Chabad of Beijing

WELCOME TO IsraelNation of the Jewish People

• Touchdown at Ben Gurion International AirportIsrael's only international gateway early morning arrival

• 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.

• Check into your hotel

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

• 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.

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 at hotel, L’Chaim!

• Overnight: Sheraton PlazaExcellent hotel afew minutes distance from the Old City Hotel, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

• Shabbos Day

• 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.)

• Return to your hotel for a Chabad spirited Shabbat lunch, L’Chaim!

• 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 Outdoor MallJerusalem's Outdoor Pedestrian Mall, where the young JerusalemThe capital of Israel comes to life.

• Overnight: Sheraton PlazaExcellent hotel afew minutes distance from the Old City Hotel, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

• After breakfast, 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.

• 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 shulJewish House of Worship that survived the war in ’48.

• See The Herodian Mansions at The Wohl Archaeological Museum preserves the extraordinary discoveries made during excavations carried out between 1969 and 1983, that revealed remains of magnificent buildings from the time of the Herodian dynasty period 37 B.C.E. till 70 C.E.

• Next view the excavated ruins of a “Burnt House” 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.

• Then visit the remarkable JerusalemThe capital of Israel Museum, (David’s Tower Museum) located in the impeccably restored ancient Citadel.

• Visit the Tomb of King David. A solemn tomb which also contains the Torahthe central and most important document of Judaism ‘crowns’ from communities destroyed in the Holocaust.

• Overnight: Sheraton PlazaExcellent hotel afew minutes distance from the Old City Hotel, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

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

• Arrive at 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.

• 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!

• Enjoy a desert dinner at ‘Eretz Beresheit’ / Genesis Land. Meet EliezerServant of Jewish Patriarch Abraham, servant of Jewish Patriarch Avraham. Follow the camel caraven for a traditional desert welcome dinner.

• Overnight: Sheraton PlazaExcellent hotel afew minutes distance from the Old City Hotel, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

• After breakfast, check out of your hotel and head toward north.

• Travel along the Jordan Valley 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.

• In 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.

• Visit Gan Guru Australian Park in Nir David (Between Tziporritranquil location in the Galilee & Bet Shean). This is one of the few places outside of Australia which hosts pet-able Koalas and Kangaroos. This park also includes a 1,500 square meter garden/landscape maze!

• Visit Gan Hashlosha and relax in the natural pools and rejuvenate in the natural jacuzzi that occurs underneath the flowing stream of an invigorating waterfall

The warm waters of the Amal River flow through the length of the park and can be enjoyed year round temperatures in the 80’sºF. A fantastic place to relax and re-charge for the remainder of your trip.

• Onroute, stop at Beit Alfa to view one if the most beautiful mosaic floors in the country.

• 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 Roamsn, and hence was not destroyed. See an ancient theatre and a villa with a beautiful mosaic floor and other finds from the time of the Mishna.

• Arrive at Kibbutz Lavi to check in, and freshen up before dinner in the hotels dining room.

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

• After breakfast, 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.

• Travel further north 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.

• Travel to Yesod HaMaalah in the heart of the Golan to go offroad Jeeping!

• 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 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.

• 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, and take a dip in the famous Mikveh of the Ari z"l in the mystical city.

• See the unique synagogues such as the Ari Sephardi, Ari Ashkenazi, Ari Beit Midrash, Caro Synagogue, Abuhav synagogue (built in 1490) and many more of the local ChassidimJewish Mystics.

• Stop by TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities’s famous candle shop and visit art and sculpture galleries.

• 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.

• Visit Mount Meron, the second highest mountain in IsraelNation of the Jewish People and largest nature reserve in the Galilee. Hike to the peak for an amazing view, perfect for sunsets. This mountain is also the resting place of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochaione of the great Tannaitic sages who lived during the era of Roman persecution, author of the Zohar, a fundamental kabbalisitic work.

• Daven Maariv in Meron.

• Return to your hotel to freshen up and relax.

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

• After breakfast, check out of your hotel and detour along the coast as you head south to JerusalemThe capital of Israel.

• Visit Rosh Hanikrah, the northernmost point on the Mediterranean shore of IsraelNation of the Jewish People, where a chalk mountain range meets the sea. The sea carved out a chain of grottoes in the foot of the chalk cliffs. These beautiful grottoes are the main attraction and the view is breathtaking.

• Ride from the mountain top down to sea level via cable car.

• Explore the Grotto’s formed over thousands of years-truly a wonder of creation.

• 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 & Mansion, and the Roman AqueductsAncient Roman Structures.

• Overnight: Sheraton PlazaExcellent hotel afew minutes distance from the Old City, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

• After breakfast, take 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 through the water spring tunnel which provided fresh water to the city in times of war.

• Spend the afternoon at leisure in JerusalemThe capital of Israel.

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 at hotel, L’Chaim!

• Overnight: Sheraton PlazaExcellent hotel afew minutes distance from the Old City, 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.)

• Return to your hotel for a Chabad spirited Shabbat lunch, L’Chaim!

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

• 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.