THE SIGNATURE ITINERARY
Awesome Israel KE-31-Sample
TUESDAY: ARRIVAL IN ISRAEL, SHORASHIM: BACK TO THE ROOTS
On the first day we will begin to understand our Jewish self in the context of a collective Jewish past. As we link our story to the story of Abraham, we encounter the unique character of a Hebrew without a Hebrew past. While Abraham had the mission of creating something entirely new, we have both the advantage and the challenge of carrying history with us. Like every generation before us we have the capacity to build the Jewish future.
- Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport for a Welcoming Ceremony
- Rendezvous with Israeli Soldiers – We’ll be traveling together throughout the course of your trip!
- Dinner
- Opening group building and expectations program
- Overnight in Inbar Arad Hotel
WEDNESDAY: THE DESERT - DEFINING AND DEFENDING JEWISH VALUES
At Masada and Nachal David, we’ll connect to integral aspects of the Jewish narrative and understand how historical events can speak to contemporary dilemmas. As we continue to explore the nexus between past, present and future, we will also begin to explore the relationship between center and periphery.
- Breakfast at Inbar Arad Hotel & Check Out
- Masada at Sunrise: Hike and tour - Learn about the history and the story of Masada
- (Enter Masada via the Ramp path and to Exit from the Snake path)
- Hike Nachal David: The combination of fresh water sources allow a unique variety of plant and animal species to thrive side by side
- Lunch
- Floating in the Dead Sea: Visit the lowest place on earth, and float in the nutrient rich waters of the Dead Sea
- Desert Camel Riding
- Bedouin Feast!
- The Sound of Silence – Late night tour and self-observation in the desert
- Overnight Under the Stars
THURSDAY: THE NEGEV DESERT, GO SOUTH TO GAIN WISDOM
The Tanach (Bible) instructs us to go south to “Gain Wisdom”, the Torah was given in the Desert, many of our prophets retreated there. Ben-Gurion declared, “It is in the Negev that the creativity and pioneer vigor of Israel shall be tested.” What is it about this arid unwelcoming place that conversely proves to be such a fertile environment for vision and ideas?
- Breakfast at Bedouin Guest Lodge & Check Out
- Ein Avdat Hike: Why was the Torah given in the desert?
- Visit Sde Boker: Ben Gurion’s desert home and discover his vision for the future of the Negev
- Lunch
- Teva Pharmacutical Industries - Visit Israel’s largest international commercial company that created the world’s best-selling medicine for MS.
- Drive to the north
- Walking in the Footsteps of Alexander Zaid - One of the founders of the Jewish defense organizations Bar Giora and Hashomer, and a prominent figure of the Second Aliyah.
- Dinner
- Informal Group Activity
- Overnight in Kibbutz Gonen
FRIDAY: BORDERS, TRAILS & KABBALAT SHABBAT: A DAY UP NORTH
Today we hope to strengthen the bond between ourselves and the physical ‘Eretz’ (land) of Israel as a necessary step our relationship with the People of Israel, the State of Israel and our Jewish heritage as well.
- Breakfast in Kibbutz Gonen
- Lines in the Sand - Understanding the strategic borders of Israel at Mount Bental
- Israel National Trail – Beit Osishkin and the Nahal Snir - An Awesome way to see Israel's unique physical, ethnic, and religious landscape.
- Lunch
- Kayaks on the Jordan River – The greatest way to cool off!
- Pre-Shabbat Activity: Creating a Group Shabbat
- Kabbalat Shabbat
- Festive Shabbat Dinner
- Oneg Shabbat: Singing & Storytelling
- Overnight in Kibbutz Gonen
SHABBAT: SHABBAT IN THE NORTH
On Shabbat we will experience the intersection between sacred time and scared space. We will experience a range of different creative responses to Jewish sites and sources. The pace of our schedule will be less frenetic than usual, in order to allow us to reflect the spirit of the day and allow space and time for us to absorb our experiences so far.
- Breakfast in Kibbutz Gonen
- Chillax with some pool time!
- Pre lunch Soldiers/Students program
- Lunch
- Meet & Greet, Kibbutz Style! Meet with a Kibbutznik and learn about the life on Kibbutz with a walking tour.
- Havdalah Ceremony
- Dinner
- Chocolate Heaven! Hear a unique Aliyah story how one woman’s start-up is our culinary pleasure. This includes a guided tour of a chocolate factory, chocolate tasting, chocolate making workshop!
- Wine Tasting - Taste a boutique wine at Bahat Winery and listen to this entrepreneur speak about his vineyard
- Overnight in Kibbutz Kibbutz Gonen
SUNDAY: EXPLORING THE UPPER GALILEE
Israel has had its fair share of dreamers, from the prophets, to the Rabbis, the Kabbalists, the pioneers and today’s modern hi-tech entrepreneurs. Today as we explore Tzfat we will think about the what, where and why of Vision in a variety of very different contexts. We will challenge ourselves to consider our own vision for the Jewish world and our part in it.
- Breakfast in Kibbutz Gonen
- International Center for Kabbalah in Tzfat – Explore Kabbalah art, spiritual musical and the meeting that hides behind ones name.
- Tour of Tzfat: Explore the mystical city and its unique synagogues that overlook the mountains and valleys in the North. Including a visit to the extraordinary Ari Mikvah.
- Lunch
- P2K at Hatzor HaGlilit – We meet the youth in risk.
- Rosh Pinah – Visit one of the first rural settlements and hear the story of the courageous pioneers.
- Have I Got News For You’ – Update on the current issues that face Israel and its neighbors
- BBQ Dinner - The authentic Israeli way
- Overnight in Kibbutz Gonen
MONDAY: CAESAREA TO JERUSALEM – ALONG THE SEAM LINES
Today, we explore two historical cities – Caesarea and Jerusalem – that in ancient days were each other’s cultural opposites. We’ll consider the lifestyles that each lived by and the impact each city made on the other. In Jerusalem, we’ll enter one of her golden gates and tour the Old City and spend time reflecting at Judaism’s holiest site – the Western Wall!
- Breakfast in Kibbutz Gonen
- International Center for Kabbalah in Tzfat – Explore Kabbalah art, spiritual musical and the meeting that hides behind ones name.
- Tour of Tzfat: Explore the mystical city and its unique synagogues that overlook the mountains and valleys in the North. Including a visit to the extraordinary Ari Mikvah.
- Lunch
- P2K at Hatzor HaGlilit – We meet the youth in risk.
- Rosh Pinah – Visit one of the first rural settlements and hear the story of the courageous pioneers.
- Have I Got News For You’ – Update on the current issues that face Israel and its neighbors
- BBQ Dinner - The authentic Israeli way
- Overnight in Kibbutz Gonen
TUESDAY: NARRATIVE, MEMORY AND THAT WHICH IS IN BETWEEN
- Breakfast at Beit Yehuda
- Tour of Yad Va’Shem Museum and Holocaust Memorial
- Reflection & Processing
- Lunch
- Exploring the unique atmosphere in Machne Yehuda, one of the busiest market places in Israel.
- Tour of Mt. Herzl Cemetery, the final resting place of Israeli dignitaries and fallen soldiers.
- Summary & Memorial Ceremony
- Dinner & Leisure Evening on Ben Yehuda - the epicenter of night life in Jerusalem
- Overnight in Beit Yehuda
WEDNESDAY: FROM ANCIENT CHALLENGES TO MODERN SUCCESSES
After visiting the site of the battle between David and Goliath, we will visit an Israeli army base and see how Israel assists during the world’s biggest disasters through international cooperation humanitarian service. Finally, we’ll travel to Tel Aviv and enjoy the city that never sleeps!
- Breakfast at Beit Yehuda
- Tel Azekah - This is an archeological mound, identified with ancient Azekah from the beginning of the Bronze Age. The site has burial caves and secret tunnels from the days of the Bar Kochba Revolt
- Archaeological Digging at Tel Azekah: A rare opportunity which allows you to touch your roots
- Search and Rescue – Visit an IDF base whose soldiers help and reconstruct communities that were struck by natural disasters. Find out more about Israel’s work towards world human international rescue efforts.
- Lunch
- Travel to the cosmopolitan city of Tel Aviv
- Time to catch some last minute sun on Tel Aviv’s Beach
- Dinner
- Dinner & Leisure Evening in Tel Aviv, in the city that never sleeps
- Overnight in Ruth Daniel
THURSDAY: EXPERIENCE TEL AVIV, AND CONSIDERING OUR COLLECTIVE FUTURE
On May 14th 1948 at 4 o’clock in the afternoon David Ben-Gurion declared the birth and independence of the State of Israel. Today we will travel to Tel Aviv and experience this incredible moment in time in Independence Hall, where the actual declaration was made. Throughout the day we will be exploring the city of Tel Aviv and Jaffa and see how the dream of the Jewish State has come true.
- Breakfast at Ruth Daniel & Check Out
- Old Jaffa - Explore the unique alleyways, winding streets and renovated areas of one of the world’s oldest ports
- Enjoy the cultural visit of Shenkin and Shuk HaCarmel
- Lunch
- Visit to Independence Hall - Visit the exact room where the State of Israel was born
- Rabin Square – The symbol to many people as the essence of democratic values in the State of Israel.
- Say farewell to the Israeli soldiers
- Wrap-up Program: What will you do next?
- A Farewell Dinner
- Check In and Return Flight to the States