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Temple Chai Israel Adventure

Dec 22, 2019 - Jan 2, 2020

Sunday, December 22, 2019
DEPARTURE
  • Departure from the United States.
Overnight: In flight
Monday, December 23, 2019
CHANUKAH SECOND CANDLE
  • Travel day
Overnight: In flight
Day 1
Tuesday, December 24, 2019
BRUCHIM HABAIM AND WELCOME! -- CHANUKAH THIRD CANDLE
  • Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport with assistance by Makor representatives.
  • Proceed to Tel Aviv.
  • Check in to the hotel.
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Time for rest and relaxation.
  • Program introduction, followed by an excursion into Tel Aviv.
  • Lunch on own in the Levinsky Balkan Spice Market.
  • Graffiti tour in the Florentine neighborhood.
  • Guided visit through Jaffa, one of the oldest cities in the world, hearing the story of the city from the time of Jonah the Prophet to the great return of Jewish pioneers to the land of Israel in 1881, including the famous Jaffa Flea Market (Shuk HaPishpashim).
  • Light the 3rd Chanukah candle.
  • Welcome dinner at the Maganda restaurant in the Yeminite Quarter.
Overnight: Dan Hotel, Tel Aviv
Day 2
Wednesday, December 25, 2019
A GALILEAN MOSAIC -- CHANUKAH FOURTH CANDLE
  • Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
  • Guided visit through the remains of the Roman city of Caesarea, followed by a walk along the beach to the newly-renovated Crusader city and port.
  • Travel north.
  • With Lotem, an organization that makes nature Accessible, walk along Nahal HaShofet, located in the Ramat Menashe Biosphere Reserve, which flows through a landscape of field and forest that imparts a sense of tranquility.
  • Continue to Safed.
  • Guided tour through Safed with stories of the 16th-century rabbis of Safed, who breathed new life into the Jewish people after the expulsion from Spain in 1492. Peek into ancient synagogues and visit the Artist Colony.
  • Chanukah activity in the Safed Absorption Center, with staff and residents, with Chanukah candle lightning.
  • Check in to the hotel.
  • Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Kfar Blum, North
Day 3
Thursday, December 26, 2019
NORTHERN EXPOSURES -- CHANUKAH FIFTH CANDLE
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Visit Christian holy sites that may include: the Mount of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount, Tabgha, site of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish, Capernaum, site of Jesus’ teachings.
  • Walk through the Tel Dan Nature Reserve, along one of the tributaries of the Jordan River, concluding at the Biblical site of Tel Dan, exploring a combination of geopolitics, nature and archaeology.
  • Lunch on own followed by:
    • Adults: Visit the Ortal boutique winery with wine tasting.
    • Youth: Chocolate making at De Karina in Ein Zivan.
  • Travel by jeeps to Mt. Bental for a security briefing on the delicate political/military relationship in the Middle East, continuing to the top of Mt. Bental by bus for an overlook into Syria.
  • Light the 5th Chanukah candle on the Golan Heights.
  • Return to the hotel for dinner.
Overnight: Kfar Blum, North
Day 4
Friday, December 27, 2019
ON TO JERUSALEM -- CHANUKAH SIXTH CANDLE
  • Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
  • Travel south to Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu, one of the bright lights of the religious kibbutz movement and still operating as a traditional kibbutz, for a tour of the first organic farm in Israel and to learn about the business of helping farmers all over the world grow safe food, especially Jordanian and Palestinian farmers to help them plant, grow, and harvest healthy crops.
  • Drive through the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem.
  • Stop at Mount Scopus for an introduction to Jerusalem and an opportunity to recite the traditional Shehecheyanu prayer.
  • Stop in downtown Jerusalem for a glimpse at the city as residents prepare for Shabbat, with lunch on own.
  • Check in to the hotel.
  • Depart for Rosh Haayin.
  • Visit Rosh Haayin for a special program with Kehilat Bevat Ayin, including Chanukah candle lighting, Kabbalat Shabbat and a festive Shabbat dinner with congregants.
Overnight: Mount Zion Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 5
Saturday, December 28, 2019
A JERUSALEM SHABBAT -- CHANUKAH SEVENTH CANDLE
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Morning for services or relaxation.
  • Late morning Jerusalem experience with Rabbi Chernow and Cantor Wolman.
  • Jerusalem: A City of Many Traditions A Historic Weave of Jerusalem – Walk through the Valley of Hinnom, using the Bible as a guide, to the top of Mount Zion and continuing to the Jewish Quarter, with its archaeological remains that date back 3000 years to the days of the First Temple, including the Nea Church, the Biblical and Hasmonean remains in the open Cardo and the Broad Wall.
  • Lunch on own old city, followed by free time for personal exploration.
  • Havdallah and light the 7th Chanukah candle in the Old City.
  • Dinner and evening on own.
Overnight: Mount Zion Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 6
Sunday, December 29, 2019
FROM DESTRUCTION TO CONSTRUCTION -- CHANUKAH EIGHTH CANDLE
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Guided visit through Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Center, the Jewish national memorial to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, with separate programming for adults and youth/children. Come together at the Valley of the Communities for a special concluding program.
    • Special program for children 10 and younger
  • Lunch on own in Machane Yehuda open air market to understand the human tapestry of Jerusalem; meet people of all nationalities, religions and ages; see, smell and feel foods of all colors, sizes and shapes.
  • Travel to the Judean Hills to hike along the Sataf springs that water the agricultural terraces, reminders of an almost vanished Hebrew culture dating back thousands of years.
  • Return to Jerusalem.
  • Light the 8th Chanukah candle at the Lev Hair community center in Nachlaot.
  • Menorah tour of Jerusalem in Nachlaot.
  • Dinner and evening on own.
Overnight: Mount Zion Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 7
Monday, December 30, 2019
REMEMBERING THE PAST, HONORING THE PRESENT, CELEBRATING THE FUTURE
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • B’nai Mitzvah celebration at the Goldman Promenade overlooking the Old City and the Temple Mount. (With inclement weather the ceremony will take place at Teenim, overlooking the Old City.)
  • Festive Bar Mitzvah lunch at Teenim, overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem.
  • Free time
  • Mitzvah Gorreret Mitzvah – one mitzvah leads to another mitzvah, visit the Shalva Center for special youth.
  • Dinner and evening on own.
Overnight: Mount Zion Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 8
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
THE DEAD SEA BASIN
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Proceed to Eretz Beresheit – Genesis Land.
  • Mount camels and travel a short distance to the “Tent of Abraham” for an explanation and demonstration of ancient Biblical hospitality customs, many of which are preserved today in traditional Bedouin life.
  • Proceed to the Dead Sea.
  • Ascend Masada via cable car for a guided visit through the site and an exploration of the symbolism and questions that arise from the Masada story and their implications for Jewish life today.
  • Ride the cable car down and continue to Ein Bokek for an opportunity to float in the Dead Sea and swim in the hotel pool, followed by lunch.
  • Return to Jerusalem.
  • Dinner and evening on own.
Overnight: Mount Zion Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 9
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
MAPPING THE JOURNEY
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • To really dig deep into the past, become an archaeologist for a day and take part in the ongoing digs at Beit Guvrin, where hundreds of underground caves which served as storerooms, burial crypts and safe havens date back to the time of the Phoenicians.
  • Return to Jerusalem.
  • Remember your Israel journey by making your family’s own personal map of your week’s experiences with Kol HaOt educators, who impart Jewish values, texts and history through a creative synthesis of the visual and performing arts.
  • Lunch and afternoon on own.
  • Festive farewell dinner at Olive and Fish restaurant.
Overnight: Mount Zion Hotel, Jerusalem
Thursday, January 2, 2020
ARRIVAL IN THE US
  • Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
  • Depart for Ben Gurion Airport for return flight to the United States.

*Program is subject to change, pending confirmations.

$3,820
Price per person, based on double-occupancy
$1,695
Single supplement
$2,550
Third person sharing, child under 12 years
$3,115
Third person sharing, over 12 years
$13,530
Family of 4, both children under 12 years

* Prices do not include flights

Hotels:

2 nights Dan Hotel, Tel Aviv
2 nights Kfar Blum, North
5 nights Mount Zion Hotel, Jerusalem (including late check out on the final day)

 

Land Price Includes:

  • Assistance upon arrival and departure at Ben Gurion Airport
  • One Transfer from and one transfer to Ben Gurion Airport
  • Licensed Israeli Government Tour Educator and trained by Makor – 10 days
  • All group Transportation in Israel on a private luxury bus – 9 days
  • Hotel Accommodations per above ** or similar, pending confirmation
  • All Site Admissions and programs as per the itinerary
  • Meals
    • Breakfast daily
    • 3 lunches
      • Arrival day lunch
      • B’nai Mitzvah lunch
      • Lunch + swim
    • 5 dinners
      • Welcome Chanukah dinner
      • Dinner at hotel in North (2)
      • Shabbat dinner
      • Farewell dinner
  • Source Materials, Hat, Map
  • Water on bus daily – 3 bottles per person per day
  • Porterage at hotels

Not Included:

  •    Tips for Guide and Driver
    • Recommended: $8 a day per person for the guide and $4 per person for the driver
  •    Meals on own and out of pocket expenses
  •    Travel and Medical Insurance
  •    Flights

 

Payment and Refund Schedule

Payment Schedule

Upon Registration — Deposit of $500 per participant

August 15, 2019 — 50% of Total Payment

November 1, 2019 — Full Payment

 

Refund Schedule

Cancel before August 15, 2019 — Full Refund

Cancel between August 15 and November 1, 2019 — 50% Refund

Cancel between November 1 and December 1, 2019 — 25% Refund

Cancel after December 1, 2019 — No Refund

 

For more information, please contact Robin at [email protected]

 

Travel Insurance:
We urge you to purchase cancellation insurance & supplemental medical coverage (which covers pre-existing conditions). This is a smart way to safeguard against life’s surprises.
We have made arrangements with SMS-Travel Insurance Center (Israel) of Omaha, Nebraska. SMS has over 25 years of experience as worldwide insurance brokers and can help you choose the policy that best meets your needs. Yonah Engel is our contact person.

Please note:

  • most insurance policies require purchase within 21 days of your first payment in order to receive maximum coverage (pre-existing conditions, bankruptcy insurance, etc).
  • even if you do not yet know the final trip cost (e.g. flights), write down the amount you do know – and then at a later date, we can amend the insurance premium.
  • trip dates are for the entire period away from home
  • trip costs are all pre-paid expenses (e.g. airfare + land costs)
Phone number: 1-402-404-5205
Mention promo code: IGT-MAKOR

Group Flight Information

Flight to Israel
Flight to USA

Depart Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Dec 22, 2019 at 8:45 pm on flight BA 288 to Heathrow Airport.

Arrive at Heathrow at 1:35 pm on Dec 23.

Depart Heathrow on Dec 23, 2019 at 8:45 pm on flight BA 163 to Ben Gurion Airport.

Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport on Dec 24, 2019 at 3:45 am.

Depart Ben Gurion Airport on Jan 2, 2020 at 7:00 am on flight BA 162 to Heathrow.

Arrive in Heathrow at 10:35 am.

Depart Heathrow on Jan 2, 2020 at 2:35 pm on flight BA 289 to Phoenix .

Arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Jan 2, 2020 at 6:35 pm.

For price, please contact Adam at [email protected]

Cancellation between September 10 and November 10 will incur a $250 cancellation fee. Cancellation after November 10 will not be refunded.

Flight to USA

Depart Ben Gurion Airport on Jan 2, 2020 at 7:00 am on flight BA 162 to Heathrow.

Arrive in Heathrow at 10:35 am.

Depart Heathrow on Jan 2, 2020 at 2:35 pm on flight BA 289 to Phoenix .

Arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Jan 2, 2020 at 6:35 pm.

For price, please contact Adam at [email protected]

Cancellation between September 10 and November 10 will incur a $250 cancellation fee. Cancellation after November 10 will not be refunded.