TEMPLE BETH SHALOM 2022 ISRAEL TOUR
Final 2022 dates and a group airfare option (direct flight) now posted!
Once again, Rabbi Ari Goldstein is leading a fabulous 13 day/12 night on land bar/bat mitzvah tour of Israel with an option to visit Petra, Jordan.
Expert guide, Jerusalem post writer, and multi-book author Gil Zohar will be the guide for the tour first part of the tour, and Eitan Chamberlin will be our guide in the Galilee and towards Eilat.
For complete family pricing, children pricing and discounts see the brochure or the Get Prepared section. Discounts are applied at checkout and/or after check-out from the Add-Ons section of your My Account area.
Day 1 - Wednesday - June 22nd, 2022
▪ 14:00 – Group departure on El Al Airlines LY28 from Newark, NJ (EWR)
Note: If you are arranging your own flights, try to follow the same flights or you may be subject to special airport transfer costs.
Day 2 - Thursday - June 23rd, 2022 - (B/)
- 06:55 – Group arrival to Ben Gurion International Airport
- Upon arrival, you will be met by our airport representative (after Passport Control) who will assist you through baggage, customs and to your transfer vehicle
- We’ll begin our tour with a visit to the Latrun Battle Site & Tank Museum
- We’ll then travel via Beth Shemesh, the area where biblical Samson lived. The area is filled with biblical stories and stalactite caves.
- Next, we’ll make our way “up” to Jerusalem, where we’ll look out over the Old City from Mt. Scopus and say Sh’hechiyanu together.
- Our next stop will be at Ammunition Hill, where we’ll learn another incredible story of Israel’s struggle for Independence and the Battle for Jerusalem.
- For lunch, you’ll have the chance to enjoy many of the outdoor bars, cafes and restaurants in New Jerusalem, along Ben Yehuda street.
- In the afternoon, we’ll check in to our hotel and you can enjoy the rest of the day resting up from your journey.
- Overnight: Lady Stern Hotel. Note: This new hotel is a short walking distance to the light rail, Jaffa Street, the Machane Yehuda market and some of the best restaurants and city life in the heart of the city.
Day 3 - Friday - June 24th, 2022 - (B/)
- This morning we’ll enter the Old City of Jerusalem through Jaffa Gate, along the David Street Market. Along the way, we’ll take a short stop along the rooftops of the city to experience its many incredible landscapes. We’ll walk about through the Christian Quarter, and those that want may visit the Church of the Sepulcher.
- We’ll make our way through the Jewish Quarter to visit the Hurva Synagogue.
- Next, we’ll take a tour of the Western Wall Tunnels as well as their “Look in the Past” Virtual Reality exhibit.
- In the early afternoon, we’ll head over to the Ben Yehuda Street area where you can have lunch out on and exploring on your own. (Family idea: Jerusalem Time Elevator or nearby museums).
- We’ll join back together at Zion Square and then walk down Jaffa Street together to visit the famous Machane Yehuda Market. Here you’ll find the intoxicating smells of rugelach and challah bread and the city bustling as it gets ready for Shabbat.
- In the evening, those that want can join Rabbi Goldstein for a Sabbath service.
- Overnight: Lady Stern Hotel
Day 4 - Saturday - June 25th, 2022 - (B/)
- This morning, you have the option to visit, with Rabbi Ari Goldstein, the Hebrew Union College (the Reform Rabbinical School) for a Sabbath morning service.
- Afterwards, those that want, can walk with Rabbi Goldstein to the Kotel and have study sessions along the way, through some unique locations like in the Valley of Hinnom, Mt. Zion, Schindler’s Tomb and then to King David’s Tomb on Mt. Zion.
- In the afternoon, you have the option to visit the Israel Museum or the Jerusalem Zoo.
- In the evening, we’ll enjoy the Sound & Light Show together at the Tower of David – The Night Spectacular (included).
- Enjoy dinner out on your own at the Tachana, the old Turkish train station that’s full of restaurants and bars or just enjoy a stroll through the German Colony to one of the many restaurants.
- Overnight: Lady Stern Hotel
Day 5 - Sunday - June 26th, 2022 - (B/)
- This morning we’ll have an early departure from the hotel for those who want to go up to the Temple Mount to see the former site of the Temple and today’s Al Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock.
- Next, we’ll visit the Southern Wall Excavations & the Davidson Center to walk on the first century streets and see actual ruins from the 2nd temple period.
- After this, we’ll experience the City of David and have the option to walk through Hezekiah’s water tunnel (Reminder: bring a backpack with shorts, sandals, and a small flashlight).
- In the afternoon, around 3pm we’ll visit the Begin Center to learn about the life of Menachem Begin OR you may participate in a live terrorism training experience or learn the basics of Krav Maga at Caliber 3.
- Overnight: Lady Stern Hotel
Caliber 3participants, please note:
- Please bring passports on this day!
- Please wear closed shoes (not sandals).
- Please note that children under 18 participate in the shooting program just like the other participants, however they will shoot a paintball gun.
- Please keep in mind that your group may be part of a larger group session.
- Please note that in order to make a booking, we do need your credit card details for booking references. We will not charge your card before you arrive and you will have the choice of your preferred method of paying, once you arrive.
- A fee of 50% of the entire cost of the booked activity will be charged in the case of cancellation 48 hours or less before your scheduled reservation and if canceled the day of, then a fee the full price of the activity will be charged.
Day 6 - Monday - June 27th, 2022 - (B/)
- This morning, we’ll depart Jerusalem and head towards the Galilee. It’s going to be a very full day, so relax as much as you can during your 3-hour ride.
- Our first stop is Tzfat (Safed), the city of Kabbalah. We’ll tour the Old City and have plenty of time for perusing the galleries.
- Next, we’ll drive to the Golan Heights to visit Mt. Bental, an ancient volcano that sits along the Syrian border with Israel controlled Golan.
- After this, we’ll take self-driving ATVs (4-5 passengers per ATV) from Kibbutz Marom Golan through the apple orchards of the Golan, witnessing the ruins of war and conflict amidst beautiful agriculture. Note: Bring your driver’s license if you can/want to be a driver.
- We’ll then travel to the Golan town of Katzrin to visit an army base to visit with the soldiers and learn about their day to day life.
- We’ll return to the Sea of Galilee.
- Enjoy dinner out on your own at one of the many restaurants in Tiberias.
- Overnight: U Boutique, Tiberias
Day 7 - Tuesday - June 28th, 2022 - (B/)
- Before departing Tiberias this morning, we’ll learn the importance of Tiberias in Judaism, explore the tombs of the great rabbis such as Maimonides who are buried in this sacred city, where the “Jerusalem Talmud” was born.
- Next, we’ll travel along the route of the Mishnaic rabbis (such as Yehuda Hanasi) who lived at towns such as Sephoris and Beit Sh’earim
- We’ll then take a tour of Kibbutz Magal where we’ll learn about the Netafim drip system, Israeli greenhouses, and the kibbutz life.
- We’ll continue to Caesarea National Park, the site of the remarkable ruins of this ancient Roman city.
- At Caesarea, you’ll have the opportunity to snorkel and see ancient underwater ruins.
- Overnight: Royal Beach Tel Aviv
Day 8 - Wednesday - June 29th, 2022 - (B/)
- We’ll have a more ‘restful’ start this morning with a departure around 09:30.
- Visit Jaffa, the oldest port city in the world.
- We’ll continue by exploring Rothschild Street and visit the outside of Independence Hall (undergoing renovations), where the Declaration of Independence was signed on May 14, 1948
- Next, we’ll make our way to Rehovot, where we’ll visit the Ayalon Institute, a secret bullet manufacturing facility during the pre-state era
- We’ll then make our way to the perimeter of Gaza, where we’ll have a lookout from one of the neighboring towns such as Sderot and/or Yad Mordechai
- Time permitting, we’ll visit Ashkelon National park.
- Overnight: Royal Beach Tel Aviv
Day 9 - Thursday - June 30th, 2022 - (B/)
- This morning, we’ll drive to the ancient town of the Maccabees to visit the nature reserve known as Neot Kedumim.
- In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Rabin Museum and the Israel Olympics Museum
- Enjoy the rest of your day at the beach or exploring Tel Aviv
- In the evening, you have the opportunity to experience the Nalagaat Dinner Show (please reserve with our office prior to departure).
- Overnight: Royal Beach Tel Aviv
Day 10 - Friday - July 1st, 2022 - (B/D)
- This morning, we’ll head into the Shephelah Region to join an actual archaeological dig at Beit Guvrin (Tel Maresha), the hometown of the prophet Micah and the site of a large Hasmonean city during the time of the Maccabees. Note: Must have closed-toed shoes for the archaeological dig.
- We’ll make our way to Beersheva where we’ll meet with local Bedouin in a very authentic Bedouin hospitality experience.
- We’ll then continue to the Dead Sea where we’ll be staying the next few nights
- Enjoy your private Dead Sea beach and spa time (spa services not included).
- Overnight & Dinner: Herods Dead Sea
Day 11 - Saturday - July 2nd, 2022 - (B/D)
- 07:30 – Departure
- 08:00 - Masada, Herod the Great’s desert fortress and the last battle of the Jewish Revolt. You will have the option to hike up or take the cable car. Here, we’ll take out the Torah Scrolls to experience a never-forgetting opportunity for Bar and Bat Mitzva Ceremony inside the actual synagogue – one of the three oldest synagogues in the world!
- Return to the hotel (Note: anyone departing this day, will checkout by 11:00 but will have facilities available such as the spa until your transfer to the airport at 18:30 (6:30 pm).
- For those remaining, you’ll have a free afternoon on your own and an optional desert hike through Ein Bokek
- Overnight & Dinner: Herods Dead Sea
Day 12 - Sunday - July 3rd, 2022 - (B/)
- This morning, we’ll have a relaxed breakfast with a more relaxed departure time.
- Around 10:30, we’ll depart the Dead Sea for Eilat, driving down the Aravah Valley, seeing ancient terrain along the way such as Mt. Sodom and the Wilderness of Zin
- Along the way to Eilat, we’ll stop for a visit to Kibbutz Yodfata where you can taste some delicious ice cream in the desert and have a tour of the kibbutz.
- Check-in early to our hotel
- Enjoy dinner out on your own and a fun time out on Eilat’s boardwalk by the Sea
- Overnight: Herods Eilat
Day 13 - Monday - July 4th, 2022 - (B/)
- Today, you will enjoy a free day on your own in Eilat.
- In the morning, you may choose to have a completely optional hike with Rabbi Goldstein (Nahal Tzefahot). Those who join will take taxis to/from with rabbi.Enjoy dinner out on your own
- Overnight: Herods Eilat
Day 14 - Tuesday - July 5th, 2022 - (B/)
- Enjoy a free morning on your own.
- 13:00 (1pm) – Late checkout from the hotel. By 13:00 (1pm) please have your suitcases ready for pickup.
- 15:15 – Meet in the hotel lobby and be prepared to identify your luggage for loading
- 15:30 (3:30pm) – Transfer to the Eilat Airport
- 18:10 (6:10 pm) – Depart on Arkia Airlines IZ 822
- In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the Eilat airport for your domestic flight (included) to Ben Gurion International Airport where you will connect with your international flight home.
Day 15 - Wednesday - July 6th, 2022 - (B/D)
- 00:30 - Group flight back to the USA on El Al Airlines LY 27
- 05:15 – Arrive at Newark, NJ

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