USCJ Israel Journey

The Classic Israel Experience for Mature Adults

Register for USCJ 55+ Israel Journey

PROGRAM ITINERARY

The following are some of the highlights of the USCJ 55+ Israel Journey. A confirmed itinerary will be distributed approximately two months prior to the program and is subject to some change

SUNDAY, DAY 1 / Depart for Israel
Meet fellow travelers for our group flight departing from New York City (non-stop), or arrange you own flight to Israel. Spend the night in the sky en route to Israel.

MONDAY, DAY 2 / Dreaming of Modern Israel
Arrive to Israel in the morning, meet our local Israeli guide, and the ascent to Jerusalem begins. After a traditional shecheyanu prayer at the Haas Promenade overlooking the Old City, we start our journey at the Theodore Herzl Museum on Mt. Herzl where Israel’s founders and heads of state are buried. Here we trace the history of Zionist thought from its inception to the present. From Mt. Herzl we check-in to our centrally located hotel to relax before formal program introductions and a delicious dinner at Jerusalem’s Shayanne Restaurant. Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem [Meals Provided: Dinner]

TUESDAY, DAY 3 / Cosmopolitan Tel Aviv
Transfer to Tel Aviv in the morning where we recount the struggle for a Jewish State at the Palmach Museum followed by a visit to Independence Hall where we relive the founding of modern Israel. Celebrate the vibrancy of Tel Aviv by strolling down the street festival along Nahalat Binyamin. Continue on through Tel Aviv’s historic “White City” district – which was recently recognized as a UNESCO world-heritage site for its unique Bauhaus architecture. Our visit to Tel Aviv concludes on a somber note at Rabin Square Memorial, the site of Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination. Return to Jerusalem in the early evening to close out the day at Jerusalem’s picturesque Anna Ticho Restaurant. Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem [Meals Provided: Breakfast / Dinner]

WEDNESDAY, DAY 4 / The Old City of Jerusalem
Step back in time to the foundations of Jerusalem’s Old City. Enter the Jewish Quarter via the Zion Gate and explore the alleyways, rooftops and squares of the Jewish Quarter – including the ancient Cardo market. Our experience culminates with a visit to the Kotel – the Western Wall – as well as a tour of the Southern Wall Excavations and the Kotel Tunnels. Dinner tonight is in the Mamilla pedestrian shopping center at Herzl Restaurant. Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem [Meals Provided: Breakfast / Dinner]

THURSDAY, DAY 5 / The Judean Desert
Wake up early and journey to the lowest place on earth – the Judean Desert. Ascend Masada via the cable cars and tour Herod’s mountaintop fortress and palace. From Masada, travel to the Dead Sea where we float on its salty waters and relax in the thermal hotsprings at Ein Gedi Spa. Wrap-up the day with a traditional desert tent feast at Eretz Breisheit. Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem [Meals Provided: Breakfast / Dinner]

FRIDAY, DAY 6 / Contemporary Jerusalem
Begin the day with a visit to the newly rededicated Israel Museum – including the Dead Sea Scrolls and Temple Model complex/ Friday is a special day in Jerusalem, and we invite you to experience the energy of pre-Shabbat shopping at Mahane Yehuda marketplace. As the sun begins to set we reconvene as a group to prepare for Shabbat – the day of rest. Optional Kabbalat Shabbat services will be held at a local synagogue followed by a festive Shabbat dinner at the hotel. Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem [Meals Provided: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner]

SATURDAY, DAY 7 / Shabbat in Jerusalem
Join optional Shabbat services followed by lunch at Jerusalem’s Fuchsberg Center. In the afternoon we take a walking tour of Jerusalem’s colorful neighborhoods. After marking Shabbat’s end with the Havdallah service, the evening is free to explore Jerusalem nightlife on your own. Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem [Meals Provided: (Breakfast / Lunch]

SUNDAY, DAY 8 / Loss and Renewal
Today is our final day in Jerusalem, and we begin the day with an emotional visit to the Yad VaShem Holocaust Memorial. Our afternoon program includes a visit to the Chagall Windows at Hadassah Hospital and a tree planting ceremony in the Jerusalem Bird Observatory next to the Knesset – Israel’s parliament. Alternatively, take the afternoon off and explore Jerusalem on your own. Dinner this evening is hosted by a local Masorti Movement synagogue in Jerusalem Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem [Meals Provided: Breakfast / Dinner]

MONDAY, DAY 9 / Along the Mediterranean Coast
We begin our travels northward along the Mediterranean Coast with a stop at the Caesarea amphitheater on the beach. Continue northwards and explore the Talmudic-era catacombs at Beit Shearim catacombs en route. We check-in this evening to kibbutz accommodations in the Galilee where we will take a short tour of the kibbutz community and enjoy a fresh dinner. Overnight: Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar [Meals Provided: Breakfast / Dinner]

TUESDAY, DAY 10 / Mystics of the Galilee
We begin our day with a walking tour of the Hula Valley Nature Reserve – a world famous site for observing migratory birds. From the valley we head to Misgav Am, a highpoint with a view that looks out on Israel and Lebanon. Our touring concludes in Tsfat – the worldwide center of Kabbalah – high in the hills of the Galilee. Here we explore the ancient alleyways of this picturesque town and learn about the unique development of Jewish thought that has transpired here through the course of Jewish history. We close out the day with a sunset cruise on the Sea of Galilee followed by dinner at Decks Restaurant along the Tiberias shoreline. Overnight: Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar Guest House [Meals Provided: Breakfast / Dinner]

WEDNESDAY, DAY 11 / Looking Back, Looking Forwards
This is our final day in Israel, and before traveling back towards the airport near Tel Aviv, we take a moment to ascend the Golan Heights for a view from the Mitzpe L’Shalon lookout point. From the Golan we head south along the Jordan Valley to reflect on the pioneering accomplishments of early Zionism at “Old Gesher” as well as touring the extensive Roman-era archeological complex at Beit Shean. From the Jordan Valley we head high into the Carmel Mountains for a walking tour of Zichron Yaacov – one of the first towns established as part of the Zionist Movement of the 19th century. Following dinner we return to Ben Gurion Airport to say our goodbyes prior to boarding the overnight group flight back to North America. [Meals Provided: Breakfast / Dinner]

THURSDAY, DAY 12 / SHALOM!
Our group flight arrives back to the New York area in the early morning after ten days in Israel full of new experiences, new insights, and new friendships.

Eilat Extension Package + Petra Day Tour

Cap off your journey in Israel with a 3-night/3-day extension to Eilat – Israel’s Red Sea resort town. Before heading back to the United States, relax at the Dan Panorama resort hotel on the water. Enjoy Eilat’s warm climate, beautiful views, and unique tropical ocean attractions. Package includes round trip domestic flights to/from Eilat, accommodations at the Dan Panorama Hotel in Eilat, breakfast daily and all Shabbat meals. An optional privately guided day tour of Petra in Jordan is available. Learn More: Eilat Extension Package Trip Sheet

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