Itinerary - ChabadMV.com

Please note that the itinerary is subject to change based on time, weather, security and other considerations.

Day One Day Two Day Three Day Four Day Five Day Six Day Seven Day Eight

To customize your Land and Spirit experience, we are pleased to offer multiple tracks on select days:

A - In the Footsteps of Our Ancestors

Feel the Bible come to life as you walk in the footsteps of the patriarchs, matriarchs, kings, prophets, villains, and heroes of the Torah. With a sense of the actual geography, topography, as well as archeological testimony amid the ancient sites, you will gain profound insight into the physical reality of Torah.

B - Classic

This track is perfect for the first-timer who wants to be sure to hit all of the highlights of Israel. Visits to all of the key historical sites will give you a rich panoramic overview of the history, culture, and spiritual significance of the Holy Land.

C - Borders and Security

Hard-core politicos and those interested in Israel’s military history will be intrigued by this track. Here we get an insider’s view of Israel’s security and strategic challenges, triumphs, and failures, both in the modern era and in days of old. You will visit border areas and witness the challenges on the ground, informed by defense analysts as well as local residents.

D - Meet the Israelis

On this track we not only visit the sites, but we take special care to meet the people of Israel. We will get an “insider’s” view of Israeli society—complete with inspiring meetings with unsung heroes—and take the pulse of Israeli culture. You will gain insight into what this unique and astounding society is all about.

E - A Scholarly View

On this track, we take up the educational challenge of JLI, moving between classroom study of places of great significance in the Torah, Mishnah, and Talmud, and then visiting the sites in context learned about. The experienced traveler to Israel as well as the Torah maven will emerge with a deeper understanding of and appreciation for Judaism.

F - Food and Wine

More than “a land of milk and honey,” Israel is an epicurean delight. Here you will taste the country, sampling her gourmet chocolates, wines, olive oils, and cheeses. As Israel is home to Jews from all over the world, modern Israeli cuisine includes exotic gastronomic delicacies, so be prepared for a dazzling array of epic comestibles.

G - Nice and Easy

Not everyone likes to run around. On this track, we take our time to comfortably experience Israel at a leisurely pace. You will be visiting sites of significance while keeping physical exertion to a minimum.

H - Premium

Join experienced travelers and the adventurous for thrilling activities. Owing to the distinct nature of the activities, this track is offered with an additional fee.

DAY ONE: MONDAY – Central Israel

PRE-ARRIVALS - On Monday morning, transportation will be provided from Jerusalem (David Citadel Hotel) & Tel Aviv (Hilton Hotel). Exact times will be shared prior to the trip.

‣ Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport

Group arrivals: Our representatives will meet you as you exit the plane and escort you through passport control, baggage claim and customs. Your luggage will be delivered directly to your hotel and will be waiting in your room upon arrival.

Transportation arrangements from the airport will be made for groups of ten participants or more arriving at the same time. The order of the day's activities may differ, based on the time of your arrival.

‣ Discover the Historic Ruins of Caesarea

Regarded as the jewel of the Mediterranean with its magnificently preserved ruins, Caesarea boasts a rich history and stunning natural setting. Originally a small Phoenician port called Straton’s Tower, the city was propelled to the center of global trade by King Herod. Approximately 22 BCE, he built the second largest harbor in the ancient world, complete with a theater, hippodrome, royal palace, marketplaces, bathhouses, and pagan temples.

Every five years, the city hosted lavish sporting competitions, reminiscent of the Greek Olympic Games and gladiator contests. After Herod’s death, Caesarea served as the capital of the Province of Judea as Rome assumed full control over the country. Tensions between Jews and pagans ran high, and a great revolt broke out in 66 C.E. The revolt eventually led to the destruction of the Second Holy Temple.

Caesarea flourished during the Byzantine period and later served as a strategic fortress for the Crusaders. Following the Mameluk conquest in the 13th century, the city fell into ruin and was eventually covered over by sand. The well-known philanthropist, Baron Edmond de Rothschild, was instrumental in reestablishing the city over a hundred years ago and making it into a modern thriving town.

‣ Lunch

‣ Visit the state-of-the-art Yitzhak Rabin Center

Live through the tumultuous history of the State of Israel through the eyes of the late Prime Minister at the museum, library and research center established in his memory. A permanent exhibition is dedicated to the history of society and democracy in Israel with the life of Yitzhak Rabin serving as a connecting thread between the various sections.

The center, located in Tel Aviv on a hill with a commanding panoramic view of Hayarkon Park was erected on the foundations of a secret, underground power station known as "Reading G" or "J'ora." The station was built in 1954-1956 with funds from the German reparations agreement to supply power in the event of an enemy bombing.

(due to spatial constraints, this activity slot will be predetermined by trip organizers based on bus assignment)

‣ Tour the The Palmach Museum and encounter the elite battalion in Israel’s War of Independence

The Palmach (Hebrew acronym of Plugot Machatz, Striking Force; lit., “shock companies”) was the elite striking force of the Haganah, the underground military organization of the Jewish community in the British-ruled Palestine Mandate. Palmach was founded in May 1941 to help the British defend themselves against the approaching German armies. In the fall of 1942, as the German threat receded, British authorities ordered the dismantling of the company and the organization went underground. From that time until its incorporation into the newly formed IDF in 1948, the Palmach continued to defend and help fellow Jewish citizens. They were responsible for bringing in 65 ships of Holocaust refugees, pushing back against hostile British mandatory rule from 1945–1947, and preparing the defense of Jews against hostile Arabs in anticipation of the British withdrawal. Palmach’s notable attributes and warfare ethics were incorporated into the IDF when it was formed, and for years, many of the IDF’s chiefs and generals came from its ranks.

Unlike a “regular” museum, you will not find any artifacts or documents on display at the Palmach Museum. Rather, the experiential exhibits take you on a journey through the lives of a group of young idealists who take up arms to protect the Jews of Palestine. Through use of film and stagecraft, you experience the arduous training undergone by recruits, the close friendships formed, bloody battles fought, and the painful loss of comrades-in-arms.

‣ Transfer to the hotel, check-in, unpack

‣ Dinner at the hotel

Participants who arrive in Israel in the late morning or afternoon will join the rest of the group as per the day’s schedule.

‣ Overnight: Hilton Tel Aviv

DAY ONE: MONDAY – Northern Israel

PRE-ARRIVALS - On Monday morning, transportation will be provided from Jerusalem (David Citadel Hotel) & Tel Aviv (Hilton Hotel). Exact times will be shared prior to the trip.

‣ Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport

‣ Discover the Impressive Ancient City of Bet Shean

Situated in the North of Israel, the city of Bet Shean controls the gateway between the Jordan River and the Jezreel Valley. Due to its strategic importance in ancient times, the city was sought after by the great civilizations and empires that dominated the Middle East. Philistines, Israelites, Greeks, Hasmoneans, Romans, and many others laid their claim to the fortified city and added chapters to her glorious history. In biblical times Bet Shean was a Philistine city, and it was here that the head of King Saul was displayed following his ignominious defeat on Mount Gilboa. The city was destroyed by a massive earthquake in the year 749 CE and never regained its prominence thereafter. The most impressive remains there today are from the Roman Period and include a theater, colonnaded street, bathhouse complex, and public buildings. We can well understand how this culture stood in contra-distinction to the spirituality of Jerusalem.

‣ Lunch

‣ Witness how "blue-&-white" advanced bio-tech is helping to feed millions around the globe at Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu

Discover the art of organic agriculture. including fascinating hands-on demonstrations and exhibits of live insects and bumblebees. The local Kibbutz residents are well-versed in organic agriculture and ecological solutions and are articulate, passionate, and inspiring.

(due to spatial constraints, this activity slot will be predetermined by trip organizers based on bus assignment)

‣ View the Beautiful Mosaic at the Bet Alfa Synagogue

The ancient synagogue of Beit Alpha, dated to the Byzantine period, was a 20m x 14M building. It was covered across its entire floor by a magnificent colorful mosaic floor. The mosaic floor, which was very well preserved, includes a Zodiac, geometric patterns and icons of animals, birds, plants and fruits, and a scene from the Biblical story of the binding of Isaac.

‣ Transfer to the hotel, check-in, unpack

‣ Dinner at the hotel

Participants who arrive in Israel in the late morning or afternoon will join the rest of the group as per the day’s schedule.

‣ Overnight: Setai Sea of Galilee / Pastoral Kfar Blum - North

DAY TWO: TUESDAY – Central Israel

‣ Breakfast

Full Israeli breakfast at the hotel, with guest speaker

Option A - In the Footsteps of our Ancestors

Length of tour: +/- 10 hours
Driving time to first destination: +/- 1 hour
Walking: Strenuous
Stairs: Yes
Recommended for: Return visitors

‣ Explore the Biblical Landscape at Neot Kedumim

Neot Kedumim is a Biblical Landscape Reserve, the only one of its kind. At Neot Kedumim you can see and experience the land of the Bible as it was in the second millennium BCE, during the era of our forefathers. Ancient cisterns, mills, and olive and wine presses provide visitors with a firsthand experience of daily life and challenges of biblical times. Visitors learn how biblical figures used the knowledge of their times to live with the natural environment while building their future.

‣ Packed lunch

‣ Look Out Over the Valley of Ayalon, Location of Joshua’s Historic Battle

The Ayalon Valley is where Joshua and the Children of Israel fought a fateful battle against the Canaanites over 3000 years ago. The Bible recounts how Joshua Bin Nun saw victory slipping away as the darkness of night approached. He prayed: “O sun! Stand still over Givon; and moon, over the Valley of Ayalon.” Miraculously, the sun stood still, allowing for Joshua’s forces to complete their rout of the enemy.

‣ Explore the Biblical City of Sha’arayim at the Khirbet Qeiyafa Site

The Khirbet Qeiyafa archeological site is located 30 km southwest of Jerusalem, on the summit of a hill that borders the Elah Valley on the north. The spot was a key strategic location in the biblical Kingdom of Judah and the area where the battle between David and Goliath took place.

Five seasons of excavation were carried out in between 2007 and 2011, uncovering nearly 20% of the biblical city of Sha’arayim, including 200 meters of the city wall, two gates, a pillar building and 10 houses. The discoveries clearly indicate a well-planned fortified city in Judah dating between the late eleventh to early tenth century BC, 300 years earlier than any previous discovery. This new data has far reaching implications for archaeology, history and biblical studies.

Option B - Classic

Departure time: 8:00am
Length of tour: +/- 9.5 hours
Driving time to first destination: +/- 2.5 hours, including a stop along the way
Walking: Moderate
Stairs: Yes
Recommended for: First-timers

‣ Experience the Mystical Old City of Tzfat (Safed)

No tour to the North of Israel can be complete without recharging one’s spiritual batteries in the transcendent city of Safed.

Safed, or Tzfat as it is known in Hebrew, is derived from the word tsofeh (scout). It refers to the city’s unique location, perched on a steep slope high in the Galilean hills. One of the four holy cities in Israel, Safed represents the element of air. (Hebron represents earth, Jerusalem represents fire, and Tiberias represents water.) According to the Zohar, its pure mountain air is also the holiest in Israel.

Sources date the city back to the time of Joshua bin Nun (1355–1245 BCE), and archeological findings confirm dwellings dating back to the Second Temple era.

Safed grew with an influx of refugees from the Spanish Inquisition in the late fifteenth century, when it reached its zenith as a center of the study of Torah and Kabbalah. A massive earthquake in 1837 killed thousands of Safed’s inhabitants and destroyed many of the buildings, leaving behind only a small community. But the city was soon rejuvenated by early Chasidim who settled in its holy environs.

Option B.2 - Classic

Early departure: 8:00 am
Length of tour: +/- 9.5 hours
Driving time to first destination: +/- 2.5 hours, including a stop along the way
Walking: Moderate
Stairs: Yes
Recommended for: First timers as well as return visitors

‣ Visit Mount Meron: Ancient Burial Site of Mystics and Sages

Explore Mount Meron, the Burial Site of Sages and Mystics.

The highest mountain in the Galil at more than 4,000 feet, Meron gets its fame on account of the great kabbalists and Talmudic sages buried on it. The remains of one of the oldest synagogues in the country, dating back to the time of the Second Temple, are also found on the mountain.

The large domed building is the burial place of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (who lived in the second century C.E.) also known by the acronym of his name, RaSHbY and his son Rabbi Elazar. It has three entrance gates which all face in the direction of Jerusalem. Rabbi Shimon is the author of the Zohar, the fundamental text of Kabbalah. Also on the mountain are the gravesites of the great Mishnaic sages Hillel and Shammai, as well as their students. Up to the right is the burial place of Rabbi Yochanan HaSandlar, another great sage of the same era as Rashbi.

‣ Experience the Mystical Old City of Tzfat (Safed)

This option will spend less time in Tzfat, but will still provide an opportunity to explore the historic city. Please see above - option B for more about Tzfat.

Option C - Borders and Security

Length of tour: +/- 9.5 hours
Driving time to first destination: +/- 0.5 hours
Walking: Moderate
Stairs: Yes
Recommended for: First timers as well as return visitors

‣ Explore the Underground Bullet Factory at Machon Ayalon Kibbutz

On the surface, Machon Ayalon trained young people for pastoral life on a fully functioning kibbutz. Underground, out of sight from the British, the Ayalon Institute was the largest underground IMI (Israel Military Industries) factory. From 1946 to 1948 it produced the 9mm bullets used by pioneer groups including the Palmach, Hagana and Hatzofim in the Israeli War of Independence.

The museum today features a film on the history and a tour of the site including the Kibbutz laundry which ran 24 hours a day to conceal the noise of the factory below. The bakery provided clean air to the factory through pipes attached to its furnace.

‣ Meet with Wounded IDF veterans at Achim LaChaim

During the Second Lebonon War in June 2006, Gil Ganonyan, a survivor of a terrorist’s bullet to the neck and Rabbi Chaim, a leader in the Jewish community of Seattle, visited the scores of injured soldiers who were rushed from the Lebanese border to Haifa’s Rambam hospital. As they went from bed to bed reaching out to the newly-injured soldiers, Gil told them how he had been through what they were facing and that he was there to help in any way needed.

From those first visitations, and a subsequent rehabilitation stint in Seattle for a group of ten wounded soldiers, Achim L’Chaim (Brothers for Life) was born in partnership with the Seattle Jewish community.

The program’s model of injured soldiers helping other injured soldiers has since become a template of programs in Hope for Heroism, transforming trauma into healing.

‣ Packed lunch

‣ Latrun Tank Museum

Latrun was a key conquest in the battle for Jerusalem because the road from the coast to the capital city was controlled by whoever occupied the ridge.

During Israel’s War of Independence in 1948, the Jordanian Legion held Jerusalem under siege, and the city was in imminent danger of starvation and surrender. Israeli leader David Ben-Gurion ordered the formation of the first armored battalion and ordered them to take Latrun at all costs. The plan was called Operation Bin Nun in memory of Joshua, but the Israelis were outgunned, outnumbered, and outmaneuvered by the Jordanians. Over and over, the Israeli forces regrouped and attacked, but stood no chance against the withering fire of the enemy.

Eventually, the Israelis were forced to construct a bypass route, called the Burma Road, which was used to transfer essential supplies to Jerusalem, breaking the siege and saving the city.

Only in 1967 did the IDF manage to capture Latrun. Today Latrun serves as a memorial site for the Armored Corps, and has the largest tank museum in the Middle East, boasting small tanks from the War of Independence alongside the newest Israeli-designed and produced Merkava. Also on display are tanks captured from the Egyptians, Syrians, and Jordanians—relics of Israel’s battle for survival.

Option D - Meet the Israelis

Length of tour: +/- 9.5 hours
Driving time to first destination: +/- 0.5 hours
Walking: Moderate
Stairs: Yes
Recommended for: First timers as well as return visitors

‣ Visit the Old Port of Jaffa, the Ancient Gateway to the Land of Israel

Jaffa Port is an ancient port on the Mediterranean Sea, located in the Old City of Jaffa (Hebrew: Yaffo), with a history spanning over three millennia. The port is mentioned in the book of Jonah of the Tanach. It is where the prophet set sail for Tarshish in an attempt to avoid his mission to inspire repentance in the population of Ninveh. Jonah was famously swallowed by a giant fish after the vessel he traveled on was shipwrecked during a storm.

Josephus mentions Jaffa in his description of first Jewish revolt (66–73 AD) against Rome.

For centuries, Jaffa was the entry–point for Jews who sought to settle in or visit the Land of Israel. Its relative proximity to Jerusalem, a mere three-day journey by donkey, made it the obvious docking point for those who traveled by ship to fulfill their life-long dream of reaching the holy city.

In 1917, during World War I, Britain’s General Allenby defeated the Ottomans, and Jaffa became part of the British-administered Palestine Mandate. In 1947 and 1948 harsh fighting ensued between Jaffa which was largely inhabited by Arabs, and the adjoining Jewish city of Tel Aviv. On May 13, 1948, (one day before the proclamation of the State of Israel), the Arab forces in Jaffa were finally defeated by the Haganah and Irgun Zva’i Leumi underground forces. Since 1950, the Jewish city of Tel Aviv and the mostly Arab city of Jaffa are unified as the Tel Aviv-Yaffo municipality.

Still functional as a small fishing port with modern docks, today the port is primarily a recreational zone featuring restaurants, cafés, art galleries, and shops. A lighthouse, Jaffa Light, is located above the port.

‣ Special Presentation: Israel’s Emerging Technologies and Promising Start-Ups

A showcase of some of Israel’s incredible new technologies at “Silicon Wadi” in Herzlia. Israel’s Silicon Wadi is an area in the coastal plain of Israel where business people and scientists work, developing breakthrough technologies, from cybersecurity and agricultural solutions to world hunger solutions. “Wadi” is the Arabic word for a valley or dry river bed, also commonly used in colloquial Hebrew. Silicon Wadi is a pun based on the Californian region of Silicon Valley.

Israel boasts many high-technology companies in a wide range of fields such as telecommunications equipment, software, semiconductors, biotechnology, and medical electronics. The majority of these companies are start-ups, with the most successful becoming world leaders in their respective fields. High technology and technology-rich products account for some 70 percent of Israeli exports. Multinational corporations have come to recognize Israel’s technology abilities: leading global companies like Intel, Motorola, IBM, Microsoft, Alcatel, and 3Com all have research and development facilities in Israel. Intel and Motorola also manufacture advanced products in Israel, and many other multinationals have purchased local companies, buying their patents and acquiring their human talent.

‣ Packed lunch

‣ Experience the Colorful Vibe at the Carmel Market

The Carmel Market first opened in 1920, some eleven years after the establishment of the city, making it an integral part of the history of Tel Aviv. While most shopping in the 21st century has shifted into modern malls and the internet, the Carmel market is still immensely popular and its narrow street is busy whenever you visit, particularly before Shabbat on Thursdays and Fridays.

In recent years, a growing number of boutique stalls and eateries opened alongside the traditional traders and you can find boutique beers, arrays of halva, and small eateries that take advantage of the market’s produce.

The ‘Shuk’ occupies one street which runs from the junction of King George, Allenby, and Sheinkin Street to the Carmelit Bus depot in the south. The top end of the Carmel Market is focused on fashion and electronics, while the lower part is mainly food and fresh produce stalls.

‣ Kfar Chabad

The Chabad-Lubavitch village in Israel, Kfar Chabad, was founded by the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, in 1949. The first settlers were recent immigrants from the Soviet Union who had survived World War II and Stalinist oppression and worked the farms of the agricultural settlement located five miles south of Tel Aviv. Today Kfar Chabad is home to more than 6,000 Chabad residents and serves as Chabad’s headquarters in Israel. A full-scale replica of ‘770’ houses the operation offices.

Our trip to Kfar Chabad will include a tour of the Shmura Matza Bakery, where Pesach matzot are made by hand, an etrog orchard, and a visit to the Ohr Simcha Children’s Home, a nurturing environment for three hundred boys.

Option F - Food & Wine

Length of tour: +/- 9.75 hours
Driving time to first destination: +/- 1 hour
Walking: Moderate
Stairs: Yes
Recommended for: Return visitors

‣ Visit Shvil Izim Farm, Producers of Artisan Goat Cheese in Tal Shachar

Located in the serene rolling hills of Moshav Tal Shachar, this wonderful family-run goat farm specializes in its own preservative-free artisan goat cheeses, including a Gouda, a well-reviewed Manchego and their own Soreq, named for the region in which they’re located. The farm also produces a soft feta, labneh or yogurt cheese, Camembert and yogurts, all produced from milk from their own 100-goat herd.

‣ Packed lunch

‣ Visit the Award-Winning Barkan Winery

Between the Hulda Forest and Kibbutz Hulda, at the heart of 500 acres of vineyards, resides Barkan Wine Cellars' visitor center. Barkan Wine Cellars is the second largest Israeli winery and its leading exporter, producing five to nine million bottles a year. Expect a unique experience around the theme of "from land to bottle". Visit the largest barrel hall in Israel, with over 5,000 barrels, watch an educational film about their grape-growing methods and the wine's manufacturing.

‣ Sample Craft Beer and Hard Cider at the Family-Run, Buster’s Brewery

Moving to Israel in 2003 in the middle of the Second Gulf War and the Second Intifada, was, unpopular and difficult. Denny (Dad) turned his hobby of making beer and wine into a small business in the family’s garage.

Buster’s Brewery is the happy conclusion of the Neilson family’s adventurous path from a beach house in California, to a 50-acre cotton field in Tennessee and finally, to an incredible life in the hills of Jerusalem.

As the beer industry grew in Israel, the Neilsons were proud to be a part of the boom. When the youngest son, Matt concluded his military service and joined the business, Buster’s Beverage Co. (named after the family’s Golden Retriever) became a full-on alcoholic beverage production company, with an entrepreneur training program for those who want to pursue their own dreams.

Option G - Nice & Easy

Length of tour: +/- 6 hours
Driving time to first destination: +/- 30 minutes
Walking: Minimal
Stairs: Yes
Recommended for: First-timers as well as return visitors

‣ Learn of Israel’s Technological Discoveries at The Weizmann Institute of Science

Named for Israel’s first President, The Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel is one of the world’s leading multidisciplinary research institutions in the natural and exact sciences. The Institute is a natural setting to learn about Israel’s scientific discoveries and technological inventions that span the entire spectrum of cutting-edge development in the 20th and 21st centuries. From mathematical, economic and scientific theories to exciting inventions in the fields of Medicine, Biotechnology, computer and mobile hardware and software, security and robotics, Israel is a major, indispensable contributor on the world stage.

‣ Visit the Inspirational Save a Child’s Heart Foundation Center in Holon

Save a Child’s Heart is an Israeli-based, international non-profit organization with the mission of improving the quality of pediatric cardiac care for children in developing countries and creating centers of competence in these countries.

To date, Save a Child's Heart surgical and teaching missions have saved the lives of more than 5,000 children from 61 countries in Africa, South America, Europe, Asia, and throughout the Middle East and trained more than 120 medical team members from these countries.

Save a Child’s Heart was founded in 1995 at the Wolfson Medical Center in Holon, Israel, and the hospital continues to receive and treat the most difficult cases from throughout the developing world. During the tour, we will meet with patients from around the globe who are receiving life-saving treatment, free-of-charge, in Israel.

Option H - Premium

This tour is available for an additional cost.

‣ Fly over the stunning Golan Heights on a helicopter tour with a former Israeli Air Force pilot

‣ Meet retired IDF commander Yaakov Selavan at the Syrian border and hear his firsthand account of the Yom Kippur War Battle at Tel Saki

‣ Visit the Ancient Synagogue at Um El Kanatir and learn about the leading-edge methods used to restore it

‣ Have an Off-Road Jeeping adventure exploring the Golan Heights

‣ Fly by helicopter to Tel Aviv

All Groups

‣ Dinner on your own in Tel Aviv

‣ Overnight: Hilton Tel Aviv

DAY TWO: TUESDAY – Northern Israel

‣ Breakfast

Full Israeli breakfast at the hotel, with guest speaker

Option A - In the Footsteps of our Ancestors

Length of tour: +/- 11 hours
Driving time to first destination: +/- 1 hour from Setai, 0.25 from Kfar Blum
Walking: Moderate
Stairs: Yes
Recommended for: First-timers as well as return visitors

‣ Explore the ancient biblical site of Tel Dan

With extraordinary finds from the times of the First Temple Period, Tel Dan is famous for its impressive archaeological digs, which cover two main periods: the time when it was a Canaanite city named Laish, about 4,000 years ago, and the era when it was inhabited by descendants of the tribe of Dan and given a new name.

‣ Visit Tel Hazor

Hazor is the largest and most important biblical-era site in all of Israel, a claim that is based on excavations conducted on the site in which a building dating back to the Canaanite period was uncovered. The city of Hazor was one of the most important cities during the Canaanite period and the Israelite period. The city was destroyed by a catastrophic fire, which according to the Book of Joshua was deliberately set by the Israelites. The city was later rebuilt by King Solomon. The significance of Hazor stems mainly from the role it played as a strategic location on the trade route between Egypt and Mesopotamia.

‣ Discover the Birds of the Bible in the Hula Valley

Take a moment to enjoy the breathtaking view of the Hula Valley. The valley in the Upper Galilee is one of the most significant birding sites in the world, as it sits on the migration route between Europe and Africa.

Option B – Classic

Length of tour: +/- 11 hours
Driving time to first destination: +/- 1 hour
Walking: Moderate
Stairs: Yes
Recommended for: First-timers

‣ Experience the Mystical Old City of Tzfat (Safed)

No tour to the North of Israel can be complete without recharging one’s spiritual batteries in the transcendent city of Safed.

Sources date the city back to the time of Joshua bin Nun (1355–1245 BCE), and archeological findings confirm dwellings dating back to the Second Temple era.

‣ Visit Mount Meron: Ancient Burial Site of Mystics and Sages

Explore Mount Meron, Burial Site of Sages and Mystics

Option C - Borders and Security

Length of tour: +/- 10.5 hours
Driving time to first destination: +/- 1.25 hour from Setai, 0.25 from Kfar Blum
Walking: Moderate
Stairs: Yes
Recommended for: First-timers as well as return visitors

‣ Visit the Banias River

Visit the headwaters of the Banias River and gain an understanding of how hydro-politics and the fight over water have shaped the Middle East.

‣ Meet with local residents on the Lebanon border

Hear firsthand from those whose lives are directly affected by the often-precarious security situation in the North. We will have the opportunity to speak candidly with the families who have chosen to settle in these communities and understand what motivates them, what concerns them, and what gives them and their children the strength to persist. A lookout over the border into the strongholds of Hezbollah will grant us a perspective that cannot be gained from media coverage of the Middle East.

‣ Visit Kibbutz Malkiya

Kibbutz Malkiya was established by former members of the Palmach Brigade in 1949 following bloody battles during the War of Independence. They chose this site on the Naftali Mountain range some 2100 feet above sea-level, due to its strategic importance, and named it after the Priestly Family of Malkiya who lived in the area during the times of the Second Temple. To the East, one can see the Hula Valley, the Golan Heights and Mt Hermon. To the West, the agricultural land of the Kibbutz abuts the lands farmed by the residents of neighboring Lebanese villages. Today, Malkiya has been privatized, but the strong feelings of community and solidarity still remain deep.

Option F - Food & Wine

Length of tour: +/- 10.25 hours
Driving time to first destination: +/- 1 hour
Walking: Moderate
Stairs: Yes
Recommended for: Return visitors

‣ Enjoy Wine & Cheese Tastings at the Beautiful Adir Winery

Located in the heart of the Upper Galilee, with the view of an intoxicating vineyard landscape, the Adir Visitor Center invites you to enjoy unique tastings of quality wines and cheeses produced onsite, straight from our winery and dairy.

‣ Learn about the art of Hummus making at the Dubrovin Farm

Dubrovin farm museum is a magical farmers' courtyard from the 19th century. Learn the story of Yesud- Hama'ala, the first settlement in the Hula Valley.

‣ Learn about the ancient art of olive oil production at Saba Chaviv

The Saba Haviv olive oil production facility in the Israeli Galilee is a place where visitors can learn about the ancient art of olive oil production. The facility, which was established by Saba Haviv, one of the first producers of olive products in the region, uses an ancient millstone and manual press to produce high-quality olive oil.

You will have the opportunity to taste a variety of products produced by Saba Haviv and learn about the unique qualities and benefits of each product.

All Groups

‣ Dinner on your own in Tiberias

‣ Overnight: Setai Sea of Galilee / Pastoral Kfar Blum - North

DAY THREE: WEDNESDAY – Central Israel to South

‣ Breakfast

Full Israeli breakfast at the hotel, with guest speaker

‣ Meet the Local Residents Who Live in the Shadow of Hamas

A visit to the beleaguered communities in the south of Israel provides an opportunity to hear first-hand from those whose lives are directly affected by the often precarious security situation in the region. Candid conversations with the families who have chosen to settle in these communities shed light on what motivates them, what concerns them, and what gives them and their children the strength to persist in extraordinary circumstances.

‣ Tour Kibbutz Alumim

Kibbutz Alumim (lit., Youth) is a kibbutz located in the Negev desert in southern Israel. Located close to the Gaza Strip, it falls under the jurisdiction of Sderot Negev Regional Council. The kibbutz, established in 1966, is part of the religious kibbutz movement. About twenty percent of the kibbutz’s residents are immigrants from the UK. Alumim has maintained the classic kibbutz collective lifestyle. Each member receives an allowance based on his or her needs; the amount is not connected to their occupation. Chores, including serving in the dining hall and guard duty at night, are done on a rotation. The kibbutz runs organic farms and a guest house with 22 self-contained apartments.

‣ Look Out Over the Border of Gaza and Hear a Security Briefing

A look out over the border into the self-governing Palestinian territory grants a perspective that cannot be gained from media coverage of the Middle East. Since the 2005 disengagement of the Gaza Strip, the territory has become a hotbed of terrorist activity. Gaza is ruled by the militant Hamas party and is a stronghold of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist group.

‣ Explore the Western Negev off-road by jeep

A Negev Jeep tour offers the ultimate way to explore and experience the Negev Desert which covers over 60% of Israel. With the region so undiscovered by tourists, the Jeep tour offers an insight into a beautiful region that is brimming with fascinating sites and treasures.

‣ Welcome to Jerusalem with JLI

Join all Land and Spirit participants for a special program in Jerusalem.

‣ Check in to your Jerusalem hotel

‣ Dinner at the hotels

‣ Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY THREE: WEDNESDAY – North to South

‣ Visit the battle sites from the Yom Kippur War in the Golan Heights.

Less than fifty years ago, on the afternoon of Yom Kippur, the serenity of the Golan Heights was shattered when the Syrian Army launched a surprise attack in coordination with the Egyptians. Unprepared, ill-equipped, and hopelessly outnumbered, the IDF was hard-pressed to withstand the merciless onslaught of thousands of tanks, well-trained infantry, and devastating air attacks. It was up to the junior commanders and their troops in the field to check the advance of the Syrians until the reserve soldiers could be called up and deployed. Fighting was fierce, casualties mounted, and all seemed lost. Yet miraculously and with incredible bravery, Israel’s sons managed to halt the Syrian advance, destroy the might of the Syrian armor, and then launch a lethal counterattack that threatened Damascus itself. A visit to the site of some of the famous battles releases a flood of memories for those who actually fought in the Yom Kippur War. We will join them in their journey of remembrance and follow in the footsteps of warriors and heroes as we hear the stories that shaped the course of history. Groups will be divided up between the sites of Mt. Bental, Tel Saki, and the Valley of Tears.

‣ Lookout Over the Syrian Border and Hear a Security Briefing

‣ Explore the North of Israel Off-Road by Jeep

The North of Israel is blessed with natural forests, green valleys, blossoming fruit orchards, and abundant water supplies. Due to its turbulent history, it also contains destroyed remains of villages, minefields, and ugly battle scars. The best way to really get a sense of the region is to go off the beaten track in a rugged 4x4 vehicle that will take you on a voyage of discovery.

‣ Welcome to Jerusalem with JLI

Join all Land and Spirit participants for a special program in Jerusalem.

‣ Check in to your Jerusalem hotel

‣ Dinner at the hotels

‣ Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY FOUR: THURSDAY

‣ Optional: 6:30 am - Early Morning Visit to Rachel’s Tomb (This option is also available on day 7, Sunday early morning and day 8, Monday afternoon)

Our Matriarch Rachel (Rachel Imeinu) (1585–1553 BCE) passed away outside of Bethlehem (Beit Lechem) soon after giving birth to Benjamin. Her husband Jacob buried her there “on the way to Efrat” (Genesis 35). Rashi explains that when Jacob buried her there he knew that in future times the Jewish people would pass this place on their journey to Babylonian exile, and that compassionate Rachel would come to plead for Divine mercy for them.

The Midrash says Rachel’s prayers at that time elicited Gd’s promise to her that the Jewish people would ultimately be redeemed: “Your children shall return to their own border” (Jeremiah 31:16).

Rachel’s Tomb (Kever Rachel) has always been an important location where Jews engage in heartfelt prayer. It draws tens of thousands of visitors every year who come to visit the resting place of “Mama Rochel.” Some people have the custom to wear red thread that has been wound around Rachel’s Tomb, as an amulet to protect against misfortune.

‣ Breakfast

Full Israeli breakfast at the hotel, with guest speaker

Option A - In the Footsteps of our Ancestors

Length of tour: +/- 8 hours
Driving time to first destination: +/- 0.5 hours
Walking: Moderate
Stairs: Yes
Recommended for: First timers and return visitors

‣ Ascend to Nebi Samuel, the burial place of the Prophet Samuel and enjoy the stunning view

The grave of Shmuel HaNavi, (Shmuel the Prophet, Nabi Samuel in Arabic), is located just north of Jerusalem on the hill, Rama, not far from the village of his birth, Ramatayim Tzofim.

Shmuel (931-877 BCE), the son of Chana and the Levite prophet, Elkanah was a disciple of Eyli, the last of Jewish leader in the era of Judges. During his life, Shmuel traveled throughout Israel to teach and judge the people and he was the prophet who anointed Shaul and David, the first two Israelite monarchs. Shmuel’s leadership marked the beginning of the era of the Prophets. The circumstances of his birth and life are recorded in Samuel I.

‣ Visit an Archeological Site in Shiloh, Home of the Tabernacle

Jewish history will come alive at the fascinating archeological site of Tel Shiloh where the Tabernacle stood for 369 years. When the Children of Israel arrived in the land, they set up the Tabernacle (Ohel-Mo'ed) in Shiloh. There Joshua and Eleazar divided the land among the tribes who had not yet received their allocation and dealt with the allocation of cities to the Levites.

Because of the presence of the Tabernacle and within it the Ark of the Covenant, Shiloh then became the center for worship, a status it held until shortly before David's elevation of Jerusalem. The Jewish people made pilgrimages there three times annually for the major holidays of Sukkot, Pesach and Shavuot.

Samuel relates that the sanctuary at Shiloh was administered by the priest Eyli. The young Samuel was dedicated by his mother Chanah there, to be raised at the shrine by the high priest. Samuel’s ascension as a prophet began there.

‣ Lunch

‣ Peek at Life in the West Bank

Meet with residents of the West Bank communities and settlements to hear about life in the West Bank today. See first-hand the reality of the modern-day Jewish residents in the area who have chosen to live in the land of their ancestors.

Option B - Classic

Departure time: 8:00am
Length of tour: +/- 8.5 hours
Driving time to first destination: +/- 1.5 hours
Walking: Moderate
Stairs: Yes
Recommended for: First timers

‣ Ascend to the Famous Desert Fortress of Masada

One and a quarter miles west of the Dead Sea, rising 1443 feet above sea level, is Masada. With its wide, flat summit, it was the perfect place for military defenses. The first fortifications built on Masada were constructed by the Hasmoneans in 42 BCE. Twenty years later, Herod added a wall, water storage cisterns, and a beautiful palace.

Following the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, the Jewish Zealots continued their Great Revolt against the Roman Empire from the Masada fortress. They appropriated the luxurious palaces and bathhouses that King Herod had built for himself a century earlier and lived off the water cisterns and vast stores of food that he had put in place. It was not long before the crack Roman Tenth Legion, under Flavius Silva, arrived to quell the rebellion with thousands of troops and auxiliaries. While the Zealots were hopelessly outnumbered, they managed to keep the Romans at bay due to the cunning fortifications and the sheer difficulty of ascent. Not to be deterred, the Romans built a massive ramp and a siege tower with a huge battering ram. On the eve of Passover 72 CE, the defensive wall was breached, leaving the path open for the legions to ascend and conquer the mountain. The Zealots chose to end their own lives rather than be subjected to the tyranny of the Romans, and when Flavius ascended Masada the next morning, he was met with a silence that continues to reverberate today.

Signs of Jewish religious life on the mountain include a mikva (ritual pool), and a synagogue that faces in the direction of Jerusalem.

‣ Lunch

‣ Float in the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea

Measuring 309 square miles, the mineral-rich Dead Sea and nearby springs are known for their curative qualities. Its waters are 35 percent salt, which is ten times saltier than the Atlantic Ocean. Located in the Judean desert at 1,401 feet below sea level, it is the lowest spot on earth, and is a stark contrast to the not-too-distant Judean hills.

Due to the extremely high mineral content of the water, it has been renowned for centuries as a place of healing for a variety of ailments and skin conditions.

The sharp smell emanating from sulfur deposits close by reminds one of the destruction of nearby Sodom and Gomorah, when “G‑d rained down…sulfur and fire” (Genesis 19).

Option C: Borders and Security

Length of tour: +/- 7.5 hours
Driving time to first destination: +/- 0.5 hours
Walking: Moderate
Stairs: Yes
Recommended for: First timers and return visitors

‣ Trace the life of Menachem Begin at the modern Begin Museum

At this experiential museum, a multimedia exhibit tells the story of the birth of modern-day Israel through the life of Menachem Begin, the sixth Prime Minister of Israel and founder of the Likud party. Through historical reconstructions and reenactments, rare dramatic documentary videos, interactive touchscreen exhibits, and striking presentations, visitors take a journey through Begin’s life and experience his childhood in Poland, his years as the commander of the Irgun underground, the leader of the opposition in the Knesset and finally, as Prime Minister of the State of Israel.

‣ Lunch

‣ Pay Tribute to the Fallen Heroes Together with CTVP at the IDF Military Cemetery

The main Israel Defense Forces cemetery is located on the northern slope of Mt. Herzl. It was established in November 1949, when soldiers who fell in the Jerusalem area were buried here. In 1949, the government decided to turn the site into the main cemetery for IDF members who have fallen in the line of duty.

‣ Visit East Jerusalem

From 1948 to 1967, Jerusalem was a city divided. The Jordanians controlled the East and Israel the West, with an ugly border running through from North to South. Following the Six-Day War, the city was united, yet many of the neighborhoods remain predominantly Jewish or Arab. In recent years, many Jews have chosen to make their homes in East Jerusalem. But the prevailing political and security climate has made this anything but simple. We will tour some of these neighborhoods and meet with the local Jewish residents.

Option D - Meet the Israelis

Length of tour: +/- 8 hours
Driving time to first destination: +/- 0.5 hours
Walking: Moderate
Stairs: No
Recommended for: First timers and return visitors

‣ Visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum and Children’s Memorial (This option is also available on day 8, Monday)

Yad Vashem, Israel’s main Holocaust memorial museum and archive, is situated on the green slopes of Har HaZikaron (Mount of Remembrance) in Jerusalem. Israel’s Holocaust commemoration project began in 1953 with the task of perpetuating the memory of Holocaust victims and documenting the history of the Jewish people during the Holocaust, to ensure that the Holocaust will be remembered by future generations. The new Yad Vashem museum, opened to the public in 2005, is designed in the shape of a prism penetrating the mountain.

The museum is divided into nine galleries that relate the stories of the Jewish communities before World War II, and the series of events that include the rise of the Nazis to power, the pursuit of the Jews, their eviction to the ghettos, and “the Final Solution” and mass genocide.

The personal experiences and feelings of the victims of the Holocaust constitute the groundwork for the museum’s exhibits of photographs, films, documents, letters, works of art, and personal items found in the camps and ghettos, as well as excerpts from children’s diaries.

‣ Lunch

‣ Visit the Hadassah Hospital and view the world-famous Chagall Windows

The Hadassah Hospital is one of Israel’s leading medical facilities, and provides treatment to patients from all around the world. It represents a microcosm of Israeli society and is at the forefront of medical research.

As the sun filters through the brilliant colors of Marc Chagall’s famous stained glass windows, the light bathes the Abbell Synagogue at the Hadassah University Medical Center in a special glow.

The Bible was Chagall’s primary inspiration for the art piece, particularly Jacob's blessings to his twelve sons and Moses' blessings to the twelve tribes. Each of the twelve windows is dominated by a specific color and contains a quotation from the individual blessings. Chagall (1887-1985) and his assistant, Charles Marq, worked on the project for two years, during which time Marq innovated a process for applying multiple colors to a single pane of glass requiring fewer lead strips than the traditional method.

The synagogue was dedicated in the presence of the artist on February 6, 1962 as part of Hadassah's Golden Anniversary Celebration. As Chagall said at the dedication: “This is my modest gift to the Jewish people who have always dreamt of biblical love, friendship and of peace among all peoples”.

‣ Visit Yvel Jewelers and the Megemeria School of Jewelry and Ethiopian Art

Isaac Levy’s challenging childhood experience as a young new immigrant inspired him to seek ways to help other newcomers succeed. He founded Yvel Jewelers with his wife Orna in 1986, with the spirit of “giving back” at the heart of the company and today over 90% of Yvel’s employees are immigrants hailing from 23 countries.

In 2010, the Levy’s furthered their commitment with the establishment of the philanthropic Megemeria School of Jewelry and Art. Megemeria, meaning “genesis” in Amharic, the native language of Ethiopia, provides professional training and employment opportunities to Ethiopian immigrants to facilitate their integration into Israeli society as proud and contributing citizens. Students of the school design Yvel’s Megemeria line, integrating traditional Ethiopian design and craftsmanship with modern technique.

Option E - A Scholarly View

Length of tour: +/- 7.5 hours
Driving time to first destination: +/- 0.75 hours
Walking: Moderate
Stairs: Yes
Recommended for: First timers and return visitors

‣ Ride a Camel at Genesis Land

Genesis Land is situated in the heart of the Judean desert, on the way to the Dead Sea, in the land where the Patriarchs and Matriarchs lived. A magical place, it enables visitors to experience life as it was in biblical times.

Visitors to Genesis Land are greeted by Abraham’s manservant Eliezer, and by a train of camels which lead guests down to Abraham’s tent, where they experience his legendary hospitality.

‣ Learn about Joshua at a Jericho Lookout

Visit a lookout over the city of Jericho from Mizpe Yericho and delve into the story of the miraculous conquest of the city by Joshua and the Children of Israel.

Mizpe Yericho is religious Israeli settlement in the Judean Desert lies on one of the last cliffs marking the edge of the Judean highlands, and overlooks the Jordan Rift Valley, the Dead Sea, and the ancient city of Jericho.

According to the Book of Joshua, the Battle of Jericho was the first battle of the Children of Israel in their conquest of Canaan. It is related that Joshua 6:1-27, the walls of Jericho miraculously fell after Joshua's Israelite army marched around the city blowing their trumpets.

‣ Lunch

‣ Visit Site of the Crossing the Jordan

Kasr el-Yahud ("Castle of the Jews" in Arabic) is traditionally considered to be the place where the Israelites crossed the Jordan River into the Holy Land after wandering in the desert for forty years.

‣ Explore Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls

Qumran is an archaeological site best known as the settlement nearest to the Qumran Caves, a series of eleven caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were hidden in the sheer desert cliffs and beneath, in the marl terrace.

Since the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947–1956, extensive excavations have taken place in Qumran. Nearly 900 scrolls were discovered. Most were written on parchment and some on papyrus. Cisterns, Jewish ritual baths, and cemeteries have been found, along with a dining or assembly room and debris from an upper story alleged by some to have been a scriptorium as well as pottery kilns and a tower. According to Dead Seas Scrolls Scholar Professor Lawrence Schiffman, the rules of the community, its heavy stress on the Zadokite legacy, and other details indicate the artifacts are of a Sadducean-oriented sect from the end of the 2nd Temple era.

Option F: Food & Wine

Length of tour: +/- 7.5 hours
Driving time to first destination: +/- 0.5 hours
Walking: Moderate
Stairs: Yes
Recommended for: Return visitors

‣ Enjoy a culinary tour of the Machane Yehudah Outdoor Market

The Machane Yehudah outdoor market, or “Shuk” as it is affectionately known, is one of Jerusalem’s most popular sites for a taste of local culture. Established under Ottoman Rule in 1887 along the Jaffa Road artery, the Shuk served the growing Jewish population who lived outside of the Old City. Over the years, Jerusalem saw an influx of new immigrants from all over Europe, Russia, and the Middle East—each group bringing with it its ethnic foods, creating a melting pot of cultures. Today, the Shuk is a blaze of color, a cacophony of sounds and a blend of tantalizing aromas as vendors call attention to their freshly baked goods, fruit, vegetables, and delicacies. You can also enjoy a delicious meal at a wide range of restaurants and hole-in-the-wall eateries.

‣ Participate in a Coffee Tasting Workshop

Participate in a coffee-tasting workshop at Power Coffeeworks café in Jerusalem featuring beans, roasts and flavors from around the world.

‣ Lunch

‣ Bread Baking Workshop at Pat BeMelach

Pat BeMelach (Bread in Salt) in Rosh Zurim is a unique artisan bread bakery in the heart of Gush Etzion, a cluster of Jewish settlements located in the Judaean Mountains.

Pat BaMelach offers hands-on workshops, giving participants historical, educational, cultural and tasty bread-making activities. Led by David Katz, a Cleveland, Ohio native who has lived in Israel for the past 20 years. David is a formal and informal educator, who discovered his talent for sourdough after spending years baking Pesach matzot.

Option G - Nice & Easy

Length of tour: +/- 6 hours
Driving time to first destination: +/- 30 minutes
Walking: Minimal
Stairs: Yes
Recommended for: First-timers as well as return visitors

‣ Enjoy a stunning lookout over Jerusalem from the Haas Promenade

The panoramic viewpoint from the Haas Promenade offers a sweeping view of Jerusalem, replete with thousands of years of history. The promenade – popularly known in Hebrew as "the Tayelet" – is comprised of several walkways with observation terraces from where you can see the City of David, the Temple Mount, the Mount of Olives and many other ancient and modern landmarks.

The promenade is located on a high ridge on Jerusalem’s southern side that provides the first glimpse of Mount Moriah, the Temple Mount, when approaching the city from the south. Tradition has it that this is the place from which Abraham saw the mountain where he was to bind his son Isaac.

The ridge is known today as Armon Hanetziv – the palace of the commissioner – for the residence built there by the British in the 1930s as the home of the High Commissioner.

‣ Tour the Knesset

The Knesset is the single-chamber national legislature of Israel, with 120 members. It first convened on February 14, 1949 after the newly-formed modern State of Israel held its first elections. As the legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister, approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government. It also has the power to dissolve itself and call new elections.

The term “Knesset” is derived from the ancient Great Assembly (Knesset HaGedolah), an assembly of 120 scribes, sages, and prophets, that governed ancient Israel from the end of the Biblical prophets era to the time of the development of rabbinic Judaism in 200 BCE. There is, however, no organizational continuity and–aside from the number of members–little similarity, as the ancient Knesset was an essentially religious body.

The Knesset compound sits on a hilltop in western Jerusalem in the Givat Ram district of Jerusalem. The main building was finance by James A. de Rothschild as a gift to the State of Israel in his will and was completed in 1966.

‣ Visit the Israel Museum, Israel’s Foremost Cultural institution (This option is also available on day 8, Monday)

The museum is Israel’s largest and most prominent cultural institution, housing the world-famous Dead Sea Scrolls in the uniquely sculpted Shrine of the Book. Visitors to the newly renovated campus can also view the Model of Jerusalem in the Second Temple period, the Sculpture Garden, Youth Wing, Archeology Wing, Judaica Wing, and Fine Arts Wing.

Option H - Premium

This tour is available for an additional cost.

Length of tour: +/- 8 hours
Driving time to first destination: +/- 30 minutes
Walking: Strenuous
Stairs: Yes
Recommended for: First timers as well as return visitors

(Please wear closed-toe shoes and bring along your passport and driver’s license)

‣ Explore the Path of the Patriarchs by self-driven off-road ATV (2-4 people per vehicle)

For thousands of years, the “Mountain Road” has served to connect from Be’er Sheva in the South of Israel, through Hevron, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Bet El, Shilo and Shechem in the North. This is the route traveled by the Patriarchs, Prophets & Kings during the First Temple Period , the route traveled by Rabbis & Pilgrims during the Second Temple Period and the route that is still used today. We will encounter an ancient Mikveh, Roman Milestones, agricultural lands and modern settlement.

‣ Lunch at the Gush Etzion Winery

‣ Participate in Expert anti-terrorism training by former IDF commandos at the Caliber 3 Shooting Range

Caliber 3 is a leading counter-terrorism and security training academy located in Israel. Founded by Col. Sharon Gat in 2007, the academy is now run by active military members of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and offers a range of courses to military, law enforcement, government agencies, and commercial clients from around the world. Caliber 3's expert anti-terrorism training is conducted by former IDF commandos and takes place at the academy's state-of-the-art shooting range, which features a variety of realistic training environments. Caliber 3 is internationally recognized as a leader in its field and has trained thousands of students from over 50 countries.

‣ Discover one of King Herod’s fortresses used by the Jewish rebels in the Bar Kochva Revolt against the Romans

One of King Herod’s most daring projects was his summer palace in the Judean Desert. He created a man-made mountain topped by a daunting fortress, complete with all the amenities & luxuries of the ancient world. Following his death, he was interred in Herodian and his tomb was only recently discovered by archeologists. During the Bar Kochva Revolt, the fortress was used as a hideout by the Jewish forces and today, one can also walk through the secret tunnels dug by the fighters.

All Groups

‣ Dinner on your own in Jerusalem

‣ Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY FIVE: FRIDAY

PLEASE NOTE THAT TOURING THIS DAY WILL BE ALL ON FOOT AS THE ROADS IN & AROUND JERUSALEM ARE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DUE TO THE JERUSALEM MARATHON.

‣ Breakfast

Full Israeli breakfast at the hotel, with guest speaker

Option A - In the Footsteps of our Ancestors

Length of tour: +/- 3.25 hours
Walking: Strenuous
Stairs: Yes
Recommended for: First timers as well as return visitors

‣ Walk in the Footsteps of Prophets And Kings In the City of David

The Bible recounts how Yoav ben Zeruaya, King David’s fearless general, led a small band of men secretly into the strongly fortified Jebusite city, thereby leading to its capture. King David renamed the city Jerusalem and designated it as his new capital in place of Hebron. He also purchased the threshing floor of Arnava on Mount Moriah, site of the Temple to be built by his son Solomon, and brought up the Ark of the Covenant to the city, establishing it for all time as the spiritual and political capital of the Jewish people. It is in the City of David where the kings of Judah reigned, where Isaiah and Jeremiah prophesied, and where Hezekiah, all alone, faced the mighty wrath of Assyria. There is archeological evidence as well of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians 2500 years ago. Not to be missed are the Palace of the Davidic Dynasty, the lookout over the Kidron Valley and Silwan, Canaanite fortifications, Warren’s Pier, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, and the Pool of Shiloach.

Option B – Classic

Length of tour: +/- 3 hours
Walking: Moderate
Stairs: Yes
Recommended for: First timers

‣ Explore the Ancient market place in the Cardo and the Broad Wall

Ancient columns of the main north-south artery of Roman-Byzantine Jerusalem (146 BCE–1453 CE), which also served as a market place, have been unearthed in recent years. Each civilization that came to Jerusalem in the course of more than 1,300 years reused the remains and ruins of their predecessors. In the covered section, visitors can see a wall comprised of many different levels of stones from different periods.

With a turn from HaYehudim Street toward Plugat HaKottel Street, and observers may look down upon the “Broad Wall” an ancient section of wall. Some archeological scholars date the wall to the late first Temple period when King Hezekiah (587–533 BCE) strengthened the fortifications of Jerusalem. According to others, it dates to the early second Temple period. The maps on the wall explain it all.

‣ Tour Batei Machase, Remains of a Jewish Public Housing Project From the 1800’s

Batei Machase is an apartment compound constructed in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem between 1860 and 1890. It was essentially the first 'public housing' project built in the Mandate of Palestine, and was designed to provide shelter for the city's destitute population. The project was initiated by several Jewish organizations from the Netherlands and Germany, who took it upon themselves to care for the Jews of Jerusalem.

During the war of independence in 1948, the compound was the last stronghold for Jewish defenders of the city, until it was conquered by the Jordanian Legion. During the battle, the Batei Machase compound was partially destroyed, and its synagogue was demolished.

‣ Tour the Western Wall Tunnels to learn about Temple-era Jerusalem

Starting with its entrance under arches that held up the Great Bridge that led to the Temple Mount, the Western Wall Tunnels offer an up-close look at some of the most amazing archeological finds from the Temple era. A glass floor in the bridge allows visitors to see the two-thousand-year-old stairs of a large ritual bath used by our ancestors during the Second Temple period before approaching this holiest place.

Underground, one can see the Western Wall stones, enormous squared-off boulders, with chiseled edges in their full glory. Many stop to pray at the stone closest to the Temple’s “Holy of Holies,” the center of a synagogue that existed in the Middle Ages and was recently rebuilt. Also in the tunnels is the remains of an underground passageway used by King David to approach the Temple Mount from his palace located on the current site of the Tower of David. A three-dimensional model of the Temple Mount and educational film complete the fascinating tour.

Option C – Borders and Security

Length of tour: +/- 2.5 hours
Walking: Moderate
Stairs: Yes
Recommended for: First timers as well as return visitors

‣ Visit the Tomb of King David

Between 1948 and 1967 the eastern part of the Old City was occupied by Jordan, which barred entry to Jews even for the purpose of praying at Jewish holy sites. However, the southern part of Mount Zion where the Tomb of David was controlled by Israel and Jewish pilgrims from around the country and the world went to pray at David's Tomb where a climb to the rooftop, provided a glimpse of the Western Wall.

The tomb provides an excellent lookout point to trace the heroic battle for control of the Jewish Quarter in 1948 and its ultimate surrender to the Jordanian Legion.

‣ Tour Batei Machase, Remains of a Jewish Public Housing Project From the 1800’s

Option D - Meet the Israelis

Length of tour: +/- 3.25 hours
Walking: Strenuous
Stairs: Yes
Recommended for: First timers as well as return visitors

‣ Tour the Muslim Quarter with Ateret Cohanim and meet the Jewish residents

Of the four quarters of the Old City of Jerusalem (Armenian, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim), the Muslim quarter is the largest and most populous. Until 1929, many Jews lived in the Muslim Quarter, but with the outbreak of the violent pogroms by local Arab inhabitants at that time, they were forced to relocate.

In 1948, the Jordanian Legion succeeded in capturing the entire Old City of Jerusalem and forced the remaining Jewish inhabitants into exile. It was not until the Six-Day War, when the city was liberated, that Jews were able to return. Over the years, house by house, courtyard by courtyard, Jewish properties are being repurchased at great cost by various organizations, most notably Ateret Kohanim. Former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon purchased an apartment overlooking the main street in the Muslim Quarter. Although he had no plans to live there himself, he hoped that the security of Jews in the quarter would improve as a result of his acquisition.

Other Jewish sites in the Muslim Quarter include Kottel HaKattan, Bet HaTzalam, and the Gates of the Temple Mount.

Option E - A Scholarly View

Length of tour: +/- 3 hours
Walking: Moderate
Stairs: Yes
Recommended for: First timers as well as return visitors

‣ Morning Torah Class at the Tzemach Tzedek Shul in the Jewish Quarter

Built in 1858 by emissaries of the third Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel (1789–1866), Chabad’s Tzemach Tzedek Shul is among several very old chasidic shuls tucked around the cobblestone alleys of the Old City. Several other chassidic groups—including Breslov, Chernobyl (Skver), Chortkov, Karlin-Stolin, Nadvorna, Kossov, and Lelov—are represented by 200-plus-year-old congregations still active today.

‣ Walking Tour of King David Street and Alrov Mamilla Promenade

Optional walking tour along King David Street & the Mamilla Alrov Promenade telling the story of the first Jewish neighborhoods beyond the Old City.

King David Street is one of Jerusalem’s most prestigious addresses combining tourism, luxury residences, high commerce, galleries and shops in distinctive Jerusalem architectural style. A highlight is the stately King David Hotel, built in 1934. The hotel quickly became one of the leading hotels in the Middle East, hosting presidents, kings, diplomats, and celebrities. Pre-1948, the British Mandatory authorities rented the right wing and used it as the center of the administration in Palestine.

Opened in 2007, Mamilla Mall, also known as Alrov Mamilla Avenue, is an upscale shopping street, and the only open-air mall in Jerusalem. Located northwest of Jaffa Gate, the mall consists of a 2,000-foot pedestrian promenade lined by 140 stores, restaurants, and cafes.

Option F - Food & Wine

Length of tour: +/- 2 hours
Walking: Moderate
Stairs: Yes
Recommended for: First timers as well as return visitors

‣ Engage in the age-old tradition of Challa-baking

Option H - Premium

‣ Run the Jerusalem Marathon

Join runners from across the globe at the annual Jerusalem Marathon. With four tracks to choose from - 5km, 10km, half marathon, and full marathon - there's a distance for every fitness level. Please note that all the streets will be closed, so plan to walk to the start line (around 15-20 minutes). If you have any questions about registration, please don't hesitate to contact us for more information.

All Groups

‣ Lunch on your own in the Jewish Quarter

‣ Prepare for Shabbat, candle-lighting at the hotel

‣ Welcome the Shabbat with thousands of Jews from around the globe at the Kottel

‣ Friday night dinner at the hotel together with Lone Soldiers

‣ Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY SIX: SHABBAT

‣ Breakfast

Full Israeli breakfast at the hotel

‣ Joint JLI Morning Service

‣ Full course Shabbat Lunch at the hotel

‣ Rest, relax and rejuvenate with some personal time

Optional Walking Tours

‣ 1. Walking tour of the beautiful Yemin Moshe Neighborhood and Montefiore’s Windmill

Yemin Moshe was established in 1892–1894 by the Montefiore Welfare Fund which was dedicated to continuing the work done by British Jewish banker Moses Montefiore. The project marked the seventh year after the philanthropist's death and was named to commemorate Montefiore's first name and a verse from the Book of Isaiah. The neighborhood was built on land purchased by Montifiore in 1855, just outside Mishkenot Sha'ananim, a housing project he had built in 1866.

The landmark windmill, the famous symbol of the neighborhood and Montifiore’s enduring stamp on the Jerusalem landscape, was part of the financial infrastructure he had built to provide residents with a source of livelihood. Yemin Moshe is now an upscale neighborhood surrounded by gardens with a panoramic view of the Old City walls.

‣ 2. Hanevi-im Street Walking Tour

Hanevi-im Street or “Street of the Prophets” is an east-west axis road in Jerusalem beginning outside Damascus Gate and ending at Davidka Square. Located to the north of Jaffa Road, it bisects the neighborhood of Musrara. During its heyday in the late 19th century and early 20th century, Street of the Prophets was a favorite address for hospitals, hospices, government offices, foreign consulates, monasteries and wealthy residents. A tour of the street, its historic buildings and Beit HaRav Kook will introduce you to some of the Jerusalem personalities of the last century who have left an indelible mark on Jewish life.

‣ 3. Talbiya Neighborhood Walking Tour

Talbiya is an upscale neighborhood in Jerusalem, located between Rehavia and Katamon built in the 1920s and 1930s. The neighborhood's official name Komemiyut, introduced after the establishment of the state, never caught on, and it is still known as Talbiya, the pre-1948 name. Some of Jerusalem's important cultural institutions are located in Talbiya, among them the Jerusalem Theater, the Van Leer Institute and Beit HaNassi, the official residence of the President of Israel.

‣ 4. The Jewish Quarter Walking Tour

The Old City is divided into four neighborhoods: the Jewish Quarter in the southeast, and the Muslim, Christian, and Armenian quarters. Remains of almost every era of Jewish civilization, from the time Joshua entered the Land of Israel until today, can be found in the Jewish Quarter and its environs.

‣ Havdalah

Bring out Shabbat with a Musical Havdala and a mini-concert overlooking the Old City Walls. Chassidic melodies played by local musicians will carry the inspiration of Shabbat to the days to come.

‣ Dinner on your own

‣ Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY SEVEN: SUNDAY

‣ Optional: 6:30 am Early Morning Visit to Rachel’s Tomb (This option is also available on day 4, Thursday and day 8, Monday)

‣ Breakfast

Full Israeli breakfast at the hotel, with guest speaker

‣ Explore Hebron, the City of the Patriarchs

Chevron is one of the four holy cities in the Land of Israel and is the place where our patriarchs and matriarchs lived, raised their families, and spread the message about the existence of the Creator.

Upon Sarah’s death, Abraham purchased a burial plot, the Cave of Machpelah, from the local population for an exorbitant price. The negotiation concerning the sale and Abraham’s refusal to accept it as a gift are recorded in meticulous detail in the Book of Genesis. In later years, Abraham, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, and Leah were all interred in the Cave of Machpelah. It is no wonder that the Jewish connection to Chevron has remained strong for millennia, despite its turbulent history.

A tour through the Jewish neighborhoods provides an encounter with the origins of our nation and the complexities of living in the city today.

‣ Visit the Cave of the Machpelah

One of the most famous pieces of real estate on earth is the Cave of Machpelah (Me’arat HaMachpelah, also known as the Cave of the Patriarchs). Machpelah means “doubled” in Hebrew, and alludes to the four prominent couples who were buried there. (The couples are Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, and Jacob and Leah.)

The Zohar says the Cave of Machpelah is the gateway to the Garden of Eden. Adam recognized the uniqueness of the location when he saw a ray of light emanating from the area.

Years later, Abraham again uncovered this unique cave. As recounted in the Torah (Genesis 23), Abraham purchased the cave and the surrounding field as a burial place for his wife Sarah (1803–1676 BCE), making it the first plot of land in the Holy Land to become the legal possession of the Jewish people. The sale negotiations and Abraham’s refusal to accept the land as a gift are recorded in meticulous detail in the Book of Genesis. In later years, Abraham, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, and Leah were all interred in the Cave of Machpelah, and so it is no wonder that the Jewish connection to Hebron has remained strong for millennia.

The large, imposing stone building that stands above the cave today was built by Herod in the first century BCE. (In fact, this building, with six-foot-thick stone walls, is the only fully intact Herodian structure.) The cave wherein lie our patriarchs and matriarchs is beneath this structure. Around the 1490s, access to the cave was closed, and remains closed to this very day.

‣ Tour the Avraham Avinu Neighborhood

During the sixteenth century, Spanish Jews established the Jewish Quarter of Hebron and built the Avraham Avinu (Abraham our Patriarch) Synagogue, which was one of Israel’s most magnificent and famous synagogues at the time.

In 1879, Avraham Romano, a wealthy Jew from Turkey, built a beautiful house known as Beit (House of) Romano. In the 1900s, an additional floor was added, and it was turned into a medical clinic known as Beit Hadassah.

On a property adjacent to the Avraham Avinu Synagogue, Rabbi Dovber of Lubavitch (the Miteler Rebbe, 1773–1827) built a synagogue. This shul became known as the Avraham Avinu Ashkenaz Shul, as it was frequented mainly by Jews of European descent. This was the first in a string of properties purchased by Chabad Rebbes over the years. Many of these properties are in the present-day Arab section of Hebron and, for the most part, inaccessible to Jews.

‣ Explore Tel Romeida

The archaeological site called Tel Romeida is located on a slope descending eastward from Jebel Romeida, west of today’s old city center, the area around the Tomb of the Patriarchs. A spring called Ein Jadide flows out of the foot of the eastern side of the tel.

The first excavations at the site were led by American archaeologist P. Hammond in the years 1964–1966, when the area was under Jordanian rule. Israeli archeologists began excavating the area in 1984, later to be halted by the First Antifada in 1987. In 1999, they were reinitiated by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) in advance of development of the Jewish neighborhood, Admot Yishai (Jesse’s Lands). An apartment block was built over the excavation area in a way that allows public access to the archaeological layer.

A new archaeological excavation commenced in January 2014. The excavation was undertaken at the top of the tel, in an area above the Jewish residential area and in between Palestinian homes to the southwest. The excavation is led by the IAA and the University of Ariel, as part of the development of an archaeological park in Tel Romeida.

‣ Gala Banquet at Binyanei HaUma, Jerusalem’s Iconic International Convention Center

Jerusalem’s Iconic International Convention Center, Binyanei HaUma (lit., Buildings of the Nation), the largest convention center in the Middle East, is the perfect backdrop for JLI’s The Land and the Spirit Banquet.

As the winner of a national design competition, architect Zeev Rechter was awarded the task to design it. The project, begun in 1950, was finally completed in 1962 after numerous delays during the economic difficulty and austerity that characterized the first decade of Israeli independence.

At the banquet, we will commemorate our journey of discovery of Israel and our eternal heritage that has become a part of us forever. The banquet meal will be accompanied by stirring addresses, video tributes, and live musical entertainment.

‣ Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY EIGHT: MONDAY

‣ Breakfast

Full Israeli breakfast at the hotel, with guest speaker

Option 1

‣ Visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum and Children’s Memorial (This option is also available on day 4, Thursday)

Option 2

‣ Discover the Israel Museum, Israel’s Foremost Cultural institution (This option is also available on day 4, Thursday)

Option 3

‣ Visit Rachel’s Tomb (This option is also available on day 4, Thursday and day 7, Sunday)

Option 4

‣ Join Pantry Packers at Colel Chabad

Volunteer at Colel Chabad's Pantry Packers packaging food for the needy. Colel Chabad, Chabad was established in 1788 by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement and has operated without interruption ever since. Colel Chabad goal since its founding is to provide material help - especially food - to the poorest Jews in the Holy Land, without compromising their pride and dignity.

Colel Chabad operates a unique facility where visitors can assist needy families by contributing an hour of their time. Many of the food staples, such as rice, beans, and grains, are purchased in bulk and need to be repacked to be put in food baskets and delivered in the necessary quantities to needy families. Here is your chance to don a cap, apron, and gloves, and have fun while making a difference.

Option 5

‣ Visit the Shalva Children's Center

Shalva, the Israel Association for the Care and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities is dedicated to providing transformative care for individuals with disabilities, empowering their families and promoting social inclusion.

Option 6

‣ Tour the Western Wall Tunnels to learn about Temple-era Jerusalem

Option 7

‣ Tour Magen David Adom Headquarters and meet Israel’s Jewish and Arab first-responders

The Magen David Adom is Israel's national emergency medical, disaster, ambulance and blood bank service. The name means "Red Shield of David". Formed in 1930 as a volunteer association in Tel Aviv, it was extended nationwide five years later, providing medical support to the public including not only Jews, but to Muslim, Druze, and Christians. In 1950, the Knesset made MDA, Israel's official national emergency service. Magen David Adom is recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross as the national aid society of the State of Israel under the Geneva Conventions, and a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. MDA has a dedicated medical emergency phone number in Israel is 101.

Option 8

‣ Visit “Our Crowd” and learn about the revolutionary Israeli start-ups

Israel is widely regarded as the "Start-Up Nation," and with good reason. There are hundreds of Israeli companies revolutionizing fields such as bio-tech, fin-tech, agri-tech, cyber-security, defense, automated driving, green-tech, and medicine. Our Crowd provides the opportunity for even small investors to be a part of this action, and has raised hundreds of millions of dollars to date.

Option 9

‣ Morning at Leisure in Jerusalem

Enjoy some free time in Jerusalem to shop, sightsee, visit family and friends or simply relax.

‣ Lunch on your own in Jerusalem

All Groups

‣ Visit Ammunition Hill and Learn about the Battle for Jerusalem in the Six Day War

Ammunition Hill (Givat Hatachmoshet), situated between the modern neighborhoods of Ramat Eshkol and French Hill, was the site of one of the 1967 Six-Day War’s bloodiest and most important battles. A contingent of Israeli paratroopers vied to oust entrenched Jordanian legionnaires who were preventing Israeli access to Mount Scopus and the Jerusalem-Ramallah road. Thirty-seven Israeli troops lost their lives.

Today, Ammunition Hill houses the main Jerusalem induction center for new IDF recruits, an extensive museum, and the trenches and fortifications from the battle. The museum covers the events surrounding the battle in depth, including a rousing documentary film and exhibits on armed Jewish resistance to Nazi oppression in Europe. There are several memorials to the young men who died during the campaign for Jerusalem in 1967.

‣ Meet the Brave Soldiers of the IDF

We will have the opportunity to meet with officers and combat troops to hear firsthand about life in the army, the training regimen, and their personal stories.

‣ Dinner at the Achuza Hall near the airport

‣ Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport and Depart from Israel

This year in Jerusalem!