Miami Israel Mission

WELCOME TO IsraelNation of the Jewish People

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

• Before clearing passport control a VIPIsraelDont Just See It... VIP It! representative will be waiting to welcome you. He will facilitate passport control, 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 Tayelet, as did Abraham when he prepared to sacrifice Isaac; take in the breathtaking view.

• Check into the hotel

• Spend the evening relaxing, and have Dinner at one of JerusalemThe capital of Israel’s many fine restaurants or the hotel

Overnight: The Prima Kings HotelWonderful Hotel at the Heart of Jerusalem, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

• After breakfast tour the archaeological discoveries excavated in the Western Wall Tunnelslabyrinth of passageways at the Temple Mount. Inside, an 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. Among these excavations remains a complex of royal palaces dating back to the 7th century.

• View Hulda's GateGate in Jerusalem's Old City named after the Prophetess Hulda and walk up the impressive ancient staircase that was the main entrance through which worshippers entered the Second Temple's compound.

• 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.

• Visit the excavated ruins of a “Burnt House” that was part of JerusalemThe capital of Israel during the Second Temple period. These burned ruins remained undisturbed until they were uncovered in the 1970’s.

• View the oldest synagogue in the Jewish Quarter - the Ramban Synagogue founded by the followers of Rabbi Moshe Ben Nachman in the 12th century.

• On to the excavations of the Herodian Mansions, located beneath the present-day Jewish quarter, showing how the high priests and wealthy Jerusalemites of old lived.

• ‘Gimmel Tammuz’ Ferbrengen with the Mayanot Yeshivah , central JerusalemThe capital of Israel

Overnight: The Prima Kings HotelWonderful Hotel at the Heart of Jerusalem, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

• After breakfast, start your day with a tour of The City of David. This is the original site of JerusalemThe capital of Israel from the times of King David. It lies South of the Temple MountThe Location of the Temple at Jerusalem and is surrounded by hills on all sides, hence where it says in Psalms, "JerusalemThe capital of Israel with hills around her". The water source of First TempleBuilt by King Solomon, Son of King David JerusalemThe capital of Israel, the Shiloach SpringThe Ancient Spring in Jerusalem, lies here. You will hike down the shafts excavated and stand at the spot where SolomonThe Wise King of Israel was anointed King and have an opportunity to walk thourgh the water spring tunnel which provdided fresh water to the city in times of war.

• 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.

• If we have time, we will continue to visit the famous and remarkable Israel Museum where you will be met and addressed by one of the Curators of the Museum. On the premises, housed in a specially built structure - an architectural masterpiece, The Shrine of the BookHome to the Dead Sea Scrolls, where you will be able to view the Dead Sea Scrolls

• Enjoy a walk & test your “Israeli bargaining skills” at the Machne YehudaJerusalem's Vibrant Market Shuk (open market).

• Return to hotel and prepare to welcome the ‘Shabbat Bride.’

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

As the sun sets preparations will be made for welcoming the Shabbat at the KotelHoliest place on Earth (Western Wall). As you enter the Old CityThe Holiest Center in the World, look around you and notice how people from all corners of the world enter through the various gates with one purpose in mind, to welcome the Shabbat Bride at the holiest place on earth for JudaismThe religion of the Jewish people.

• Enjoy a Festive Shabbat Dinner at the hotels dining in Chabad spirit led by your Rabbi!

Overnight: The Prima Kings HotelWonderful Hotel at the Heart of Jerusalem, 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.)

• Shabbat afternoon lunch at the hotel.

• Take a beautiful walking tour of JerusalemThe capital of Israel

• After Shabbat, enjoy shopping and dinner at JerusalemThe capital of Israel’s Ben Yehuda Outdoor MallJerusalem's Outdoor Pedestrian Mall, where the young JerusalemThe capital of Israel comes to life.

Overnight: The Prima Kings HotelWonderful Hotel at the Heart of Jerusalem, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

• After an early morning breakfast we depart to the Dead Sea area traveling south through the Judean Wilderness.

• Arrive at Massada - Ascend the cliff top fortress by cable car. Explore the ancient remains of fortifications, King HerodA notorious king, ruled in the time of the second temple's palaces, storerooms and baths. Descend by cable car. It is possible to descend on foot via the old Roman RampWall erected by the Romans in 72 CE, or 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, hike along a waterfall oasis, whose beauty exudes vibrant hues of green, red, blue and yellow, a small slice of heaven.

• Continue along the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, and a rich source of minerals for export. Let the buoyant waters support you as you relax on your back and think of nothing else but the sea and the salt all around you!

• Dinner at your hotel.

Overnight: Le MeridianWonderful Accomodation at the Shores of the Dead Sea, Dead Sea

• After breakfast, travel through the Golan Heights, off the beaten track, and gaze down over the Galilee as the Syrians once did.

• 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 Mikveh of the Ari z"l in the mystical city.

• We will then join a discussion on Kabbalah with Rabbi LeiterDirector of Ascent, director of ‘Ascent of TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities’, the center for Jewish Mysticism in TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities and the Galilee. You will enjoy the relaxing atmosphere in the enclosed courtyards, shaded by canopies of grape vines and take in a fantastic view from the roof overlooking Mount Meron and the Galillean Hills.

• Travel to nearby Mt. Meron, and visit the site of Shimon Bar Yochi.

• 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. Today Beit SheanThe largest and most unique ancient site in Israel is a modern development town.

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

• After breakfast travel to the notorious Acco PrisonAncient Crusader Prison that was built by the Turks and later used by the British to imprison Jewish underground fighters during their struggle against British rule.

• “Travel back in time” to the Talmudic Period as we visit Tzippori – one of the main centers of the Sanhedrincouncil of seventy-one Jewish sages who constituted the Supreme Court and legislative body of Ancient Israel and where Rabbi Yehuda Hanassi lived. It was there that he compiled the Mishna. During our visit, we will walk through the amazing ancient conduit, which brought water to the city.

• Iin true Biblical fashion, we adorn traditional garb at Kfar KedemRecreated Ancient VIllage in Galilee (Ancient Village) and take a short donkey ride in the scenic hills of the Galilee. From our donkeys back we will be able to admire IsraelNation of the Jewish People’s countryside, which has hardly changed since days of old.

• Onward to Katzrin, which was established in 1977 and was 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. Tour the ancient reconstructed Talmudic Village and a partially restored 1,500-year-old synagogue.

• On to Gamla – the Massada of the north, to view the remains of the fortified village, which stood fast against the Romans and was an example to the Jewish nation of the time. At this battle, 5000 people died fighting the Romans. Gamla is located on a slope in the Golan Heights that looks like a camel’s hump.

• Enjoy Wine tasting in one of the Golan Heights’ fine wineries

• Dinner at Deck’s Restaurant, TiberiusOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities.

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

• After breakfast at the Hotel Check out and Travel through the Golan Heights, off the beaten track, and gaze down over the Galilee as the Syrians once did.

• Enjoy Wine tasting in one of the Golan Heights’ fine wineries.

• Ascend the new cable cars up the mountain towards Kibbutz ManaraIsrael's most northern kibbutz, the northern most Kibutzes in IsraelNation of the Jewish People. Halfway up the mountain stop to be adventurous as we try our hand at Cliff Rappelling, and other activities. (Mountain Sliding.)

• You will have the very special privilege of being the guests of an Armored Brigade in their base. (All arrangements are pending Military Authorities' permission).

• Drive to a shooting range, a place where some of the secret forces of IsraelNation of the Jewish People are trained and we will practice shooting from an automatic UziIsraeli submachine gun gun, an AK47 (Kalashnikov). This is an amazing experience.

• Travel to Kibbutz Lavi and check into your hotel.

• Dinner at hotel

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

• After breakfast check out of hotel and drive to Kfar ChabadLubavitch Village in Israel – visit with Children of Chernobyl, tour an etrog plantation, be inspired by the Israeli replica of “770Chabad-Lubavitch Movement World Headquarters”, see the “RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s’ village (the largest and most active educational village in IsraelNation of the Jewish People).

• Visit the amazing underground, pre-State bullet factory built by the Palmachthe elite striking force of the Haganah under the noses of the British at the Ayalon InstituteSecret Underground Ammunitions Factory.

• Travel across the Ayalon ValleyAncient Israel Battleground; a major battlefield throughout Jewish history. Latrun Police StationAn old British police station and prison. located here was the scene of much bloodshed during the War of LiberationThe 1948 Arab-Israeli War in 1948 and was liberated from Jordanian rule in 1967. Visit the Memorial Wall and view a short, moving audio-visual documentary offering a more in-depth explanation of the battles fought here.

• Tour the Armored Brigade MuseumExhibitions of the Armored Corps Legacy housing an impressive exhibit of armored vehicles.

• Visit the amazing Mini Israelwonderful site models built at a scale of 1:25. See The Parks displays of hundreds of models that are exact copies of sites, buildings and landscapes from around the country.

• Return to JerusalemThe capital of Israel and check into hotel.

• Dinner at The Red Heifer Steak Houselocated in the heart of Jerusalem in a charming Arab period house, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

Overnight: The Prima Kings HotelWonderful Hotel at the Heart of Jerusalem, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

• After breakfast at the Hotel, drive in an armored vehicle toward The Tomb of RachelRachel, beloved wife of Jacob, mother of the Jewish people is buried here. for prayer. (Pending military approval.)

• Learn about the history of the struggle for Gush Eztion in a moving multimedia presentation at Kefar Etzion.

• Continue drive to the City of Chevron and meet with Shliach in Chevron – Rabbi Danni Cohen. Who will guide you thru the city of Chevron.

• Visit the site of the Machpelah Cave, which is the burial place of our forefathers: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their wives.

• Visit Kiryat Arba the Jewish settlement adjacent to Chevron.

• Return to Hotel.

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

As the sun sets preparations will be made for welcoming the Shabbat at the KotelHoliest place on Earth (Western Wall). As you enter the Old CityThe Holiest Center in the World, look around you and notice how people from all corners of the world enter through the various gates with one purpose in mind, to welcome the Shabbat Bride at the holiest place on earth for JudaismThe religion of the Jewish people.

• Enjoy a Festive Shabbat Dinner at the hotels dining in Chabad spirit led by your Rabbi!

Overnight: The Prima Kings HotelWonderful Hotel at the Heart of Jerusalem, 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.)

• Shabbat afternoon lunch at the hotel.

• Take a beautiful walking tour of JerusalemThe capital of Israel

• Havdalah service lead by Rabbi Felig.

• Pack and transfer to Ben GurionFirst Prime Minister of Israel, Declared State Independence in 1948 for ‘temporary’ Departure