Oxnard Community Israel Experience

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

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

• Overnight: Jerusalem Pearl Hotel

• After breakfast, tour the amazing City of King David.

• Begin with a breathtaking observation overlooking Biblical JerusalemThe capital of Israel and observe 3,800 years of history dating back in time to the days of Abraham, when the first foundations of the city were laid.

• The journey quickly heads underground to some of the newest archaeological excavations at the site. Here, while exploring the recently excavated fortresses and passageways, you will relive King David's conquest of the Jebusite city as described in the 2nd Book of Samuelan important leader of ancient Israel.

• Enter the Old CityThe Holiest Center in the World walls and start 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.

• 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 founded in 1588, the oldest of of the four known as the “Eliyahu HaNavi’ Sysnagogue- supposedly, according to tradition, Eliyahu the Prophet appeared during Yom Kippur to be the 10th member of a minyan. Ever since a chair has been reserved specifically for his next appearance.

• 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.

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

• Overnight: Jerusalem Pearl Hotel

• After breakfast, spend a day at leisure in JerusalemThe capital of Israel.

• Travel 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.

• 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)

• Continue on to visit the famous and remarkable Israel Museum to visit The Shrine of the BookHome to the Dead Sea Scrolls, where you will be able to view the Dead Sea Scrolls housed in a specially built structure - an architectural masterpiece.

• Also on the museum grounds is a huge outdoor model of JerusalemThe capital of Israel during the second temple period, you don’t want to miss this.

• 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.

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

• Enjoy a visit to the Tish Family Zoological Garden (the Biblical Zoo) in JerusalemThe capital of Israel and see animals that are referred to in the Bible. This modern zoo has the animals roaming freely in enclosures remnant of their natural habitat and not in cages. Located on the slope of one of JerusalemThe capital of Israel’s mountains, there are numerous corners for visitors to come in close contact with some of the less dangerous animals. This is a fun place for the whole family, especially for the children.

• Visit the Italian Synagogue & Museum of Italian Jewish Art, in the center of modern JerusalemThe capital of Israel which is exceptional in its beauty.

• Visit the Museum of Islamic Art, to see the beauty which once existed long ago of Jewish art produced in Arab lands.

• Or just spend the day browsing JerusalemThe capital of Israel’s amazing shops, boutiques & 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 & Chassidic Farbrengen at the Tzemach Tzedek ShulChabbad Shul in Jerusalem

• Overnight: Jerusalem Pearl Hotel

• After a light breakfast, walk to The Mayanot shulJewish House of Worship or the Great Synagogue for davening or to a synagogue of your choice.

• 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: Jerusalem Pearl Hotel

• 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, 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!

• Overnight: Jerusalem Pearl Hotel

• After breakfast, check out of your hotel & 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.

• 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 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. These eerie caverns and chambers are fun for the adventurous child.

• Arrive in TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities & check into your hotel to relax for the evening.

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

• After breakfast, 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.

• Further along the coastline, 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.

• Head back to TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities's to tour the 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.

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

• After breakfast, 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.

• At the Golan Magic Welcome Center view a colorful accurate model of the Golan Heights, one of a kind in IsraelNation of the Jewish People

• Enjoy wine tasting at the Golan Heights winery.

• 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.

• Head to the Sea of Galilee in TiberiusOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities for an evening sunset cruise.

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

• After breakfast, check out of your hotel and depart toward Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center

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

• 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

• Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center is the business and the cultural center of IsraelNation of the Jewish People.

• 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.

• In the evening, transfer to Ben GurionFirst Prime Minister of Israel, Declared State Independence in 1948 Airport for your temporary departure from IsraelNation of the Jewish People.