Temple Micah Mitzvah Mission IV

December 19-30, 2007

Wednesday, December 19
Depart Washington, DC Dulles Airport on Austria Airline Flight 094 at 6:15 pm landing at 9:00 am on Dec 20 in Vienna connecting to

Thursday, December 20
 Austria Airline Flight 857 (10:40 am)  to Tel Aviv arrive 3:15
"Welcome to Israel." Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport. A member of our staff will meet you upon arrival at Passport Control at Ben Gurion Airport to assist you with arrival procedures. He will then see you to your driver and guide who will transfer you to your hotel in Haifa.  Dinner is included for you at the hotel. Overnight – Holiday Inn, Haifa.

Friday, December 21
"An introduction to the Galilee."  Today, we head for the Galilean village of Bethlehem in the Galilee. This village was founded in the nineteenth century by the German Templars. Walk about its alleys, taking in the atmosphere of this quaint European village, here in the middle east! Enjoy a cup of tea here in town as we explore the community. By early afternoon we head to the mixed Jewish – Arab town of Akko for home hospitality. Return to Haifa for Kabbalat Shabbat with our partner congregation Or Hadash in Haifa. Shabbat dinner and services at Or Hadash. Overnight – Holiday Inn Hotel, Haifa.

Saturday, December 22
"Shabbat in Haifa with our partners."A day of programming with Or Hadash in Haifa will include a great day of touring the ancient city of  Tziporri.. Enjoy Shabbat lunch with our partner community in Haifa. Havdalah in Haifa. Overnight – Holiday Inn Hotel, Haifa.

Sunday, December 23
"The Hills of the Galilee and the War in Lebanon." Following check out we will head north to the Western Galilee Hospital in Nahariah to see the underground emergency hospital, that was used intensively during the war. (The above ground hospital received a direct missile hit). We will there meet with medical personnel who were involved in the treatment of civilian and military casualties of the war. Please be aware that most of the staff at the hospital live within the area that was affected by the war. We conclude the day in Safed with a workshop by a master artist on "Jewish symbols, the Jewish life cycle and art." Proceed to your hotel in the Hula Valley for check in. Dinner is included for you this evening at your hotel.Overnight – HaGoshrin Kibbutz Guest House, Galilee.

Monday, December 24
"The eastern front."Following breakfast we head to the Hula Nature Reserve to see the superb audio visual program there on the delicate ecosystem here on the region. Onto the Hula Valley here you will see wild animals such as water buffalo and may see flocks of migrating birds on their way from Asia to Africa. Every year billions of birds transverse this region. Ascend to the summit of the Golan Heights to Mt. Bental, a volcano, from where there is a superb view of the Israeli – Syrian lines.South, along the battlefields from the 1973 war to an active Israeli army base to meet and have lunch with the troops defending the northern border (pending final approval).Onwards to Katzrin, established in 1977, and one of the first urban settlements in the Golan.  While in Katzrin, see a fascinating audio-visual presentation describing the history of the Golan throughout the ages.  Return to the hotel to rest, relax, take a swim in the indoor pool or enjoy a nature walk along one of the paths along the sources of the Jordan River here at your kibbutz. Enjoy dinner this evening at Dag Al HaDan, a lovely fish restaurant located along the sources of the Jordan River (included). Overnight – HaGoshrin Kibbutz Guest House, Galilee.

Tuesday, December 25
We ascend to Jerusalem." This morning, following check out, we head for a Talmudic period village, located just above the shores of Lake Kinneret. Onto the Mount of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount. This is indeed one of the most majestic places in all of Israel. We will stop in Tiberias at an Absorption Center to meet with members of the Ethiopian community to hear of their trials and tribulations, hopes and frustrations.

Visit the historic cemetery along the shores of the Kinneret and hear some of the stories of the original pioneers of this area
Ascend to Jerusalem for a Shecheyanu Ceremony from Mount Scopus. Check in at your hotel. And, then enjoy an evening at leisure in Jerusalem. Overnight – Prima Royal Hotel, Jerusalem.

Wednesday, December 26
"A day in Jerusalem." This morning we will participate on a special tour in the "Minorities of Jerusalem," with Dr. Daniel Rossing. Dr. Daniel Rossing, the former advisor to the Minister of Religious Affairs and an expert in Jerusalem minorities, will show you the kaleidoscope of peoples that make up the Old City. During the tour, the guests will have the opportunity to meet with religious and community leaders from the different minority groups (not yet confirmed) and will view sites that the first time tourist does not usually see. Wander about the Old City and explore on your own. This evening we will visit the Western Wall Tunnels and the Davidson Center. Overnight – Prima Royal Hotel, Jerusalem.

Thursday, December 27
"A day in Tel Aviv." This morning we will board a train at the local Jerusalem train station and head for Tel Aviv (we will take the train to Beit Shemesh and have the bus pick us up and continue from there by bus to Tel Aviv)Our first stop is the Palmach Museum here in Tel Aviv, that tells the story of the pre – 1948 strike force, the Palmach. Onto Independence Hall where Ben Gurion declared the established of Israel on May 14, 1948. Sit in the very same room where our founding fathers sat on that historic day! Stroll around Old Jaffa or the Carmel Market for personal touring and shopping. (Perhaps a visit to Rabin Square)  Dinner in Tel Aviv– return to Jerusalem after dinner.  Overnight – Prima Royal Hotel, Jerusalem.

Friday, December 28
"Welcoming the Shabbat in Jerusalem." After breakfast in a private room at the hotel, we will be addressed by Dr. Danny Gordis. Then, onto the new Yad Vashem, central memorial and museum dedicated to the Holocaust. Our next stop will be at the new Herzl Museum, which provides a spectacular audio-visual encounter with the visionary of the Jewish State, and offers a thought-provoking portrait about the status of the Jews according to Herzl (pending confirmation). Time permitting- Enjoy a stroll through the Mahane Yehuda open air market of Jerusalem to see how the locals prepare for Shabbat. Take in the sites, smells and noises of the market. And don't forget to pick up some chocolate rugelach. Kabbalat Shabbat at in Modin where we will be hosted by the Reform congregation for dinner and services.overnight – Prima Royal Hotel, Jerusalem.

Saturday, December 29
"Shabbat in Jerusalem.
Optional tour to Massada
Gather for a Temple Micah havdalah service this evening. Meet for a group Farewell Dinner. Late check out from hotel has been included. Your driver and guide will transfer you to Ben Gurion Airport, where a member of our staff will meet you there to assist you with departure procedures.
Leave Tel Aviv- Austria airlines Flt 860, 6:55am--> Vienna 9:40am; connect to Flt 093, 10:50am -->  Dulles 3:00 pm