jewish national fund spirit of israel tour

Jewish National Fund

SPIRIT OF ISRAEL TOURMay 12-20, 2019

Tel Aviv

Itinerary is subject to change.

Sunday, May 12 – Arrival / Tel Aviv

PM Welcome to Israel! Upon individual arrivals, meet your arranged transfer and head to your hotel in Tel Aviv, Israel’s most cosmopolitan city, right on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

In the evening, your journey will officially commence with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv


Jaffa

Monday, May 13 - Tel Aviv / Jaffa

AM Following breakfast at the hotel, visit the Ben-Gurion House, located in what was the first workers’ neighborhood, and now one of Tel Aviv’s liveliest neighborhoods. The house served as the residence of the Ben-Gurion family from 1931 until they settled in Kibbutz Sde-Boker, in 1953. Experience an unmediated perspective on Ben-Gurion’s way of life. Visit the house’s rooms, including his wife Paula’s room, where he spent his last days, and the second floor that was used solely by Ben-Gurion, with its four library rooms that include a collection of 20,000 books in ancient Greek, Latin, English, Hebrew, French, Turkish, German, and Russian.

Proceed to Old Jaffa, one of the world’s oldest seaports, now home to a multi-ethnic community of Muslims, Christians, and Jews. See the ancient ruins, explore the restored artists’ quarter, and stroll through the winding alleyways while learning about the rich history of the area. Enjoy lunch and explore Jaffa’s flea market, boutique shops, galleries and cafés.

PM Visit the Ayalon Institute, a secretive bullet factory established by the Haganah underground movement in 1945. As the largest bullet factory during that time, it produced 2.23 million bullets between 1946-1948, while keeping the secret away from the ruling British military.

Walk through one of Tel Aviv’s southern neighborhoods best known for its Graffiti Art, and get an insider’s view of contemporary life in the city through the writing and images on the walls.

Return to the hotel to freshen up and relax, before meeting back up with the group for dinner in one of the many popular restaurants that are a testament to Tel Aviv’s booming culinary culture.



Sarona Market

Tuesday, May 14 - Tel Aviv

AM After breakfast at the hotel, immerse yourself in Israeli history with a tour of the Yitzhak Rabin Center, which highlights the creation of the State of Israel through the eyes of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Learn about this visionary leader and Noble Peace Prize winner whose life was eventually cut short in an assassination that devastated the nation.

Visit Sarona, an architectural throwback to the Holy Land’s pre-Zionist era. German Templers settled in this area in 1873 believing that hard honest work in the Holy Land will bring the second coming of Jesus. For the past half century, Sarona has been housing government offices and parts of the Israel Defense Forces’ Kirya headquarters. Today the area has been converted into a complex of restaurants and shops. Walk along the picturesque European style houses and enjoy this oasis that nestles in the heart of the city.

PM Enjoy lunch on own in Sarona Market, Israel’s largest indoor culinary market, where you can experience the full intensity of the flavors of the contemporary Israeli culinary scene. This is where you can find imported cheeses from across the globe and fresh seafood from the Atlantic Ocean, along with the best local produce - fruit and vegetables from the Arava desert, veal from the Golan Heights, fresh fish from the Mediterranean Sea, local wines, chocolates and hand-made pastries.

Take time to shop and explore the Nachlat Binyamin Arts & Crafts Fair, a festival of arts, crafts, pottery, and street performances. Pass through the Carmel Market, Tel Aviv’s famous open air marketplace. Stroll through the colorful stalls and take in the smells and sights.

Consider joining for a stroll down Rothschild Boulevard, one of Tel Aviv’s iconic streets, lined with Bauhaus buildings that give Tel Aviv the “White City” moniker. This part of the city was developed between the 1930s to the 1950s, and was designed by architects trained in Europe. Many of the buildings have been beautifully restored and now house the offices of financial institutions, technology firms, creative industries companies, restaurants, cafes, and luxury residences. As you study the buildings, pause to appreciate the elements of Bauhaus architecture that make this boulevard stand out.

Enjoy dinner and the evening at your leisure.



Wednesday, May 15 – Caesarea / Haifa

AM Following breakfast and hotel checkout, proceed north along the coastal route to Caesarea, once the Roman capital of the region. Tour the ancient city and see the excavations from the time of the Crusades, the historic aqueduct, and the site of the old amphitheater that has been restored and used as a modern concert venue.

Continue to Atlit Illegal Immigration Camp, a detention camp where thousands of Jewish immigrants were once detained upon their arrival to Israel during the British Mandate. See the restored Galina ship, a replica of a ship that carried thousands of “illegal” immigrants in defiance of the British blockade on the Israel’s coasts. Tour the premises and see the plans for the new exhibit within a C46 airplane that will interactively tell the story of clandestine Jewish immigration by air, letting visitors feel as if they were making the secret journey to Israel themselves.

PM Experience an authentic Druze lunch in Usafiya, a village situated along the scenic slopes of Mount Carmel. Dine on delicious, ethnic cuisine while learning about Druze culture and traditions. Hear firsthand stories from your hosts and learn about the history of the Druze faith and its present-day model of coexistence.

Visit the state-of-the-art Usafiya Fire Station, which serves as a lifeline of aid for the Carmel area. Meet firefighters, hear their personal stories, and take a joyride on the fire trucks.

Depart for Haifa and explore the German Colony, a picturesque area that spreads from the foot of the Baha’i Gardens to the port of Haifa, with restored Templar houses from the 19th century. Get a glimpse into history, while enjoying the red-roofed cafés, restaurants, galleries and boutiques lined up in Ben Gurion Avenue. Check-in to the hotel and enjoy dinner.

Overnight Dan Carmel Hotel, Haifa

Caesarea


Special in Uniform

Thursday, May 16 – Akko / Western Galilee

AM Following breakfast, travel north to the Naval Base in Haifa to see JNF’s Special in Uniform, a unique initiative that integrates special needs youth into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and assists in preparing them for career placement following army service. Meet with soldiers and hear about how this program not only instills valuable social and personal development skills, but helps graduates contribute to the workforce and Israeli society in meaningful ways.

Depart to Akko, a former crusader town. Tour the Akko Prison, built by the Turks and later used by the British to imprison members of the pre-independence underground, and learn the heroic story of the Jewish underground fighters.

PM Visit the JNF Western Galilee Tourist Information Center, a multimedia facility that showcases the wide array of activities and attractions in and around the Western Galilee. Meet with Michal Shiloah, CEO of Western Galilee Now (WGN), who will discuss how the center serves as one of many JNF initiatives that aim to attract and retain 300,000 new residents in the thriving region.

Enjoy free time to wander through Akko’s shuk (Hebrew for “market”). Have lunch at own at a hummus restaurant or at one of the many stands displaying fish, sweet oriental pastries, and more.

Head to a local WGN member-business to participate in an interactive activity before enjoying dinner at a restaurant that is also a member of the business consortium.

Overnight Dan Carmel Hotel, Haifa


Baha’i Gardens

Friday, May 17 - Haifa/ Jerusalem

AM Following breakfast and hotel checkout, head to the Baha’i Gardens and see the beauty that is described as the “eighth wonder of the world.”

Depart to Yad LaShiryon at Latrun, Israel’s official memorial site for fallen soldiers from the armored corps, and an open-air museum, featuring more than 200 tanks and military vehicles dating back to WWI. Explore the museum and learn about the location, which was a major battle ground during the War of Independence.

PM On your way to Jerusalem, have lunch in Abu Gosh, also known as the Hummus Capital of Israel, in one of the local restaurants.

Stop at the 9/11 Living Memorial in Jerusalem. This is the only site outside of the United States that lists the names of the people who were killed in the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001.

Upon arrival in Jerusalem, stop at Mt. Scopus, take in the sweeping views of the city, and join a ceremony of Shehecheyanu, a blessing celebrating special occasions in thanks for new and special experiences and events.

Arrive at the hotel and check-in with some time to relax.

Enjoy a special Shabbat dinner at the hotel with Nefesh B’Nefesh Lone Soldiers, who will share their personal stories of leaving their family, friends, and homes in order to serve in the IDF.

Overnight Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem


Masada

Saturday, May 18 - Shabbat

AM Spend the day at leisure in honor of Shabbat. Consider attending an optional Shabbat service in the hotel, taking a dip in the pool, or enjoying Jerusalem at your own pace.

Alternatively, join an optional day tour to *Masada & the Dead Sea: Drive via the Judean Hills along the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest place on Earth. Continue to Masada, the mountain fortress built by King Herod, where the loyalists made their last stand against the Romans, and learn about the history of the Jewish fighters before taking a cable car ride to the top of the Herodian Palace Complex. Afterwards, descend the mountain to the depths of the Dead Sea, float in the buoyant waters or simply relax at the beach.

PM Enjoy evening at your own at leisure.


*Additional cost; Not included in tour price.


Sunday, May 19 - Jerusalem

AM After breakfast at the hotel, visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum & Memorial - strategically situated on the green slopes of Har HaZikaron (“Mount of Remembrance”). Tour this sprawling complex, its various exhibits, archives, and monuments that tell the story of the Holocaust from a unique perspective by emphasizing the experiences of Jewish victims and survivors using original artifacts, testimonies, and personal possessions.

Proceed to Mt. Herzl, the site of Israel’s national cemetery which is named after Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern political Zionism, whose tomb lies at the top of the hill. See the burial place of Israel’s former Prime Ministers and presidents, as well as other prominent Jewish and Zionist leaders.

PM Enjoy the Machane Yehuda Market and immerse yourself in the bustling energy of Jerusalem’s Shuk (market). Have lunch on own and wander around the many local vendors selling delicious cheeses, pastries, spices, and more.

Continue to the Ammunition Hill, the site where the battle for the reunification of Jerusalem took place during the Six-Day War. Hear personal stories about Lone Soldiers, young Israeli immigrants who volunteered to leave their family, friends, and homes to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces and serve Israel.

Spend the afternoon in a comprehensive walking tour of the Old City of Jerusalem. Explore the Jewish and Christian Quarters in all of their history and wonder, hear the soft sounds of prayer and contemplation at the Kotel, and discover the ancient City of David. Afterwards, enjoy some free time in the Old City.

This evening, enjoy dinner on own at your leisure.


Old City of Jerusalem


Harvey Hertz-JNF Ceremonial Tree Planting Center

Monday, May 20 - Northern Negev / Departure

AM Following breakfast and hotel checkout, depart south for a day in the northern Negev exploring JNF’s groundbreaking work. Visit the JNF Sderot Indoor Recreation Center, a signature project that has provided a much-needed sense of normalcy for residents living in the hard-hit town of Sderot located less than one mile from Gaza. Hear how the playground has impacted the community and the lives of local families.

Proceed to ALEH Negev-Nahalat Eran, a one-of-a-kind rehabilitative village that provides high-level medical services and unparalleled care to individuals with severe cognitive and physical disabilities. Tour the beautifully landscaped grounds and see the various therapeutic services offered to the residents and population of Southern Israel.

PM Enjoy a home hospitality lunch in Ofakim, a small but rapidly growing city in the northern Negev. Hear from Chef Osi, a local resident who will share her story of growing up in the area and the challenges of living near the Gaza border.

Continue to the Be’er Sheva River Park, the centerpiece of JNF’s efforts to create a renaissance for the city. Hear how this urban renewal project has served as an anchor of tourism and recreation. See the Pipes Bridge, a pedestrian and cycling bridge that links to the Old City of Be’er Sheva, and the 12,000-seat amphitheater—now the largest in Israel.

Continue to Neot Kedumim, Israel’s Biblical Landscape Reserve. Following a brief tour, plant a tree in the soil with your own hands at the Harvey Hertz-JNF Ceremonial Tree Planting Center and contribute to JNF’s ongoing afforestation efforts in Israel.

Our journey concludes with a farewell dinner before transferring to Ben Gurion Airport for return flights to the U.S.

jewish national fund spirit of israel tour

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