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Neff / Waxman B’not Mitzvah Trip
June 11-20, 2010

This trip to Israel included total of 15 participants from the US, to participate in the Bat Mitzvah celebratiob of Tamar Waxman and Samantha Neff.

We visited Israel from the North to the South, and of course celebrated the Bat Mitzvah on top of Massada, followed by a special night at a Bedouin village near Massada.
Here is the itinerary for this trip, together with few comments participants had about this trip:

Friday, June 11, 2010: Arrival to Israel, Jerusalem, Western Wall for Shabbat

Arrival to Ben Gurion Airport (on Delta flight #152 at 17:00). Meeting and assistance by our representative, transfer to your hotel in Jerusalem. Time permitting, we might stop for a panoramic view of Jerusalem from Mt. Scopus and a traditional entrance for the Holy city with blessings. We will end the day at the Western Wall, the holiest place for Jews, to pray to God’s presence, put a note in the wall and join the people there for Shabbat services.
Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

Saturday, June 12, 2010: Old City Jerusalem, Israel Museum, Bethlehem
Full day tour of the Old City of Jerusalem. Starting with a panoramic view from Mt. of Olives, we will then continue pass the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus “often met with his disciples” (John 18:2) and where he spent his last hours in solitude before being captured by the Romans (Luke 22:47-53). Up to Mt. Zion to visit the Upper Room, Cenaculum, the place of the Last Supper (Luke 22:14-22) and the place where the gift of the Holy Spirit came upon believers who were gathered there on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Here is also King David’s Tomb, today an active Jewish Synagogue. Continue to walk the Via Dolorosa, the fourteen stations of the cross, ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchure. We will then continue to visit the Israel Museum, the place where the Dead Sea scrolls are on display and the model of 2nd temple Jerusalem. Time permitting, we will then continue with a visit to Bethlehem.
Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday, June 13, 2010: Western Wall Tunnels, Davidson Center, Ir David

We will start our day today with an early morning visit to the Western Wall Tunnels, walking under the Western Wall plaza to the base of this remarkable wall and along it, all the way up north, to where the Antonia Military Fortress used to stand. Back to the hotel for breakfast, then we leave again to visit the Jewish Quarter. We Walk through the Zion Gate to visit the Jewish Quarters and the Roman Cardo, the main street in the Byzantine period of Jerusalem. On to the Davidson Center to see the Robinson Arch and the excavations of the southern base of the wall. We will end the day in the City of David, Jerusalem of 3000 years ago.
Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

Monday, June 14, 2010: Bat Mitzvah on Massada, Dead Sea, Bedouin reception and dinner
Today is a special day for Tamar Waxman and Samantha Neff, we will celebrate their B’not Mitzvot today at Massada. We will leave early to Massada to have the Bnot Mitzvah together with the Rabbi. We will then continue to enjoy the Dead Sea, where we can experience ‘floating’ on the water. We will then drive down to Kfar Hanokdim, where we will enjoy a festive Bedouin reception, dinner, Camels and many more activities. We will spend the night there in the Desert.
Overnight: Kfar Hanokdim, Arad

Tuesday, June 15, 2010: Air Force Museum, Mitzpe Ramon, Rappeling and Jeep Tour
We will drive today to Beer Sheva to visit the Air Force Museum there before driving to Mitzpe Ramon, via the Crater and Desert. In the Machtesh Ramon, we will enjoy activities such as Rappeling and a Jeep tour at the Crater towards sunset.
Overnight: Ramon Inn Hotel, Mitzpe Ramon

Wednesday, June 16, 2010: Archeological Dig Beith Guvrin, Sea of Galilee
We leave Mitzpe Ramon today and drive to Beith Guvrin to participate in an Archeological dig at the Tel Maresha caves. We will then continue to the Sea of Galilee, stopping at a very nice and interesting shop in Kibbutz Kineret that has dates, honey, spices, olive oil, wine and lots of other Israeli products. We will then drive to Safed to hotel.
Overnight: Rimonim Hotel, Safed

Thursday, June 17, 2010: Safed, Golan Wineries, Katzrin, Rafting on the Jordan River
We will visit the City of Kabalah today. Safed is considered one of the 4 holly cities in Israel and was the home of many Rabbis in the 16th century. Kabalah was created here, the Shulhan Aruch was written here by Rabbi Joseph Carro and the city is special with its mystical synagogues and allies. We will continue from Safed to visit the Golan Wineries in Katzrin and will finish the day rafting down the Jordan river
Overnight: Rimonim Hotel, Safed

Friday, June 18, 2010: Naot factory, Agamon Hachula, Jeep Tour in the Golan Heights
Our day will start in the NAOT factory shop. We will visit the Nature Reserve Agamon Hachula and ride around the lake. Our day will end with a Jeep Tour in the Golan Heights.
Overnight: Rimonim Hotel, Safed

Saturday, June 19, 2010: Rosh Ha’Nikra, Boat ride and Tiberias at night
This Shabbat we will have the morning to spend it at leisure in Safed, enjoying the special atmosphere of the city on Shabbat. In noon time, we will drive to Rosh Ha’Nikra to visit the famous grottos there. In the evening, we will take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and have a festive dinner at Decks in Tiberias
Overnight: Rimonim Hotel, Safed

Sunday, June 20, 2010: Tree planting, Haifa, Bahai Gardens, Caesarea, Tel Aviv
Leaving our hotel in Safed, we will drive to Tel Aviv. We will plant trees in the Lavi forest on our way to Haifa. We will then visit Haifa, see the beautiful Bahai Gardens from the top of Mt. Carmel and walk through the German Colony. We will continue to Caesarea, the port city built by King Herod the great 2000 years ago and the place where Simon Peter shared the gospel with Cornelius, the Roman centurion who became the first Gentile convert (Acts 10: 44-48). The day will be over in Tel Aviv with some free time at the Tel Aviv Harbor before we leave to the airport for your return flight home (on Delta flight #153 at 23:35)

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First Baptist Church Valdosta GA
May 15-26, 2010

This trip to Israel included total of 15 participants, from Georgia and Texas. We visited Israel from the North to the South, even went to Petra in Jordan. Here is the itinerary for this trip, together with few comments participants had about this trip:

Day 1, Saturday, May 15, 2010
Depart from the US to Tel Aviv, Israel.

Day 2, Sunday, May 16, 2010
Arrival to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv Delta Flight 152 Arriving at 05:20 PM). Meeting and assistance. Transfer to our hotel in Tiberias.
Overnight: Moriah Plaza Hotel or similar, Tiberias

Day 3, Monday, May 17, 2010
Today we start our tour in Israel. Leaving Tiberias, we will visit Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus and spend some time in the Nazareth Village where we will learn how people used to live in the time of Jesus in a Jewish village. We will also visit the Basilica of the Annunciation and the old Synagogue where Jesus himself was teaching. Driving pass Mary’s Well, we will then continue to village of Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed his first miracle turning water into wine at the Jewish wedding. Rest of the day we will spend in the Golan Heights where we look at the Israeli-Syrian border and learn about the different wars of Israel.
Overnight: Moriah Plaza Hotel or similar, Tiberias

Day 4, Tuesday, May 18, 2010
We start our day with a Boat Ride on the Sea of Galilee and spend some time in a prayer service on the same waters Jesus walked (Mark 6:48-50). Visit to the museum in Nof Ginosar where the “Jesus Boat” is displayed. This amazing ancient fishing boat, from the 1st century, was discovered sunk in the mud in the Lake of Galilee. Then we will walk the path of Jesus in the land of Galilee.  We will visit the sites where his ministry began; where he preached, performed miracles and gathered the multitude to follow him: Mount Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-12), Capernaum, the headquarters of his ministry where we will visit the old Synagogue and Peter’s House, Tabgha, where the multiplication of the loaves and fish took place (Matthew 14:19-21). Our day will end with a baptism service at the Jordan River (Luke 3:21-22). 
Overnight: Moriah Plaza Hotel or similar, Tiberias

Day 5, Wednesday, May 19, 2010
We will start our drive to Jerusalem via the coastal area of Israel. Our first visit will be to  the top of Mt. Carmel, where the great prophet Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal and proved to the people that the God of Israel is the true God (1 Kings 18:17-40). On to Megiddo, the city of King Solomon and King Ahab, where 20 different layers of civilization were excavated also known as the valley where the kings of the earth will gather for the battle commonly referred to as the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16). Caesarea, the port city built by King Herod the great 2000 years ago and the place where Simon Peter shared the gospel with Cornelius, the Roman centurion who became the first Gentile convert (Acts 10: 44-48), will be our next site. We then continue to Jerusalem. Depending on arrival, we might stop for a panoramic view of Jerusalem from Mt. Scopus and a traditional entrance for the Holy city.
Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 6, Thursday, May 20, 2010
Full day tour of the Old City of Jerusalem. Starting with a panoramic view from Mt. of Olives, we will then continue to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus “often met with his disciples” (John 18:2) and where he spent his last hours in solitude before being captured by the Romans (Luke 22:47-53). Up to Mt. Zion to visit the Upper Room, Cenaculum, the place of the Last Supper (Luke 22:14-22) and the place where the gift of the Holy Spirit came upon believers who were gathered there on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Here is also King David’s Tomb.  Walk from there through the Zion Gate to visit the Jewish Quarters and the Roman Cardo, the main street in the Byzantine period of Jerusalem. On to the Western Wall, the holiest place for Jews, to pray to God’s presence and put a note in the wall. We will tour the Western Wall Tunnels, walking under the Western Wall plaza to the base of this remarkable wall and along it, all the way up north. Continue to walk the Via Dolorosa, the fourteen stations of the cross, starting at the Pool of Bethesda and to the Church of the Holy Sepulchure.
Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 7, Friday, May 21, 2010
Full day tour of the New City of Jerusalem. We will start the day visiting the City of David Excavations, where we will learn about Jerusalem of 3000 years ago. We will then pass the Knesset, Israeli Parliament with the famous Menorah, view the Supreme Court and drive to Yad Vashem, the holocaust memorial. Continue to Machane Yehuda Market to get a sense of Jerusalem and the many faces of the people in it while we watch them getting ready for Shabbat. Towards the evening, we will go to the Western Wall to watch the Jewish people as they come to pray at the most sacred place for Jews.
Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 8, Saturday, May 22, 2010
We start our day with the Israel Museum, the place where the Dead Sea scrolls are on display and the model of 2nd temple Jerusalem. We will then continue with a visit to Bethlehem and end our day with the Garden Tomb, Golgotha or Calvary. Here, Jesus was crucified, died on the cross, was buried and raised from the dead (Matthew 27:33-61) and here we will have a service. Time permitting, we will visit the Bible Time Center in Ein Karem.
Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 9, Sunday, May 23, 2010
Descend the eastern slopes of the Judean Hills to the lowest place on earth, the Dead Sea. On to visit Qumran, the place where the Dead Sea Scrolls were written by the Yachad (Essene) Sect 2200 years ago and where they were discovered in 1947. View of the Ein Gedi waterfalls where King David escaped from his enemies and continue to Massada, the royal fortress built by King Herod and used by the Jewish Zealots as the last stronghold during the great revolt against Rome between 66-73 AD. Rest of the afternoon we will enjoy the Dead Sea, where we can experience ‘floating’ on the water. We will then drive down to Mitzpe Ramon for overnight.
Overnight: Ramon Inn Hotel or similar, Mitzpe Ramon

Day 10, Monday, May 24, 2010
Today we will visit the famous Ramon Crater and learn about how it was created. We will then have a Jeep Tour into the Crater to view its unique and beautiful views. Rest of the day we will drive down to Eilat, the most Southern city in Israel for overnight.
Overnight: Agamim (Isrotel) Hotel or similar, Eilat

Day 11, Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Full day trip to Petra, Jordan and back to Eilat
Overnight: Agamim (Isrotel) Hotel or similar, Eilat

Day 12, Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Today, our last day in the land, we will leave the hotel later in the morning and drive down to Tel Aviv. We will stop at the Desert Tabernacle in Timna park to learn about the way this Tabernacle was built. We will stop at the Ellah Valley to talk about the famous fight between David and Goliath. We will then drive to Tel Aviv to visit the city founded 100 years ago. We will drive through the Rabin Square where Yitzhaq Rabin was assassinated , see the Bauhaus neighborhoods of early Tel Aviv and visit Jaffa, the old port city and the artists galleries. Our day will end with Dinner in Tel Aviv before we head to the airport for our flight back home (Delta Fight 153 Departing at 11:35 PM)

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Christian Trip to Israel
10 days suggested Itinerary
With an option to Petra, Jordan

Day 1
Departure to your flight to Tel Aviv

Day 2
Arrival to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Meeting and assistance. Transfer to a Kibbutz guest house by the Lake of Tiberias. Depending on arrival time, visit to sites en route to the north such as Jaffa and/or Caesarea.
Overnight: Kibbutz guest house, Tiberias

Day 3
We start our day with a visit to the museum in Nof Ginosar where the “Jesus Boat” is displayed. This amazing ancient fishing boat, from the 1st century, was discovered sunk in the mud in the Lake of Galilee. Then we will walk the path of Jesus in the land of Galilee.  We will visit the sites where his ministry began; where he preached, performed miracles and gathered the multitude to follow him: Capernaum, the headquarters of his ministry, Mount Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5: 1-12) and Tabgha, where the multiplication of the loaves and fish took place (Matthew 14: 19-21). After lunch, we will visit Mt. Arbel. The beautiful view of the Sea Of Galilee will strike us as we stand on the top. Our day will end with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and spend some time in a prayer service on the same waters Jesus walked (Mark 6: 48-50).
Dinner and opening ceremony at a beautiful restaurant by the Lake of Galilee.
Overnight: Kibbutz guest house, Tiberias

Day 4
Ascend the Golan Heights for a breathtaking view of the Lower Galilee. We will start with the view point towards the Israeli-Lebanese border, from the town of Metula. Through the remains of the Syrian bunkers on the Golan Heights,  controlling the Kibbutzim in the valley, we will drive up north, learning about the 6 day war in 1967 and the Yom Kippur war in 1973 and understand Israel’s unique situation in the Golan. Pass and visit Banias Nature Reserve and waterfalls, known as Caesarea Philippi, where Peter confessed Jesus’ messiahship (Matthew 16: 13-17). After lunch, we will end the day with a Jeep Ride in the Golan Heights, this time visiting sites we were not able to visit with a regular vehicle and getting a full depth of the Golan.
Overnight: Kibbutz guest house, Tiberias

Day 5
Today we will start with a visit to  the village of Cana where Jesus performed his first public miracle of changing water into wine (John 2: 1-10). Visit Nazareth, the “City of the Annunciation”, where the angel Gabriel revealed to Mary the imminent birth of Jesus and John the Baptist (Luke 1, 26-38). After lunch, visit to Beth Shean, one of the oldest cities in the Holy Land and a major crossroads in the Beth Shean valley, which reached its peak in Roman and Byzantine periods. Our day will end in the baptismal site Yardenit, where even today, Christians are being baptized (Luke 3:21-22).
Overnight: Kibbutz guest house, Tiberias

Day 6
Check out of our Kibbutz Guest House and drive to Jerusalem through the coast. On to the top of Mt. Carmel, where where the great prophet Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal and proved to the people that the God of Israel is the true God (1 Kings 18: 17-40). On to Megiddo, the city of King Solomon and King Ahab, where 20 different layers of civilization were excavated also known as the valley where the kings of the earth will gather for the final battle between good and evil (Revelation 16: 12-16). Caesarea, the port city built by King Herods the great 2000 years ago and the place where Simon Peter shared the gospel with Cornelius, the Roman centurion who became the first gentile convert (Acts 10: 44-48), will be our next site. We then continue to Jerusalem. Depending on arrival, we might stop for a panoramic viewof Jerusalem  from Mt. Scopus and a traditional entrance for the Holy city.
Overnight: Hotel in Jerusalem

Day 7
Full day tour of the Old City of Jerusalem. Starting with a panoramic view from Mt. of Olives, we will then continue to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus “often met with his disciples” (John 18, 2) and where he spent his last hours in solitude before being captured by the Romans (Luke 22, 47-53). Next is the Upper Room, Cenaculum, the place of the Last Supper (Luke 22, 14-22) and the  place where the gift of the Holy Spirit came upon believers who were gathered there on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Enter the city walls through the Zion gate to visit the Jewish Quarters and The Roman Cardo, the main street in the Byzantine period of Jerusalem. Visit the Temple Institute where Jewish scholars study the Jewish Temple and its Vessels and see the exhibition of Temple Tools. After lunch, If possible, we will end the day with a visit to Bethlehem.
Overnight: Hotel in Jerusalem

Day 8
Full day tour of the Old City of Jerusalem. Drive to Mt. Zion to visit the house of Caiaphas the high priest during the 2nd temple period. This church called the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu is where Peter denied Jesus three times before the crowing of the cock (Mark 14, 53-62). Here we will see the underground rooms which may have been used as guard houses and a prison. We will also see the ancient steps, which were cut into the hill and led to the City of David, the Kidron Valley and Gethsemane. This is likely the path Jesus took in his way from the Upper Room to Gethsemane. we will tour the Western Wall Tunnels, walking under the Western Wall plaza to the base of this remarkable wall and along it, all the way up north. Later, we will walk the Via Dolorosa, passing the 14 stations of the cross and ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,. End of our day will be in the Garden Tomb, Golgotha or Calvary. Here, Jesus was crucified, died on the cross, was buried and raised from the dead  (Matthew 27, 33-61) and here we will have a service.
Overnight: Hotel in Jerusalem

Day 9
Full day tour of the New City of Jerusalem. Pass the Knesset, Israeli Parliament with the famous Menorah, view the Supreme Court and drive to Yad Vashem, the holocaust memorial. On to the Israel Museum, the place where the Dead Sea scrolls are on display, to visit also the model of 2nd temple Jerusalem. Visit. Continue through the sites that tell the story of divided Jerusalem: the turgeman stronghold and ammunition hill and end the day with in the open market of Jerusalem, Machane Yehuda
In the evening, optional tour to Mini Israel for these who are interested
Overnight: Hotel in Jerusalem

Day 10
Descend the eastern slopes of the Judean Hills to the lowest place on earth, the  Dead Sea. Visit Qumeran, the place where the Dead Sea Scrolls were written by the Yahad Sect 2200 years ago and where they were discovered in 1947. On to the Ein Gedi waterfalls where King David escaped from his enemies for a short hike in the desert. Drive to Massada, the royal fortress built by King Herod and used by the Jewish Zealots as the last stronghold during the great revolt against Rome between 66-73 AD. Finish the day in the Dead Sea, where you can enjoy ‘floating’ on the water.
Dinner and a closing ceremony in a Bedouin tent  somewhere in the desert.
Overnight: Hotel in the Dead Sea

Day 11
Free morning at leisure. Departure to the airport for some participants.  Others, choosing to stay longer may take the optional trip to Jordan to visit Petra. These participants will drive to Eilat and spend the night in Eilat.
Overnight: Hotel inEilat

Day 12
Optional day trip to Petra, Jordan  to visit the famous Red Rock City.
Overnight: Hotel inEilat

Day 13
Departure to Airport for flight home.