Interfaith 2014 Schedule

Interfaith Journey to the Land of the Bible Co-led by:
Rabbi Stanley Davids and Father Thomasz Borkowski February 9-19, 2014

Day 1: Sunday, February 9
Depart Boston on your flight to Israel.

Day 2: Monday, February 10
Departure
Overnight: Flight
Arrival at Israel
Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport. After airport formalities, drive through Tel Aviv - the city that never sleeps. View historic landmarks of both modern and Biblical times. First stop visit the Independence Hall, site of the 1948 signing of Israel’s Declaration of Independence. Pause for a moment of reflection at Rabin Square. Proceed to Old Jaffa to see the old port of Jaffa. St. Peter’s Church and the House of Simon the Tanner. Check in at your hotel and relax.
Enjoy a welcome dinner with your tour guide. Discuss your expectations from the tour.
Overnight: Tel Aviv

Day 3: Tuesday, February 11 Along the Coastline
After Breakfast, drive along the coastline to visit Caesarea, where we view the amazing Roman ruin including the Roman Theater and Aqueduct. Continue to Haifa and see the beautiful view of the Bahai Gardens from atop Mt. Carmel. Visit “Af Al Pi Chen”, the naval museum of the illegal immigration to Israel at the time of the British mandate. Proceed to Nazareth, the Virgin Mary’s home village, the Church of Annunciation and Mary’s well. Pass Cana where Jesus performed the miracle of changing water into wine and Mt. Tabor, the site of the transfiguration. Check in at our kibbutz in the Galilee. Enjoy dinner and learn about the Kibbutz; its philosophy, history and changes in the modern Kibbutz. Overnight: Galilee

Day 4: Wednesday, February 12 Around the Sea of Galilee
After breakfast, visit the Ancient Boat Museum. Take a boat ride to the ancient site of Capernaum. Archaeological excavations have revealed two ancient synagogues built one over the other. A church near Capernaum is said to be the home, where Jesus lived as a boy and started to preach. Continue to the Mt. of Beatitudes where the miracle of the loaves and fishes took place. Celebrate Mass on the hillside overlooking the Sea of Galilee. In Tabgha, visit the Church of Multiplication and view the intricate ancient mosaics. Visit the Baptismal site at the Jordan River. Return to our kibbutz for dinner.
Discussion group- discuss today’s tour- from the ancient Synagogue of Capernaum- to Christianity Overnight: Galilee
Toll free: 1 (888) 478-4691 | Tel: (201) 336-0409 | Fax: (201) 475-0298 | Mobile: (201) 726-8959 E-mail: Book Now@goisraelNA.com | Website: www.goisraelNA.com

Day 5: Thursday, February 13 Safed & the Golan Heights
This morning drive to the Golan. Visit Safed, the center of Kabbalah study and practice, where we visit the Ha’ari & Caro Synagogues and have time to shop among the many artist studios and galleries. Continue to see the Banias Springs, the source of the Jordan River. Proceed up to the Golan Heights, passing old Syrian bunkers along the way. View Syria from atop Har Bental and discuss Israel security today and the strategy of the Golan. Overnight: Galilee

Day 6: Friday, February 14 Arrive at the Holy City of Jerusalem
Depart the north and stop to see the intricate mosaics of Beit Alpha. Drive along the Jordan Valley; stop to see the border fence and learn about the political issues that it creates. Upon arrival to Jerusalem, stand on the Mount of Olives where Jesus stood as he wept over Jerusalem. Pray the traditional “Shechyanu” blessing overlooking the city of Jerusalem. Arrive at your hotel for check- in. Tonight we welcome the Jewish Sabbath, with the people of Jerusalem at the Western Wall before enjoying Shabbat dinner at our hotel. Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 7: Saturday, February 15 Celebrate Shabbat in Jerusalem
This morning we attend Shabbat service at Hebrew Union College. Enjoy Shabbat Lunch at Beit Shmuel. Next, take a tour of Jerusalem's Old City, where you will walk through the Jewish Quarter and continue down to the Western Wall and Temple Mount area. On the Via Dolorosa we note the Stations of the Cross as we walk through the colorful bazaars, ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Leave the Old City and continue to Mount Zion to see King David's Tomb the Upper Room: the site of the Last Supper, and Dormition Abbey, the site commemorating the death of the Virgin Mary. Celebrate Havdala at Yemin Moshe. Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 8: Sunday, February 16 Celebrate Mass in Bethehem & the New City of Jerusalem
Drive to Bethlehem where you will pass by Rachel’s Tomb and stop at the Church of Nativity and celebrate Sunday Mass. See Sheppard’s Fields as you return to Jerusalem. Visit the Yad Lakashish workshop where you will meet the elderly working on different projects. Next, visit Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial. Continue to Ein Kerem, a pastoral village on the outskirts of Jerusalem, and the birthplace of John the Baptist. End the day at the Garden of Gesthemane and the Church of the Agony, said to enshrine a part of the bedrock where Jesus prayed before his arrest. Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 9: Monday, February 17 Masada & the Dead Sea

Early morning departure to Masada; ascend King Herod’s fortress and castle atop Masada by cable car. Visit the remains of the walls, palaces, synagogue and the bathhouses, learning about the Jewish Zealot’s last stand against the Roman forces. Next, hike to the waterfall at the desert Oasis of Ein Gedi. End the day floating in the healing salty waters of the Dead Sea. Drive to Tel Aviv, check in at the hotel and enjoy dinner. Overnight: Tel Aviv
Toll free: 1 (888) 478-4691 | Tel: (201) 336-0409 | Fax: (201) 475-0298 | Mobile: (201) 726-8959 E-mail: Book Now@goisraelNA.com | Website: www.goisraelNA.com

Day 10: Tuesday, February 18 Modern Israel
After breakfast, visit Wolfson Hospital in Holon where you will learn about the “Save a Child’s Heart” foundation. Visit Mini Israel and the Tank Museum. End the day at Neot Kedumim, where you will plant a tree to symbolize your connection to the Land of the Bible. Farewell dinner will take place at a local restaurant. Overnight: Tel Aviv

Day 11: Wednesday, February 19
Transfer to the airport for your flight back home arriving the same day. Hotels (as detailed below or similar level)
Back Home


Hotels 

1. Grand Beach
Tel Aviv

2. LAVI
Galilee
 Kibbutz Guest House


3. King Solomon
Jerusalem



Air: Round trip with UNITED AIRLINES - depart BOSTON on Sunday February 9th Return from Tel Aviv on February 19st
UA1065Q UA 84Q UA 85Q UA 994Q
Package Includes
09FEB BOS – EWR 09FEB EWR - TLV 9FEB TLV - EWR 19FEB EWR - BOS
1029A 1213P
355P 920A 10FEB 1120A 440P
800P 922P
 Round trip flights Boston, including current airport taxes (subject to change by the airline)
 Meeting and assistance on arrival by our local representatives
 Escorted group transfers on arrival and departure
 Portage at airport & hotels of 1 piece of luggage per person
 Touring & sightseeing as per program
 Government licensed English speaking tour guide
 Air-conditioned coach
 Entrance fees to sites per itinerary
 9 nights’ accommodations at the above-mentioned hotels or similar
 Daily breakfast & dinner at hotels. Farewell dinner on last night in a local restaurant in
Tel Aviv
Toll free: 1 (888) 478-4691 | Tel: (201) 336-0409 | Fax: (201) 475-0298 | Mobile: (201) 726-8959 E-mail: Book Now@goisraelNA.com | Website: www.goisraelNA.com

Not Included
 Expenses of a personal nature
 Increase in airport taxes and fuel surcharge (Currently: $622 per person)
 Change of airfare for people arriving from different gate cities
 Tips to drivers, guides, hotel staff to any of the tour participants (paying or free)
 Any airline charges for checked baggage are to be paid directly to the airline at check in
 Any item/service that is not mentioned as “Included”
 Travel Insurance is recommended (available for purchase through our office)
Regards,
Dina Aharon