Rabbi Nemes & the Jewish Louisiana Israel 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.

• Board your vehicle and head north through IsraelNation of the Jewish People to TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities.

• Arrive in TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities to check into your hotel.

• Head out for a walking tour 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.

• 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.Walk through the amazing ancient conduit, which brought water to the city.

• Enjoy a Welcome Dinner at one of TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities’s many fine restaurants or your hotel

• Overnight: Ruththe great-grandmother of King David Rimonim Hotelone of the picturesque hotels of the world, TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities

Golan Heights

• After breakfast, travel to tour 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.

• Enjoy wine tasting at the Golan Heights winery.

• Travel further north into the Golan Heights, where you will have the very special privilege of being the guest of an Armored Brigade at their base. The Brigade stopped the advance of the Syrian army during the Yom Kippur WarIsrael defends itself in 1973, and are the first line of defense against Lebanese and Syrian rocket attacks. During your visit, meet and talk with soldiers and officers stationed there.

• Rabbi Shlomie Foldfarb, Chief Rabbi of Kfar Vradin, and who is in charge of a special army unit will guide you and explain exactly what these communities experiences while under attack from Hezbullah.

• Go ATV’ing near Ma’alit HaShachar, in the heart of the Golan.

• As the sun sets, return to TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities where 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.

• Return to you rhotel to freshen up before dinner.

• Overnight: Ruththe great-grandmother of King David Rimonim Hotelone of the picturesque hotels of the world, TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities

Galilee

• After breakfast, check out of your hotel and head south toward JerusalemThe capital of Israel.

• Visit TiberiusOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities on the Shore of the Sea of Galilee.

• Visit the Holy resting places of sages such as Rambam, Rabbi Meir Baal HaNess, Rabbi Akivaone of the most central contributors to the early Oral Torah and others.

• Visit the ancient city of AccoAncient Northern Israel Port City (Acre) 14 miles above HaifaIsrael's third largest city, once known as the Crusaders capital of the north. This city is almost 4,000 years old.

• Walk on the city walls & Ramparts to the harbor, then through the colorful markets to visit the huge, cool yet spooky Subterranean Crusader Halls. Explore gates, towers, tunnels, and secret passageways!

• Situated above these halls is 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. See a model of a mass escape of over 200 prisoners in May 1947, later made famous by the movie Exodus.

• Visit the ancient city of Caesarea, built by HerodA notorious king, ruled in the time of the second temple the Great and once the se at 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

• Arrive in JerusalemThe capital of Israel and spend the evening relaxing

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

JerusalemThe capital of Israel’s Old CityThe Holiest Center in the World

• After breakfast, take an early morning 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.

• Take a 4x4 Safari through the hills of JerusalemThe capital of Israel and participate in Archeological excavations from the Temple MountThe Location of the Temple at Jerusalem

• Next see the monument of Av-Shalom, son of King David.

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

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

• See the Temple Institute which houses a collection of artifacts from the First and Second Temple Periods.

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

• After breakfast, take a stroll through Meah Shaarim and experience the how local Israeli’s prepare last minute for Shabbos.

• Enjoy a walk & test your “Israeli bargaining skills” at the Machne YehudaJerusalem's Vibrant Market Shuk (open market) and experience how a typical Yerushalmi prepares for Shabbat.

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

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

(Shkiah 7:46pm)

• 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

• • 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 St. Outdoor 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, Depart in an Armored Vehicle to the holy city of Chevron to visit Ma’arat Hamachpela where our patriarchs and matriarchs are buried: Avraham, Yitzchok, Yaacov and their wives. Walk in their footsteps and those of King David, Ruththe great-grandmother of King David, and the holy Tzadeket Menucha Rochel.

• Tradition also holds this to be the burial place of ‘Adam & Eve.’

• Meet some of the very special families who live in this special neighborhood & Rabbi Danni Cohen the Rabbi of Chevron.

• Return to JerusalemThe capital of Israel to spend the evening at leisure.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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!

• Return to JerusalemThe capital of Israel to relax and freshen up.

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

• After breakfast, check out of your hotel and say goodbye to JerusalemThe capital of Israel.

• 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).

• Learn about the ‘Victims of Terror’ program which assists families who lost loved ones in terror attacks against Israeli citizens.

• On to view the White City of Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center, whose outstanding architecture blends the various trends of the Modern Movement and town planning in the early part of the 20th century.

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

• Continue to Visit "HaCarmel" market –the open air shuk (market) for the fresh fruit and vegetable of Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center or the intriguing Nachlat Binyamin Arts & Crafts Fair (open every Tuesday & Friday) for more than 250 Israeli artists presenting their handcrafts, jewelry, judaica and interesting gifts; also live music, glassblowing, and life street performances on a regular basis.

• Visit the Diaspora Museum at University of Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center. The museum illustrates the life of the Jews in different communities around the world during 2000 years of exile.

• 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.

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

• 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.