BELOW ARE SOME OF THE SITES WE VISIT ON OUR 3 WEEK AND 10 DAY TRIP TO ISRAEL

The Kotel

Sometimes called the Western Wall or the Wailing Wall, the Kotel is part of the remains of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.  This is the closest you can get to the Holy of Holies on the Temple Mount.  Thousands of visitors come here each day to pray and take in the physical and spiritual grandeur of the Wall.

Ammunition Hill

This is the site of one of the bloodiest battles of the Six-Day War.  Today it is a memorial to all the soldiers who fell for the country during that war.  After visiting this site, you’ll no doubt have a greater appreciation for what the Israeli forces achieved when they reunified Jerusalem in 1967.

Tour of Northern Israel

Northern Israel is a green, mountainous area that contains waterfalls, rivers, mineral baths, parks and reserves.  History and nature combine to allow surreal sightseeing and perfect picture-taking! 

The Cave of Machpela is a located in Hebron, one of Israel’s holiest cities and one of the oldest continuously inhabited un-walled cities in the world!  The tombs of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob and Leah are all buried here.  We’ll get to see the commemorative monuments built over the graves inside a beautiful building with intricate mosaic walls and a 700-year old stained glass window!

Rachel’s Tomb

The Torah writes that Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob, died when giving birth and was buried in Bethlehem on the road to Efrat, south of Jerusalem.  Hundreds of visitors come to see and pray at their matriarch’s tomb everyday.

 Biking and Boating in Ganei Yehoshua

Ganei Yehoshua is Tel Aviv’s version of Central Park and one of Israel’s most famous parks.  It includes botanical gardens, an aviary, a water park, a concert venue, and some gorgeous lakes.  It’s a favorite hang-out with biking, boating, restaurants, shops, and tons of great photo ops!

Camel Riding in the Judean Desert

We’ll take a brief camel trek through the surrounding desert hills at Eretz Bereishit in the Judean Desert – and then bake our own pita bread!

Bar Kokhba Caves

The Bar Kokhba caves were the refuge for a group of inhabitants who had been forced to flee the Roman army following the failure of the Bar Kokhba Revolt in the 2^nd century CE.  We’ll visit these incredible manmade caverns and hear their thrilling history!

Tunnel Tours

In front of the Western Wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, an astonishing maze of tunnels, arches, and passageways remained unseen for centuries. Finally, extensive archaeological excavations of recent decades have discovered underground portions of the Wall, its adjacent tunnel system, and other incredible archaeological finds.  We will get to see it all for ourselves!

Gush Etzion Museum

In 1948, on the eve of Israel`s Independence, 240 Jewish soldiers fell in a bloody battle in Gush Etzion and all of the survivors were taken into captivity.  In 1967, the sons of Gush Etzion returned home to rebuild the area. Today, the area is home to 20 thriving communities. The Gush Etzion Memorial Museum is dedicated to the fallen of the battle. We’ll visit the ancient remains, the museum’s sound and light show, and the breathtaking views of modern Gush Etzion – it’s a tour you won’t want to miss!

Jerusalem promenade - panoramic intro to an ancient city
Welcome to Jerusalem! The Haas Jerusalem Promenade offers a sweeping view of the Old City as it opens up across the valleys below. From this magnificent viewpoint, we will be introduced to Jerusalem, its topography, landmarks, and history. We will recount the significance of what it meant to visit Jerusalem through the ages, a history that culminates in the present with this Taglit-birthright israel gift.



 

Old City & Jewish Quarter walking tour
After observing Jerusalem from afar a day earlier, we will now immerse ourselves in the ancient alleys and passageways that comprise the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. As you will see with your own eyes, the Old City of Jerusalem is full of fascinating stories, charm, and energy. As we make our way down to the Western Wall section of the Jewish Quarter, we will witness and learn about the striking changes that Jerusalem has undergone through the past 3000 years!



 

Rafting & tubing down the Upper Jordan River
The spring-fed upper Jordan River begins in the snow-capped mountains of the Golan and Lebanon, and it continues to the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea to the south. While you will not find major rapids during the summer months, the famous river is cool and refreshing.



 

Wine tasting at the Golan Heights Winery
The Golan Heights Winery is one of Israel's most famous. At the winery, we will learn about how wine was made in ancient times and how it is made today. Of course, we will also have the opportunity to taste some of the final product.



 

Manara Cliffs: rock climbing, rappelling, and zip-lining
Set on the western side of the Hula Valley, the Manara Cliffs eco-sports park offers plenty of opportunity for adventure with a sweeping view of the valley below. Climb an outdoor wall, rappel down a rock face, and harness up for a screechingly fast zip-line course down the valley side. In between activities, relax under a traditional tent, sipping sweet Middle Eastern tea.

Roam the alleys and artist colony of Tzfat
Located in the hills of the Galilee overlooking the sea below, Tzfat has long been a center of Jewish mysticism and intrigue. This ancient city is full of stone alleys, rich history, and colorful legends. In more recent times, a unique artist colony has found a home in Tzfat. Well worth a stroll.

Walking tour of Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv is Israel's largest city and may best be described as the Miami beach of the Middle East. As Israel's cultural and business capital, Tel Aviv is full of energy and excitement. Our walking tour of Tel Aviv will take is to city's tallest building and largest shopping center, the Azrieli Center. For historical context, we'll also visit Israel's Independence Hall as well as the site of Yitzhak Rabin's assassination. Of course, we will also be sure to spend some time on the packed Mediterranean beaches of Tel Aviv

 

The Beit Guvrin caves: "dig-for-a-day"
This intricate network of underground caves was built during the Roman Era as a hideaway for members of the Bar Kochbah rebellion. As we venture deep down into these once-inhabited caves and tunnels, we will learn about how the community was able to survive underground. And since Beit Guvrin is still an active archaeological site today, we will also learn about the science/techniques of archeology, and we will try our luck digging in a special section of the ruins. No, you can not keep what you find…



 

Hike up to ancient Masada desert fortress
Masada is a desert fortress built on the heights of a flat-topped mountain that overlooks the Dead Sea. After climbing to its plateau summit along the Snake Path route, we will tour Masada's ancient ruins and hear the famous story of the mountain's inhabitants from two thousand years ago.



 

Swimming (aka floating!!) in the Dead Sea (Seasonal)
The Dead Sea is the lowest point on planet earth. It is also one of the most peculiar bodies of water in the world. The water is so incredibly salty and mineral-rich that your body will naturally float without your trying at all. It is a must-do experience while in Israel. Just make sure that you don't have any cuts before you go in... Take our word for it. They don't call it the Dead Sea for nothing!!





 

Diaspora Museum (Seasonal)

This large museum is devoted to documenting Jewish life in the many countries of the world where communities had or have been established.

Yad Vashem

Yad Vashem is not only a museum and research center, but is a publisher, as well. Each year Yad Vashem Publications proudly presents scores of memoirs, research studies, documents and albums that focus on the holocaust period. These publication are for the general reading public - youth and adult readeres - as well as aimed at students and scholars.Our Book Store features an updated list of all Yad Vashem publications, including current and backlist titles

Mt. Herzl (Seasonal)

The Herzl Museum is located atop of Har Herzl (Mount Herzl). Har Herzl is a military cemetery and also the burial site of many great Israeli leaders including Yitzhak Rabin and Golda Meir. Theodor Herzl's tomb is the center of attraction on the Mountain.

The museum details the life of Theodor Herzl, and it describes the many contributions he made to the Zionist cause. An hour-long video creatively portrays the motivations and visions of the Zionist leader. Harsh anti-Semitic sentiments in both Europe and the United States led to Theodor Herzl's pursuit of an entirely Jewish state.

Ein Gedi

Ein Gedi is the largest oasis along the western shore of the Dead Sea.  The springs here have allowed nearly continuous inhabitation of the site since the Chalcolithic period. The area was allotted to the tribe of Judah, and was famous in the time of Solomon (Josh 15:62). Today the Israeli kibbutz of En Gedi sits along the southern bank of the Nahal Arugot.

The Knesset (Seasonal)

The Knesset is Israel's legislature. The Knesset took its name and fixed its membership at 120 from the Knesset Hagedolah (Great Assembly), the representative Jewish council convened in Jerusalem by Ezra and Nehemiah in the 5th century B.C.E.

Members of Knesset (MKs) are elected every four years within the framework of parties that compete for the electorate's votes. Each party chooses its own Knesset candidates as it sees fit. A new Knesset begins to function after general elections, which determine its composition.

In the first session, Knesset members declare their allegiance, and the Knesset speaker and deputy speakers are elected. The Knesset usually serves for four years, but may dissolve itself or be dissolved by the prime minister any time during its term. Until a new Knesset is formally constituted following elections, full authority remains with the outgoing one.