HAZAK Journey to Israel 2010

The Magic of Israel for Active Seniors

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About The Experience

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Join the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and fellow Jewish seniors from across North America as we journey to Israel for a memorable ten days of travel in the Land of Milk & Honey. Together we will experience the magic of Jerusalem, the thrill of the Dead Sea, and the beauty of the Galilee. The program includes visits to Israel’s must-sees along with wonderful cultural experiences, an authentic Shabbat in Jerusalem, insightful speakers, and meals at top Israeli restaurants. For our participants' convenience, this program is based out of two hotels in Jerusalem and in the Galilee.

Hazak is the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism's organization for mature Jews. It provides programming for people 55 and older who are members of our affiliated congregations. The Hazak Journey to Israel program is appropriate for active Jewish seniors of all backgrounds. Download the program Registration Form now or learn more:

PROGRAM ITINERARY 
FLIGHT INFORMATION
PROGRAM COSTS & TERMS
REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS

 

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Upcoming Trip Dates

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   • FALL 2010 / November 7 – November 18
   • SPRING 2011 / March 13 – March 24

Registration for the January 2010 program is currently closed.  Contact 202-640-2598 to receive information about upcoming trips or to be placed on the waitinglist for the January 2010 trip.  

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Program Itinerary

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The following are some of the highlights of the 2010 Hazak Israel Journey. A confirmed itinerary will be distributed approximately two months prior to the program and is subject to change.

DAY 1 / Depart for Israel
Meet fellow travelers in Newark Airport (optional connection from Miami). Check-in for our direct group flight on Continental Airlines to Tel Aviv and spend the night in the sky en route to Israel.

DAY 2 / Jerusalem’s Old City
Arrive to Israel in the morning. Meet our local Israeli guide as we start the ascent to Jerusalem. Share in a shecheyanu prayer at the Haas Promenade overlook before entering the Old City via the Zion Gate. Explore the alleyways, rooftops and tunnels of the Jewish Quarter – culminating with a moment of reflection at the Kotel – the Western Wall. Check-in to our Jerusalem hotel and enjoy a group dinner before turning in for the night. Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem [Meals Provided: Dinner]

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 Neve Tzedek neighborhood, “the White City” – which was recently recognized as a UNESCO world-heritage site for its unique Bauhaus architecture. Return to Jerusalem in the early evening to close out the day at a delicious Jerusalem restaurant. Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem [Meals Provided: Breakfast / Dinner]

DAY 4 / Contemporary Jerusalem
We begin today with a text study session at the Fuchsberg Center in Jerusalem followed by a guided tour of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, where we will be joined by a special guest speaker. From the Knesset we head to Jerusalem's newest museum, the Menachem Begin Heritage Center. In the late afternoon we return to the Old City to visit the Cardo complex and browse the unique shops of the Jewish Quarter. After our group dinner, we will have free time to explore Jerusalem’s lively Ben Yehuda pedestrian shopping mall. Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem [Meals Provided: Breakfast / Dinner]

DAY 5 / The Judean Desert
Wake up early and begin the journey to the lowest place on earth – the Judean Desert. Ascend Masada via the cable cars and tour Herod’s famous mountaintop fortress and palace. Descend from Masada and travel to the Dead Sea. Here we will take time to float on the salty waters and relax in the natural 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]

DAY 6 / Loss & Redemption
Begin the day with an emotional visit to the Yad VaShem Holocaust Memorial. Then celebrate the rebirth of the Jewish People by planting trees in a Jerusalem forest. The rest of the day is free time for taking a stroll in Jerusalem, visiting a bustling Jerusalem marketplace before Shabbat, or relaxing at a local park. As the sun begins to set we reconvene as a group to prepare for Shabbat – the day of rest. Kabbalat Shabbat services this evening will be held at a local Jerusalem synagogue followed by a festive Shabbat dinner at the hotel. Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem [Meals Provided: Breakfast / Dinner]

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

DAY 8 / The Mediterranean Coast
Today is our final day in Jerusalem, and we start it with a moment of reflection at Har Herzl to mark the sacrifices behind the miracle of modern Israel. The rest of the day is spent along Israel’s Mediterranean cost. Explore the village of Zichron Yaacov – one of the first towns established as part of the Zionist Movement of the 19th century – followed by a private lunch at a local winery. On our way back to Jerusalem we stop at the Caesarea amphitheater on the beach. Tonight is a final free evening to enjoy Jerusalem on your own. Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem [Meals Provided: Breakfast / Lunch]

DAY 9 / Pioneers of the Galilee
This morning, we head to the Galilee today via the Jordan Valley. Along the way we stop for a visit at Beit Shean’s extensive Roman-era archeological complex. From Beit Shean we travel to the Gilboa region for a tour of the Beit Alfa synagogue and its famous mosaic artwork. The remainder of the day is dedicated to the modern Galilee as we visit the Old Gesher Museum and recount the stories of the Galilee’s poets & pioneers at the Kinneret Cemetery. Return to Ginnosar to explore the grounds of the kibbutz and share in a group dinner. Overnight: Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar Guest House [Meals Provided: Breakfast / Dinner]

DAY 10 / Mystics of the Galilee
We begin our day by ascending to Tsfat – the birthplace of the 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. Before leaving, we visit a local absorption center serving recent Jewish immigrants from Ethiopia and learn how the city is being renewed by its recently settled citizens. From Tsfat we head to Misgav Am, a highpoint with an overlook across Israel and her neighbors. As we head downhill, we stop for a walking tour of the Hula Valley Nature Reserve – a world famous site for observing migratory birds. We close out the day with a sunset cruise on the Sea of Galilee followed by dinner at Decks Restaurant along the shoreline of Tiberias. Overnight: Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar Guest House [Meals Provided: Breakfast / Dinner]
 
DAY 11 / The Golan Heights
This is our final day in Israel, and before checking out of the hotel we take a moment for a wrap-up session and an opportunity to discuss what the experiences of the program have meant. Before traveling back towards central Israel, we ascend the Golan Heights for a visit to the Gamla complex followed by a tasting & tour of the Golan Heights Winery. We conclude the program with a walking tour of old Jaffa seaport at twilight followed by a banquet dinner at Tzel Hayam Restaurant along the beach in Tel Aviv. Following dinner we return to Ben Gurion Airport to say our goodbyes prior to boarding the overnight group flight back to North America.

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

EILAT EXTENSION PACKAGE + OPTIONAL 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 on Thursday, January 28. Participants taking part in the Eilat Extension return back to North America on January 31. Learn More: Eilat Extension Package Trip Sheet

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Program Costs & Terms

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SERVICES INCLUDED
• Roundtrip flights from Newark (optional connection from Miami)
• Hotel accommodations according to itinerary (program costs based on double room occupancy)
• Licensed English-speaking Israeli tour guide and deluxe touring bus daily
• All entrance fees, activity costs, and special guests/speakers
• Two group meals meal per day (Kosher)
• Not Included: One meal per day, travelers insurance or guide/driver gratuities (suggested $100)

PROGRAM COSTS
• Air & Land Package from Newark: $2,950
• Land Only Package: $1,750
• Single Rooming Supplement Fee: $430
• Eilat Extension Package: $700
• Eilat Extension Single Supplement Fee: $240
• Petra Day Tour: $150
• Travelers Insurance: Learn More

PAYMENT & CANCELLATION TERMS
A $250/person deposit is due with registration. The balance of program costs is due 120 days before the trip. Deposit payments are fully refundable before 120 days before departure. Participants who cancel between 120 and 45 days before the program start date will be eligible for a refund, minus a $1000 cancellation fee. Participants who cancel within 45 days of the program start date are not eligible for a refund. All cancellations must be made in writing, and participants are encouraged to take out trip cancellation insurance. Airlines may adjust fuel surcharge until time of ticketing. Program costs are subject to change accordingly.

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Registration Instructions 

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To sign-up for the HAZAK Journey to Israel 2010, download the program REGISTRATION FORM

Completed forms may be submitted by fax to 1-202-315-3269 or by mail to:

Authentic Israel
Attn: USCJ HAZAK Israel
5185 MacArthur Blvd, NW #640
Washington, DC 20016

Program is subject to availability. Confirmation of participation will be sent upon receipt of registration.