Rabbi Fine & Chabad of Queen Mary

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 at the door of your plane as you exit the plane. You will be transported quickly through the airport, pass immigration at the flight crew counter where passport control is efficiently expedited and continue to 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 the hotel (6pm) , freshen up & relax.

• For those who can’t wait, take the short 15 minute walk to the KotelHoliest place on Earth (Western Wall) for afternoon or evening prayers and reflection.

• In the evening, enjoy a political update of the State of IsraelNation of the Jewish People with JerusalemThe capital of Israel Post Newspaper Reporter Mr. Gil Hoffman who is the JPost point man in the Israeli Parliament.

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

• After breakfast, start your day at 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.

• 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. You will become more than a spectator of history; but an active participant who delves deeply into the history of the Jewish nation.

• 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. 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".

• 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.

• 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,” home to Kathros, High Preist mentioned in the Talmud from the Second Temple period. These burned ruins remained undisturbed until they were uncovered in the 1970’s. A short video shows the historical background for this site and it’s excavation process.

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

• Overnight: Jerusalem Pearl Hotel, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

• After Breakfast, for those who are interested, take local transport to tour the new Yad VashemHolocaust Museum in Jerusalem Complex, was completed in the spring of 2005 a memorial to the six million innocent victims of the Holocaust.

• Yad VashemHolocaust Museum in Jerusalem has been entrusted with documenting the history of the Jewish people during the Holocaust period, preserving the memory and story of each of the six million victims, and imparting the legacy of the Holocaust for generations to come through its archives, library, school, museums and recognition of the Righteous Among the Nations.

• 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)

• Visit the Bible Lands Museum which illustrates the cultures of all the peoples mentioned in the Bible - from Egypt eastwards across the Fertile Crescent to Afghanistan, and from Nubia north to the Caucasian mountains.

• Otherwise, JerusalemThe capital of Israel is full of amazing shops, cafes & boutiques and local artists display their work throughout the city, take some time to explore JerusalemThe capital of Israel or relax at your hotel.

• Evening at Leisure in JerusalemThe capital of Israel

• Overnight: Jerusalem Pearl Hotel, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

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

• Stop at the Qumran National Park, made famous as the place where the Dead Scrolls were found in 1947. Qumran was built in 150BCE and destroyed by the Romans in 70AD; its stonework is still well preserved.

• 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! (Entrance to Hotel Facilities & Spa can be purchased on an individual basis).

• Overnight: Jerusalem Pearl Hotel, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

• After breakfast Depart in an armored vehicle the holy city of Chevron, 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.

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 at the KotelHoliest place on Earth with true Chabad spirit.

• Enjoy Shabbat Dinner with a true Chabad spirit at hotel, L’Chaim!

• Overnight: Jerusalem Pearl Hotel, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

• After breakfast attend davening at the Mayanot shulJewish House of Worship.

• After davening we will join the Mayanot community in a Shabbat Kiddush/ Lunch in shulJewish House of Worship!

• After Havdallah with Rabbi Fine in your hotel, 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

• 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: Jerusalem Pearl Hotel, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

• 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.

• 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. See an ancient theatre and a villa with a beautiful mosaic floor and other finds from the time of the Mishna.

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

• Visit a 4,500 seat Roman theatre, the Nile Mosaic building, and the giant underground waterworks.

• Nearby Beit ShearimBeit_Shearim houses catacombs from over 1700 years ago, the times of Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi. Yehudah HaNasi was buried in the Necropolis, an amazing underground network of tunnels stairways and caves.

• Visit Pekin; this mainly druze village contains on it’s hillside the cave in which Shimon Bar Yochai and his son lived for 13 years while hiding from the Romans. Hike down the hill to explore the ornate Druze village, and see a synagogue from the 2nd century which includes stones from the Temple in JerusalemThe capital of Israel. (Time Permitting)

• Arrive in TiberiusOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities and check into your hotel.

• Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi, Hills of Galilee

• After breakfast, ascend the Golan Heights, where you will have the special privilege of being the guest of an Israeli Defense Forces Brigade at their base (If planned in advance we will distribute gifts and equipment to soldiers in need), led by Army Chaplain & Kfar Vradin Chief Rabbi Shlomo Goldfarb.

• Your next stop is 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 Lebanon, and eastward into Syria. A dormant Volcano, Mount Bental is also an eye-opening lesson in how this part of “Eretz Yisroel” was physically created.

• GO Jeeping in a Golan Safari!!!

• Return to TiberiusOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities in time for an evening cruise on the Sea of Galilee

• Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi, Hills of Galilee

• After breakfast, we will travel 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.

• Enjoy wine tasting at the Golan Heights winery.

• 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.

• See Nachal Gamla, the highest waterfall in IsraelNation of the Jewish People, higher than Niagra Falls in USA/ Canada (but not as wide).

• 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.

• For evening prayers we will 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.

• Return to your hotel to freshen up and relex.

• Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi, Hills of Galilee

• After breakfast, we will depart toward Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center for our last day.

• Arrive in Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center & visit the spectacular “Palmach MuseumA museum which gives a sense of the period that led to the founding of the state”. Through a modern multi-media presentation, view the history of the Palmachthe elite striking force of the Haganah from 1941 to the War of Independence and the establishment of the State of IsraelNation of the Jewish People

• 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.

• 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.

• Visit Old JaffaWorld Heritage Site port that was the most important port at the ancient times. Through this port the cedars from Lebanon were imported in order to build SolomonThe Wise King of Israel's Temple in JerusalemThe capital of Israel, where fishing boats still depart and return daily with the fresh ‘catch of the day.’

• Visit the artist colony and the galleries of Old JaffaWorld Heritage Site.

• Walk along the Promenade which connects the Old JaffaWorld Heritage Site Port to Modern Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center boardwalk full of restaurants and clubs.

• Transfer to Ben GurionFirst Prime Minister of Israel 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.