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22-Day Israel Discovery
Only $3,298
+ $200 Registration Fee
This price includes:
- Airfare from New York
- A full itinerary every day - from Dan to Eilat
- Participation of Israeli peers
Two Trips: June 19 - July 10, 2011 or July 10 - July 31, 2011
Dates are subject to confirmation
June 19 - July 10, 2011 Itinerary:
Monday, June 20, 2011 – Welcome Home
Shalom and Welcome Home!
- Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport and meet your Tour Educator v
- Have a welcome ceremony and plant a tree as a token of blessing for the land in Neot Kedumim
- Opening sessions and icebreakers to get to know the other participants
Overnight: Jerusalem Hills
Tuesday, June 21, 2011 – The City That Never Sleeps
- Head to Tel Aviv for a short city tour of this Hebrew speaking metropolis
- Pause at Rabin Square to remember
- Relive history as you visit Independence Hall where the State of Israel was born
- Stroll the Nahalat Binyamin arts and crafts fair, trendy Shenkin Street and the colorful Carmel Market
Overnight: Jerusalem Hills
Wednesday, June 22, 2011 – King David’s City
- Start the day at a vantage point over looking the Old city of Jerusalem (Haas Promenade). Imagine Abraham and Isaac walking in the same place on their way to Mt. Moriah.
- Visit Mt. Zion and the sites on it, sacred to the 3 religions
- Enter the Old City through Zion Gate
- Descend the Western Hill to the City of David, where it all began. Enjoy a wet walk through Hezekiah Tunnel, dug in biblical times.
- Visit the Kotel for a moment of prayer and personal reflection
- In the evening: interactive map activities
Overnight: Jerusalem Hills
Thursday, June 23, 2011 – Around Town
- Start your day with a walk on the Old City Ramparts towards the Jewish Quarter
- Enter the Jewish Quarter and take in some highlights such as the Cardo and the Broad Wall (First Temple period)
- Explore the mysterious Western Wall Tunnels that stretch under the Old City
- In the afternoon perform community service activities in Jerusalem
- In the evening enjoy a session on Israel’s Hi-Tech success story
Overnight: Jerusalem
Friday, June 24, 2011 – Jerusalem Prepares for the Shabbat
- Afternoon enjoy a short hike to the Sataf Springs to learn about Biblical Mountain Agriculture
- See Jerusalem prepare for Shabbat with a visit to the colorful Machne Yehuda Market – a riot of sounds and smells, from fruit to Arab coffee to flowers to spices to fresh Challah being baked for Shabbat
- Time to relax and get ready for Shabbat
- Join thousands of Jews from around the world as they welcome the Shabbat with joy and passion at the Western Wall
- Festive Shabbat dinner and Shabbat evening programs
Overnight: Jerusalem
Saturday, June 25, 2011 – Shabbat Jerusalem Style
- Optional Shabbat Services at the hotel
- Enjoy a scavenger hunt of Jerusalem neighborhoods to see hidden treasures not often noticed. On this interactive program we pull back the veil on the history, architecture and some urban legends surrounding the neighborhood.
- Havdallah
- After dinner, enjoy a unique Jerusalem by night tour including Ben Yehuda Street
Overnight: Jerusalem
Sunday, June 26, 2011 – Companions, Caves and Camels
- Today you get to meet the cool Israelis who will join you for the week
- Head to Tel Azeka for some icebreakers and “getting-to-know-you” activities at the place where David fought Goliath
- Explore the Bar Kochba's caves at Midras – these caves were used as hideouts from the Romans during Bar Kochba's Revolt
- Head to a Bedouin encampment and climb on your camel for a trek deep into the desert
- Tonight enjoy a traditional Bedouin Hafla (feast) before spending the night in the Bedouin Tent
Overnight: Bedouin Tent
Monday, June 27, 2011 – Desert Delights
- Today will be spent exploring the desert
- Learn about desert survival, how to survive the sun, heat and lack of water
- Enjoy a hike to Ein Avdat to see a genuine desert oasis hidden in the winding cliffs of the Paran Desert
- Head to David Ben Gurion’s grave-the first Prime Minister and founder of Israel who was known for his dream to turn the desert green
- Back to the hotel for some time off and swimming pool time
- In the evening, a nature hike in the desert to see the nocturnal wildlife
Overnight: Out Door Camping Site, Sde Boker Area
Tuesday, June 28, 2011 – Deep in the Desert
- In the morning view the Ramon Crater – one of the most magnificent sights you’ll ever see, since these kinds of craters only exist in Israel
- Head south to Eilat – Israel’s answer to Cancun and South Beach
- Explore the city, the Mall and the seaside promenade lined with stalls
- Relax on the beach and swim in the Red Sea
- In the evening enjoy a disco cruise on the blue waters of the Red Sea
Overnight: Eilat
Wednesday, June 29, 2011 – Having Eilat of Fun!
- Start the day with a hike up Mount Tzfachot – view into Sinai and the surrounding 4 countries: Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Israel, and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of Israel’s geographical location
- Snorkel on a coral reef and let the vividly colorful marine wildlife have a good look at you
- Late afternoon depart Eilat and head to Arad
- In the evening enjoy a preparation session on Massada
Overnight: Arad
Thursday, June 30, 2011 – Climbing and Floating
- Very early morning start climbing Massada for a spectacular sunrise
- Tour the site, once the luxurious desert retreat of King Herod the Great and later the last stronghold of Jewish rebels, holding out against the Romans
- Hike down the infamous Snake Path, named so because of its many twists and turns
- Stop for lunch and swim (float) in the Dead Sea. The weightlessness you experience is because of the high content of salts and minerals in the water. You can’t sink! You can cover yourself in the mineral rich mud that is good for your skin!
- Head to the center of the country and meet your Israeli friends’ family. You will be spending the next 2 days with them, living like an Israeli.
Overnight: With Host Families
Friday, July 1, 2011 – Brothers and Sisters
- After your first night in an Israeli home and a home-cooked breakfast, spend time touring your Israeli friend’s hometown. You can see their school, mall, places they hang-out and get a feel for their life.
- Return home and join your host family to experience what a typical Israeli family does on Erev Shabbat
Overnight: With Host Families
Saturday, July 2, 2011 – Shabbat at Home
- Today will be spent with your Israeli friends and their families. Some may choose to go to the beach and others will relax at home or go on a picnic. Anything they do, we are sure you will have fun!
Overnight: With Host Families
Sunday, July 3, 2011 – Mediterranean Shores
- Say goodbye to your new Israeli friends as you continue on your trip
- Pause at the Druze village of Ossafiyah for lunch in a local home and learn more about this unique minority who are loyal to the State of Israel
- View Haifa from atop Mt. Carmel
- Enjoy a swim in the Mediterranean at Hof Dor, one of Israel’s most interesting and fun beaches
- Cross the lush Galilee to the Sea of Galilee area
Overnight: Kibbutz in the Galilee
Monday, July 4, 2011 – Go Golan!
- Ascend the Golan Heights and drive to the Mount Bental viewpoint and view deep into Syria and the Ghost Town of Kuneitra
- Enjoy a nature hike along one of the streams that crisscross the Golan – prepare to get wet as you do
- Pause at Tel Faher and hear about Israel’s master spy, Eli Cohen
In the evening enjoy a Kumzitz (Bonfire) party
Overnight: Kibbutz in the Galilee
Tuesday, July 5, 2011 – Kabbalah and Kef (fun)
- Start the day in Zfat, city of mystical Judaism (Kabbalah). Explore the narrow alleyways lined with ancient synagogues and artists' galleries.
- Descend to the Sea of Galilee for fun and swim – that makes the 4th sea you have swam in this trip!
- End the day at the camping site of Park Ha'yarden
- Sway to the beat of a drummers circle into the night
Overnight: Camping out in "Park Hayarden" Camp Site
Wednesday, July 6, 2011 – Northern Exposure
- Start the day with a hike down the near vertical Arbel Cliffs to see the magnificent vistas, of the Sea of Galilee (pending weather conditions)
- Continue the day enjoying a kayaking adventure down the Jordan River. Splash into the river at the end of a zip-line and enjoy a pizza party.
- In the late afternoon, depart for Tel Aviv
- This evening head to the ancient port of Jaffa to hear about it many visitors – Jonah and his whale, Andromeda, Napoleon – and now YOU!
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Thursday, July 7, 2011 – (Israel Only) – Remembrance
- Ascend to Jerusalem to visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Site. Experience the museum, the Children’s Memorial, the Valley of the Communities and the Boulevard of the Righteous among the Nations.
- Continue to Mount Herzl to see the graves of Herzl, Golda Meir, Yitzhak Rabin and other Zionist luminaries as well as graves of Fallen Israeli Soldiers
- Farewell visit to the Wall
- Closing sessions and summation: "What did this trip mean to me?"
- Meet your relatives or friends and depart for the weekend
Overnight – Relatives and Friends in Israel
Friday, July 8, 2011 – Relatives and Friends
- Today will be spent with your Israeli relatives and/or friends. Some may choose to go to the beach and others will relax at home or go on a picnic. Anything they do, we are sure you will have fun!
Overnight – Relatives and Friends in Israel
Saturday, July 9, 2011 – Shabbat Family Style
- Enjoy a relaxing Shabbat with your Israeli relatives and/or friends. Every Shabbat is followed by a fun filled Motzei Shabbat, experience the evening out!
Overnight – Relatives and friends in Israel
Important Note Regarding Family Style Weekend:
We understand that not all participants will have relatives or friends in Israel in which they
can spend this weekend with. For those participants, Oranim will offer complete programming
at an additional cost to be determined at a date close to the program.
Sunday, July 10, 2011 – Leavin' on a Jet Plane
- In the evening gather from your relatives/friends homes at the airport and depart on your flight back
Monday, July 11, 2011 – Arrival
Arrive safely at your final destination
July 10 - July 31, 2011 Itinerary:
Monday, July 11, 2011 – Welcome Home
Shalom and Welcome Home!
- Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport and meet your Tour Educator
- Have a welcome ceremony and plant a tree as a token of blessing for the land in Neot Kedumim.
- Opening sessions and icebreaking activities to get to know the other participants
Overnight: Jerusalem Hills
Tuesday, July 12, 2011 – The City That Never Sleeps
- Head to Tel Aviv for a short city tour of this Hebrew speaking metropolis
- Pause at Rabin Square to remember
- Relive history as you visit Independence Hall where the State of Israel was born
- Stroll the Nahalat Binyamin arts and crafts fair, trendy Shenkin Street and the colorful Carmel Market
Overnight: Jerusalem Hills
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 – King David’s City
- Start the day at a vantage point over looking the Old city of Jerusalem (Haas Promenade) Imagine Abraham and Isaac walking in the same place on their way to Mt. Moriah.
- Visit Mt Zion and the sites on it, sacred to the 3 religions.
- Enter the Old City through Zion Gate.
- Descend the Western Hill to the City of David, where it all began. Enjoy a wet walk through Hezekiah Tunnel, dug in biblical times
- Visit the Kotel for a moment of prayer and personal reflection.
- In the evening: interactive map activities
Overnight: Jerusalem Hills
Thursday, July 14, 2011 – Around Town
- Start your day with a walk on the Old City Ramparts towards the Jewish Quarter.
- Enter the Jewish Quarter and take in some highlights of the Jewish Quarter such as the Cardo and the Broad Wall (First Temple period).
- Explore the mysterious Western Wall Tunnels that stretch under the Old City
- In the afternoon perform community service activities in Jerusalem.
- In the evening enjoy a session on Israel’s Hi-Tech success story
Overnight: Jerusalem
Friday, July 15, 2011 – Jerusalem prepares for the Shabbat
- Afternoon enjoy a short hike to the Sataf Springs to learn about Biblical Mountain Agriculture
- See Jerusalem prepare for Shabbat with a visit to the colorful Machne Yehuda Market – a riot of sounds and smells, from fruit to Arab coffee to flowers to spices to fresh Challah being baked for Shabbat
- Time to relax and get ready for Shabbat
- Join thousands of Jews from around the world as they welcome the Shabbat with joy and passion at the Western Wall
- Festive Shabbat dinner and Shabbat evening programs
Overnight: Jerusalem
Saturday, July 16, 2011 – Shabbat Jerusalem Style
- Optional Shabbat Services at the hotel
- Enjoy a scavenger hunt of Jerusalem neighborhoods to see hidden treasures not often noticed. On this interactive program we pull back the veil on the history, architecture and some urban legends surrounding the neighborhood.
- Havdallah
- After dinner, enjoy a unique Jerusalem by night tour including Ben Yehuda Street
Overnight: Jerusalem
Sunday, July 17, 2011 – Companions, Caves and Camels
- Today you get to meet the cool Israelis who will join you for the week
- Head to Tel Azeka for some ice-breaking and “getting-to-know-you” activities and games at the place where David fought Goliath!
- Explore the Bar Kochba's caves at Midras – these caves were used as hideouts from the Romans during Bar Kochba's Revolt.
- Head to a Bedouin encampment and climb on your camel for a trek deep into the desert
- Tonight enjoy a traditional Bedouin Hafla (feast) before spending the night in the Bedouin Tent!
Overnight: Bedouin Tent
Monday, July 18, 2011 – Desert Delights
- Today will be spent exploring the desert
- Learn about desert survival, how to survive the sun, heat and lack of water
- Enjoy a hike to Ein Avdat to see a genuine desert oasis hidden in the winding cliffs of the Paran Desert
- Head to David Ben Gurion’s grave. The first Prime Minister and founder of Israel who was known for his dream to turn the desert green.
- Back to the Hotel for some time off and swimming pool time.
- In the evening, a nature hike in the desert to see the nocturnal wildlife.
Overnight: Out Door camping site, Sde Boker area
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 – Deep in the desert
- In the morning view the Ramon Crater – one of the most magnificent sights you’ll ever see, since these kinds of craters only exist in Israel!
- Head south to Eilat – Israel’s answer to Cancun and South Beach!
- Explore the city, the Mall and the seaside promenade lined with stalls
- Relax on the beach and swim in the Red Sea!
- In the evening enjoy a disco cruise on the blue waters of the Red Sea
Overnight: Eilat
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 – Having Eilat of Fun!
- Start the day with a hike up Mount Tzfachot – view into Sinai and the surrounding 4 countries: Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Israel, and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of Israel’s geographical location
- Snorkel on a coral reef and let the vividly colorful marine wildlife have a good look at you
- Late afternoon depart Eilat and head to Arad
- In the evening enjoy a preparation session on Massada
Overnight: Arad.
Thursday, July 21, 2011 – Climbing and floating
- Very early morning start climbing Massada for a spectacular sunrise. This is inspirational stuff.
- Tour the site, once the luxurious desert retreat of King Herod the Great and later the last stronghold of Jewish rebels, holing out against the Romans.
- Hike down the famous Snake Path, named so because of its many twists and turns)
- Stop for lunch and swim (float) in the Dead Sea. The weightlessness you experience is because of the high content of salts and minerals in the water. You can’t sink! You can cover yourself in the mineral rich mud that is good for your skin!
- Head to the center of the country and meet your Israeli friends’ family. You will be spending the next 2 days with them, living like an Israeli
Overnight: With host families
Friday, July 22 2011 – Brothers and Sisters
- After your first night in an Israeli home, and a home-cooked breakfast, spend time touring your Israeli friend’s hometown. You can see their school, mall, places they hang-out and shop and get a feel for their life.
- Return home and join your host family and experience what a typical Israeli family does on Erev Shabbat
Overnight: With Host Families.
Saturday, July 23 2011 – Shabbat at home
- Today will be spent with your Israeli friends and their families. Some may chose to go to the beach and others relax at home or go on a picnic. Anything they do, we are sure you will have fun!
Overnight: With Host Families
Sunday, July 24 2011 – Mediterranean Shores
- Say goodbye to your new Israeli friends as you continue on your trip.
- Pause at the Druze village of Ossafiyah for lunch in a local home and to learn more about this unique minority who are loyal to the State of Israel
- View Haifa from atop Mt. Carmel
- Enjoy a swim in the Mediterranean at Hof Dor, one of Israel’s most interesting and fun beaches!
- Cross the lush Galilee to the Sea of Galilee area
Overnight: Kibbutz in the Galilee
Monday, July 25 2011 – Go Golan!
- Ascend the Golan Heights and drive to the Mount Bental viewpoint and view deep into Syria and the Ghost Town of Kuneitra
- Enjoy a nature hike along one of the streams that crisscross the Golan – prepare to get wet as you do!
- Pause at Tel Faher and hear about Israel’s master spy, Eli Cohen.
In the evening enjoy a Kumzitz (Bonfire) party
Overnight: Kibbutz in the Galilee
Tuesday, July 26 2011 – Kabbalah and Kef (fun)
- Start the day in Zfat, city of mystical Judaism (Kabbalah). Explore the narrow alleyways lined with ancient synagogues and artists' galleries.
- Descend to the Sea of Galilee for fun and swim – that makes the 4th sea you have swam in this trip!
- End the day at the camping site of Park Ha'yarden
- Sway to the beat of a drummers circle into the night.
Overnight: Camping out in “Park Hayarden” camping site
Wednesday, July 27 2011 – Northern Exposure
- Start the day with a hike down the near vertical Arbel Cliffs to see the magnificent vistas, of the Sea of Galilee (pending weather conditions)
- Continue the day enjoying a Kayaking adventure down the Jordan River. Splash into the river at the end of a zip-line and enjoy a Pizza party
- In the late afternoon, depart for Tel Aviv
- This evening head to the ancient port of Jaffa to hear about it many visitors – Jonah and his whale, Andromeda, Napoleon – and now YOU!
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Thursday, July 28 2011 – (Israel Only) – Remembrance
- Ascend to Jerusalem to visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Site. Experience the museum, the Children’s Memorial, the Valley of the Communities and the Boulevard of the Righteous among the Nations.
- Continue to Mount Herzl to see the graves of Herzl, Golda Meir, Yitzhak Rabin and other Zionist luminaries as well as graves of Fallen Israeli Soldiers.
- Farewell visit to the Wall
- Closing sessions and summation: "What did this trip mean to me?"
- Meet your relatives or friends and depart for the weekend!
Overnight – Relatives and friends in Israel
Friday, July 29 2011 – Relatives and Friends
- Today will be spent with your Israeli relatives and/or friends. Some may chose to go to the beach and others relax at home or go on a picnic. Anything they do, we are sure you will have fun!
Overnight – Relatives and friends in Israel
Saturday, July 30 2011 – Shabbat Family Style
- Enjoy a relaxing Shabbat with your Israeli relatives and/or friends. Every Shabbat is followed with fun filled Motzei Shabbat, experience the evening out!
Overnight – Relatives and friends in Israel
Important Note Regarding Family Style Weekend:
We understand that not all participants will have relatives or friends in Israel in which they can spend this weekend with. For those participants, Oranim will offer complete programming at an additional cost to be determined at a date close to the program.
Sunday, July 31, 2011 – Leavin' on a Jet Plane
- In the evening gather from Relatives and friends homes at the airport and depart on your flight back
Monday, August 1, 2011 – Arrival
Arrive safely at your final destination
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