Israel through the Arts

TRAVEL WITH US TO SEE ISRAEL THROUGH THE ARTS

Art, Music, Food & Culture!

Mar 8 – Mar 16, 2020

For Only $4,950 – JCC Members/$5,250 – Guests

Tour includes:
Accommodations at 5-star superior hotels:
• 3 nights at Royal Beach, Tel Aviv
• 4 Jerusalem hotel nights at the Orient (including late check out on March 18, 2020, until 3pm)

Plus:
• Breakfast at our hotel buffet daily
• 4 lunches
• 5 dinners including cooking workshop
• Travel by air-conditioned coach bus each day as per program
• Experienced, licensed tour educator with the group for the length of our trip
• Entrance fees, tickets and meeting rooms as per program
• Sourcebook reader and gift for each participant
• Medical insurance (for participants up to age 90)
• Bottled water on the bus
• Personal public liability insurance
• VIP service from airport for arrival and on designated flights

Not Included:
• Meals and server tips for lunches or dinners not listed above. Tips for hotel housekeepers.
• Travelers must be in possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months after the dates of travel.
• Travel Insurance, STRONGLY RECOMMENDED

Depart USA

Sunday, March 8

Depart from Newark Liberty airport and embark on our artistic journey to Israel!

Arrive in Israel

Monday, March 9, Erev Purim

Our tour begins at Ben Gurion airport where we will be met by a JCCA staff member and our tour educator. We will then transfer to the Old City of Jaffa, Israel’s most ancient port, within view of the Tel Aviv skyline, where we will kick off our time together with the Shehechiyanu, blessing of gratitude.

We will have an opportunity to attend a Purim evening Megillah reading at a local Tel Aviv synagogue. Hotel: Royal Beach, Tel Aviv

The Many Faces of Tel Aviv

Tuesday, March 10, Purim

We begin the day with photographer Erez Kaganowitz, who will share “Humans of Tel Aviv” his photographic documentation of the city. Local artist Shirel Horovitz will give us a guided tour of the Israeli art wing at the beautiful Tel Aviv Museum of Art. Then onto a festive Purim lunch at the Sarona Complex. In the evening we will visit the “Please Touch Center” for blind and deaf actors and dine at the unique “Black Out” café. Hotel: Royal Beach, Tel Aviv

Expressions of the Soul

Wednesday, March 11

Local artist and friend of the JCC, Shirel Horovitz will take us on a fascinating graffiti tour of the Southern Tel Aviv neighborhood of Florentine. Our afternoon will be spent with the staff and students of the Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Israeli Music, where we will have an insider’s look at a performance rehearsal. We will end this incredible day with a concert at either the Israeli Philharmonic or Ra’anana Symphony Orchestra (schedule pending). Hotel: Royal Beach, Tel Aviv

Center vs. Periphery

Thursday, March 12

We are off to the Galil to visit Kfar HaVradim, JCC MetroWest’s Israeli Amitim community partner, as we experience the town through its artistic reputation with local galleries and studios. We will enjoy a traditional Druze lunch in Hurfish, a Druze Village which will be followed by a presentation and workshop with the famous lace workers of Hurfish. Hotel: Orient, Jerusalem

Layers of Jerusalem

Friday, March 13

The day begins with a guided tour of the Old City of Jerusalem where we will pay special attention to the links between narrative, physical, and spiritual dimensions in the creation of holy spaces. We will visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Western Wall, and the Davidson Archaeological Gardens with an emphasis on their architectural development. We will bring in Shabbat together with the lighting of the candles and a visit to the Western Wall and then proceed to Eat With, an Israeli start-up providing the opportunity for locals to host visitors in their homes for a gourmet Shabbat meal. Hotel: Orient, Jerusalem

Shabbat Shalom

Saturday, March 14

The morning will be spent per your personal selection, either attending Shabbat services at a local synagogue, at leisure or with an optional guided tour of the Israel Museum. After lunch we will walk through the Yemin Moshe neighborhood as we read the poetry of Yehuda Amichai, stopping at the Hassenfeld Fountains located in the Teddy Kollek Park. We will continue our walk in Rehavia with a focus on architecture and legends of this iconic Jerusalem neighborhood. In the evening we will have the opportunity to listen to a concert featuring local ensembles, both Arab and Jewish, at the ‘Sounds of the Old City Festival”. Hotel: Orient, Jerusalem

On the Seam

Sunday, March 15

Our day begins with Matti Friedman, author, and former AP correspondent, in a conversation on the fault lines, both geographical and human, of Jerusalem as a city. Next, we visit the Ma’ale School for Television, Film, and Art, where we will see “Israel through the cinematic lens” examining its contemporary issues through films. After lunch, we will visit Yad Vashem, Israel’s National Holocaust Museum and Memorial. Onto Mahane Yehuda Market for a culinary tour, followed by scrumptious cooking workshop with chef Tali Friedman at her local studio in the market. Hotel: Orient, Jerusalem

Contemporary Creations

Monday, March 16

Our final day in Israel, we will visit with a local Ethiopian Israeli community, Ramat Eliyahu, and engage in a hands on workshop exposing our group to the unique culture and tradition of this community.  We will continue our journey with a visit to the Yaakov Agam Museum where we hope to have a conversation with Agam himself.  Of course we will have time for last minute shopping before we depart for the airport.