We will do our best to maintain a fresh Web Site here during the trip.
Get out your maps and follow our current trip.
See how much fun we had on our previous trip in the summer of 1999, and our earlier trip in the winter of 1996.
Rabbis Deborah Prinz and Mark Hurvitz, spiritual leaders of Temple Adat Shalom of Poway and Congregation Etz Chaim of Ramona, invite you to join them on a unique Tour of Israel. The trip offers an "on-site" fun opportunity for you to grow in understanding and appreciation of the excitement of Israel. Both Rabbi Prinz and Rabbi Hurvitz have extensive experience and knowledge of Israel, having lived there and led previous tours.
Walter Zanger, an ordained Reform Rabbi and a licensed Israeli Master Guide, will guide our trip. Rabbi Zanger's passionate guiding springs from his years of learning about the land, people and history of Israel as well as his keen and perceptive insights into Judaism. In addition to his work as a tour guide, Rabbi Zanger hosts the archaeology spots on the television show "Hello Jerusalem."
During our trip we will, among other things:
- Visit the Old City of Jerusalem including:
- the new Davidson Southern Wall Visitors Center (the "Ophel");
- the "Rabbis'" Tunnel.
- Explore the New City of Jerusalem including:
- Yad Vashem… the memorial to the Shoa;
- the military cemetery on Mt. Herzl;
- share in the excitement of the Ben Yehuda pedestrian mall in downtown Jerusalem.
- Descend to the Dead Sea 2,000 feet below sea level to:
- Visit the Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.
- Climb to the top of Masada (either by cable car or by foot on the Snake Path) to explore King Herod's desert fortress-palace and the last stronghold of Jewish zealots against the Roman empire.
- (weather and time permitting) Float effortlessly in the Dead Sea.
- Travel up the Jordan Valley to:
- Explore the most elaborate Roman ruins in the Middle East at Beit Shean;
- Visit Beit Yigal Alon, a modern museum portraying the people and landscape of the Galiliee;
- Spend the night at the guest house of Kibbutz Nof Ginosar;
- Travel through the hills of Galilee to Safed to visit Israel's mystic city Safed with its artist colony and ancient synagogues;
- Continue north to the Tel Dan Nature Reserve, one of the sources of the Jordan river.
- Cross the Galiliee to:
- Visit the ancient city of Zippori, the seat of the Sanhedrin where the Mishnah was codified;
- Explore the grottos of Rosh Hanikra along the Mediterranean coast at the border of Lebanon;
- See the magnificent Bahai Gardens and the panoramic view of Haifa Bay.
- Drive south along the Mediterranean coastal plain to visit:
- (time permitting)The ancient ruins of Caesarea;
- Tel Aviv, Israel's bustling metropolis;
- Rabin Square where Yizhak Rabin was assassinated.
We will spend Shabbat with at least one local Israeli Reform movement congregation.
We also hope to shop for the best priced Ahavah products in the Ben Yehuda mall.
Those who participate in the optional Petra add-on will:
- Travel south through the Negev desert and visit:
- Visit the Marcus Family Campus of Ben Gurion University of the Negev.
- Drive through the Ramon Crater.
- Enjoy Eilat, including:
- the underwater observatory.
- Cross the border into Jordan where we will:
- travel on horseback the mile long passage to reach the Siq (the entrance to the hidden city);
- walk the remaining distance to the entrance of the city;
- enter the city at the famous Treasury building carved into the red canyon walls.
- Return northward via King’s Highway to visit:
- Madeba
- Mt. Nebo.
- Continue to the Allenby Bridge and cross back into Isarel.
We will make every effort to visit as much of Israel as possible in our allotted time (the itinerary may change).
To help you learn more about Israel and Jordan click the links above and read some of the following:
Despite Everything - Davka
A Starting Point
