Back from Israel

I am back from an amazing 10 days in Israel. The trip was amazing and the staff I worked with were great. My participants also made it incredible to be there.

Here is a picture of me with my other staff, Shy and Assaf.

Here is one of me in front of the Western Wall.
Here is one of me overlooking Jerusalem at Sunset. The pictures was taken right near Hebrew University.

Almost Time For Israel

Here is my itinerary for my trip to Israel. I leave for NYC on Saturday and spending Sat night with about 7 friends that I met last summer on the Birthright Trip for dinner and drinks. Sunday I leave JFK for Tel Aviv and the fun begins.

Sunday, June 10 – Departure
Depart from JFK Airport at 2:30 PM
Arrive at airport four hours early

Monday, June 11 – Arrival
Landing at Ben Gurion Airport at 7:50 AM
Transfer to Ceasarea – welcome ceremony
Transfer North
Water Hike: Hatzbani River
Overnight: Kibbutz Nofei Gonen (Upper Galilee)

Tuesday, June 12 - North
Mt. Bental observation point & former Syrian bunker
Water Hike: Yahudia Nature Reserve
Golan Heights Winery – tour & tasting
Evening: Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee
Free night out in Tiberias
Overnight: Kibbutz Nofei Gonen (Upper Galilee)

Wednesday, June 13 – Galilee to Jerusalem
Walking tour of mystical Tzfat
Relaxing rafting on the Jordan River
Transfer to Jerusalem
Ha’as Promenade – overlook of Jerusalem
Prepare for Yad Vashem
Overnight: Kedem Towers (Jerusalem)

Thursday, June 14 – Jerusalem
Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial
Mt. Herzl Nation Memorial
Free afternoon in the German Colony
Psik Theatre – modern Israeli theatre
Overnight: Kedem Towers (Jerusalem)

Friday, June 15 – Jerusalem
Welcome Israeli soldiers for ‘mifgash’ experience
Machane Yehuda outdoor market
Visit the sick at local hosptial
Tour of Israeli Parliament - Knesset
Prepare for Shabbat
Shabbat Program
Overnight: Kedem Towers (Jerusalem)

Saturday, June 16 – Shabbat in Jerusalem
Shabbat program
Local walking tour in Nachlaot neighborhood
Shabbat relaxation time
Havdallah – Conclusion of Shabbat
Ben Yehuda St. – evening out
Overnight: Kedem Towers (Jerusalem)

Sunday, June 17 – Jerusalem
Mitzpe Masua’a overlook in the Judean Hills
Tel Goded – Maccabean Caves
Rappelling in the Luzit caverns
Transfer South
Overnight: Massada I.Y.H.A (Dead Sea)

Monday, June 18 – Jerusalem
Transfer to Jerusalem
Climb Massada – Ancient desert mountain fortress
Nature Hike: Ein Gedi/ Nachal David - desert springs
Floating in the Dead Sea – lowest point on earth
Transfer to Negev
Desert camel ride
Bedouin hospitality & traditional “hafla” dinner feast
Evening: Bedouin tent bonfire (kumsitz)
Overnight: Ein Yorkeam (Negev)

Tuesday, June 19 – Tel Aviv
Transfer to Tel Aviv
Nachalat Binyamin artist market
Rabin Square
Swimming in the beaches of Tel Aviv
Night out in Tel Aviv
Overnight: Grand Beach Hotel (Tel Aviv)

Wednesday, June 20 – Depature
Walking tour through old Jaffa seaport
Independence Hall
Transfer to airport
Depart from Ben Gurion Airport at 4:35 PM
Land at JFK at 9:35 PM