to attend services at the H U C synagogue. We meet at 6:00 PM for a Farewell Dinner at the hotel and a session on "What we might bring back to Washington from Jerusalem." Following Havdalah at 7:59 PM, we check out of our hotel. Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport. A member of our staff will assist you with departure procedures. Departure is scheduled for late Saturday night, May 1 or early morning on Sunday, May 2. See you soon!