Saturday, September 03, 2011 - The Journey Begins
Depart the US for Israel
LY 26 03SEP EWR/TLV 11:50P – 5:20P (04SEP)

Sunday, September 04, 2011 - Shalom! (D) Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, Israel (5:20PM) and meet our Tour Educator Ascend to Jerusalem via the Beit Horon Ridge, pausing to view the Holy City from the tomb of the Prophet Samuel, a vantage point historically used throughout the ages by armies and pilgrims for their first sight of Jerusalem Overnight: Jerusalem Hills, Yad Hashmona or similar

Monday, September 05, 2011 – O Jerusalem (B, D) Approach Jerusalem from the Northeast and the panoramic views from Mount Scopus and the Mount of Olives. Descend to the Garden of Gethsemane via the Chapel of Dominus Flevit and visit the Church of All Nations. Cross the Kidron Valley, and pass by the tombs of Absalom, Zechariah and St. James. Ascend to Mount Zion and visit the Church of St Peter in Gallicantu, site of the High Priest Caiaphas' House. Enter the Jewish Quarter to see the Roman Cardo, an 1800 year old shopping street still in use today, the Broad Wall and the Southern Wall Excavations, including the stairs that led up to the Temple and the location of the Moneychangers' stands. End your day with a spiritual visit to the Western Wall, holiest place for the Jewish People Overnight: Jerusalem Hills, Yad Hashmona or similar

Tuesday, September 06, 2011 – Dig the Glorious Past (B, D) Start the day with a rare opportunity of participating in one of the most incredible archaeological projects in modern times, sifting through the debris taken from the Temple Mount. This “dig” on the side of the Mount of Olives is an unprecedented opportunity to actually discover remnants from the area of the First and Second Temples. Visit the City of David and explore Hezekiah’s Tunnel and the recently discovered Pool of Siloam Walk the Western Wall Tunnels stretching under the Old City (pending confirmation) Follow some of the Via Dolorosa Stations, to a short visit of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Stroll the Old City alleys and enjoy the unique Oriental Bazaars of Jerusalem Enjoy Communion at the Garden Tomb Overnight: Jerusalem Hills, Yad Hashmona or similar

Wednesday, September 07, 2011 – Fortifications, Floating and Facts Findings (B, L) Depart Jerusalem and descend via the Judean desert to the Dead Sea region. Drive along the shore of the Dead Sea to Qumran, and see where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Continue for a visit to Masada; ascend the cliff to see the unique hideout palaces built by Herod the Great and where, the Jewish Zealots made their last stand in the Judean revolt against Rome. Pause on the shores of the Dead Sea for a swim (float) (Time permitting), stop for a short hike through the Ein Gedi Desert Oasis where David hid in a cave and confronted King Saul. Drive north along the Jordan River Valley and arrive at the Sea of Galilee. Overnight: Kibbutz by the Sea of Galilee, En Gev or similar

Thursday, September 08, 2011 – "Kedem" – Biblical North (B, D) Depart the Sea of Galilee region and drive to Kfar Kedem and enjoy “hands-on” experiences just as they were done in Biblical times. Drive to Tzippori, where the Mishnah was signed and where Rabbi Yehudah Hanassi lived while running Jewish affairs during the second century. View Nazareth, the childhood home of Jesus and stop to study Luke 4:29 on the cliff where the crowd tried to kill him. View the Wedding Church in Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine. Overnight: Kibbutz by the Sea of Galilee, En Gev or similar

Friday, September 09, 2011 – Wonders of the Galilee (B, D) Start the day enjoying a morning sail on the Sea of Galilee and visit to the 2000 year old fishing boat at Kibbutz Ginosar. Ascend the Golan Heights and visit the reconstructed Talmudic Jewish village of Katzrin. From atop Mt. Bental view deep into Syria and look down on the ghost town of Kuneitra. Continue to Mas’ada, a Druze village for lunch before heading to Mount Hermon (pending security clearance). Pause at Caesarea Philippi and view one of the sources of the Jordan River at the Banias Overnight: Kibbutz by the Sea of Galilee, En Gev or similar

Saturday, September 10, 2011 – Ancient Times (B, D) Start the day on top the Mount of Beatitudes to pray and meditate. Pause at Chorazim, Beit Seida and Tabgha, sites associated with His ministry. Visit Capernaum, a fisherman village at the northern shores of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus made his home during his short ministry; visit the village synagogue where Jesus taught Continue to Ein Harod, the spring where by Gideon chose his warriors. Drive across the Valley of Armageddon to explore ancient Megiddo Drive south along the Mediterranean Coast to visit the Roman Theatre at Caesarea and the Crusader Fortress with its mysterious dry moat. Ascend the Jerusalem Hills for overnight. Overnight: Jerusalem, Grand Court or similar

Sunday, September 11, 2011 – Righteous Deeds and Secrecy (B, D) In the morning experience one of the most important Mitzvahs (Righteous deed) of Leket. As it is mentioned: "When thou reapest thy harvest in thy field, and hast forgotten a sheaf in the field, thou shall not go back to fetch it; it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thy hands" (Deuteronomy: 24, 19) Continue to Tel Aviv and visit the Palmach Museum (pending confirmation) followed by a visit to the Independence Hall, where the State of Israel was founded in 1948. Continue with a short city tour and pause at Rabin Square. Visit the unique studio/museum of Joseph Bau, the "secretary" at Shindler's Factory, creator of the famous list and more. Return to Jerusalem Overnight: Jerusalem, Grand Court or similar

Monday, September 12, 2011 – Remembrance (B, D) Start the day with a visit to Yad Vashem, Israel's memorial site of the Holocaust. Continue to Mount Herzl, the final resting place of Theodore Herzl, Golda Meir, Yitzhak Rabin, Teddy Kollek and many of the heroes and soldiers of modern Israel. Visit the state of the art Herzel museum (pending confirmation). End the day with a visit to the Israel Museum and Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are kept. View the model of Jerusalem from Jesus’ time The afternoon will be free for exploring and shopping in Jerusalem. Overnight: Jerusalem, Grand Court or similar

Tuesday, September 13, 2011 – At Leisure (B, D) Free Day in Jerusalem. Overnight: Jerusalem, Grand Court or similar

Wednesday, September 14, 2011 – Hidden History and Farewell (B, D) Depart Jerusalem Hills and drive to the vantage point of Tel Azeka. View the Elah Valley, the battleground where young David defeated the Philistine giant Goliath. Continue to the Ayalon Institute, an underground ammunition plant, where armament was being manufactured secretly in a cleverly hidden site right under the noses of the British. Enjoy free time in Tel Aviv on the shores of the Mediterranean before transferring to Ben Gurion Airport for the flight back home. End the day and the tour with a farewell dinner (Two rooms will be available in Tel Aviv for showers etc. prior to leaving for airport – pending availability). Late Evening drive to Ben Gurion Airport

Thursday, September 15, 2011 – Shalom! LY 27 15SEP TLV/EWR 12:30A – 5:10A Arrive home on the same day

Safety and security

1. The safety and security of the participants in our programs is our number one concern.
2. As an Israeli company we are constantly monitoring the security situation as well as sense the mood of the situation and react swiftly to it.
3. No public transportation is utilized at any time during the program.
4. We do not approach or enter Judea and Samaria or the Gaza Strip in any way or manner.
5. The program is coordinated with the police, armed forces and security services.
6. Oranim Educational Initiatives operates a 24 hour hotline.
7. The group has a mobile phone for contact.
8. Every participant receives a card with contact numbers in case of an emergency.
9. All security arrangements we make are equivalent or more stringent than those set by the Israeli Ministry of Education for touring by young Israelis
10. Our programs operate under the premise that changes in the itinerary for security reasons are to be carried out without hesitation.