Greenwich Mini Mission

WELCOME TO IsraelNation of the Jewish People

• Touchdown at Ben Gurion International AirportIsrael's only international gateway.

• After clearing passport control a VIPIsraelDont Just See It... VIP It! representative will be waiting to welcome you. He will facilitate luggage identification and handling; & escort you through customs.

• Ascend to JerusalemThe capital of Israel.

• Upon your first view of the eternal Holy City, stop for a moment of reflection and davening. Make the “shehehianu” prayer as you gaze upon the Temple MountThe Location of the Temple at Jerusalem from the Has PromenadeProvides a tremendous view of Jerusalem and beyond., as did Abraham when he prepared to sacrifice Isaac; take in the breathtaking view.

• Enjoy a guided tour of the archaeological discoveries excavated in the Western Wall Tunnelslabyrinth of passageways at the Temple Mount. Inside, a most interesting model shows the different dwelling periods and history of the inhabitants of JerusalemThe capital of Israel. Stand on the site believed to be the nearest spot to the "Holy of HoliesThe room in the Jewish Temple where the Ark of the Covenant stood".

• Enjoy a visit to the Davidson CenterThe Jerusalem Archaeological Park – the newly opened visitors’ center, located at the JerusalemThe capital of Israel Archaeological Park.

• Tour the Southern Wallone of the most important archeological projects in recent history Excavations where some of the most important archaeological discoveries have been unearthed, proving this to be one of the key areas of JerusalemThe capital of Israel. Amongst these remains is a complex of royal palaces dating back to the 7th century.

• Enjoy lunch at one of the Old CityThe Holiest Center in the World’s many restaurants and falafel stands!

• Take a Guided tour of the Jewish Quarter that was reconstructed after the city was unified at the conclusion of the Six-Day War in 1967. A special point of interest in the restored Jewish Quarter is the "CardoThe heart of Jerusalem's Old City Jewish quarter", meaning the "heart" of this ancient Byzantine City. View the unearthed main Roman thoroughfare and ancient marketplace lined with columns. Nearby see the four Sephardic synagogues.

• Stop over at the Tzemach TzedekChabbad Shul in Jerusalem Shull, established by the Chasidim of the Tzemach TzedekChabbad Shul in Jerusalem. The only Shull that survived the war in ’48.

• Tour of the new Yad VashemHolocaust Museum in Jerusalem, the memorial to the six million innocent victims of the Holocaust. Walk through the Museum escorted by a holocaust survivor who will share his personal story with us as we walk through the exhibitions.

• Enjoy a walk & test your “Israeli bargaining skills” at the Machne YehudaJerusalem's Vibrant Market Shuk (open market) & Meah Sharim, IsraelNation of the Jewish People’s most religious neighborhood.

• Check into The David Citadel Hotel & freshen up before dinner.

• Overnight: David's Citadel Hotel, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

• After breakfast depart for Massada - Ascend the cliff top fortress by cable car, or for the more daring, ascend the snake path just as the Jews did thousands of years ago.

• Explore the ancient remains of the fortifications, King HerodA notorious king, ruled in the time of the second temple's palace, storerooms and baths. Discuss the terrible dilemma faced by its Jewish population during Roman times with your guide

• Descend by cable car. It is possible to descend on foot via the old Roman RampWall erected by the Romans in 72 CE, or again via the snake path.

• Take in the beauty of the natural Ein Gedi WaterfallJust north of Masada, a desert oasis of hiking trails, waterfalls and lush greenery, take a light hike along a waterfall oasis, whose beauty exudes vibrant hues of green, red, blue and yellow, a small slice of heaven.

• Return to your hotel and freshen up for Shabbat.

WELCOME SHABBAT AT THE KotelHoliest place on Earth (WESTERN WALL)

As the sun sets preparations will be made for welcoming the Shabbat

• Upon reaching the steps leading down to the KotelHoliest place on Earth, look around and notice people from all corners of the world converging together with one purpose in mind; to welcome the Shabbat at the holiest place on earth for JudaismThe religion of the Jewish people. Singing and dancing with true Chabad spirit.

• Enjoy Shabbat Dinner with a true Chabad spirit, hosted by a family in JerusalemThe capital of Israel’s Old CityThe Holiest Center in the World, L’Chaim!

Overnight: The David Citadel Hotel, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

• After a light breakfast, walk to The Tzemach TzedekChabbad Shul in Jerusalem Shull for Davening (or to a synagogue of your choice. A list of nearby synagogues will be provided.)

• Chabad spirited Shabbat lunch Hosted by a family in JerusalemThe capital of Israel’s New City, L’Chaim!

• As Shabbat expires, participate in a moving Havdallah service with your Rabbi Deren in the hotel

• After Shabbat, visit an army base (TBD).

Overnight: David's Citadel Hotel, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

• After breakfast check out of your hotel & travel through the Golan Heights, off the beaten track, and gaze down over the Galilee as the Syrians once did.

• Travel to the ancient remains of Beit SheanThe largest and most unique ancient site in Israel – one of the oldest settled sites in the country. This is where, in biblical times, the bodies of King Saul and his sons were nailed to the city walls by the Philistines. The Beit SheanThe largest and most unique ancient site in Israel National Park houses incredible archeological treasures. If the day is too hot, cool off in the Ma’yan Harod Pool or Huga Park.

• Next, onto Tel MegiddoLocation knows for its historical weight located in the Jazreel Valley. One of the first national parks in the State of IsraelNation of the Jewish People, it contains the remains of historic MegiddoLocation knows for its historical weight, a fortified city that rested strategically on the ancient main road from Egypt to Syria and Mesopotamia.

• Nearby Beit ShearimBeit_Shearim houses catacombs from over 1700 years ago, the times of Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi.

• Travel to Kibbtuz Lavi & check into your hotel and freshen up.

• Travel into TiberiusOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities and visit the grave of RAMBAM,Rabbi Akivaone of the most central contributors to the early Oral Torah, & Rabbi Meir Baal HaNess

• Sunset cruise & dinner at Deck’s Restaurant, TiberiusOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities.

Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi, TiberiusOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities

• After breakfast, check out of your hotel.

• Travel onward to TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities to absorb the special ambience of this town of contrasts, where ancient sites such as The ArizalRabbi Isaac Luria; Jewish Scholar and Mystic’s synagogue and the ancient burial site of Shlomo HaLevi (author of Lechah Dodi) exist side by side with today’s modern art galleries.

• Visit Tzfas's restored Old CityThe Holiest Center in the World including the artists' colony. Tzfas has much to offer in the way of art galleries, gift-shops and restaurants found tucked away amongst the winding, cobblestone streets.

• Absorb the special ambience of the holy City of Tzfas, town of contrasts, where ancient synagogues and modern art galleries exist side by side. As you wander through the narrow, winding alleys, visit some of the beautiful synagogues and browse through the artists’ workshops and galleries found in the flourishing artists' quarter. Embark on an in-depth tour of the synagogues, courtyards, cemetery, and the famous Mikveh of the Ari z"l in the mystical city.

• Stop by Tzfas’s famous candle shop and visit art and sculpture galleries.

• Visit Pek’in, Meron & Amouka in the hills of Tzefat.(time permitting)

• In the afternoon, visit the ancient city of Caesarea, built by HerodA notorious king, ruled in the time of the second temple the Great and once the seat of Roman rule.

• Visit the Caesarea Harbor Project where a fascinating cinematic exhibition will take you on an enchanted voyage through the history of Caesarea. Along the route, you will be exposed to the various civilizations which ruled the city, including the Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and Crusaders.

• Visit the Caesarea National Park contains an impressive Roman Ampitheatre, the Hippodrome, a horse-racing arena that could seat 20,000; also a giant headless statue on Byzantine StreetAncient Street of Shops, and the Roman AqueductsAncient Roman Structures.

• Travel to Old JaffaWorld Heritage Site for a farewell dinner at Shirat HaYam Fish Restaurant.

• Transfer to Ben GurionFirst Prime Minister of Israel Airport for you late night departure flight home where you will be met by a VIPIsraelDont Just See It... VIP It! representative will be waiting to assist you in your temporary departure from IsraelNation of the Jewish People.