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VFI PLUS ADVANCED (17 days) Daily Itinerary - DRAFT ---- Week One 1. Friday, March 29 Friday, September 13 Meet at Tel Aviv hotel for group orientation and Shabbat Dinner. Overnight in Tel Aviv hotel. 2. Saturday, March 30 Saturday, September 14 Breakfast at hotel. All-day touring. Starting with "Talking Walls" - a graffiti tour in Tel Aviv. Drive to the Hula Valley and visit Khirbet Qayafa – a recently discovered archaeological site, possible location of biblical Shaaraim. Dinner at hotel. Overnight in Tel Aviv hotel.
3. Sunday, March 31 Sunday, September 15 Breakfast at hotel. Travel to the designated meeting location (Ben Gurion Airport Arrival Lounge) by 10:00 am for transfer to the IDF bus and travel to the base. Lunch on base in kosher Mess Hall. IDF orientation, receive uniforms, room assignments, and volunteer assignments. Dinner in mess hall. Evening educational program.
4. Monday, April 1 Monday, September 16 Breakfast, flag raising, volunteer assignments on IDF base. Lunch, dinner. Evening educational program. Overnight in barracks. 5. Tuesday, April 2 Tuesday, September 17 Breakfast, flag raising, volunteer assignments on IDF base. Lunch, dinner. Evening educational program. Overnight in barracks.
6. Wednesday, APRIL 3 Wednesday, September 18 Breakfast, flag raising, volunteer assignments on IDF base. Lunch, dinner. Evening educational program. Overnight in barracks.
7. Thursday, April 4 Thursday, September 19 Breakfast, flag raising, volunteer morning assignments. After lunch, pick up at the base or Tel Aviv and board the private bus and begin weekend touring. Drive North and visit the Atlit Detention Camp, which tells the story of the Maapilim - the illegal Jewish immigrants during the British mandate. Jeep ride at Mt. Carmel, the biblical mount associated with prophet Elijah and his victory over the prophets of the Baal. We will enjoy some beautiful views and maybe some surprising archaeology as well. Dinner at hotel. Overnight in Haifa hotel.
8. Friday, April 5 Friday, September 20 Breakfast at hotel and all-day touring. Visit the Ghetto Fighter's House in kibbitz Lohamel Hagetaot. This is the world's first museum commemorating the Holocaust and Jewish heroism. The museum relates the story of the Jewish people in the 20th century, and particularly during World War II and the Holocaust. At the center of the narrative is the individual, and the many expressions of Jewish resistance in ghettos, concentration camps, and partisan combat. Later today we will visit Acco - we will see the recently opened parts of the KnightsHalls, and the see the recently opened parts of the Knights Halls, and the Ramhal Visitors Center, dedicated to Rabbi Haim Luzzatto, the author of some of the most controversial Judaica books. We will walk through the colorful bazaar of the Old City, walk on the ancient walls which protect Acco from the fierce sea waves, as well as in the mysterious underground Templars tunnel. Shabbat dinner at hotel. Overnight in Haifa hotel.
9. Saturday, April 6 Saturday, September 21 Breakfast at hotel followed by all-day touring. The morning will be dedicated to the iconic Baha'i Gardens, also known as "The Hanging Gardens". We will slowly descend from the promenade located at the top of Mt, Carmel, all the way to the beautiful Shrine of the Baab - the burial site of the forerunner of the Baha'i faith. We will explore Galilee: Visit Ztippori, the "mosaics capital" of Israel. Drive to Tiberias, visit Mt. Arbel overlooking the Sea of Galilee, and Magdala, where 2 (!!) synagogues from the Second Temple period were recently discovered. Enjoy a relaxed sailing on the Sea of Galilee. Dinner at hotel. Overnight in Haifa hotel. |
