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Day 4 – Wednesday

Archeological dig and The Dead Sea

Today we depart Tel Aviv for the desert. Our day
begins with the chance to join a real archaeological
dig at the Tel Maresha excavations. Here you’ll
take part in the hands-on search for ancient objects,
compare your finds and explore the other-worldly bell
caves of neighbouring Beit Guvrin. Next is an exciting
stop for the whole family - Kfar Hanokdim, and our
Desert Experience, promises nothing but fun and
relaxation. Here we’ll meet the Bedouin –a caravan
of camels will carry us across the parched landscape
to a traditional “Chafla” Lunch - a fabulous lunch and
a unique way to experience the famed hospitality of
these people for whom the desert is home. The Dead
Sea, the day’s ultimate destination, is like no other
place on earth - your unique experience here will be
one you will always remember. Floating effortlessly
in the warm waters, covering each other in the rich,
therapeutic mud – it’s impossible not to have fun as
a family.... After dinner at the hotel, you’ll meet the
Rabbi and the bar/bat mitzvah children will have a
chance to visit with him and rehearse individually. Your
hotel is lovely and so is the sunset from poolside….
(B,L,D)

(In December we visit the Old City, the Cardo,

the Western Wall, Time Elevator, The City of David,
Davidson Center and meet the Rabbi to rehearse
before the ceremony at Masada – same as day 8)

Day 5 - Thursday

Masada to Jerusalem

This is the day you came for and we’ve made sure
that it’s everything you’ve hoped for and more. Before
dawn, you’ll board a cable car and ascend the face of
Masada to witness one of the most glorious sunrises
imaginable – the ruins around you seem almost
to glow…. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah service will take
place in a special area, shaded and looking out over
the great expanse of desert. Your child holds center
stage and the setting could not be more appropriate.
Following the service, after the photos, after the hugs,
take time to wander the site – from the palace of
Herod, the early synagogue and the remains of the

Roman siege camps, this is a marvelous chance to
reflect on our shared history. Departing Masada, it’s
time to play – back to the hotel for a bite and a swim,
and then we’re off to Ein Gedi, a stunning oasis
drawing a wide variety of wildlife to its refreshing pools
and falls. From here we’ll head to Jerusalem, passing
Qumran, find-spot of the Dead Sea Scrolls. As we
approach the city, we’ll stop at a beautiful overlook and
celebrate both the ancient and the new Jerusalem
with a lovely “Shehechiyanu” ceremony. Tonight you
will enjoy the inspiring Sound & Light Show at the
Citadel Museum. (B,D)

Day 6 – Friday

Jerusalem New City

After breakfast we’ll make the short drive to Mt.
Scopus, site of Ammunition Hill, and learn of the
site’s epic battle between Israeli paratroopers and
Jordanian legionnaires during the Six Day War – a
battle resulting in the reunification of Jerusalem in
1967. On to Yad Vashem, Israel’s national memorial
and Museum of the Holocaust. We’ll stop in the
Grove of the Righteous among the Nations,
continue to the Children’s Memorial, take part in
a special “Yizkor” (memorial service) in Bikat Ha
Kehilot (The Valley of Communities) and conclude
our visit with the celebrated and evocative museum.
A special programme will be provided for children
(accompanied by one parent). Leaving Yad Vashem,
we’ll stop at Mt Herzl, and visit the final resting place of
the founders of modern day Israel and those of young
men who paid the ultimate price to make the dream a
reality. The rest of the day we’ll celebrate the vital city
Jerusalem has become. A visit to Machane Yehuda
Market - strolling the alleys of the market, taking in
incredible mounds of spices, fruit and nuts, tasting
locally- made halva, ice cream, fresh fruit drinks – a
trip to the supermarket back home will never seem
the again. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy
as you wish. Before sunset, we’ll head to the Western
Wall to witness Kabbalat Shabbat at the beginning
of Friday evening prayers. The sight of Yeshiva
students, joyously dancing their way to the Kotel,

makes for a unique start to Shabbat in this, the holiest
city of our people. We’ll share a traditional Shabbat
dinner and take in the magic of the city at rest.(B,D)

Day 7 - Saturday

Jerusalem at Leisure

Today is yours to spend at leisure. For some, a rest
or catch up with friends and relatives might be just
the thing, for others, a Shabbat service or a wander
through the modern city’s sites might beckon – for
others, we are pleased to offer an Optional morning
walking tour through some of the Old City of
Jerusalem’s diverse neighbourhoods. Be sure to
leave a little time to rest up. Tonight we’ve planned a
Festive Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration in honour of the
hard work and dedication the children have shown.
A very special dinner and live entertainment (subject
to group size) will make it a night to remember. (B,D)

Day 8 – Sunday

Jerusalem Old City

Today you’ll head back in time…after breakfast we’ll
begin our tour in the City of David. This is an exciting
area of discovery in the heart of ancient Jerusalem
and home to many of the most impressive finds of
recent years. A true highlight of the trip is our visit
to the underground water system including brand
new discoveries of the Canaanite Period. Some
might explore the cool, wet

Hezekiah’s Tunnel,

others might choose the recently opened (and dry)
tunnel which brought water to the city in the time
of Herod. Either way we’ll reunite at the Southern
Wall Archaeological Park / Davidson Centre and
experience a fascinating presentation describing
the Temple Mount and life as it was two millennia
ago. Winding our way through the Southern Wall
Excavations, we’ll arrive at the Kotel – the Western
Wall, Judaism’s holiest site and finish the day’s
adventure walking back in time through the Western
Wall (Rabbinical) Tunnels, a fantastic route running
under the Old City.

(In December we going north see

day 9 itinerary)

(B)

ISRAEL | F

AMIL
Y B

AR / B

AT MITZV

A EXPERIENCE