Tour Israel with me Nov. 2016 video

Join us for Israel Trip November 2016?

Trip to Israel November 2016 (after the Nov. 8, election)

With Beverly Sandler (co-chair Stand With US Midwest) and Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg of Bnai Chai Congregation.
www.shatour.com of Jerusalem will be the tour company

If interested call 847 331 3584 or email bnaichai@gmail.com

I/We are interested in the Israel trip. There is information form below you can send in

This is a Jewish oriented trip. Christians welcome. We will visit some Christian holy sites. No proselytizing please.

We will price the trip shortly

(Weather should be great then)

-Jerusalem: Western Wall/ Old city, modern Jerusalem, Hadassah hospital and Chagall windows, Israel museum, some Christian holy sites, Shabbat dinner and services, Yad vashem Holocaust museum,

Mount Herzl war cemetery

-amazing archeological site at Beit Shan

-Plant a tree in a JNF Forest

-Caesarea, Roman aqudeuct, Roman theater, (golf-if you want to golf the 1 18 hole course there, we can drop you off and pick you up)
-Golan Height, olive oil factory, wine tasting, ancient synagogues, Syrian artillery holes from 67 war,

-bar/bat mitzvah ceremonies if we have any families that want

-Masada

-Swim in the Dead Sea

-Tel Aviv/Jaffa Museum of the Diaspora, walk along the Mediteranean

-Haifa,

-Tiberias, Sea of Galilee, (biat trip on Kinnert (Sea of galielee is really special) ,  Safed-mystics synagogues, art galleries

-Ein gedi where David ran from King Saul,

-Elah valley where David slew Goliath

-Megiddo where Armegon is predicted to take place
-Judea/Samaria Jewish town of Efrat, meet with David Bedein, Cntr for Near East Policy Research

-Tour a kibbutz, jeep ride in Negev, Latrun site of major battle in 1948,

-Lectures on life in Israel, strategic concerns

And more

Possible add on to Eilat resort city

I’ve led a dozen tours and several with the tour guide and company we will be using

Purchase Land and air package or just meet us at Ben Gurion Airport Tel Aviv and purchase land package only

Fabulous and huge Israeli Breakfast everyday covered plus several dinners, all communal meals will be kosher

all transfers, tour guide, driver hotels, site entrance fees all covered (we'll decide on gratuities for guide and driver while in Israel)

  INFORMATION FORM
Trip to Israel November 2016 (after the Nov. 8, election)

With Beverly Sandler (co-chair Stand With US- Midwest Region) and Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg of B'nai Chai Congregation. 
www.shatour.com of Jerusalem will be the tour company

Name(s) of interested______________________________________________________________________________________

Address________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone____________________________________________
Email_____________________________________________
We'll need copy of picture and number on passport when we make final plans
Make sure your passport will be valid through July 2017

Have you been to Israel before? If so how many times?
Synagogue?Church? affiliation___________________________________________________________
In order to plan well,  we need to know how ambulatory (walking) our participants are. Excellent, very good, good, poor, cane/walker_______________________________________

We'll send more details as soon as we have them. Thanks!

sample possible  itinerary

Day 1 Friday

WELCOME TO HOLY ISRAEL!

Assistance at Ben Gurion Airport

After clearing passport control a Shalom Israel Tours representative will be waiting to welcome you, assist with your luggage, and escort you to your waiting chauffeur.

Welcome Transfer to Tel Aviv

Stretched along the beautiful beach strip of the Mediterranean Sea, Tel Avis is often considered the face of modern Israel.  Nicknamed “The White City” for its abundance of Bauhaus architecture, Tel Aviv was declared a UNESCO World Heritage City in 2003.

Nachlat Binyamin Arts & Crafts Fair

The first and biggest of its kind in Israel, this average street comes alive every Friday. Displaying Israeli-made crafts, jewelry, home décor and art, all goods on display are hand made and sold by the artists, making a visit to this market a memorable experience.

 Overnight: Tel Aviv Hotel Options

Day 2 Saturday (Free Day – Relax!)

TEL AVIV – FREE DAY AT LEISURE

Day at Leisure in Tel Aviv

Visit the “Soho” of Tel Aviv and stroll Dizengoff St., Shenken St. & RothschildBlvd. Filled with funky street vendors, boutiques and coffee shops, kiosks and local fast food stalls, Tel Aviv brings out the urban hipster in anyone who walks down these streets.

Tel Aviv – Jaffa Promenade

On a beautiful day, nothing beats a walk along the beach. The Promenade runs the length of the city, from southern Jaffa to the northern Tel Aviv Port. Enjoy the cool sea breeze, the views of the Mediterranean Sea and Tel Aviv skyline and soak up the local atmosphere.

Overnight: Tel Aviv Hotel Options

Day 3 Sunday

ISRAEL’S COAST – ANCIENT PORTS

Ancient City of Caesarea Ruins

The Caesarea National Park contains the remains of a prestigious port city established by Herod the Great, which flourished during the Byzantine period. Visit the Roman Amphitheatre, the Hippodrome horse racing arena, and the impressive Roman Aqueducts.

Akko Fortified Walls & Market

One of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, Akko dates back to the time of the Pharaoh Thutmose III and was a central city of the Ottoman Empire. Stop by the market and stroll along shoreline walls built by the Ottoman governor using old Crusader stones.

Rosh Hanikra Grottos & Cable Car

Formed over a period of thousands of years from waves hitting the soft chalk rock on Israel’s coast, these beautiful grottoes offer stunning views of waves crashing against the rocks and spraying the air. Ride up via cable car for the best view of this stunning site.

Kibbutz Tour & Evening Talk

During your stay at Kibbutz Lavi, you’ll get the chance to meet one of the Kibbutz residents for a mini tour and discussion about Lavi; a unique glimpse into the life of a “kibbutznik!”

Dinner & Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Northern Israel

Day 4 Monday

THE GALILEE AND TZFAT – CITY OF KABALLAH

Tzfat Old City & Artist Quarter

Tzfat is one of the four holy cities in Israel. It has served as a spiritual center since the 1600s, when famous Kabbalists roamed here. Tzfat awaits art lovers, soul-seekers and historians to cobblestone alleys, medieval synagogues, and mystical atmosphere.

Golan Heights Jeeping

Take an exhilarating ride through the Golan Heights. With the sun on your face and the wind in your hair, you’ll venture up, down and all around the luscious green hills of the North. Keep an eye out for bright and blooming fields of flowers and wild animals grazing.

The Famous Banias Spring

Paneas (Banias) was first settled in the Hellenistic period following Alexander the Great’s conquest of the east. Later King Herrod built a temple here; the ancient remains still stand in front of the cave. After Herod’s death, his son Philip founded his capital near the Banias.

The Battle of Tel Chai Court

At the heroic battle of Tel Chai in 1920, Josef Trumpeldor and his comrades defended the kibbutz against several hundred Arab attackers.  Every Israeli school child is familiar with his famous last words, “It is good to die for our country.” Tel Hai is a story of inspiration.

Dinner & Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Northern Israel

Day 5 Tuesday

TIBERIAS AND THE JORDAN VALLEY – HIGHWAY OF KINGS

Tiberias & The Sea of Galilee

Learn about Tiberias old & new, the ancient city founded in the 1st century sits on Israel’s main source of fresh water, the Sea of Galilee. Learn about the famous sages Rambam & Rabbi Akiva, their unique lives and circumstances of death; both are interred in Tiberias.

Beit She’an National Park

It is here that King Saul was defeated by the Philistines in a vicious historical battle.  Later in the time of Alexander the Great, Beit She’an was reestablished as a Greek city with colonnaded streets, temples, theaters, and fountains. All this was devastated by an earthquake in 749CE, remnants of shrines and colonnaded streets were left behind.

Ancient Beit Alfa Synagogue

Built during the Byzantine era, this excavated synagogue is most well-known for its miraculously well preserved mosaic filled with intricate artistic detail. The mosaic vividly portrays the Binding of Isaac, the Zodiac, and the Temple of Jerusalem.

Gan HaShlosha National Park

Chosen by Time Magazine as one of the world’s 20 most beautiful parks, here you’ll get a chance to relax and rejuvenate at one of the natural pools or Jacuzzis that are idyllically situated below a flowing waterfall. Remember your bathing suites and let’s go swimming!

Ascend to Holy Jerusalem

End the day with a beautiful drive through the Jordan Valley and ascend to Jerusalem. We’ll stop at Mount Scopus as you enter the city to say the blessing of “Shehechiyanu” to celebrate the joyous occasion of entering Jerusalem, our eternal Capital.

Evening at Leisure in Jerusalem

Filled with boutique shops and locally owned cafes, Jerusalem is the opportune place to relax and shop.  Explore the Machne Yehuda Market, the store lined streets of King George St. and Jaffa St. or head out to the fabulous restaurants on Emek Refaim Street.

Overnight: Jerusalem Hotel Options

Day 6 Wednesday

JERUSALEM’S OLD CITY – THE ETERNAL CAPITAL

King David’s Tomb

Located on Mount Zion in a 1,000-year-old building, people come here to pay tribute to the great King David, who is most notably famous for composing the Book of Psalms and establishing a unified capital for Israel. A medieval tradition places his tomb at this location.

Old City Jewish Quarter

The Jewish Quarter remains one of the single most-visited spots in all of Israel. Nestled within one square kilometer of land lay millennia of ancient history. The Old City dates back to the 8th century BCE and is home to numerous historical landmarks.

The Four Sephardic Synagogues

During the War of Independence, residents of the Jewish Quarter found cover here for two continuous weeks. After the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967, these four synagogues were rehabilitated, and today they are frequented by the residents of the Jewish Quarter.

Jerusalem Archaeological Park

Experience Second Temple-era Jerusalem on the eve of its destruction by the Romans. See a virtual reconstruction of the Temple, stroll the walkways of the surrounding city and see the remnants of the staircase that led to the Temple Mount and the Holy of Holies.

Western Wall Tunnels Tour

These underground tunnels contain remnants of entire rooms from the Second Temple period. At Warren’s Gate, you’ll stand just a few feet away from where the Holy Ark stood, and feel the yearning of the Jewish people for the Temple for thousands of years.

Tower of David Museum

The Tower of David served a military purpose until 1967, when it was re-captured by Israel and turned into a museum of Jerusalem’s history. Now you can view the most thorough collection of Jerusalem artifacts, from the Canaanite period 4,000 years ago up to today.

Tower of David Night Spectacular

In the evening you’ll head back to the Tower of David’s rooftop to view an epic nighttime extravaganza of sight and sound, depicting the conquests of the Greeks, Romans, Turks and others, as they tried to overtake Jerusalem. This show is simply “Spectacular.”

Overnight: Jerusalem Hotel Options

Day 7 Thursday

JERUSALEM NEW CITY – THE MODERN CAPITAL

The Kotel (The Western Wall)

Here stands the remnant of the ancient Jewish Temple. People come from all over the world to pray at the wall and feel its strong presence. Write down your greatest wish and place it in the wall, following the tradition of thousands of years and millions of Jews.

Israel Museum & Dead Sea Scrolls

This museum is the largest cultural institution in Israel and one of the world’s leading art and archaeology museums. Here you will find the oldest existing biblical manuscripts in the world, the Dead Sea Scrolls, which are housed in the Shrine of the Book.

Mount Herzl National Cemetery

A burial place for prominent Zionist figures such as Theodore Herzl, Golda Meir and Yitzhak Rabin, here you will also find an expansive military cemetery; one quite full for a country so young. The loss of the soldiers who fought for the land of Israel is palpable.

Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum

In 1963, the Yad Vashem Museum was established as the world center for Holocaust research, education and commemoration. With survivor testimonies, powerful displays, and artifacts, this museum embodies one crucial message: Never again.

1967 Six Day War – Ammunition Hill

On the night of June 6th, 1967, a four hour battle took place here at Ammunition Hill in which 36 men lost their lives. You’ll view the trenches and reconstructed bunker that serves as a museum and tells the story of the liberation and reunification of Jerusalem.

Overnight: Jerusalem Hotel Options

Day 8 Friday

THE JUDEAN DESERT – KING HEROD’S FORTRESS

Masada Mountain & Cable Car

Ride via cable car to the top of Masada and explore what remains of King Herod’s palace. Take a peek into history as you view the preserved baths, cisterns and barracks. It was here that leader Eleazer Ben Yair kept the Roman Legion’s siege at bay for three years.

Dead Sea Float & Spa Lunch

Yam Hamelach, literally meaning “Sea of Salt,” is 417 meters below sea level; the lowest place on earth. Its salty water contains unique healing properties, which, combined with the nutrient-filled mud found on its shores, creates one luxurious and healthy day.

The Western Wall – Evening Recommendation

Here stand the sacred remnants of the ancient Jewish Temple. On Friday night come to the Wall and join the joyful event together with soldiers and people from all over the world dancing together in lively in celebration of Shabbat, a truly unforgettable experience.

Overnight: Jerusalem Hotel Options

Day 9 Shabbat (Free Day)

SHABBAT IN JERUSALEM – DAY AT LEISURE

Shabbat Morning

Finally some time to rest!  Enjoy a morning at leisure at your hotel and relax…

Ben Yehuda Street– Evening Recommendations

Here you’ll find all the restaurants, shops, street vendors, and street performances you could ask for. Sip a latte at one of Ben Yehuda’s many sidewalk cafes, grab a delicious, chocolate fro-yo, invest in some Judaica, and relax!

Overnight: Jerusalem Hotel Options

Day 10 Sunday

FAREWELL FOR NOW…WE’LL MISS YOU!

Farewell Transfer…We’ll Miss you!

Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for your temporary departure from Israel…Farewell for now!