B'nai Israel Rumson Community Trip led by Rabbi Bloom!

August 18th Saturday Night: Direct Flight: Newark- Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center (details TBA)

WELCOME TO IsraelNation of the Jewish People

• Touchdown at Ben Gurion International AirportIsrael's only international gateway. (morning or afternoon landing)

• After clearing passport control a VIPIsraelDont Just See It... VIP It! representatives will be waiting to welcome you. They 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..

• Check into your hotel and spend the afternoon relaxing.

• You may like to take a walk down Ben Yehuda StreetJerusalem's Outdoor Pedestrian Mall. On Saturday nights, Ben Yehuda StreetJerusalem's Outdoor Pedestrian Mall is one of the favorite gathering places for many young Jerusalemites. There are many artists displaying their jewelry and crafts, as well as many wonderful sidewalk cafes.

• Enjoy a Welcome dinner at your hotel with orientation; meet your guides and a visit from a representative from the Ministry of Tourism.

Overnight: Jerusalem Pearl, JerusalemThe capital of Israel (5 star hotel rating)

JerusalemThe capital of Israel Old CityThe Holiest Center in the World

• 10am After breakfast, visit the Davidson CenterThe Jerusalem Archaeological Park – the newly opened visitors’ center, located at the JerusalemThe capital of Israel Archaeological Park to 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.

• 12pm Visit the New Generations Center at the Western Wall Plaza where you will find an unusual and enchanting fusion of many creative elements: music, sculpture, archeology and light effects that together create a masterpiece to delight all the senses.

• 1pm Descend to 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.

• 2:30pm Next, 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.

• In the evening you may like to take a walk down Ben Yehuda StreetJerusalem's Outdoor Pedestrian Mall, one of the favorite gathering places for many young Jerusalemites. There are many artists displaying their jewelry and crafts, as well as many wonderful sidewalk cafes.

Overnight: Jerusalem Pearl, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

IsraelNation of the Jewish People’s Coast

• 9am After breakfast check out of your hotel and visit the Ayalon InstituteSecret Underground Ammunitions Factory Museum, situated north of the city of Rehovot. This was the first clandestine bullet production factory operated by members of the Hatzofim Aleph, Palmachthe elite striking force of the Haganah, and Habonim pioneer groups during the British Mandate rule.

• 1pm Next, head north along the coast to visit the Caesarea National Park contains an impressive Roman Amphitheatre, the Hippodrome, a horse-racing arena that could seat 20,000; also a giant headless statue on Byzantine StreetAncient Street of Shops & Mansion, and the Roman AqueductsAncient Roman Structures.

• Take time to relax on the beaches of Caesarea, and enjoy some sunshine!

• Head to TiberiusOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities to check in and relax, freshen up and enjoy dinner at your hotel.

• Enjoy free access to the famous TiberiusOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities Hot Springs; indoor and outdoor hot mineral pools, regular sweet water pool and a dry sauna (massage and other treatments may be purchased separately).

Overnight: Holiday Inn Hotel, TiberiusOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities

Golan Heights

• After breakfast, visit TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities's restored Old CityThe Holiest Center in the World including the artists' colony. TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities has much to offer in the way of art galleries, gift-shops and restaurants found tucked away amongst the winding, cobblestone streets..

• Next, ascend the Golan Heights, where you will have the very special privilege of being the guest of an IDF Brigade at their base.

• During your visit, meet and talk with soldiers and officers stationed there.

• Go Rafting on the Jordan RiverIsrael's longest river. near Kfar Blum!

• Enjoy sunset at the observation point on Mount Bental, overlooking the Mount Hermonthe highest mountain in Israel area and the entire Golan Heights. From here you can see the mountains of the Galilee, and eastward into Syria.

• Here likes the Visit the Valley of Tears, where one of the bloodiest battles of the Yom Kippur WarIsrael defends itself in 1973 was fought. A great lookout to see the Heights, and especially the Syrian side of the border, is from the now abandoned Israeli bunker 4,000 feet (1,200 m.) above sea level on Mount Bental.

Overnight: Holiday Inn Hotel, TiberiusOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities

Galilee

• After breakfast, check out of your hotel and head west toward the sea.

• On route toward the Sea, stop to tour the ancient, magnificently excavated city of Tzippori, home to Rabbi Yehuda HaNasiThe editor of the Mishna. This city did not participate in the rebellion against the Romans, and hence was not destroyed.

• Drive to Mukhraka, the Place of Sacrifice and the site of the contest between the prophet Elijah and 450 false prophets of Baal, to see which god was greater. The contest, won by Elijah, brought about a revival of the peoples’ faith in God. From this vantage point, the beauty of the Lower Galilee and the Jezreel ValleyKnown, in Hebrew, as "The Valley of God's saving" can be seen.

• Continue to HaifaIsrael's third largest city through the druze village over Mount Carmelbeautiful mountain overlooking the sea.

• Arrive in the beautiful harbor city of HaifaIsrael's third largest city – capital of the north.

• Overlook the Baha’i Gardens and a panoramic view of HaifaIsrael's third largest city.

• Enjoy shopping time and taste some of HaifaIsrael's third largest city’s local café’s cuisine & explore HaifaIsrael's third largest city with your guide.

• Continue to JerusalemThe capital of Israel to check into your hotel for the evening.

Overnight: Jerusalem Pearl, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

New JerusalemThe capital of Israel

• 9:00am After breakfast, head out to participate in a ‘hands-on’ historical experience, we will sift through Archeological excavations at Emek Tzurim.

• For those who prefer, the bus will transfer you to Yad VashemHolocaust Museum in Jerusalem after we drop off the younger participants and tier parents at the Archeological dig.

• Located on Har Hazikaron, the Mount of Remembrance, in JerusalemThe capital of Israel, Yad VashemHolocaust Museum in Jerusalem is a vast, sprawling complex of tree-studded walkways leading to museums, exhibits, archives, monuments, sculptures, and memorials. (Children under 10 years of age not permitted entrance)

• Reunited as a group, we will walk & test our “Israeli bargaining skills” at the Machne YehudaJerusalem's Vibrant Market Shuk (open market), this is a great place to enjoy a falafel and relax.

• Towards evening we will prepare to.....WELCOME SHABBAT AT THE KotelHoliest place on Earth

• Light Shabbat Candles in your hotel (6:34pm).

• As a community we will enter the Old CityThe Holiest Center in the World and filter down through toward the Western Wall…

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.

• Enjoy a festive Shabbat Dinner led by Rabbi Bloom at your hotel dining room.

Overnight: Jerusalem Pearl, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

Day at Leisure

• After breakfast, enjoy Shabbat services at the Great Synagogue, the Fuchsburg Center or any of the many shuls in the area.

• Enjoy Shabbat Lunch at the Fuchsburg Center led by Rabbi Bloom.

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

• After Shabbat, enjoy shopping and dinner at JerusalemThe capital of Israel’s Ben Yehuda or Emek RefaimThe German Colony of Jerusalem, a great area for dining & shopping in the German Colony, where the young JerusalemThe capital of Israel comes to life; shops, café’s, boutiques, there is much to see!

Overnight: Jerusalem Pearl, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

Judean desertJudean desert

• 8am After breakfast depart to the Dead Sea area traveling south through the Judean Wilderness.

• Arrive at MasadaAncient Fort on the shores of the Dead Sea - Ascend the cliff top fortress by cable car to explore the ancient remains of the fortifications, King HerodA notorious king, ruled in the time of the second temple's palace, storerooms and baths.

• Continue along the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, and a rich source of minerals for export.

• Take a swim or ‘float’ & 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!

• 4pm Enjoy a Camel Ride & Bedouin style dinner at ‘Eretz Beresheit’ / Genesis Land.

Overnight: Jerusalem Pearl, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center

• After breakfast, Depart toward Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center

• 11am Learn about the history of the modern state at the Hall of Independence where Ben GurionFirst Prime Minister of Israel, Declared State Independence in 1948 Declared Independence in 1948.

• Ascend the highest observatory in the Middle East (located on the the 49th floor of the Round Building at Azrieli Center), it's possible to see the coastline that stretches from Ashkelon in the south, to Hadera in the north.

• In nearby JaffaAn ancient port city near Tel Aviv is a flourishing flea market (shuk hapishpeshimFlea Market) where you can test your bargaining power and pick up a few souvenirs and presents from the array of old, new, antique and odd objects on sale. These range from furniture, pottery, brassware, rugs and clothing.

• Browse the shops and experience the unique flavors and ambience of the famous Dizengoff St., Shenken St. & Rothchilde Ave

• 6pm Farewell Dinner at China Lee Restaurant, Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center.

• 8pm Transfer to Ben GurionFirst Prime Minister of Israel, Declared State Independence in 1948 Airport for the 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.