Donna and I are delighted to lead a congregational tour to Israel from June 20-30, 2016. This ten day tour will include a visit to many modern and ancient sites: a 1930’s clandestine ammunition factory, the first century Jewish-Roman city of Sepphoris in the Galilee, the synagogues of mystical Sfat, the Old City of Jerusalem, the mountain fortress of Masada, Yad v’Shem Holocause Memorial, the Dead Sea and the Israel Museum.
For a change of pace (for those who wish to participate) we have included a raft trip down the Jordan River, caving in underground tunnels used by Jews to hide from the Romans, a visit to a Kibbutz Bee farm, a climb up Masada (cable car for non-hikers), an archaeological dig, a jeep tour of the Golan, a Bedouin camel ride and hafla dinner, a Kibbutz overnight on the Lebanese border, dining at a fabulous Yemenite restaurant, and plenty of shopping.
We will hear two excellent lectures by our hand picked speakers, Rabbi Micky Boyden and Professor Paul Lipps, on the present state of the Reform Movement in Israel and on the geopolitical situation in the Middle East.
Enjoy a moving Shabbat service at the Wall in Jerusalem, an inspiring service at the Yad V’shem Holocaust Memorial, and other spiritual moments at meaningful points along our journey.
Best of all, we will share our journey with congregants from Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church who will follow a different itinerary during the day but join us every evening for dinner and discussion.
The cost of the trip for land only is $2979 and $4778 with air from Tampa. To register for the trip go to arzaworld.com, enter Schaarai Zedek in the search box and click on the blue, underlined, Schaarai Zedek prompt. This should take you to the web page with the trip information in detail. Feel free to call me anytime if you have questions.