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EXPLORING ISRAEL

JEWISH CONNECTIONS FAMILY TOUR 
CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL 

Led by Rabbis Jason Nevarez and Jeremy Gimbel
June 16-27, 2024

 
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DAY 1 – Shabbat, June 15 - Depart the USA and fly to Israel.   Overnight: Flight
   
DAY 2 – Sunday, June 16 – ARRIVAL IN ISRAEL – Arrive safely at Ben Gurion International Airport. Welcome by our representative, assistance with arrival formalities and after claiming luggage transfer to Tel Aviv. Check into the hotel and hopefully enjoy a good night's sleep.  Overnight: Tel Aviv

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DAY 3 – Monday, June 17 – TEL AVIV–THE FIRST HEBREW CITY – After breakfast stop to see Independence Hall, depicting David Ben Gurion's proclamation of Independence on October 14, 1948 (currently under renovation) and walk the Independence Trail, a fascinating journey that takes us from a Hebrew city to a Hebrew state, a trail that begins with the founding of Tel Aviv in 1909 and ends with the Establishment of Israel in 1948.  Take a panoramic walk/drive throughout the city including the beautiful Rothschild Boulevard where you can see examples of the unique Bauhaus architecture and renowned Dizengoff Street. Short drive to Jaffa, the ancient port city out of which Tel Aviv has now grown; walk through the narrow passageways and ancient buildings in its Old City, explore some of the many art galleries and wander through the colorful flea market.

 

Lunch will be an ethnic tasting tour combined with Graffiti tour, where you'll find a combination of foods and sweets from all over the Mediterranean and hear the unique stories of the local proprietors.

 

Late afternoon will be time to hang out at the beach, walk the streets of Tel Aviv, or catch up on nap to help with jet lag!

 

In the evening get together for a welcome group dinner and orientation to the program. Overnight: Tel Aviv.

DAY 4 – Tuesday, June 18 – SHA'AR HANEGEV-THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS – Start the morning driving to Sha'ar Hanegev and meet and eat lunch with local residents.  Return to Tel Aviv to visit the ANU Museum, a fascinating journey that portrays the story of the Jewish people through the generations and up to the present time. Time permitting, return to "downtown" Tel Aviv and walk through Neve Tzedek, one of the most beautiful areas in the city. Neveh Tzedek was the first neighborhood built in the “new” city of Tel Aviv, back in 1887. Free night to have dinner and explore the namal (port) of Tel Aviv. Overnight: Tel Aviv

DAY 5 – Wednesday, June 19 – FROM THE BURMA ROAD UP TO JERUSALEM – Check out of the hotel and start the day driving to Jerusalem, focusing on the different roads leading to Jerusalem throughout history.  Stop at Latrun Monastery and talk about the battles that took place in the region. Explore the Museum of the Israel Defense Forces Armored Division including more than 100 tanks used in Israel's wars are displayed. You can climb on some of the earliest tanks made and compare them to ultra-modern versions built by Israel's own military-industrial complex as well as those imported from the United States. Continue to Khan Sha'ar HaGai Heritage site.


Drive along the famous Burma Road that encircled the Jordanian Legionnaires.  We'll continue via jeeps to the ascent and military post range overlooking the road to Jerusalem, where we will relate the story of the Har'el Palmach Brigade. On the way we will stop for outdoor lunch and after ascending to Jerusalem we'll proceed to the magnificent Old City and begin with a tour of the City of David, the core of ancient Jerusalem. View the Gihon Spring and walk through the Second Temple-period tunnel which brings you up into past the Old City walls. Briefly visit the Davidson Center at the Jerusalem Archaeological Park where you'll view Robinson's Arch - the remains of the bridge between the Temple Mount and the "Upper City" where the high priests resided, and the Southern Wall Steps. We'll stop at the Western Wall to recite the Shehechyanu blessing.  Check into the hotel and enjoy dinner. In the evening, walk on own to the Yemin Moshe Windmill and then wander along Ben Yehuda Street, or perhaps enjoy time at the First Train Station, with a variety of different types of restaurants and possible public entertainment. Dinner on own.
Overnight: Jerusalem.

DAY 6 – Thursday, June 20 – PAST AND PRESENT IN JERUSALEM – Start the day with a visit to the Western Wall Tunnels where hidden layers of the Wall are revealed underground and tell the story of ancient Jerusalem.  Enjoy a breathtaking view of the Temple Mount and hear about its sanctification for the Jews. Be exposed to new angles as you walk along the Old City rooftops to better understand the unique geopolitics of this complex city, sacred to three major faiths in the world. Enjoy lunch at the Jewish Quarter and walk the Cardo, the main business thoroughfare of ancient Byzantine Jerusalem. Walk through the colorful Arab Market and then drive to Eretz Beresheet (Genesis Land) in the Judean Hills where you are greeted by Eliezer and brought into the tent of Avraham. Be a part of the Biblical story when you ride a camel to the tent and take part in a pita baking workshop and a typical Abraham biblical dinner. Overnight: Jerusalem.

DAY 7 – Friday, June 21 – FROM HOLOCAUST to REBIRTH - After breakfast start the day visiting Yad Vashem, Israel's main Holocaust Remembrance and Education Center. Experience a special B’nei Mitzvah program which focuses on the fate of children and teenagers and on the challenges that faced the Jewish family during the Holocaust. At the end of the tour the B’nei Mitzvah student receives a special certificate commemorating a young child of the same age age whose memory they have undertaken to perpetuate. Stop at Mt. Herzl, named for the visionary founder of modern Zionism, Theodor Herzl.  Mt. Herzl is Israel’s National Cemetery, housing the remains of Herzl himself as well as many of the Jewish State’s leaders over the years and soldiers killed in the country's too many wars. 
Visit the famous Machne Yehuda Market with a Bite Card to give you a chance to try a variety of products, flavors and the aromas of the market. Later afternoon will be free time in Jerusalem. Enjoy Kabbalat Shabbat and Shabbat dinner. Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY 8 – Shabbat, June 22 – THE LOWEST PLACE ON EARTH – Early departure of the hotel and drive via the Dead Sea Basin, passing by Qumran, where they discovered the oldest Bible ever found - the Dead Sea Scrolls. Climb Masada, one of Israel's most exciting sites which relates a story of perseverance and power, faith and surrender, ambition and a tragic end. Take a short walk at Ein Gedi, an oasis in the desert and a green Garden of Eden in the wilderness. Spend some time by the Dead Sea to enjoy lunch and to experience this unique phenomenon. Return to Jerusalem. Havdalah service in the evening before dinner on own. Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY 9 – Sunday, June 23 – ADVENTURES ON THE WAY NORTH – After breakfast and check-out, Drive north along the Mediterranean, visit Caesarea, the city built by King Herod the Great, the largest man-made port of his time and a main source to his wealth. stop on the way for lunch. Visit the Technion, a science and technology research university, among the world’s top ten, dedicated to the creation of knowledge and the development of human capital and leadership, for the advancement of the State of Israel and all humanity. Continue to Madatech, Technology and Space Museum, a large museum crammed with hands-on activities. End the day enjoining the amazing Baha'i Gardens. Check into your hotel. Dinner & Overnight: Galilee.

DAY 10 – Monday, June 24 – BAR/BAT MITZVAH SERVICE -ISRAEL'S NORTHERN BORDER – Following breakfast Bar/Bat Mitzvah Service at a beautiful and meaningful site. Drive up the Golan Heights and take a short hike at one of the northern nature reserves, such as the Banias or the Tel Dan Nature Reserve. After lunch visit Mt. Bental to the border into Syria and try to better understand the issues faced by Israel's on its northern borders. Kayak down the Jordan River. End the day riding a jeep on the western slopes of the Golan – in the footsteps of the Israeli army in the Six Day War. Return to the hotel.  Overnight: Galilee.

DAY 11 – Tuesday, June 25 – JEWISH MYSTICISM AND CRUSADERS – Start the day driving to Safed, a picturesque city of spiritual people and artists, wrapped in mysticism and mystery, and steeped in sacred atmosphere. Next visit Ghetto Fighter’s House Museum in Beit Lohamei Haghetaot. Time permitting enjoy the gleaming white cliffs of Rosh Hanikra and the beautiful stretch of beach below and where you can walk through the artificial tunnels and view caverns carved out by the pounding waves of the Mediterranean.  Return to the Upper Galilee and enjoy outdoor dinner/cooking workshop and music. Overnight: Galilee.

DAY 12 – Wednesday, June 26 – SOCIAL ISSUES-BACK HOME – Following breakfast and check-out visit the Jordan River Village, Israel's only free, year-round overnight camp for children from all sectors of Israeli society living with life-limiting conditions. Drive to Rehovot for a visit to the Ayalon Institute, the underground ammunition factory built by the Haganah to make bullets, under the nose of the British. Next stop to plant trees at the Neot Kedumim Biblical Landscape Reserve and check your leadership skills while attempting goat herding.  
Enjoy a delicious farewell dinner and then transfer to the airport for a safe trip home with unforgettable memories!

YES! I want to join the
JEWISH CONNECTIONS FAMILY TOURCONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL

Led by Rabbis Jason Nevarez and Jeremy Gimbel
June 16-27, 2024

Please choose the number of participants to join the tour:

Registration Form - 1 Participant
 

ALL NAMES MUST APPEAR EXACTLY AS THEY ARE ON YOUR PASSPORT

 

Traveler 1:

Accommodations:

I would like:

If you need a roommate, we will attempt to find one for you. If we are unable to find you a roommate, then you will be responsible for paying the additional single supplement cost.

Thanks for submitting!

Registration Form - 2 Participants
 

ALL NAMES MUST APPEAR EXACTLY AS THEY ARE ON YOUR PASSPORT

 

Traveler 1:

Traveler 2:

Accommodations:

I would like:

If you need a roommate, we will attempt to find one for you. If we are unable to find you a roommate, then you will be responsible for paying the additional single supplement cost.

Thanks for submitting!

Registration Form - 3 Participants
 

ALL NAMES MUST APPEAR EXACTLY AS THEY ARE ON YOUR PASSPORT

 

Traveler 1:

Traveler 2:

Traveler 3:

Accommodations:

I would like:

If you need a roommate, we will attempt to find one for you. If we are unable to find you a roommate, then you will be responsible for paying the additional single supplement cost.

Thanks for submitting!

Registration Form - 4 Participants
 

ALL NAMES MUST APPEAR EXACTLY AS THEY ARE ON YOUR PASSPORT

 

Traveler 1:

Traveler 2:

Traveler 3:

Traveler 4:

Accommodations:

I would like:

If you need a roommate, we will attempt to find one for you. If we are unable to find you a roommate, then you will be responsible for paying the additional single supplement cost.

Thanks for submitting!

Registration Form - 5 Participants
 

ALL NAMES MUST APPEAR EXACTLY AS THEY ARE ON YOUR PASSPORT

 

Traveler 1:

Traveler 2:

Traveler 3:

Traveler 4:

Traveler 5:

Accommodations:

I would like:

If you need a roommate, we will attempt to find one for you. If we are unable to find you a roommate, then you will be responsible for paying the additional single supplement cost.

Thanks for submitting!

Registration Form - 6 Participants
 

ALL NAMES MUST APPEAR EXACTLY AS THEY ARE ON YOUR PASSPORT

 

Traveler 1:

Traveler 4:

Traveler 2:

Traveler 5:

Traveler 3:

Traveler 6:

Accommodations:

I would like:

If you need a roommate, we will attempt to find one for you. If we are unable to find you a roommate, then you will be responsible for paying the additional single supplement cost.

Thanks for submitting!

Terms and Conditions:

Tour Price for minimum 60 participants:

 


$ 4,917 per person in double occupancy land only


$ 6,722 per person in a single room occupancy land only


$ 4,598 per person in a Triple room occupancy land only

* The cost includes: 10 hotel overnights (rich Israeli breakfast included), entrance fees to sites and attractions listed in the itinerary, 10 meals (6 dinners+4 lunches), Luxurious Bus, English speaking local guide, gratuities

* Children up to 13 years will have reduction of a $100 per child

The price does not include:


• Travel Insurance – Don’t leave home without it!
• International flights
• Personal Expenses
• Meals and sites not included in the itinerary
• All COVID tests if needed
 

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Terms of Payment:


• $ 400 non-refundable deposit per person due upon registration 
• $ 3,000 per person by December 1, 2023
• The remainder – by April 15, 2024

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Cancellation Policy:


• In the case of cancellation due to a state of war in Israel, all payments made up to that time are refundable with the exception of the cost of transferring the funds.
• Registration fee is non-refundable.
• Up until 120 days prior to arrival $500 is nonrefundable.
• Up until 90 days prior to arrival $1,500 is nonrefundable. 
• For cancellation within less than 45 days before arrival $3,000 is nonrefundable.
• For cancellation within less than 7 days is 100% is nonrefundable. 

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Payment:


The tour is payable by:
• CC (Visa, Master card, AMX) – see form below
• Bank Transfer
• Cashier Check
       
All payments are payable to:
Nitzan Travel Services LTD.
10 Bialik street, Gedera 70700, Israel
Wire transfer instructions:
Bank – Hapoalim 
Branch 646
Account # 402633
Account name = NITZAN TRAVEL SERVICE LTD
IBAN
Bank Hapoalim B.M.  IL270126460000000402633
SWIFT = POALILIT
BANK ADRESS = Biluim street, Gedera 70700, Israel

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PLEASE READ ENTIRE DOCUMENT BEFORE SIGNING

INSURANCE – DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT:

TRAVEL INSURANCE IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! 
You must take out comprehensive insurance coverage before travel for cancellation, medical expenses, loss of personal baggage, and money.
This should be arranged not later than one week after purchasing the ticket.
 

Travel insurance may be bought in the US through:
TRAVELAND, 878 Bridgeport Ave. Shelton CT 06484, Mr. Eitan Battat, at:  
1-800-246-0466 Ext. 223, 1-203-814-3535 – Direct or 203-929-6000 Ext 223

Other Travel Insurance Companies in the U.S:
Access America (804) 285-3300 0r (800) 284-8300, www.AccessAmerica.com 
Travel Guard International (800) 826-1300, www.TravelGuard.com 
Also check with AAA or American express.
 

RESPONSIBILITY:
Nitzan Travel Services LTD. or their agents, act only as agents for the passengers in all matters connected with hotel accommodations, sight-seeing tours and transportation, whether by air, cruise, motor coach, motor vehicle, and any other means of conveyance, and shall not be responsible or liable for any injury, loss, accident, delay or irregularity or incident resulting from strikes, pilferage, labor disputes, machinery breakdown, quarantine, weather, government regulation, or any other cause beyond their control; nor shall they be responsible for any damage or loss of luggage for any reason during the course of the trip, or act or omission of any individual or organization providing the transportation, services, or accommodations in connection with these 
arrangements, nor for any delay or expense incurred due to disruption or revision of schedules, nor for any cause beyond its own control.


The right is reserved to the above to withdraw a tour, or decline to accept or retain any person as a member of a tour at any time should such person’s health or general deportment impede the operation of the tour to the detriment of the other tour passengers, or make changes in the published itinerary whenever in their sole time at their discretion to cancel any tour or the remainder thereof or make any alternation in route, accommodation, price, or other details, and in the event of any tour being rendered impossible, illegal, or inadvisable by weather, avalanches, strike, war, governmental interference, or any other cause whatsoever, the extra expenses incurred as a result thereof shall be your sole responsibility. All prices are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect on the day of registration, and are subject to change in the event of an adjustment therein.
 

POSSIBLE CHANGES:

Nitzan Israel Travel Services LTD. thereafter known as the Tour Operators, reserve the right to cancel any tour before departure in which even the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation to the tour members. Infrequently, unexpected and unforeseen local conditions beyond control can prevent the completion of an itinerary or necessitate alterations in the itinerary. Such local conditions include inclement seasonal variations in climate, changing in airline schedules and equipment, government appropriation of hotel space, labor strikes, civil disturbances or political unrest, etc., events that are beyond the Tour Operator control, and will jeopardize the travelers' comfort, safety, health and enjoyment. In these events the Tour Operator reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary as is deemed necessary.

The Tour Operator will endeavor, in each case to provide comparable substitute or effect refunds. Any savings realized for these changes will be passed to the traveler and any resultant expanses borne by the traveler. Accidents in route may require you to miss part of your return to the U.S. WE STRONGLY ADVISE YOU TO HAVE COMPREHENSIVE TRAVEL INSURANCE (medical, accident, baggage, trip cancellation etc.). As a convenience the Tour Operator or your Travel Agent will supply you with application upon receipt of your reservation. If costs do fluctuate due to circumstances beyond our control, we reserve the right to alter our quoted price to you.

Acceptance of any travel plan shall be deemed to constitute acceptance of this limitation of responsibility.

The person making any booking will, by the making of such booking, warrant that he or she has authority to enter into a contract on behalf of the other person/s included in such a booking and in the event of the failure of any or all of the other person/s so included to make payment, the person making the booking shall by his/her signature thereof assume personal liability for the total price of all bookings made by him/her.

For and in consideration of the tour services by Nitzan Israel Travel Services LTD. (hereafter "Tour Operators"), I hereby release and hold harmless Tour Operators and any of their agents or assigns from any and all claims arising out of their ordinary negligence for any and all risks inherent in the tour and/or inherent in transit to or from the tour destinations described herein.

I/We accept all responsibility for any and all costs arising out of treatment for injuries or damages suffered while taking part in the tour.

Any and all claims or disputes between the parties hereto shall be resolved in the courts of Israel and under Israeli law.

I give Nitzan Travel Services LTD. the right to use any photograph or video recording which includes my image or any audio recording which includes my voice, taken on the trip, unless otherwise indicated by checking this box.

I have read and fully understand the terms and conditions of this agreement.

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1 Particpant
2 Participants
3 Participants
4 Participants
5 Participants
6 Participants
​Terms and Conditions
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