Led by Rabbi Stephanie Alexander
TOUR EDUCATOR- URI FEINBERG
Contents
Itinerary
Day 1
Bruchim HaBaim and Welcome to Israel
Tuesday, June 7
Arrive in Israel (Meet at the Airport at a Pre-determined time)
Meet Routes representative for airport assistance
Meet your Tour Educator, Uri Feinberg, in the Arrival’s Hall
Transfer to Jerusalem
Enter Jerusalem and drive to the Haas Promenade for an overlook of the City of Jerusalem. We will recite the traditional ‘shehechiyanu’ blessing for new beginnings, as we set our sights on the beauty laid out in front of us, witnessing three thousand years of history, old and new merging, from the days of King David through the very moments in which we begin our wonderful journey together.
Check in at the hotel
Festive welcome dinner at Satya restaurant
Overnight: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 2
The Layers of Jerusalem
Wednesday, June 8
Breakfast at the hotel
Explore the excavations at the City of David, the very core of ancient Jerusalem. View the Gihon Spring, the 3000-year-old water source of King David’s capital and that of the Jebusite city before it. Wade through the water of King Hezekiah’s 2700-year-old water tunnel and continue through the 2000-year-old dry drainage system of the Temple Mount.
Enter the Old City of Jerusalem via the Dung Gate.
Explore the Jerusalem Archeological Park, (including the Southern Steps and Robinson’s Arch) for deeper insight into the Second Temple period, the Jewish pilgrims of the time, why it all came to an end- and why it really didn’t! From the Second Temple period pedestrian mall below Robinson’s Arch, we will also have an opportunity to view and speak about the Western Wall Azrat Yisrael, the egalitarian prayer space.
Visit the Kotel (Western Wall) and experience the special atmosphere at this holy site.
Traverse the inter-twining paths of the Old City. This will include the alleyways and markets of the Muslim quarter, the Via Dolorosa (Way of Suffering) and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which, according to Christian tradition is the site of the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus in the Christian quarter. From there we will continue to the the Cardo, the main street of Roman-controlled Jerusalem and its spectacular Byzantine-era columns, King Hezekiah’s “Broad Wall”, a massive wall built to protect Jerusalem from invasion 2,700 years ago and the Hurva Square, all located in the center of modern-day life in the Jewish Quarter.
Enjoy lunch on own exploring alleyways and markets with anything from hummus & falafel, pizza & shawarma and more as your options.
The overview from the rooftops high above the 4 quarters of the old city will provide magnificent vistas and new perspective.
Return to the hotel
Enjoy a free evening and dinner on your own.
Explore Jerusalem nightlife including: the Mamilla Mall, an upscale, open-air food and shopping area located outside the Old City’s Jaffa Gate, the First Station, Jerusalem’s rail link from the late 19th century has been transformed into a center of restaurants, shops, and culture or the very classic and original Ben Yehuda and Nahalat Shiva Pedestrian Malls.
Overnight: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 3
Memory and Renewal
Thursday, June 9
Breakfast at the hotel
Challenges and Triumphs of Religious Pluralism in Israel: Dialogue with the Director of the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC), or another representative.
Visit Yad Vashem, the national memorial and museum to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, an essential emotional and educational experience. Your guided visit will include:
First Timers:
The Avenue of the Righteous, where trees, symbolic of the renewal of life, have been planted in memory and in honor of the brave, non-Jewish Righteous Amongst the Nations, who risked and gave their lives to save Jews during the Shoah.
The Historical Museum, a state-of-the-art interactive display reflecting decades of research and educational expertise. The story of the Holocaust, with an emphasis on individual victims, is told through survivor testimonies, original artifacts, and personal possessions saved from the ghettos, forests and camp.
The Children’s Memorial, commemorating the 1.5 million children murdered during the Holocaust.
Returnees:
The Museum of Holocaust Art. The world’s largest collection of Holocaust art reveals the lives and heroism of artists engulfed by the Shoah. These artists risked their lives to create, often under the most harrowing conditions, an artistic record of the catastrophe.
The Valley of the Communities, a 2.5-acre monument dug out of bedrock. Engraved on its stone walls are the names of 5,000 Jewish communities that were swallowed up by the Shoah.
The Sculpture Garden with its powerful and poignant artworks.
The Yad Vashem Synagogue which includes Torah Arks and other sacred items rescued from synagogues destroyed by the Nazis.
Ascend Mt. (Har) Herzl, Israel’s national military cemetery, to recall landmark moments in the history of modern Israel in which the soldiers buried here gave their lives. We will gain insight into the overlay between the most personal and painful experience within Israeli society and the very public national sense of pride. Our path will lead us to the peak, known as the Plots of the Leaders of the Nation, where former Prime Ministers, Presidents and the Visionary of the Jewish State, Theodore Herzl himself are buried.
Enjoy a guided Tasting Tour experience: the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of Jerusalem will come alive while walking through the ethnically diverse Machane Yehuda open-air market with a local Shuk (market) foodie expert providing access and engagement with the best that the market has to offer.
Tree planting at the Jerusalem Bird Observatory, including birdwatching, bird-banding and an insight into the urban wildlife of Jerusalem.
Return to the hotel for late afternoon rest and relaxation
Overnight: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 4
Gaining Perspective
Friday, June 10
Breakfast at the hotel
Visit the Hand in Hand (“Yad b’Yad”) bilingual school, combining peace education and top academic standards to build partnership, coexistence, and equality between the Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel.
Walking tour of East Jerusalem with a local guide. We will walk the streets outside of Damascus Gate, meet locals and visit the Educational Bookshop. There we will meet and have a conversation with owner Mahmud Muna for his perspective and understanding of the Palestinian reality today.
Geopolitical Overviews and Insights of Jerusalem: Travel to the edge of the city of Jerusalem, for a close-up view of the Security Barrier to add another layer of understanding of the current security, political and geopolitical realities and relationships of the capital and the state of Israel.
Lunch on own.
Return to the hotel and prepare for ShabbatDepart for Modiin: Kabbalat Shabbat services with the Reform congregation of Kehilat Yozma in Modi’in, led by Rabbi Nir Barkin, followed by home hospitality Shabbat dinner or communal Shabbat dinner with local congregants (subject to change due to crazy reality).
Overnight: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 5
Into the Desert-Masada and the Dead Sea
Saturday, June 11
Breakfast at the hotel
Early departure to descend to the Dead Sea Basin via the Judean Desert.
Ascend by cable car to Masada, Herod’s Mountain palace and the site of the Jewish Zealots’ last stand against the Roman Legionnaires. Discuss Masada’s role as a symbol of Jewish defense and its current significance in modern Israel.
Putting your feet up IN the Dead Sea: A relaxed afternoon will include floating in the Dead Sea. Not much can live (or swim) in Yam HaMelach, the “Sea of Salt,” which is nine times saltier than the ocean, but the weightless feeling of floating is an unparalleled experience. We’ll also enjoy a buffet lunch and if the Dead Sea wasn’t enough, we will check out the shoreline hotel’s spa facilities
Time permitting: Take a short hike to Nahal David, the freshwater spring and waterfalls in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, where David hid from King Saul.
Return to Jerusalem and the hotel.
Bein Kodesh L’Chol: We will bring Shabbat to a close and celebrate Havdala from the picturesque neighborhood of Yamin Moshe in the shadow of the famed 1860 windmill while overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem.
Dinner (on own)
Overnight: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 6
Voices of the Land: Past and Present
Sunday, June 12
Breakfast at the hotel and check out
Participate in AgriTour of Kibbutz Magal
Discover how the Kibbutz has become a global leader in smart irrigation while building a thriving agricultural presence. We’ll see the Netafim Greenhouse Park, which is creating greenhouse solutions for climates around the world; tour the Kibbutz and surrounding area with its spectacular views of the Haviv Valley and Israel’s narrow waist; and sample olive oil from Israel’s leading producer, Masik, on the Kibbutz.
Lunch at the Kibbutz
Drive North along the Mediterranean coast
Visit Caesarea National Park, the former Roman capital of the Holy Land. Explore the ruins of the ancient Roman city, including the Theatre, Palace and Hippodrome. While the edifices of the city are extremely impressive, we will also uncover their overlay with momentous moments in the annals of Jewish history, ancient and less ancient.
Travel to the lower Galilee and take part in a spice workshop with Sindyanna of Galilee, meet with Nadia Giol and learn how this non-profit organization, led by Arab and Jewish women, is working to create social change, economic opportunities, and fine, fair-trade products.
Continue North to the upper Galilee and the edge of the Hula Valley.
Check-in and dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Kibbutz Pastoral Kfar Blum Hotel
Day 7
Serenity and Security and Sweets in the North
Monday, June 13
Breakfast at the hotel
Short Hike at the Tel Dan National Park
This National Park combines a lush nature reserve with a biblical archaeological experience with three easy hiking routes and a short wheelchair-accessible trail. At the heart of the park is Tel Dan, the capital of the ancient northern kingdom. The Dan River, one of the sources of the Jordan, flows through the reserve with its water coming from the melting snow of the nearby Mount Hermon. There is also a wading pool which offers a refreshing break
Visit a Druze village for a window into the unique world of the Israeli Druze community, with lunch on your own and some of the best falafel you will eat in the Middle East at Al Sultan Restaurant in the village of Masade.
Visit an abandoned Syrian military outpost (bunkers, trenches, and all) that once threatened Israel, and follow in the footsteps of Israeli soldiers who fought there in the 1967 Six Day War. The view offers invaluable insight into the challenges of that war and its rapid and unexpected conclusion.
Cross the Golan plateau to the border with Syria and view the abandoned city of Kuneitra and the nearby United Nations outpost, for an insight into the experiences in the 1973 Yom Kippur war, Syria’s ongoing civil war turned world war and the geopolitical challenge and threat along Israel’s northeastern border
ATV Adventure on the Golan Heights. Enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and gain insight into the strategic complexity of the Golan and its perch high above the Hula Valley with vistas deep into Israel’s northern neighbor, Lebanon.
Enjoy the culinary delight of a chocolate workshop (adjacent to the wine tasting) at the De Karina Chocolate Factory on Kibbutz Ein Zivan.
Return to the hotel
Enjoy rafting or kayaking down the Jordan River with Kfar Blum Kayaks located right on the kibbutz grounds.
Dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Kibbutz Pastoral Kfar Blum Hotel
Day 8
Jewish Mysticism and the Magic of Art
Tuesday, June 14
Breakfast at the hotel and check out
Depart the hotel and drive to Tzfat (Safed)
A city that sits at a higher altitude than any other city in Israel and has been known since the 16th century as a major center of Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism). Safed’s mystical aura adds to its special status as one of Israel’s four holy cities, along with Jerusalem, Tiberias and Hebron. Safed is also known as a city of art. Many creative souls are attracted to and inspired by the winding, narrow cobblestone streets of Safed’s Old City, home to an artists’ quarter. Photography, painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry design and Judaica – Safed is the home of every medium of art imaginable.
Explore with a visit to the Ari, Caro or Abuhav Synagogues, each with its great stories and mystical messages and a stroll through the quaint Artists’ Colony and shop in the galleries and crafts shops.
Meet the locals: enjoy a sitting with artist, Sheva Chaya in her studio, for an interactive window into the world of Kabala, glass blowing and questions of identity and Judaism.
Lunch in Tzfat (on own)
Continue south to Tel Aviv
Visit the Nahalat Binyamin pedestrian mall, with its bi-weekly crafts fair and eateries. Alongside is the colorful Carmel open-air market and across the way Sheinkin Street, with its hip cafés and funky chic shopping.
Graffiti Tour of South Tel Aviv
Explore Southern Tel Aviv’s Bohemian neighborhood with a local resident, and encounter the street art and graffiti, serving as the ‘writing on the wall’ to provide deeper insights into contemporary Israeli culture and identity.
Check in at the hotel
Dinner (on own)
Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv
Day 9
New Beginnings, Ancient Lands and pushing the boundaries of tomorrow
Wednesday, June 15
Breakfast at the hotel
Stop at Rabin Square, a center of Tel Aviv’s cultural and political life, named for Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin who was assassinated here. Take a quiet moment at the Rabin Memorial.
Visit Peres Center for Peace and Innovation
While the center does showcase the latest in Israeli advancements on multiple fronts (through holograms, augmented reality and more), resulting from the deep-seated notion that Israel is the ‘start up nation’, fueled by an ongoing desire for innovation, invention, and creativity, it is the vision of peace and a better tomorrow for the entire region that serves as the motivation that drives it all.
Ancient Steps towards New Beginnings: Visit the Old City of Jaffa, ascend from the ancient port, which has served as a gateway to the land of Israel for ions, through the Ottoman period alleyways to the Jaffa Overlook for a view VERY different than the one which greeted the early pioneers. With Tel Aviv sprawled out beneath us, we will explore whether the dreams of the early Zionists have been fulfilled.
Continue for a stroll through the famous Jaffa Flea Market – ‘Shuk Hapishpishim’– for lunch on your own.
From Hebrew City to Hebrew State: Encounter truly new beginnings in an old land as we walk along Rothschild Boulevard, and what has been coined Independence Trail, embarking on a remarkable journey that begins with the founding of Tel Aviv in 1909 and continues through the establishment of Israel in 1948.
Late afternoon at leisure for rest and relaxation (or last meeting shopping and packing)
Final group conversation: We will gather for an opportunity to share, reflect, and begin to process our shared and personal experience.
Load bus and depart hotel for our final meal together.
Final Dinner at Maganda restaurant in the Yemenite Neighborhood of Tel Aviv
Transfer to the airport for departure night flight
Depart on _________ flight
Rates (Land Only)
$ 4,120 USD
Price per person sharing a double room
$ 1,150 USD
Single Supplement for those rooming alone
$ 3,040 USD
Reduced rate for one child (2-11 years old) sharing as 3rd in room
$ 3,445 USD
Reduced rate for one child (12-18 years old) sharing as 3rd in room
Accommodation
Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv
1 night in Superior New City rooms (includes Late Check-Out)
Kibbutz Pastoral Kfar Blum, Upper Galilee
2 nights in Boutique rooms
Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem
5 nights in Standard New City rooms
Featured
Included
- 8 nights’ accommodation, including Late Check Out on departure date
- Daily breakfast, 3 lunches, 5 dinners
- 8 days of touring with a select tour educator (guide)
- 8 days of touring in a deluxe air-conditioned bus
- Transfers from and to airport for Group Flights
- Entrance fees and program fees as per your final itinerary
- Airport assistance upon arrival
- Booklets for all participants
- Water on the bus
- Porterage at hotels
Excluded
- International Airfare
- Covid related expenses including but not limited to medical care, quarantine requirements, and testing (PCR, Serological or other) should any be required
- Evening transportation when dinner is not included
- Personal extras: Items of personal nature such as laundry, extras charged to hotel rooms, alcohol at meals, insurance of any kind, unless otherwise specified
- Value Added Tax is currently not applicable to tourists if they are not Israelis. Should laws change, you will be notified accordingly, and VAT will be added to your final invoice.
- Gratuities to Guide and Driver. We recommend the following guidelines for tipping: Expert Educator: $ 8 USD per person per day; Driver: $ 4 USD per person per day
Guidelines for Payment and Cancellation
Payment policy:
- A non-refundable deposit in the amount of $ 500 per person is due upon registration and is fully applicable to the price of the trip.
- The balance in full is due two months before the scheduled trip begins (April 7, 2022)
Recommended form of payment is via Bank Wire Transfer. We also accept Visa, MasterCard or American Express; and a 3.7% processing fee is charged to any amount paid by credit card.
Cancellation policy
All cancellations must be made in writing and addressed to Anna: [email protected] . The cancellation fee depends on the date when we receive written notification of your request to cancel your booking. Please note that in all cases the deposit remains non-refundable.
- Cancellations received no later than 60 days before arrival in Israel are subject to loss of the deposit
- Cancellations received less than 60 days but no less than 30 days before arrival in Israel are subject to a cancellation fee equivalent to 50% of the total price of the trip
- Cancellations received less than 30 days before arrival in Israel are subject to a cancellation fee equivalent to 100% of the total price of the trip
VAT (Value Added Tax)
Israeli VAT not applicable to non-Israeli tourists for a variety of services and is therefore not included in our prices. In this connection, please note the following:
- Should any members of your group be either holders of an Israeli passport or residents of Israel, they are subject by Israeli law to Israeli VAT (Value Added Tax) which is 17%, a tax which is not included in the above prices since non-Israeli tourists are exempt from this tax on key services. If we are informed of the participation of Israeli citizens/residents in advance, we can bill accordingly from the outset. Otherwise, any Israeli passport holders and/or residents regardless of where they reside, will be charged VAT by the hotel reception.
- With respect to tourists, although current regulations continue to exempt them from VAT on key services, this could change at any time, in which case VAT would have to be added by law to the services provided.
Travel Protection
More than ever, Travel Insurance is a vitally important feature of any planned travel and safeguards against unexpected developments. Comprehensive travel insurance helps to protect you from many otherwise unavoidable financial implications which could result from cancellations, illness, and/or other causes. In view of the Covid pandemic, it is particularly important to cover as many pandemic related events as is possible including the various travel, financial and medical consequences of sickness and/or quarantine prior to, during or following the planned tour. We very strongly urge you to travel with appropriate and comprehensive travel and medical insurance. For more information about travel insurance, please contact us.
Additional Notes Regarding Covid
Throughout the world, human lives have been dramatically impacted by the Covid pandemic, nowhere more so than in the realm of international travel.
As always, Routes maintains as its highest priority the safety, health, and welfare of its clients. Our tours adhere to all measures instituted by Israeli government authorities and our professional teams go to lengths to ensure as smooth and seamless a travel experience as is possible within the context of ever-changing realities.
It is important to remember of course, that fluctuations in country policies affect procedures for departure from one’s own country as well as for entry into destination countries. As we have learned over the past two years, the fluidity involved in travel-related situations requires all parties to continue to be aware of circumstances as they develop. At Routes we are in constant touch with all relevant regulatory bodies including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Interior Ministry to comply with any mandated procedures for entry to and travel within Israel. We will of course make you aware of Israeli requirements and limitations which are known prior to your travel so that you can be as fully informed as possible, whether in connection to testing, vaccination, quarantine and so on. Aside from checking any local travel advisories which may be applicable to you, please consult the most current Covid related guidelines for entering Israel on Israel’s Health Ministry Portal.
We urge all our clients not only to doublecheck procedures on their end but also to secure comprehensive travel and medical insurance which covers as many pandemic related events as is possible including the various travel, financial and medical consequences of sickness and/or quarantine prior to, during or following the planned tour.
