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First Day - Welcome to Israel
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Arrival in Israel
Travel to Jerusalem
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Jerusalem's history stretches back about 5,000 years. About 2500 BC, the
Canaanites inhabited the city. Later, Jerusalem became a Jebusite citadel. When
DAVID captured the city (c.1000 BC), the Jebusites were absorbed into the
Jewish people. David made Jerusalem the capital of his kingdom, and SOLOMON
built the first Temple
If I forget you Jerusalem ...
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Opening Ceremony and Shehechiyanu– Haas Promenade offers one of the most
scenic, breathtaking views of Jerusalem, overlooking the Old City, the Judean
Desert to the east and the new city to the west.
Check in to hotel and rest
Dinner
Program Orientation and Icebreakers Activity at the hotel
Overnight: Jerusalem
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Second Day - This is where it all began…
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A Day in the Old City
City of David and Hezekiah's Water Tunnels, which date back to the days in
which King David chose Jerusalem as his capital, forever placing Jerusalem at
the heart of Jewish life and tradition.
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Inside the City of David is the area which the archaeologists denoted with the
letter ''G.'' It was probably the nerve center of the ancient city for many
years: the administrative, municipal, and governmental center, with the royal
residence possibly nearby.
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Tour of the Jewish Quarter - learn of the lives of Jews who live there today,
and those that inhabited the city 200 years ago.
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Walking tour of the Jewish Quarter, through the alleyways of the old city,
finished at arriving to the western wall. A tour of the Western Wall Tunnels is
a fascinating, unforgettable journey through time. The archaeology of the site
brings to life everything from Jerusalem's glory during the time of Herod to
the Jewish people's longing for Jerusalem throughout the generations.
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Finally, arrive at the Kotel, also known as the Western Wall, and learn of its
significance and centrality in the Jewish world.
Return to the hotel and rest
Dinner out on the town and free evening in the German Colony, one of
Jerusalem's most exciting neighborhoods, filled with café's, restaurants, shops
and more.
Overnight: Jerusalem
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Third Day - Exploring the Desert…
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Travel south
Dig for a Day – cave-spelunking and archeological digging at Beit Guvrin
National Park
Travel south (lunch en-route)
David Ben Gurion's Desert Home – learn of the man and his special relationship
with the Negev, along with his role and unique leadership in the struggle for
the independence of the Jewish State and its first years.
Ein Avdat Canyon – hike deep into the region's largest oasis and spectacular
canyon
Camel Rides & Bedouin Experience – meet the Bedouins, one of Israel's largest
minority communities, which struggles to maintain their special desert
traditions while being an integral part of Israeli, modern society.
Preparation for Masada – group activity led by staff
Overnight: Bedouin Tent
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Fourth Day - The Treasures of the Judean Desert
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Early morning wake up.
Climb Masada at dawn to enjoy the sunrise over the mountains and then tour the
site, learning of its special story and significance; Palaces, baths, water
cisterns and the most ancient synagogue in the world are all atop the mountain,
sharing their story with the world…
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Just a ten-minute drive from Ein Gedi is the hill known as Massada, where Jews
made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom some two millennia ago. In
66 CE, a small band of Jews fled to Massada to escape the Roman Army, which had
occupied Jerusalem. For the next few years, the Romans attempted to capture
Massada, in order to enslave the Jews on top of the hill. Finally, in 73 CE, it
became clear that the Romans would reach the top and the Jews would be captured
and enslaved. Deciding that it was better to die free than to live as slaves,
960 of the 967 Jews on Massada committed suicide. For most of the last two
millennia, Massada's exact location has remained a mystery. Finally, in the
mid-1960's, archaeologist Yigael Yadin unearthed the ruins of the ancient
fortress
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Descend via the snake path
Swim in the Dead Sea – careful…the lowest place on earth is also the saltiest
body of water in which no living creature survives… no dunking!
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Down to about 130 feet (40 meters), the seawater comprises about 300 grams of
salt per kilogram of seawater. That's about ten times the salinity of the
oceans.
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Ein Gedi – hike through the beautiful desert oasis, boasting waterfalls and an
abundance of wildlife, not to mention the setting of some the most intriguing
biblical stories dating back to David and Saul…
Travel to Jerusalem
Check into hotel and rest
Preparation for Yad Vashem
Overnight: Jerusalem
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Fifth Day - Memory and Remembrance
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Yad Vashem – visit the National Memorial for the Victims and Martyrs of the
Holocaust.
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Yad Vashem, Jerusalem, is the Jewish people's memorial to the murdered Six
Million and symbolizes the ongoing confrontation with the rupture engendered by
the Holocaust. Containing the world's largest repository of information on the
Holocaust, Yad Vashem is a leader in Shoah education, commemoration, research
and documentation.
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Mt. Herzl – adjacent to Yad Vashem, are the National Military Cemetery and the
Tombs of the Leaders of the Nation; learn of the story of the State of Israel
through those that led the way, and those that lost their lives in the ongoing
struggle for Jewish independence.
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Israel's national cemetery is also Jerusalem's military cemetery, where soldiers
of the past and present are buried. Mt. Hertzl is the burial place of many
dignitaries and prominent figures of the Jewish people such as Theodore Hertzl,
Yitzchak Rabin, Channa Sennesh and Yoni Netanyahu.
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Group Tie-in Session
Machane Yehuda Market – join Jerusalemites as they prepare for Shabbat in one
of the country's most colorful, bustling market; purchase goodies for Oneg
Shabbat as you practice your Hebrew, and haggling skills, with the local
vendors.
Prepare for Shabbat
Kabbalat Shabbat – come together as a group to welcome the Shabbat and
experience the special atmosphere Jerusalem has to offer on Friday evenings.
Shabbat Dinner
Oneg Shabbat – group fun!
Overnight: Jerusalem
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Sixth Day - Shabbat in Jerusalem
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Morning Services in local synagogues – take the opportunity to join locals in
the nearby synagogue of your choice (different options will be given based on
hotel location and availability), exploring Shabbat traditions less familiar.
Time to rest at hotel
Walking tour of Jerusalem
Havdalah – experience the traditional ceremony in the group setting in Israel!
Free Evening in Jerusalem
Overnight: Jerusalem
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Seventh Day - Communities of the Galilee
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(Group joined by Israeli soldiers for intercultural Mifgash!)
Travel north
Tsfat – Tour of the old city, ancient synagogues and artist's galleries – learn
the special story of this unique city and Jewish mysticism…
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According to tradition, Tzefat (Safed) was founded in the year 70 of the Common
Era. The city has since come to be considered one of the four holiest cities in
Judaism, along with Jerusalem, Hebron, and Tiberias
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Communities in the Galilee Workshop – meet with local educator to explore the
delicate web of communities and cultures that make up the population of this
region
Druze Hospitality – enjoy the food and learn the secrets of this special
community
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The Druze are a distinct religious community based mostly in the Middle East who
are an offshoot of Islam and influenced by other religions and philosophies,
including Greek philosophy. The Druze consider themselves theologically as "an
Islamic Unist, reformatory sect", although they are not considered Muslims by
most Muslims in the region. The Druze reside primarily in Lebanon, with smaller
communities in Israel, Syria, and Jordan.
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Check into rooms and rest
Group Tie-in Session
Overnight: Galilee region
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Eighth Day - Northern Borders
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Kibbutz Malkiya – meet with settlers on the northern border with Lebanon and
learn of their life and challenges
Mt. Bental – climb up to the Golan Heights, to one of the spectacular
viewpoints offering views deep into Syria and back in history to the battles of
the Golan in 1967 and 1973
Oz 77 – audio visual presentation at Kibbutz Elrom, telling the story of the
Golan Heights
Hamat Gader Hot Springs – dinner and more…
Return to base
Meet with Amnon Sharon – former prisoner of war shares his story of survival
Overnight: Galilee region
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Ninth Day - Along the Coast
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Rosh Hanikra – on the northern border with Lebanon is one of Israel's most
precious natural sites – grottos formed by rock and water…
Akko – this port city offers a special peek into the historical story of the
coastline, with a rich history and fascinating present
Continue south to Tel-Aviv
Check into hotel and rest
Walking tour of Jaffa – explore the old city of Jaffa, its flea market and the
first neighborhoods of Tel-Aviv – that tell the story of first days of the
town, and the young state.
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Jaffa has always been the entry port to the ancient land of Israel and is even
today, full of the traditional sights and sounds which have always
characterized it: beautiful stone buildings, narrow winding alleys, the
fishermen's port, the artists' quarter, cafes, restaurants and shops.
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Free Evening in Tel-Aviv – explore the nightlife of the city that never stops!
Overnight: Tel-Aviv
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Tenth Day - Israel - An Independent Jewish State
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Ha'Palmach Museum – the museum follows the story of nine young fighters,
shedding light on the overall struggle for Jewish independence.
Hall of Independence – visit the Tel-Aviv residential home that became the site
of the declaration of independence, led by David Ben-Gurion on May 14th, 1948.
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On Friday, May 15, 1948 David Ben Gurion proclaimed Israel's independence in the
Declaration Hall. Because of the historical importance of the event the hall
was restored as it was at the time with the help of witnesses and pictures.
Around the declaration hall there is a permanent exhibition showing the
historical background of the establishment of the State.
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Israel Update – explore the current issues Israel faces today (with guest
speaker)
What Next? – meet with MASA representative and other program directors to
explore ways to return to Israel and/or continue involvement in U.S home
communities
Final Party and goodbye to Israeli soldiers
Overnight: Tel-Aviv
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Last Day - Farewell…for now!
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Program summary workshop
Program evaluation Depart for the airport
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Israel Experience - Young Professionals/Grad Students 
