My Son's Ten Day Israeli Journey With Taglit-Birthright Israel May 21 to June 1, 2014

This is a summary of my son Joel's trip to Israel.  His tour was called Israel Journey and was young people between the ages of 18 to 22.

Day 1
Afternoon arrival in Israel
Drive north
Opening ceremony and program orientation
Icebreakers
Overnight: Kinneret region (Sea of Galilee)

Day 2
Tsfat – tour of the old city, ancient synagogues and artists’ galleries
Winery in the north
Kabbalat Shabbat (candlelighting)
Shabbat Dinner
Oneg Shabbat – fun group activity
Overnight: Kinneret region (Sea of Galilee)

Day 3
Kiddush
Shabbat discussions
Visiting Hours for Friends and Family
Havdalah
Fun night in Tiberias
Overnight: Kinneret region (Sea of Galilee)

Day 4
Gilabun water hike-introduction to the north
Mt Bental – overlook into Syria and entire region, introduction to the area and the story of the Golan Heights
Valley of Tears
Rafting on the Jordan River
Fun group activity
Overnight: Kinneret region (Sea of Galilee)

Day 5
Drive south to Tel Aviv
Neve Tzedek, oldest neighborhood in Tel Aviv
Independence Hall: Site where state of Israel was born
Lunch on Sheinkin Street
Yitzchak Rabin Square
Israel update with guest speaker
Night out in Tel Aviv
Overnight: Tel Aviv

Day 6
Drive south
Volunteering at ecological farm
Ein Avdat desert hike
David Ben Gurion’s Grave – Visit the grave of the first prime minister of the State of Israel, learn of his story, his leadership and his special connection to the Negev.
Bedouin Hospitality in Kfar Hanokdim
Overnight: Bedouin Tent

Day 7
Early ascent to Masada – enjoy the sunrise and tour the site that has a unique story of faith and survival and that has become a central part of Israeli culture and Jewish legacy
Ein Gedi Hike
Swim in the Dead Sea!
Drive to Jerusalem
Resting at the hotel
Prepare for Yad Vashem
Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 8
Yad Vashem – visit the National Memorial for the Victims and Martyrs of the Holocaust
Mt. Herzl – the tombs of the leaders of the nation and the military cemetery tell the story of the struggles for Jewish independence from the first days of Zionism to today
Cultural event displaying Israeli diversity
Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 9
City of David and Hezekiah’s Tunnels – explore the first Jewish neighborhoods of Jerusalem, when King David chose Jerusalem as his capital, forever linking the city with the story of the Jewish people
Tour the Jewish Quarter – learn the stories of its inhabitants, then and now
The Kotel – the central, most significant site in Jewish tradition
Machaneh Yehudah open-air market
Kabbalat Shabbat (candlelighting)
Shabbat Dinner
Oneg Shabbat – fun group activity
Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 10
Morning Services
Shabbat discussions
Time to rest
Visiting time for family and friends
Havdalah
Program evaluation
Night out in Jerusalem
Depart for airport