The Tour
March 23-31, you’ll have the chance to experience Israel in a whole new way. As a follow-up to The Land and The Spirit, Town of Oyster Bay Cahbad's groundbreaking fall course about our unique connection to Israel, the Jewish Learning Institute is proud to offer you a chance to take part in The Land and The Spirit Mission to Israel.
This is your chance to see everything you learned about in the course come to life. Many JLI chapters will be bringing groups to Israel at the same time. The mission will visit some of the most spectacular sites in Israel. You will tour the picturesque Galilee, the magnificent fortress of Masada, and the Cave of the Patriarchs. You can jeep in the Golan or walk along the ancient ramparts of Acre. The mission also includes an uplifting Shabbat in Jerusalem, highlighted by a visit to the Western Wall.
The Land and The Spirit Mission to Israel is sure to move and exhilarate. And because it is coordinated by JLI, you can expect it to be warm, exciting, and informative. You will have the opportunity to attend optional lectures, as well as to meet new people and forge new friendships. And you will find new meaning in the way you think about Israel.
For a more detailed intinerary please scroll down past this poster.
For more info and to reserve, please contact our office at (516) 682-0404 or by email.
DAY 1- MONDAY MARCH 24
• WELCOME TO ISRAEL
• Touchdown at Ben-Gurion International Airport.
A VIPIsrael representative will be waiting to welcome and escort your group through
the airport, private passport control, and to facilitate luggage identification and
handling.
• Travel to Northern Israel along the scenic coast to your hotel for check-in and relaxation.
• Welcome Dinner & Orientation with VIPIsrael Guide & Shliach.
• Overnight Accommodations: Kibbutz Lavi or Kinnar Classic Hotel
DAY 2 - TUESDAY MARCH 25
• Full Breakfast Buffet
• City of Katzrin — tour the ancient reconstructed Talmudic Village and a partially-
restored 1,500-year-old synagogue in the Golan Heights.
• Mount Bental — an abandoned Israeli bunker overlooking the entire Golan Heights, the mountains of the Galilee, Lebanon and Syria.
• Jeeping in the Golan Heights!
• Tzfat Visit the restored Old City including the artists’ colony among the winding,
cobblestone streets and take a dip in the famous Mikveh of the Ariz”l in the mystical
city. See the unique synagogues such as the Ari Sephardi, Ari Ashkenazi, Ari Beit
Midrash, Cairo Synagogue, Abuhav synagogue (built in 1490), Chabad Shul and other
Chassidic shuls.
• Dinner, Farbrengen, Live Klezmer Music Inspiring speakers on Jewish Mysticism and entertainment by the “Simply Tsfat” Klezmer Band overlooking stunning sunset views at Ascent of Tzfat.
• Overnight Accommodations: Kibbutz Lavi or Kinnar Classic Hotel
DAY 3 - WEDNESDAY MARCH 26
• Full Breakfast Buffet
• Tel Dan a nature reserve which includes archaeological remains from the ancient city of Laish, captured by the tribe of Dan as their homeland.
• Enjoy a tour and tasting at one of the famous Galilee Wineries.
• Tiberias afternoon cruise on the Sea of Galilee.
• Optional visit to the holy resting places of Jewish Sages including, Maimonides, Rabbi Akiva, Rabbi Meir Baal Haness, Rabbi M.M. Horodoker and others.
• Mount Meron, visit the second-highest mountain in Israel and the resting place of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai author of the Zohar, a fundamental kabbalistic work.
• Bonfire and kumzitz with stories and thoughts shared with your Rabbi and Guide.
• Dinner and Overnight Accommodations: Kibbutz Lavi or Kinnar Classic Hotel
DAY 4 - THURSDAY MARCH 27
• Full Breakfast Buffet
• Travel south toward Jerusalem.
• Jerusalemtour the amazing City of King David. Begin with a breathtaking observation overlooking biblical Jerusalem and observe 3,800 years of history dating back to the days of Abraham, when the first foundations of the city were laid. The journey quickly heads underground to some of the newest archaeological excavations at the site.
• Enter the Old City walls and start at the Davidson Center. Tour the Southern Wall
excavations where some of the most important archaeological discoveries have been
unearthed.
• Visit the Jewish Quarter with its unique gift shops and falafel eateries (extensive tour of shuls and sites to be provided on Shabbat).
• Descend to tour the archaeological discoveries excavated in the Western Wall Tunnels and stand at the place believed to be nearest the spot to the “Holy of Holies”.
• Yad Vashem Museum, Optional visit to new Museum completed in the spring of 2005, a memorial to the six million innocent victims of the Holocaust
• Enjoy a leisurely evening in Jerusalem.
• Overnight Accommodations: Prima Kings or Sheraton Hotel
DAY 5 - FRIDAY MARCH 28
• Full Breakfast Buffet
• Travel in a secured vehicle to the holy city of Hebron, to the Cave of Machpelah, where our patriarchs and matriarchs are buried:
• Meet the Chabad Rabbi of Chevron, Rabbi Danny Cohen and tour the Avraham Avinu Neighborhood including Beit Schneerson and the Avraham Avinu Synagogue. Learn the history of hundreds of years of Chabad presence in this holy city.
• Optional visits to the burial sites of Yishai, father of King David; Ruth; and Menucha Rochel Schneerson.
• Pray at the very special site of Rachel’s Tomb (dependent on IDF approval).
• Return to Jerusalemand enjoy the special Eve of Shabbat atmosphere in the Machne Yehuda Market or Mea Shearim neighborhood as local Jerusalemites buy fresh produce and fish for Shabbat. Enjoy an array of Jerusalem’s unique shops, local artists’ displays, or snack on a falafel or shawarma.
• Welcome Shabbat at the Kotel (Western Wall) as the sun sets. Upon reaching the steps leading down to the Kotel, you will see people from all corners of the world converging together to welcome Shabbat at the holiest place on earth. Prayers, singing and dancing with true Chabad spirit.
• Enjoy a Shabbat Dinner at the Great Synagogue.
• Overnight Accommodations: Prima Kings or Sheraton Hotel
DAY 6 - SATURDAY MARCH 29
• Full Breakfast Buffet
• Join a Jerusalem congregation for Shabbat morning services. Walk to the Mayanot Shul or the Great Synagogue for davening or to any community synagogue of your choice.
• Shabbat Lunch: Prima Kings or Sheraton Hotel
• In the afternoon, explore the hidden corners of the richly historic Jewish Quarter.
Discover each stone’s remarkable story and climb over rooftops for enchanting views
of the Western Wall.
• As Shabbat ends, participate in a moving Havdallah service.
• Take a stroll along Ben Yehuda Pedestrian Mall, full of shops and cafes; where young Jerusalem comes to life.
• Overnight Accommodations: Prima Kings or Sheraton Hotel
DAY 7 - SUNDAY MARCH 30
• Full Breakfast Buffet
• Depart for the Dead Seaarea, traveling south through the Judean Wilderness.
• Take in the beauty of the natural Ein Gedi Nature Reserve; take a light hike along a waterfall oasis, a small slice of heaven. Visit an ornate Byzantine-period synagogue in Ein Gedi.
• Masada— ascend the cliff-top fortress by cable car to explore the historic remains of the fortifications of King Herod’s palace, storerooms and baths used as a refuge after the Holy Temple’s destruction, ending in tragedy.
• The Dead Sea — swim or ‘float’ in the famous mineral salt waters in the lowest point on earth.
• Packed Lunch by the Dead Sea.
• Return to Jerusalem for a JLI evening event, with addresses by Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky and noted Israeli public figures.
• Overnight Accommodations: Prima Kings or Sheraton Hotel
DAY 8 –MONDAY, MARCH 31
• Full Breakfast Buffet
• Check out of your hotel and choose from these options:
• Ayalon Institute Museum: situated north of the city of Rechovot. This was the first
clandestine bullet-production factory operated by Jewish pioneer groups during the
British Mandate.
• Latrun Police Station; visit the scene of much bloodshed during the War of
Independence in 1948, liberated from Jordanian rule in 1967, and the Armored
Brigade Museumfor an impressive exhibit of armored vehicles.
• Volunteer at a Colel Chabad Food Kitchen or visit the food-packing facility which
provides food and packages to over 5,000 people monthly.
• Visit Kfar Chabad to learn about the ‘Victims of Terror’ Program which assists
families who lost loved ones in terror attacks against Israeli citizens; or visit the
‘Children of Chernobyl’ Program which treats children rescued from that
contaminated Russian city.
• Visit Tel Aviv to browse the shops, experience the unique flavors and explore the famous
Jaffa Flea Market.
• Farewell BBQ Reunited as a group we will join IDF soldiers for a unique program with
addresses from JLI trip leaders and participants
• Ben-Gurion Airport Departure from Israel.
LAND PACKAGE CONTRACT/QUOTE
SITES AS PER ITINERARY:
• Katzrin Talmudic Village
• Mount Bental IDF Bunker and Lookout
• Jeeping in the Golan Heights
• Tzfat’s restored Old City
• Tel Dan National Reserve — ancient town of Dan
• Visit and wine tasting at select Galilee Wineries
• Resting places of Sages: Rambam & Rabbi Akiva
• Cruise on the Sea of Galilee
• Bonfire and kumzitz
• City of King David
• Davidson Center and Southern Wall excavations
• Western Wall Tunnels
• Yad Vashem Museum
• City of Hebron tour
• Rachel’s Tomb visit
• Machne Yehuda Jerusalem Market
• Old City Shabbat walking tour
• Dead Sea float visit
• Ein Gedi Waterfall
• Masada National Park and Cable Car
• Option of: Ayalon Institute, Latrun Police Station and Tank Museum, Colel Chabad
Food Kitchen visit/volunteering, Kfar Chabad visit, or Tel Aviv visit.
• BBQ and Farewell event with IDF soldiers.
MEALS INCLUDED:
• Welcome dinner and orientation March 24
• Dinner and Klezmer Concert at Ascent of Tzfat March 25
• Dinner at your Galilee hotel March 26
• JLI group Shabbat dinner at Great Synagogue March 28
• Shabbat lunch at the Jerusalem hotels March 29
• Lunch (pre-packed) on Masada/Dead Sea day March 30
• BBQ Lunch/Dinner with IDF soldiers at farewell event March 31
• Buffet breakfast daily at each hotel
SERVICES INCLUDED:
• VIP airport Welcome and airport transfers- one provided for each main group
• Touring vehicle for all transportation as per itinerary
• Licensed English-speaking tour guide daily
• Optional Shabbat children’s programming (details TBA)
• Assistance with airline arrangements at special rates
HOTELS
• 3 nights hotel accommodation in the Galilee: Kinnar Classic/Kibbutz Lavi
• 4 nights hotel accommodation in Jerusalem: Sheraton Plaza/Prima Kings
# 1HOTEL OPTION:
• PRIMA KINGS STANDARD ROOMS
• KIBBUTZLAVI BASIC ROOMS OR KINNAR DELUXEROOMS
Per Adult (double occupancy hotel rooms)
$ 1,299
Per Child (as third guest with parents)
$ 920
Per Child (Two children in a separate room)
$ 1,060
Per Adult (as a single occupant)
$ 1,449
# 2HOTEL OPTION:
• SHERATONPLAZASTANDARD ROOMS
• THE KIBBUTZLAVI DELUXE ROOMS
Per Adult (double occupancy hotel rooms)
$ 1,499
Per Child (as third guest with parents)
$ 1,020
Per Child (Two children in a separate room)
$ 1,320
Per Adult (as a single occupant)
$ 1,950
ROOM UPGRADING OPTIONS:
• Kibbutz Lavi Hotel upgrade to Deluxe ‘Hod’ Room: $140/room for all 3 nights.
• Sheraton Plaza Hotel upgrade to Deluxe Room: $160/room for all 4 nights.
OTHER TERMS:
Quoted prices are based on a pre-agreed itinerary/touring program corresponding to mileage, hours traveled, and other touring variables. Any variations to the approved program will result in charges beyond the original quote. Touring pace each day is ultimately set by the customer. If the customer is unable to reach any site or destination because of time restrictions, weather, or any other variable, the customer
forfeits the right to refunds for sites unseen. The quoted rate does not include gratuities. The accepted manner of tipping your guide in Israel is $50-80/day for passengers in a 4-9 seat private vehicle, or $6-$7/day/person travelling in an 18-passenger minibus or larger. Tips for bus drivers are 50% that of the recommended guide rate. By agreeing to these terms and other conditions in this contract you also take responsibility and give VIPIsrael LLC authorization to charge your credit card for any and all additional costs which may occur for your family or tour group. This includes costs for all the above-mentioned variables as well as unpaid funds from other trip participants such as unpaid room service, etc. (You accept this responsibility as the trip leader for your tour group/community).
TERMS OF PAYMENT &
CANCELLATION:
20% non-refundable deposit must be received by December 31, 2007.
Payment in full must be received by February 1, 2008.
Cancellations within 8 weeks of scheduled arrival in Israel are completely non-refundable.
RESPONSIBILITY:
VIPIsrael LLC (hereinafter called the Tour Operator), acts only as an agent for the various companies, owners or contractors providing the means of transportation, accommodations and other services. The Tour Operator shall not be in any way liable for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity in any vehicle, or through the acts or defaults of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger/s, or of any hotel proprietor, personnel or servant otherwise in connection therewith.
The right is reserved by the Tour Operator in the event it becomes necessary to withdraw any tour announced in this program, or make alterations to the itineraries as may be found desirable or appropriate for carrying out the tours. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable at the Tour Operator’s discretion to alter the arrangements or itineraries for the passenger/s’ comfort or welfare or for any reason whatsoever, such alterations may be made without penalty to the Tour
Operator. The Tour Operator reserves the right to change any hotel/s listed with another of a similar category, if circumstances necessitate. Additional expenses, if any, shall be borne by the passenger/s. The right is reserved to decline to accept, or retain any person as a member of any
group at any time. I agree to the Terms of the Contract______________________________________________
Date:______________________________________________________________________