RABBI
PERETS TOUR TO ISRAEL
11-22 JUNE 2008
DAY ONE * WEDNESDAY * 11 JUNE: USA - TEL
AVIV
Non
stop overnight flight via Continental Airlines
DAY TWO * THURSDAY * 12 JUNE: TEL AVIV * **
JERUSALEM
Upon arrival, meet your guide and driver and transfer up to Jerusalem,
the Holy City. Stop for a visit
at Mini Israel (near Latrun). Continue to Rappaport’s sculpture of
the “Scrolls of Fire,” located on the way to Jerusalem. Upon entering Jerusalem, honor your
religious heritage reciting the “Shehechayanu” blessing.
Overnight * Sheraton Plaza hotel, Jerusalem.
DAY THREE * FRIDAY * 13 JUNE: JERUSALEM
From the top of Mount Scopus, enjoy your first panoramic overview
of Jerusalem. Enter the
Old City via the Zion Gate, walk through the restored Jewish
Quarter, passing the excavated Roman Cardo. Visit the Herodian
mansions and the Burnt House. On to the Rabbinical
Tunnel. Continue to Mahane
Yehuda, Jerusalem’s marketplace, to share in the spirit of preparation for
Shabbat and to enjoy the best falafel in the country! After dressing for Shabbat, visit
the Western Wall to include Kabbalat Shabbat service at the
Southern Wall.
Shabbat dinner and overnight * Sheraton Plaza hotel,
Jerusalem.
DAY FOUR * SATURDAY * 14 JUNE: JERUSALEM
Free day
Lunch at the hotel
Overnight * Sheraton Plaza hotel, Jerusalem.
DAY FIVE * SUNDAY * 15 JUNE:
JERUSALEM
The day starts with a visit to the Menorah, located next to the
Knesset. On to the Israel
Museum; visit the Shrine of the Book, housing the Dead Sea Scrolls,
and stroll through the magnificent Billy Rose Sculpture Garden. Take time
to view the inner dynamics of this unique location. Visit the Scale Model of
Jerusalem in its new location and see the replica of Jerusalem during the
2nd Temple period. Drive
to Ein Karem to view
Chagall’s famed stained glass windows at the synagogue of the Hadassah
Hospital. Travel to Yad
Vashem, Israel’s memorial to the Holocaust, for a Yizkor service and
visit to the majestic Children’s Pavilion and the brand new
Museum. We’ll end our visit at
the Valley of Destroyed Communities. Stop at Mount Herzel,
Israel’s military cemetery, to pay respects at the tomb of Yitzhak Rabin.
Overnight * Sheraton Plaza hotel, Jerusalem.
DAY SIX - MONDAY * 16 JUNE:
JERUSALEM * TEL MARESHA * DEAD SEA
Bar Mitzvah service at the Western Wall/Southern Steps. Drive to Tel
Maresha and have time to get “down and dirty,” as you participate in
the archeological dig. Continue to Qumran for luncheon. Stop at Ahava
factory and than drive to your hotel at the Dead Sea. Time to swim and
relax.
Dinner and overnight * Meridian hotel, Dead Sea
DAY SEVEN * TUESDAY * 17 JUNE: MASSADA * DE** DEAD SEA
The day starts with a visit to Massada. Ascend by cable car to view the
excavations of the Herodian palace, storerooms, bathhouse and waterworks. Continue your Dead Sea adventure with a
visit to Kfar Hanokdim * a Bedouin tent for lunch and camel rride. Return
to your hotel and enjoy the swum at the Dead Sea or the hotel
facilities
Dinner and overnight * Meridian hotel, Dead
Sea
DAY EIGHT * WEDNESDAY * 18 JUNE: BEIT SHE’A**AN * BEIT ALPHA *
TIBERIAS
Drive along the Jordan Valley to the city of Beit She’an. Tour the extensive ongoing
archaeological
excavations in this Roman decapolis city built next to ancient remains which
figured prominently during the reign of King Saul. On to Beit Alpha; see an
exquisite mosaic floor in an ancient synagogue set in a pomegranate
orchard. Visit Gan Hashlosha
Park Reserve; swim or simply relax enjoying the green surroundings. Drive
to our Kibbutz Guest House
Dinner and overnight: Kibbutz Nof Ginossar Guest
House
DAY NINE * THURSDAY * 19 JUNE: GOLAN HEIGHTS *S – KUNEITRA * SAFED *
TIBERIAS
This morning explore the geo-politically vital Golan Heights by
jeep! Continue by motor-coach to Mt. Bental for an
observation over Kuneitra and Syria. This site will give us a wonderful
perspective of the important significance of the Golan Heights. This afternoon is for fun as you
river raft on the mighty Jordan. Drive to Safed, home to the
Kabala. This charming town, filled
with cobblestone streets, lined with ancient synagogues and artist galleries,
offers breathtaking views of the entire upper Galilee. Drive back along the shoreline of the
Sea of Galilee, Israel’s sole source of fresh water, and one of Israel’s
favorite vacation spots, to Tiberias, once a rabbinical scholar
center. End this special day with a
boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.
Dinner and overnight: Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar Guest House
DAY TEN * FRIDAY * 20 JUNE: ROSH HANIKRA - ACRE RE * DRUZE VILLAGE *
TEL AVIV
Drive to Rosh Hanikra; view the grottos near the Lebanese
border. Continue southward along
the shores of the Mediterranean to Acre, a former Crusader
stronghold. Spend time roaming
through the remains including the knights’ center and dining hall. Walk along the underground complex. Continue along the Mediterranean shore
to Haifa; ascend Mount Carmel to appreciate the spectacular view
of the coastline and the magnificent terraced gardens of the Bahai World
Center. Visit the Druze
Village of Ussifiya - time to learn about these unique Israeli
citizens include light lunch.
Continue to vibrant Tel Aviv.
Shabbat dinner and overnight: Sheraton hotel & Towers,
Tel-Aviv
DAY ELEVEN * SATURDAY * 20 JUNE: TEL AVIV ** –
DEPARTURE
Morning at Leisure. After lunch at the hotel walking tour to Old
Jaffa.
Farewell dinner
Late check out from the hotel
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the USA which will
departs just before midnight.
DAY TWELVE * SUNDAY * 21 JUNE: ARRIVE
USA
Arrive back to the USA.
