Chabad of Five Towns Israel Experience

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 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 & Check into your hotel to freshen up and relax; enjoy pizza at your hotel and head out to explore JerusalemThe capital of Israel.

• 6:40pm Head to the Old CityThe Holiest Center in the World and 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".

• Enjoy a welcome dinner with guest speaker Gil Hoffman, JerusalemThe capital of Israel Post reporter in the Israeli Parliament, for a political update on the state of our nation.

• Overnight: Sheraton PlazaExcellent hotel afew minutes distance from the Old City Hotel, Deluxe Rooms

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

• Tour 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.

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

• We will end our day with a tour of 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..

• Visit the Yad VashemHolocaust Museum in Jerusalem Complex was completed in the spring of 2005 a memorial to the six million innocent victims of the Holocaust.

• Enjoy dinner at Yoja Japanese RestaurantYoJa - wonderful Japanese restaurant in Jerusalem in JerusalemThe capital of Israel’s German Colony.

• After dinner browse the German Colonies numerous shops & boutiques…

• Overnight: Sheraton PlazaExcellent hotel afew minutes distance from the Old City Hotel, Deluxe Rooms

• After breakfast, enjoy a free day to explore JerusalemThe capital of Israel

• Optional Supplemental Activity: Go Jeeping & Rappelling for the afternoon!

• Enjoy some free time in JerusalemThe capital of Israel; walk & test your “Israeli bargaining skills” at the Machne YehudaJerusalem's Vibrant Market Shuk (open market), this is a great place to enjoy a falafel and relax.

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 led by Rabbi & Rebbetzin Wolowik!

• Overnight: Sheraton PlazaExcellent hotel afew minutes distance from the Old City Hotel, Deluxe Rooms

• 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!

• Spend the afternoon at leisure or enjoy a unique walking tour of JerusalemThe capital of Israel’s Old CityThe Holiest Center in the World.

• As Shabbat expires, participate in a moving Havdallah service with Rabbi Wolowik 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, Deluxe Rooms

• After breakfast, check out of your hotel and visit the Kollel Chabad Food Packing Facility and give a helping hand packing packages.

• Next, we will 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.

• 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).

• Enjoy a boxed lunch; bagel sandwich lunch, muffin & drink.

• Next, 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.

• Head north along the coast we will 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. 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.

• Head to TiberiusOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities for a sunset cruise & dinner at Deck’s Restaurant.

• Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi, Galilee

• After breakfast, ascend the Golan Heights, where you will have the very special privilege of being the guest of an Armored Brigade at their IDF base & give out gifts to the soldiers (arranged in advance with your hometown community.

• Visit Tel DanAncient Canaanite Remains could be found at this location Nature Reserve is a nature reserve at the foot of Mount Hermonthe highest mountain in Israel which includes archeological remains from the ancient town of Dan- the City of Laish, which members of the tribe Dan captured for their homeland. Important remains were discovered in a Mycenaean grave from the late Canaanite period.

The tribe of Dan found it difficult to deal with the pressures brought by the Philistines, and therefore decided to go north and ultimately settled here in this amazing natural wonderland.

• Go Kayaking on the Jordan RiverIsrael's longest river.!

• In the afternoon we will 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.

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

• Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi, Galilee

• After breakfast, check out of your hotel and visit the Keshet Caves and explore!

• Next visit Rosh Hanikrah, the northernmost point on the Mediterranean shore of IsraelNation of the Jewish People, where a chalk mountain range meets the sea.

• Ride from the mountain top down to sea level via cable car to explore the Grotto’s formed over thousands of years-truly a wonder of creation.

• 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.

• We will visit a Tunisian synagogue to view the most amazing mosaics you’ve ever seen.

• Visit ‘The Ranch’ just north of Netanya for horseback riding along the beach!

• Enjoy Dinner at Tulip Restaurant on the Netanya Promenade.

• Overnight: Sheraton PlazaExcellent hotel afew minutes distance from the Old City Hotel, Deluxe Rooms

• 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.

• 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!

• Head off to visit ‘Eretz Beresheit’ / Genesis Land; to enjoy camel tour & traditional desert dinner.

• Overnight: Sheraton PlazaExcellent hotel afew minutes distance from the Old City Hotel, Deluxe Rooms

• After breakfast, depart in an armored vehicle onto the holy city of Chevron, visit Ma’arat Hamachpela where our patriarchs and matriarchs are buried: Avraham, Yitzchok, Yaacov and their wives.

• Bar MitzvahWhen a Jewish boy becomes 13 years old Celebration in Chevron!

• Meet some of the very special families who live in this special neighborhood & Rabbi Danni Cohen the Chabad Rabbi of Chevron who will show you to an IDF base in Chevron and explain how security works to protect the Jewish families living here.

• Enjoy lunch in Chevron.

• Learn about the history of the struggle for Gush Eztion in a moving multimedia sound a light presentation at Kefar Etzion.

• Stop for TehillimBook of chants composed mainly by King David and supplication at the very special site of Rachel’s Tomb. (Pending military approval)

• Head to the Children’s Museum in Cholon; Dialogue on the Darkness, a project that aims, and succeeds, to give visitors a sense of what a blind person feels like in the world of seeing people.

• Enjoy a farewell dinner at China Lee Restaurant in 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.