Itinerary KE-31-114
Big Welcome to UMASS Amherst!!
Monday December 22nd, 2014
First things first: Day 1, Today you'll get to finally understand your Jewish selves in the context of a collective Jewish past.
This is where our history was made, yo.
Up till this point, you've all been a Hebrew character without a Hebrew past. Abraham had the mission of creating something entirely new whereas, we have both the advantage and the challenge of carrying history with us and like every generation before us we are building the Jewish future.
- Arrival Ben Gurion
- Welcome circle
- Over night stay at Kibbutz Mashabei Sade
Tuesday December 23rd
It's a new day people ~ Rise and shine! It's time to explore the southern delights of Israel. We'll begin by seeing first hand what Ben Gurion dreamed of - making the desert bloom - only to realize it's not a dream but an amazing accomplishment. Be amazed while hiking Ein Ovdat (get your instagram ready). After lunch we'll have another hike at Sde Boker then ride camels and light the menorah. By nightfall we'll discuss all of the miracles that were witnessed today.
- Breakfast
- The Salad Trail
- Ein Ovdat
- Lunch
- Sde Boker
- Camel ride
- Hanukkah lighting
- Dinner
- Overnight stay at Han Shayarot
Wednesday December 24th
A very exciting day is planned. We'll hike Masada at sunrise for a truly epic view and then visit the lowest point on earth - the Dead Sea. We'll go from the deep south to the Mediterranean Coast so that you can feast your eyes on the "White City," also known as the "Start-up Nation."
- Hike Masada at sunrise
- Breakfast
- Hike David River
- Mineral Beach Dead Sea
- Lunch
- ride to Tel Aviv
- Schnatz (Hebrew for siesta)
- Dinner
- Night out Port of Tel Aviv
- Overnight stay at Ruth Daniel Hotel
Thursday December 25th
To the North! Isn't it amazing waking up in Israel? The Romans sure knew a thing or two about water management which can still be seen today. We'll get to see one of the first Jewish colonies and have a stroll down what's known as the "Path of the Wine." We'll have another hike after lunch and some fun after dinner.
- Breakfast
- Caesarea Qesarya Keisarya
- Zichron Yaakov
- Lunch
- Reches Etzba - Mt. Carmel
- Dinner
- Activity
- Overnight stay at Malkiya
Friday December 26th
Good morning, HaGolan! Right after breakfast we're going to hike the HaPisga trail. Notice how drastically different the southern terrain is from the north? Today we'll finally get to meet the soldiers (Mifgashim) that will be traveling with us. We'll get to see the mystical city of Tzfat (Safed) and much later on in the day we'll welcome Shabbat, light some candles and get to know our new friends.
- Breakfast
- Hike HaPisga Trail
- Meet the soldiers - Mifgashim
- Tzfat
- Lunch
- Kabalat Shabbat
- Diner
- Oneg Shabbat
- Overnight stay at Malkiya
Shabbat December 27th
On Shabbat we will experience what it's like to rest in combination with getting that "spiritual thang" on... We'll discuss our new experiences and hear creative responses to Jewish sites and sources. The pace of our schedule will be less hectic than usual, it is Shabbat afterall... Chillin out helps us reflect on the spirit of the day and allows space and time for us to absorb our experiences so far.
- Breakfast
- activity with Mifgashim
- Lunch
- Kibbutz walking tour
- Havdallah
- Dinner
- Activity
- Last night at Malkiya
Sunday December 28th
Can you believe we've already passed the halfway point? We'll start the morning off right with a gorgeous hike of the Dan River. We'll learn about our borders and get to visit Katzrin, the "capital" of the Golan Heights. Hopefully we'll get a little bit of rest before our night out in Haifa!
- Breakfast
- Hike Dan RIver
- Mt. Bental
- Lunch
- Katzrin Golan Heights
- Dinner
- Night out Haifa
- Overnight stay at Theodore Haifa Hotel
Monday December 29th
Today we'll bridge our sister city communities! Haifa meet Boston, Boston meet Haifa. We'll finally get a chance to explore both ancient and modern Jerusalem and its impact on Israeli society. As we journey through the old and modern, we will discuss the impact both have made on Israel and its people.
- Breakfast
- Bahai Garden
- P2K Sister cities!
- Haz Promenade
- Lunch
- Old City of Jerusalem
- Kotel
- Dinner
- Yad Vashem Preparation
- Overnight stay Cacer Jerusalem
Tuesday December 30th
Today will be a world of mixed emotions. We'll start by having a tour of Mt. Herzl and have our eyes opened wide at the Yad Vashem Museum. Unfortunately, it will be time to say farewell to our Mifgashim. After such a heavy day, we'll need to let off a little bit of steam and see what modern Jerusalem has to offer.
- Breakfast
- Mt. Herzl
- Lunch
- Yad Vashem
- Mifgash ends
- Dinner
- Night Out Jerusalem
- Last night stay at Ceaser Jerusalem
Monday December 31st
And last but not least, we'll get a more detailed view the White City in action. Our last day together will be a long one before heading back to our everyday lives. We'll get to see the first real neighborhood outside of Jaffa's walls, visit the craziness of the market and learn about Yitzak Rabin. Before we make our way to back to the airport, we'll get a chance to see the old port of Jaffa and make it a lasting memory.
Well kids, it's been fun. Hope to see you again, soon. In Hebrew we never like to say good-bye. Instead, let's say "Lehitraot," which means something like "See ya later."
- Breakfast
- Neve Tzedek
- Lunch
- Shuk HaCarmel
- Rabin Center
- Wrap up session
- Dinner at Rabin Center
- Old Jaffa
- Departure Ben Gurion
Trip Information for Parents & Friends
Tour Guide: Orion Calderon
USA Staff:
- Rachel Frank amherstisrael@gmail.com 203-430-2203
- Sloane Krauss sloaneumasshillel@gmail.com 401-480-3900
Office Number: 1-877-404-9677 (toll free to Israel)
Emergency Contact: Anat Hait in Israel: 011-972-54-678-7836
Email: trips@awesomeisrael.com
Trip Photos: Please like Awesome Israel on Facebook where you, your friends and family can see photos and updates from your trip!
List of Accommodations:
- Kibbutz Mashabei Sade
08-6571765 - Han Shayarot
08-6535777
- Ruth Daniel Hotel
03-5264526
- Kibbutz Malkiya
04-6908198 - Theodore Haifa Hotel
4-867-7111
- Caeser Jerusalem
2-500-5656
Trip Number: KE-31-114
Trip Title: December - Campus - UMASS/Amherst (Ages 18-22)
Flight Information:
Departure to Israel
Departure Date: December 21, 2014
Departure Time: 5:55 pm ET
Departure Airport: JFK - John f. Kennedy International Airport
Airline- Flight: Brussels Airlines SN502
Connecting flight: SN3289
Gateway: JFKBRUTLV
Time you must be at the Airport: 1:55 pm ET
Return to the USA
Arrival in USA Date: January 1, 2015
Arrival Time: 1:05 pm ET
Arrival Airport: JFK - John F. Kennedy International Airport
Airline- Flight: Brussels Airlines SN3292
Connecting flight: SN501
Gateway: TLVBRUJFK
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS FLIGHT IS NOT A DIRECT FLIGHT
AWESOME ISRAEL - KENES TOURS
Email: info@awesomeisrael.com
Website: www.awesomeisrael.com
Location: Ariel Sharon Blvd 3, Or Yehuda, Israel
Phone: 1(877)404-9677
Facebook: www.facebook.com/awesomeisraeltrip
Twitter: @awesomeisrael