Lisa and I are looking forward to the fulfillment of the words with which our Passover Seders ended and became the refrain of this season of celebration of Israel’s 60th Anniversary. “Next Year in Jerusalem” can be a reality for all who join our Beth Shalom Pilgrimage to Israel in February 2009.

The International Association of Conservative Rabbis, the Rabbinical Assembly, will be convening in Yerushalayim and encouraging congregational missions to join with their rabbis in an expression of solidarity and love for the land and the people of Israel.

Working with two experienced travel wholesalers, I have tried to provide an itinerary that will be exciting for both first time visitors as well as for those returning to Israel. There are always so many new and exciting venues that even I haven’t seen before, and we have included as many as possible to make this trip attractive for all.

CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM ISRAEL TOUR
WITH RABBI AND LISA STEINDEL
February 11 – 22, 2009

Wednesday, February 11: USA Departure

• Continental leaves Pittsburgh 5:47 p.m. arriving at Newark Airport at 7:30 p.m.
• Leaving Newark on overnight flight to Israel at 10:55 p.m. arriving in Israel at 4:10 p.m. Thursday

Thursday, February 12: When You Come Into the Land:

• Late afternoon arrival in Israel and assisted ascent to Jerusalem for Hotel check-in.
• Rabbi and Lisa meet you at the hotel for our welcome dinner.
• Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem on the corner of King George and Agron with the Conservative Movement’s Fuchsberg Center across the street.

Friday, February 13: Jerusalem of Old:

• Erev Shabbat we experience the “Jerusalem of Old” on our first full day in the modern capital.
• Gaze upon the Temple Mount from the Tayelet with its breathtaking views of the city.
• Tour the Southern Wall Excavations and visit the multi-media virtual tour of the Ancient Temple at the Davidson Center.
• In the Kotel Tunnels we walk along side the Western Wall’s massive underground foundation stones.
• Lunch and shopping in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City before everything closes for Shabbat.
• Return to the hotel for our preparations for Shabbat and the Kabbalat Shabbat experience at Robinson’s Arch, the Conservative Kotel, (weather permitting) or a choice of neighborhood synagogues with walking directions provided.
• Shabbat dinner back at the hotel and our second overnight at the Prima Kings.

Saturday, February 14: Shabbat in Jerusalem:

• Shabbat in Jerusalem with services available literally across the street at Moreshet Yisrael Synagogue followed by a tour of the Fuchsberg Center and the Conservative Yeshiva.
• Shabbat lunch together at the Fuchsberg Center and hopefully an afternoon visitor from Israel Bonds for tea.
• Afternoon walking tours or private time before havdallah together at the hotel.
• Shabbat ends early in Jerusalem in mid winter and we will enjoy Jerusalem night life in the shops and cafés of Emek Refaim or the Ben Yehuda pedestrian mall downtown
• Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel.

Sunday, February 15: Modern Jerusalem:

• We start the new week with a Modern Jerusalem tour of the newly opened state of the art Holocaust Memorial Museum and the childrens memorial at Yad Vashem.
• Herzl Museum, where the Father of Modern Zionism is “brought to life” before your eyes.
• Visit the new Shrine of the Book and the recently reopened Second Temple Model of Jerusalem and the gardens at the Israel Museum.
• “Kodak moment” at the Knesset Menorah amidst Israel’s government buildings.
• We will try to secure tickets for an evening cultural event before overnight Prima Kings hotel.

Monday, February 16: Foundations of the Jewish State:

• Climb down into the amazing secret underground bullet factory built by the Haganah under the noses of the British at the Ayalon Institute.
• Explore the alleyways, art galleries and market stalls of Old Jaffa, once the gateway to Eretz Yisrael.
• At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion’s moving declaration of the State 60 years ago.
• Enjoy an impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the recently opened multi-media Palmach Museum.
• Group dinner together at Little Italy (dairy)
• Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel.

Tuesday, February 17: Layers of History:

• Today we depart for Israel’s north, our sister city Karmiel, and the shadows of the Golan Heights.
• Tour the ancient, magnificently excavated city of Tzippori, home of Rabbi Judah the Prince, and see beautiful mosaics and other finds from the time of the Mishna.
• We are planning to reach our sister city Karmiel for a late lunch and afternoon visit to the schools and personalities so many of us know.
• We proceed across the Galilee to the mystical city of Tzefat and our new base at the Kibbutz Kfar Giladi Guest House.

Wednesday, February 18: The Golan Heights:

• We begin the day with a nature walk to Tel Dan in the Banias Nature Reserve and then ascend the Golan Heights to stop and gaze down over the Galilee as the Syrians soldiers once did.
• At Kibbutz El Rom see original footage from the brave Valley of Tear Kajalani battle which secured the Golan Heights during the Yom Kippur War.
• Ascend to the peak of Har Bental where you can enter army bunkers and take in a panoramic view at the crossroads of three centuries.
• Learn about the history of the Golan Heights and the valiant story of Gamla, called “Masada of the North,” at the lovely Golan Antiquities Museum.
• Taste the fruits of the region in the form of award winning wines at the Golan Winery.
• We descend to Tiberius for dinner on Lake Kinneret.
• Overnight: Kibbutz Kfar Giladi Guest house.

Thursday, February 19: The Jordan River Valley:

• We begin our day at the picturesque Kinneret Cemetery reading the moving poetry of pioneer Rachel the Poetess, and singing the songs of Naomi Shemer, the first lady of Israeli song, at their grave sites.
• Travel south along Israel’s border with Jordan.
• Tour the remarkable excavation of the ancient Roman city of Beit Shean, including its magnificent Cardo, many residences, and amphitheatre.
• Continue south to group dinner at Ranch Restaurant (meat, includes wine)
• Overnight: A Dead Sea resort hotel for a taste of truly warm temperature.

Friday, February 20: Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?

• Ascend Masada by cable car. Tour this impressive excavation and discuss the terrible dilemma faced by its Jewish population during the Roman siege.
• Visit the new Masada Meuseum.
• Enjoy the beautiful Ein Gedi Nature Reserve and relive the Biblical story of kings David and Saul.
• Return to our hotel to enjoy its spa facilities and the amazing Dead Sea.
• Prepare for Shabbat and Kabbalat Shabbat on the Beach with Rabbi Steindel.
• Shabbat dinner at our hotel

Shabbat, February 21: A Heavenly Shabbat:

• Our last full day in Israel is a day of leisure at the Dead Sea.
• Shabbat Lunch at Danieli Hotel.
• After Havdallah, we will share a Bedouin farewell hafla (dinner) in a Bedouin tent at Nokdim Camel Ranch before returning to our hotel for our last night in Israel.

Sunday, February 22: Departure Back Home:

• Depart for Ben Gurion Airport and Continental flight departing at 11:15 a.m.
• Land at Newark at 4:35 p.m., connect to Continental leaving at 7:45 p.m. landing in Pgh. at 9:27 p.m.

COST
Given the current cost of travel it is likely that the land-only portion of the trip will be $2070 per person and round trip air fare from Pittsburgh will be $1815 with tax and fuel surcharge as of today’s prices. Therefore be advised that an early commitment saves you money on the air fare unless you are using points/miles.