The Tour

Now is the time to experience Israel as never before with JLI's ground-breaking Land & Spirit mission.  Whether you are a veteran traveller or a first-time visitor to the country, you are invited to discover your personal connection with the Holy Land & the Jewish People, together with participants from across the USA & Canada and, indeed, around the globe!

The JLI Mission is specially designed to give you an insider's look at Israel meeting with prominent politicians, key decision-makers, spiritual giants and local residents alike. From North to South, and East to West, you will discover some of the country's most famous sites and hidden gems including:

• Caesarea, Jewel of the Mediterranean
• The Mystical City of Tzfat
• Stories of courage & sacrifice on the Golan Heights
• The serenity of the Judean Desert by sunset
• Jerusalem the heart & soul of the Jewish People
• Hevron - City of the Patriarchs
• Unforgettable Shabbat Experience at the Western Wall
• Encountering the modern, unsung heroes of Israel 2010
• Visit to IDF base with combat soldiers
• 5 nights at the David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem
• 2 nights at the Sheraton Hotel, Tiberias

The JLI Land & Spirit mission provides a unique opportunity to explore & experience, learn & laugh, be inspired and actually make a difference. You can be assured of a fun-filled trip with genuine Chabad openess, warmth & soul. A mission that will give you the time of your life!

Ground Package Rates:

• Adult $2279 based on double occupancy
• Adult single $2911
• Child (age 2 - 12) sharing a room with 2 Adults as a third occupant is $1,642
• Child (age 12 - 18) sharing a room with 2 Adults as a third occupant is $1,708

Special Group Airfare

JLI has enlisted the services of Do All Travel to assist with travel to Israel.  As the leading travel agency in New York for travel to Israel, they have offered extremely competitive, guaranteed group rates from L.A., JFK and Newark airports and will handle all connections from other locations at equally low rates. The joint travel will allow for smooth transfer to the hotel upon arrival in Israel.  You may contact Do All Travel at (866) 972-6000 or (718) 972-6000 and mention the JLI group, or click banner below to book your travel now.

Travel Insurance

We suggest that everyone traveling to Israel purchase travelers insurance, you can do so by clicking on the link below:

Click here for the registration form.

Click here to view the Participant Contract, click here to download it.

ITINERARY

Updated 21 October 2009

DAY ONE – MONDAY, MARCH 8TH (22 Adar)
FIRST ARRIVAL

• 6:55AM Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where our representatives will escort you through passport control, baggage handling & customs. Luggage will be sent ahead to hotel for pre-arranged check-in and will be waiting for guests in their room when they arrive.
• Transfer to Caesarea
• Discover the magnificent port city of Caesarea built by King Herod and examine the clash of civilizations between Judea & Rome that led to the destruction of the 2nd Temple. Here, too, is the place of the martyrdom of Rabbi Akiva who was tortured to death by the Romans in Caesarea following the Bar Kochva Revolt.  (Tour includes a short text study).
• Experience the state-of-the art multimedia presentation (15 minutes)
• Transfer to Zichron Ya’akov
• Enjoy boxed lunch and free time on the Zichron Ya’akov Promenade OR at the beautiful Rothschild Gardens
• Ascend the Carmel Mountains where Elijah the Prophet contested with the Prophets of Ba’al
• Transfer to Tiberias
• Check-in to hotel, rest & relax
• Dinner in hotel & opening ceremony of the mission.
• Overnight: Sheraton Tiberias

DAY ONE – MONDAY, MARCH 8TH (22 Adar)
SECOND ARRIVAL

• 11:35AM Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where our representatives will escort you through passport control, baggage handling & customs. Luggage will be sent ahead to hotel for pre-arranged check-in and will be waiting for guests in their room when they arrive.
• Transfer to Caesarea
• Enjoy boxed lunch in Caesarea 
• Discover the magnificent port city of Caesarea built by King Herod and examine the clash of civilizations between Judea & Rome that led to the destruction of the 2nd Temple. Here, too, is the place of the martyrdom of Rabbi Akiva who was tortured to death by the Romans in Caesarea following the Bar Kochva Revolt.  (Tour includes a short text study).
• Experience the state-of-the art multimedia presentation (15 minutes)
• Transfer to Tiberias
• Check-in to hotel, rest & relax
• Dinner in hotel & opening ceremony of the mission.
• Overnight: Sheraton Tiberias

DAY ONE – MONDAY, MARCH 8TH (22 Adar)
THIRD ARRIVAL

• 2:05PM Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where our representatives will escort you through passport control, baggage handling & customs. Luggage will be transported to the hotel together with the participants. Upon arrival & check-in the luggage will be taken to the participants’ rooms by the hotel porters.
• Transfer to Tiberias
• Check-in to hotel, rest & relax
• Dinner in hotel & opening ceremony of the mission.
• Overnight: Sheraton Tiberias

 

DAY TWO – TUESDAY, MARCH 9th (23 Adar) – THE WORLD OF THE SAGES
The order of the sites visited may vary according to group.

• Full Israeli Breakfast at the hotel
• Explore the Holy City of Tiberias where the Sanhedrin held court and the Jerusalem Talmud was codified. Includes visit to the Tomb of Rabbi Akiva OR Maimonides OR Rabbi Meir Ba’al HaNess
• Discover Tzippori, the “home town” of Rabbi Yehudah HaNassi where the Mishna was set-down in writing. Tour includes a short text study in the Ancient Synagogue of Tzippori with its spectacular mosaics.
• Visit to Meron and the Tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai
• Enjoy boxed lunch in Birya Forest
• Transfer to Tzfat
• Connect with Spirituality in the Mystical City of Tzfat where pivotal figures in Jewish History come to life. Walk through the alleyways of the Old City encountering beautiful synagogues, artists’ galleries and fascinating personalities. The tour includes a meeting with a Kabbalistic artist.
• Return to Tiberias and join up with the rest of the group for an early evening boat cruise on the Sea of Galilee with music.
• Free time in Tiberias
• Overnight: Sheraton Tiberias

 

DAY THREE – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10TH (24 Adar) – SECURITY & BORDERS
The order of the sites visited may vary according to group.

• Full Israeli Breakfast at the hotel
• Checkout & departure. Luggage will be sent ahead to Jerusalem hotel for pre-arranged check-in and will be waiting for guests in their room when they arrive.
• Tour of the Golan Heights with an emphasis on the Six day War, the Yom Kippur War and the current security situation.
• Enjoy lunch in Golan Heights
• Lookout over Gamla , site of the famous battle between Romans and Jews during the Great Revolt 2000 years ago, and beautiful nature reserve
• Travel towards Jerusalem via  Jordan Valley, stop for dinner at Eretz Bereishit in Abrahams  tents with Mayor of Jerusalem Mr. Nir Barkat
• Check-in to hotel
• Overnight: The David Citadel Hotel Jerusalem

 

DAY FOUR – THURSDAY, MARCH 11TH (25 Adar)

• Full Israeli Breakfast at the hotel with Breakfast with Moshe Ya’alon – former IDF Chief of Staff
• Enjoy a spectacular lookout over Jerusalem from the Haas Promenade together with entire group.
• Experience the fascinating world within the Old City as past, present and future merge together – Tour includes the following:
• Trace the lives of Prophets and Kings in the City of David
• Southern Excavations & Davidson center
• Kottel Tunnels & new excavations under the Kottel Plaza
• Lookout over Temple Mount
• Sites of interest with the Jewish Quarter – Cardo, Broad Wall, Hurva Synagogue
• Lunch on own during the day
• JLI - Group mincha at the Kottel & words of welcome by Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger  
• Return to hotel
• Dinner on own & free evening
• Overnight: The David Citadel Hotel Jerusalem

 

DAY FIVE – FRIDAY, MARCH 12TH (26 Adar)

• Full Israeli Breakfast at the hotel with Yehuda Avner 
• Time for reflection at the Tomb of Rachel the Matriarch
• Tour Hevron neighborhoods together with Rabbi Danny Cohen, Chabad Shaliach including Avraham Avinu Synagogue, Tel Romeda, Tel Hevron & Beit Haddasah, meet with Sara Nachshon.
• Daven at the Tomb of the Patriarchs
• Lunch on own at the Gutnick Center
• Return to Jerusalem
• Discover the vibrant Machane Yehuda Market (time permitting)
• Prepare for Shabbat
• Join thousands of Jews from around the globe in a joyous celebration of Shabbat at the Kottel
• Friday night dinner & fabrengen at the hotel
• Overnight: The David Citadel Hotel Jerusalem

DAY SIX – SHABBAT, MARCH 13TH (27 Adar)

• For the early–risers – daven Vatikin at the Kottel
•  Full Israeli Breakfast at the hotel
• Optional services at the Tzemach Tzedek, Mayanot Shul or Great Synagogue.
• Lunch and fabrengen at hotel. Guest – Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz
• Rest and relax
• Explore your personal connection to Jerusalem as you take in the special atmosphere of the Jewish ¼ & meet with local residents on their rooftops for authentic tales of the Old City OR Discover the beautiful Yemin Moshe neighborhood & Montefiorie’s Windmill.
• Musical Havdala
• Free evening to discover Jerusalem’s vibrant night-life
• Overnight: The David Citadel Hotel Jerusalem

DAY SEVEN – SUNDAY MARCH 14TH (28 ADAR)

• Full Israeli Breakfast at the Hotel with Rabbi Lau
• Join the Mayanot Institute of Jewish learning for Executive Learning (at hotel)
• Pay tribute to the memory of the Six Million at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum & Children’s Memorial.
• Lunch box at Yad Vashem
• Departure for Sderot
• Visit the Kassam-weary city of Sderot, tour neighborhoods and meet with local shaliach Rabbi Zev Pizem whose work is an inspiration to all.
• Depart for Jerusalem for banquet at The David Citadel Hotel Jerusalem
• Overnight: The David Citadel Hotel Jerusalem

DAY EIGHT – MONDAY, MARCH 15TH (29 Adar)

• Full Israeli Breakfast at hotel
• Checkout & departure
• Optional briefing by Gil Hoffman, senior political correspondent of the Jerusalem Post OR Shopping time and lunch on Ben Yehuda Street
• Depart for IDF Base
• Join together with IDF combat troops for a tour of their base, live-fire exercise, security briefing by officers & a BBQ with live music
• Departure for Kfar Chabad
• Short tour of Kfar Chabad & 770
• Departure for Ben Gurion Airport
• Return to the USA
• NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM!!!!!