| VFI PLUS Programs for 2024
Program Schedule for Spring & Fall, 2024 VFI PLUS ARCHAEOLOGY (14 days) May 5 to May 18, 2024 - See Below VFI PLUS ARCHAEOLOGY (14 days) November 3 to November 16, 2024 - See Below
VFI PLUS ADVANCED (17 days) March 29 to April 14, 2024. See tinyurl.com/vfi2024ADV VFI PLUS ADVANCED (17 days) September 13 to 29, 2024. See tinyurl.com/vfi2024ADV |
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VFI PLUS ARCHAEOLOGY (14 days) Program May 5 to 18, 2024 November 3 to 16, 2024 DETAILED ITINERARY 7/2/2023 Program Scope: This program is suitable for both first-time and experienced visitors to Israel. Custom touring focuses on well-known and less-visited yet compelling historic sites for the limited group size. The first week is dedicated to volunteering in uniform on an IDF base, followed by weekend touring. Week two volunteering is at the Jerusalem, City of David archaeological dig. Work with professional archaeologists from Tel Aviv University seeking biblical artifacts where people actually walked in 586 BCE, just after the destruction of Solomon’s Temple. Enjoy private tours and instructional visits to otherwise restricted sites. After additional weekend touring, and a farewell dinner, the program concludes at the airport. |
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PROGRAM COSTS: The costs in Israel are influenced by the current shekel-USD exchange rate where a U.S. dollar today buys about 3.5 Israeli shekels.
The All-Inclusive program fee bundles all major costs including all hotel rooms, all transportation in an air-conditioned bus, most food, all touring, private tour guide, archaeology support and tours, lectures, gratuities, etc. NOTE: Airfare, personal health and trip insurance, Covid tests, and personal gifts are not included. The following fees are paid separately: VFI Application fee: $125. and Sar-El fee: $100.
PRICING FOR THE MAY, 2024 PROGRAM: The All-Inclusive program fee for each person, sharing a double room is $TBA. In addition, a single supplement is available for $TBA. subject to availability. The fee is based on a group minimum size of 12 and subject to adjustment for fewer participants.
PRICING FOR THE NOVEMBER, 2024 PROGRAM: The All-Inclusive program fee for each person, sharing a double room is $TBA. In addition, a single supplement is available for $TBA, subject to availability. The fee is based on a group minimum size of 12 and subject to adjustment for fewer participants.
DEPOSIT - A $500 refundable deposit holds your reservation on a first-come, first-served basis and applies to the total. Group size is limited and a wait-list is maintained. Send your deposit check made out to "Volunteers for Israel" to VFI’s Financial Secretary, Irene Newman at 680 N Lake Shore Dr., Apt 1003, Chicago IL 60611 (h) 312-867-0850 (c) 312-446-9159 [email protected] Please indicate your program name and date. Two other payment options are Venmo to @VFI-USA-2, and Zelle Pay to account number 536307082, routing number 071000013
RESERVATIONS - On a first-come basis until the maximum group size of 18 is reached. A wait-list is maintained. CONTACT ILANA BLUMENTHAL AT [email protected] 267.294.8425 QUESTIONS: CALL Steve Plotkin at 267.252.0597 |
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DETAILED ITINERARY - DRAFT
1. Sunday, May 5 - Week One - Sunday, November 3 Morning group meeting with luggage at 10:00 AM at the Ben Gurion airport Arrivals Lounge before bus transfer to your IDF. Lunch on base, IDF orientation, receive your uniform, and volunteer assignments. Kosher dinner in Mess Hall. Evening education program.
2. Monday, May 6 Monday, November 4 Breakfast, flag raising, volunteer assignments on IDF base. Lunch, dinner. Evening education program. 3. Tuesday, May 7 Tuesday, November 5 Breakfast, flag raising, volunteer assignments on IDF base. Lunch, dinner. Evening education program. 4. Wednesday, May 8 Wednesday, November 6 Breakfast, flag raising, volunteer assignments on IDF base. Lunch, dinner. Evening education program. 5. Thursday, May 9 Thursday, November 7 Breakfast, flag raising, final volunteer morning assignments on IDF base. Return uniforms and conclude IDF volunteering. After lunch depart by bus and begin touring. Visit Caesarea National Park, located at one of the most beautiful spots in Israel on the Mediterranean coast, famous for its amazing Roman period ruins and the wonderfully preserved theatre – working to this day. We will see the new finds and restorations made during Covid in and around Caesarea- the ancient synagogue which might be the one which triggered the Great Revolt, the newly discovered mosaics, the restored Temple's stairs and more. Time permitting, we will visit the unique Rally Art Museum in modern Caesarea. Restaurant dinner and overnight in Kibbutz Gadot Galilian Resort.
6. Friday, May 10 Friday, November 8 Breakfast at Kibbutz. Tour all day. Spring is the best time to enjoy the lush Galilean landscape. Today we will enjoy an easy nature walk to the summit of Mt. Arbel, overlooking the Sea of Galilee, and learn about the ancient history of the Arbel community, as well as visit the ruined synagogue. We will sail the calm waters of the one and the only Israeli lake, surrounded by the biblical landscape of Galilee and Golan. Our next stop will be Kibbutz Misgav Am – a little community, the fence of which is the Israeli - Lebanese border. At a lookout overlooking Lebanon we will meet an expert, who will share his knowledge of the complicated geopolitics of the region. He will shed some light on Hezbollah / Syria / IDF / Lebanese government interactions. Restaurant Shabbat dinner and overnight in Kibbutz Gadot Galilian Resort.
7. Saturday, May 11 Saturday, November 9 Breakfast at the Kibbutz. Tour all day. Visit Beit Shean – one of the largest and most significant archaeological sites in Israel. The central location and the abundance of springs make Beit Shean / Scythopolis famous throughout history, starting from biblical times. We will drive the scenic road of Mt. Gilboa, talk about King Saul's and Jonathan's last battle, and view the Jezreel Valley – one of the cradles of the modern Zionist movement. We will enjoy a home hosted lunch cooked by Etty – a cook and chef - confectioner, a fund raiser across the U.S. for community projects in Israel, and a former cook for the Jewish Federation, who will make us lunch and share her story. Drive to Jerusalem. "Shehehianu" ceremony in Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem's Little House in Bakah Hotel. After dinner private evening lecture and archaeology orientation at 8:00 PM by Prof. Yuval of Tel Aviv University. |
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8. Sunday, May 12 - Week Two - Sunday, November 10 Transport at 6:45 am to the City of David archaeology site. Perform volunteer assignments and instructional tours - see above program schedule. Breakfast and lunch at dig site. Transport back to hotel. Free time. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem's Little House in Bakah Hotel.
9. Monday, May 13 Monday, November 11 Transport at 6:45 am to the City of David archaeology site. Perform volunteer assignments and instructional tours - see above program schedule. Breakfast and lunch at dig site. Transport back to hotel. Free time. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem's Little House in Bakah Hotel.
10. Tuesday, May 14 Tuesday, November 12 Transpo rt at 6:45 am to City of David archaeology site. Perform volunteer assignments and instructional tours - see above program schedule. Breakfast and lunch at dig site. Transport back to hotel. Free time. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem's Little House in Bakah Hotel.
11. Wednesday, May 15 Wednesday, November 13 Transport at 6:45 am to City of David archaeology site. Perform volunteer assignments and instructional tours - see above program schedule. Breakfast and lunch at dig site. Transport back to hotel. Free time. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem's Little House in Bakah Hotel.
12. Thursday, May 16 Thursday, November 14 Transport at 6:45 am to City of David archaeology site. Perform volunteer assignments and instructional tours - see above program schedule. Breakfast and lunch at dig site. Transport back to hotel. Free time. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem's Little House in Bakah Hotel. Volunteer archaeology services are concluded.
13. Friday, May 17 Friday, November 15 Breakfast at hotel. Tour all day. Old City hidden gems – Karaits' underground synagogue, 4 Sephardic synagogues, meet a scribe, ascend to the rooftops of the Old City, and much more. Place a note at the Western Wall. Optional – Kabbalat Shabbat at the Wall. Shabbat dinner and overnight in Jerusalem's Little House in Bakah Hotel.
14. Saturday, May 18 Saturday, November 16 Breakfast at hotel. Tour all day. Today we explore the fertile Plain of Jericho. Jericho is the lowest city in the world, and one of the most ancient and hot ones as well. This was the first city taken by the Tribes of Israel after crossing the River Jordan and where Elisha healed the spring water. We will take the cable car to Mt. of Temptation, walk Tell El Sultan where Jericho was first funded, and visit Hisham's Palace - home to a beautiful 8th century mosaic floor - one of the largest mosaics in the world, which was recently restored and open to the public only one year ago. 2,000 Years ago, the fertile plain of Jericho was famous for its dates' plantations, and for a mysterious plant called Balsam, which would provide the best and most precious perfume and incense for the Temple. Guy Erlich believes he had identified the plant and we will visit his farm in Kibbutz Almog near Jericho to learn about Balsam and its unique qualities, and enjoy the same smells which might have been experienced by our ancestors in the Temple. We will enjoy a restaurant Farewell Dinner, then transport to the airport, and board your flight home. Or remain in Israel. |
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| RESERVATIONS ON A FIRST-COME BASIS. A WAIT-LIST IS MAINTAINED. CONTACT ILANA BLUMENTHAL AT [email protected] 267.294.8425
QUESTIONS: CALL Steve Plotkin at 267.252.0597 |
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| PROGRAM TESTIMONIALS:
"What an amazing experience…volunteering with a great group of ambitious seniors and meeting the service men and women of the Israeli Air Force. VFI offers this wonderful opportunity of comraderie, education and eye opening experience of meeting responsible and dedicated young soldiers. Israel is OUR country and this is a terrific way of giving back…just a little!" Diane Kremin
"This is my second experience with VFI and this trip far exceeded my expectations. I felt so alive at Ramon airbase, and being able to assist the IDF was rewarding. Our group worked so well together and we accomplished our tasks. After the Givati dig, I will never look at dirt the same way again! We had a wonderful, knowledgeable and patient team of archeologists guiding us. Just about every scoop of earth uncovered an ancient pottery shard or mosaic floor tile. I never wanted to stop - even at break time. Julia was the most excellent guide and every place we went was unique and special! What an adventure it all was and what terrific people I met. I hope to return to the program for trip #3 in the near future". Sue Theise
"Working on a dig and going to Megiddo were 2 of my bucket list items and reading about this trip, I was excited. But I was also concerned that the actual trip would be a letdown. Actually, my expectations were not met, they were vastly EXCEEDED! As an Orthodox Jew, I previously Volunteered 8 times, but this time I was concerned about my religious practice. The ad for the Archaeology trip noted several differences from the usual VFI 2 weeks on a base. The group would be staying at hotels, traveling on Shabbat, and eating meals provided by Tel Aviv University. I had kosher concerns as well as how I could handle travel on Shabbat. Actually, everything worked out fine. The hotels were kosher, as were TVU's meals. While unable to able to travel on Shabbat, I left for Jerusalem Friday morning and me rejoined the group Saturday night at the hotel. All in all, IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE." Howard Lindenauer
"VFI PLUS ARCHAEOLOGY is a wonderful program and an experience not to be missed! While the work we did on the IDF base was useful and necessary, the archaeology portion was especially rewarding with a group member finding a bronze bracelet that may well end up in a museum. The archaeologists took us to recently excavated areas and through tunnels unavailable to "regular" tourists. Standing on bedrock near the Jerusalem city walls, where our ancestors stood, and handling two thousand-year-old pottery, was absolutely awe-inspiring." Barbara Erdsneker
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