Congregation Ahavat Olam – Family Israel Journey 2024
The double occupancy cost of our package is $4,155 with child room-sharing discounts available. Sign up online to reserve your spot. For program questions, contact Rabbi Idan. For travel, registration, and pre-trip prep questions, contact Authentic Israel at register@authenticisrael.com.
Explore the wonders of Israel with Rabbi Idan & Einat alongside your Congregation Ahavat Olam community next summer as we discover the sites, taste the foods, and meet the people of the Jewish Homeland!
Together we will journey throughout Israel on an itinerary designed for first-time travelers and returners alike. Some highlights include wandering through the Old City of Jerusalem and celebrating Shabbat in this holy city, walking in the footsteps of our ancestors in the Judean Desert, riding camels in the desert, traveling through the mystical city of Tsfat, and sampling the delights of Tel Aviv's colorful food and craft markets. A communal celebration for those who will be reaching b'nei mitzvah in the 2024 calendar year will be offered. We hope you'll join us for this incredible opportunity!
PROGRAM ITINERARY
The following is our projected itinerary, subject to reasonable change based on availability and local considerations
Sunday, June 23, 2024
Travelers are encouraged to reserve tickets on a designated community flight - EL AL Airlines #16 - departing from Boston at 8:30pm
Monday, June 24, 2024
- The designated community flight arrives to Ben Gurion Airport at 1:50pm - an airport greeting & hotel transfer is included for travelers arriving on the designated flight. Travelers arriving earlier are picked up in Tel Aviv.
- Head north to the Carmel Mountains, stopping for a welcome ceremony at Ramat HaNadiv Park overlooking the Mediterranean Sea
- Check-in to our resort accommodations in Zichron Yaakov, the historic pioneering town founded by Baron Edmond James de Rothschild in the Carmel Mountains
- Evening - Welcome dinner and orientation at the Tishbi Winery
OVERNIGHT: Elma Arts Hotel, Zichron Yaakov
Meals Included: Dinner
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
- Horseback riding along Israel's rustic coast at Tel Gador
Alternative: Discover the story of Hannah Szenes at her home in Sdot Yam - Break for lunch on own at the Caesarea Port
- Caesarea National Park - Tour King Herod's Roman-era amphitheater and grand palace along the Mediterranean coast
- Travel to Haifa for a view of the Bahai Temple Gardens on Mt. Carmel
- The rest of the afternoon we learn how to surf followed by a BBQ on the beach
Alternative: Atlit - Explore the story of Jewish refugees to Israel post-Holocaust
OVERNIGHT: Elma Arts Hotel, Zichron Yaakov
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
- Tsfat - Explore the historic center of Jewish mysticism in the Galilee highlands
- Meet with Kabbalistic artist, Avraham Lowenthal, in the Tsfat artists' colony
- Ascend the Golan Heights and view the region at the summit of Ben Tal
- Cool off rafting down the Jordan River followed by a fresh-cooked riverside dinner
Alternative: Visit Tel Dan - one of the oldest Biblical-era archeological sites in Israel
OVERNIGHT: Elma Arts Hotel, Zichron Yaakov
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Thursday, June 27, 2024
- Travel to Neot Kedumim Biblical Park for a tree-planting ceremony, a fresh pita baking workshop, shepherding experience, and group lunch
- Continue on to Jerusalem - Stopping for a panoramic introduction to the contours of Jerusalem at the Haas Promenade
- Discover the foundations of Jerusalem at the City of David excavations and navigate the ancient Hezekiah tunnel (get wet!) or Canaanite tunnel (stay dry!) deep under the city
- Check-in to our hotel in Jerusalem - free evening and dinner on own at the nearby Jerusalem First Station Market
OVERNIGHT: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Friday, June 28, 2024
- Walk the Rampart Walls surrounding the Old City - from Jaffa Gate to Zion Gate
- Enter the Old City at Zion Gate and explore the ancient alleyways, rooftops, and squares of the Jewish Quarter with time for personal exploration, shopping, and lunch on own
- Reflections at the Kotel - The Western Wall complex - and descend through layers of history touring the Kotel Tunnels
- Return to our accommodations to get refreshed before Shabbat
- Evening - Kabbalat Shabbat in Jerusalem followed by dinner at our hotel
OVERNIGHT: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Saturday, June 29, 2024
All touring today is on foot
- Free morning to attend a local minyan, relax or explore Jerusalem on your own
- Shabbat lunch is included at our hotel
- Afternoon walking tour - Return to the Old City to explore the Christian and Muslim Quarters of the Old City, including the Via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and the Arab Bazaar (Shuk)
- Evening - Celebrate the start of a new week with Havdallah at the Montefiore Windmill overlooking the Old City
- Night out at the Ben Yehuda Street pedestrian mall (transportation on own)
OVERNIGHT: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Sunday, June 30, 2024
- Wake up early and travel to the Judean Desert (packed breakfast)
- Ascend Masada - Tour Herod's desert mountaintop fortress and the bastion of an ancient Jewish rebellion
Option to hike up the Snake Path or take cable cars - Descend Masada via the cable cars
- Enjoy effortless floating on the Dead Sea with access to the Vert Resort private beach and hotel facilities (lunch included)
- Afternoon: Short hike to the desert waterfalls of Ein Gedi - view ibex in the wild
- Camel riding + desert tent dinner feast at Eretz Breisheit encampment
OVERNIGHT: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Monday, July 1, 2024
A communal celebration for those who will be reaching b'nei mitzvah in the 2024 calendar year will be offered this morning
- Guided Knesset tour - Discover Israel's democratic system at its parliament
- Herzl National Cemetery - Honoring Israel's national leaders and fallen soldiers
- Browse the Mahane Yehuda open-air marketplace and sample its many delicacies
- Experience the Yad VaShem World Holocaust Remembrance Center
Younger children have the option to explore the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo - Continue to Tel Aviv, Israel's cultural and commercial capital
- Check-in to our beachfront hotel - enjoy a free evening and dinner on your own
OVERNIGHT: Royal Beach Hotel, Tel Aviv
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Tuesday, July 2, 2024
- Machon Ayalon ("The Bullet Factory") - Learn about the history of the Hagannah and the struggle to create a modern Jewish State at this secret munitions factory
- Return to Tel Aviv - Explore the Nahalat Binyamin Street festival & Carmel Market
- Continue to Tel Aviv's historic Rothschild Boulevard for a visit to Independence Hall where we'll relive the establishment of modern Israel and its founding values
- The rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy the beaches of Tel Aviv
- Experience a gourmet meal in the dark with new senses at Blackout Restaurant in Jaffa's Nalagaat Center for deaf and blind culture
OVERNIGHT: Royal Beach Hotel, Tel Aviv
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Volunteer at Jaffa Institute - An innovative charity dedicated to combating poverty in one of Israel's most diverse regions
- Explore the ancient port city of Jaffa, and browse the Jaffa Flea Market
- Peres Center for Peace & Innovation - Find out how Israel became the "Startup Nation"
- View Hebrew graffiti art on a guided walking tour of Tel Aviv's Florentine neighborhood
- Discover the richness of Jewish Ethiopian culture and take part in a culinary workshop and meal at the Battae Center in Tel Aviv
- Evening: Transfer back to Ben Gurion Airport for overnight flights back to the USA
The designated community flight - EL AL Airlines #15 - departs Israel at 1:05am and arrives back to Boston at 5:45am
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- VIP greeting at Ben Gurion Airport and transfer to our arrival hotel
Included for all travelers arriving on the community flights - A licensed guide and youth counselor accompanies the group daily
- A luxury touring bus daily (except Shabbat)
- Accommodations per the itinerary, including hotel porterage
- Breakfast daily and additional meals per the itinerary
Including taxes and tips for restaurant meals - Entrance fees and programming costs per itinerary
- All applicable taxes
A 17% VAT (tax) applies for Israeli passport holders at hotels. Contact us to make arrangements - All staff gratuities
NOT INCLUDED
- International flights (a travel agent is available for those seeking assistance)
- Travel insurance or local medical insurance (available separately)
- Premium beverages at group meals, e.g. wine
TRAVELING TO ISRAEL
Travelers are responsible for booking their own travel to and from Israel. For those wishing to travel together, you are encouraged to fly on the designated community flight:
- FLIGHT TO ISRAEL
Depart on EL AL #16 from Boston on June 23 at 8:30pm
Arrive to Israel's Ben Gurion Airport at 1:50pm - FLIGHT TO BOSTON
Depart on EL AL #15 from Tel Aviv on July 4 at 1:05am
Arrive to Boston at 5:45am
Airport transfers are provided for anyone traveling on the designated community flight. Travelers arriving or departing on similarly scheduled flights may share in the included airport transfers as well. For those travelers arriving to Israel early, a pick-up is provided from Tel Aviv (location TBD). Travelers wishing to arrive early or stay later can be accommodated at the group hotels by special request based on the group hotel rate.
EILAT & PETRA ADD-ON
Conclude your travels at the Red Sea resort city of Eilat - with the option to visit Petra, Jordan's wonder of the world. The package includes two nights at a resort hotel with breakfast daily, round-trip domestic flights, and all airport transfers. The Eilat extension is designed as a vacation package and is not guided. The guided day tour of Petra in Jordan costs an additional $375 per person and is designed for active travelers. It includes round-trip transfers, entrance fees, border/visa fees (subject to change), tips, and lunch (not kosher).
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
For daytime programming - see above
- Board a domestic flight to Eilat from Ben Gurion Airport
- Arrive at Ramon Airport and transfer to our resort accommodations on the Red Sea
Check-in to our hotel and dinner on your own along the Red Sea
OVERNIGHT: Herods Palace, Eilat
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Thursday, July 4, 2024
- Option #1: Guided day tour of Petra in Jordan
Pick-up at 7:30am at our hotel; lunch and border crossing fees are included (not kosher) - Option #2: Relaxed day to enjoy Eilat and the Red Sea on your own
OVERNIGHT: Herods Palace, Eilat
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch (included with Petra tour)
Friday, July 5, 2024
- Relaxed day to enjoy Eilat and the Red Sea
Check-out is at 11:00am, however, guests will retain access to hotel facilities all day - Transfer from the hotel to the Ramon Airport for a domestic flight to Ben Gurion Airport
Accommodations are not included tonight unless otherwise requested
Meals Included: Breakfast
| Cost Per Traveler | Main Program | Main Program + Eilat Extension |
|---|---|---|
Base Cost | $4,155 | $4,905 |
| Supplement for a single room | $1,500 | $1,750 |
| Discount for ages 12 and under sharing a triple or quad occupancy hotel room According to hotel rules, two full-paying travelers and two travelers ages 12 and under must be present to qualify for a quad occupancy room and the associated discounts | $750 | $850 |
| Discount for ages 14-17 sharing a triple occupancy hotel room At least one full-paying traveler is required in the room for the discount to apply for children ages 13-17 | $400 | $450 |
| Petra Day Tour Includes visa & border crossing fees | N/A | $375 |
REGISTRATION
Sign up for the program by completing the online registration
PAYMENT & CANCELLATION TERMS
- To reserve your place on the tour, a $250/person deposit is due with your registration and fully refundable until December 15, 2023.
- A late fee of $100/person will apply for travelers registering after December 15, 2023.
- The balance of payment is due by March 15, 2023, after which all payments are non-refundable.
- Cancelations must be made in writing to Authentic Israel. We encourage you to obtain travel insurance.*
- The program may be paid for by check or credit card. However, if you wish to pay by credit card, a 3.0% processing fee applies (credit card fees are not refundable).
- Pricing is subject to a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 40 confirmed travelers as of December 15, 2023. We encourage you not to book non-refundable airfare until the program is fully confirmed. All program payments will be considered fully refundable if the minimum group size is not reached by December 15, 2023.
- Priority participation is given to Congregation Ahavat Olam community members in good standing. Friends and family of community members are welcome to participate if space is available as of November 15, 2023.
*Our travel insurance policy must be issued before final payment is made. Some benefits are only available if the policy is purchased within 21 days of your initial registration.
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