$2,600 pp Double | $3,600 pp Single
To reserve your place now contact Judy Kadish
(All plans subject to modification)
CONTACT NUMBERS
Judy Freedman Kadish | WhatsApp +914-419-3791 | judy@afsi.org
Ami Dodan, AFSI bus driver in Israel | Phone # 05-2-282-8680
MONDAY, APRIL 27 – 9AM FROM BEN GURION WE HEAD NORTH
1. 9am. We will meet at the airport to gather the group and get ready to board the deluxe motorcoach driven by our longtime friend Ami Dadon and head out to then travel to Metulla, the100 year old village bordering Lebanon.
2. Our first stop will be the Kibbutz Tel Chai where we will hear the story of the heroic battle in 1920, led by Joseph Trumpeldor, to hold onto the Jewish settlements in the North.
3. Next, we will head to Mount Hermon, the highest point in Israel, where we will see the magnificent views into Syria and around Israel. We’ll speak with Druze in the area and understand more fully how recent events have affected them.
4. After this very full day, we’ll retire to the lovely Merom Golan for dinner, observance of the start of Yom HaZikaron and overnight.
5. Overnight (2 nights) – Merom HaGolan
TUESDAY, APRIL 28 – YOM HAZIKARON – ISRAEL’S HEARTFELT MEMORIAL DAY
1. After a leisurely breakfast at our hotel, we’ll board our deluxe motorcoach for a 10:00am departure for Tel Saki, the site of one of the most critical battles of the Yom Kippur War. Attacked by 11,000 Syrian infantry soldiers and 900 tanks, 60 paratroopers and 45 tanks held off the Syrian army with determination and immense bravery for three days. Our group visited the site and heard the tales of heroism last Spring. We were determined to come back to honor the brave at their ceremony this Yom HaZikaron. The siren sounds at 11:00am, followed by the Memorial Ceremony to commemorate fallen soldiers and terror victims.
2. We will bring lunch with us so that we can make the most of our time following the ceremony with Yaakov Selevan, our friend and guide on our last Golan visit, who will give us update us on happenings in the Golan.
3. We will visit Ramat Trump to see what’s developed since our visit last Spring.
4. There will be time to rest before the nightfall Yom Ha’Azmaut celebrations begin.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29 – YOM HA’ATZMAUT – JOYOUS CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE
1. 9am. Our morning travels will take us to the Jordan Valley to Mechola to visit the sheep farm which was recently attacked by Arabs and their EU supporters. Thankfully, the young farmer (who is the grandnephew of our dear friend, Anita Tucker) stood up to his attackers and while the media recorded each move, he defended his home. Our friend, Marc Provisor, has updated the security in the area and we will see what a difference this can make in the lives of the families working and preserving the land all over Judea and Samaria.
2. A traditional Independence Day BBQ follows.
3. Ariel – visit Gush Katif community and see the progress of the overall city
4. Dinner
5. Speaker – Daniella or Rafaella from Kedumim
6. Overnight (2 nights) at Eshel HaShomron
THURSDAY, APRIL 30 – THE NORTHERN SHOMRON
1. 9am. On the bus with our friend Boaz HaEtzni who will lead us on a tour of the Northern Shomron.
a. Tzufim, a community observing the center of Israel, located on a hill where Jordanian cannons were standing and attacked Tel Aviv in 1967
b. Paamon Verimon, a small Parochet synagogue curtain factory, owned by a remarkable woman, located in Tal-Menashe.
c. Shahak-Tec factory belongs to the Bet-El community, Christian Germans, friends of Israel, who produce anti-gas systems to protect the Jews. Located in Shahak industrial zone.
d. Meeting with Yael Ben Yaacov in Mevo Dothan, one of the founders of the Jewish communities in northern Samaria.
e. El-Nave Farm, a new farm, a young couple lives almost alone on a hill.
f. Meeting with residents of Maoz Tzvi farm near Mevo Dothan
2. Evening: Shiloh resident (Nati Rom from Honenu)
3. Overnight in Ariel
FRIDAY, MAY 1: A DAY IN THE SOUTHERN SHOMRON & A NIGHT IN JERUSALEM
Today we will visit friends in the Southern Shomron: Chavat Gilad, Yizhar, Kedumim and Itamar. The order and exact stops will be decided on closer to our start date. After wishing everyone a Shabbat Shalom, we will head to Jerusalem for Shabbat and the rest of our adventure.
SHABBAT Dinner at the Orient Hotel, Jerusalem
1. Overnight in Jerusalem – 2 nights
SATURDAY, MAY 2 – SHABBAT IN THE UNDIVIDED CAPITAL OF THE JEWISH STATE
1. In the morning, choose from the many synagogues in Jerusalem for Shabbat services.
2. Before we head for Shabbat Lunch, Rina Kramer will speak with us.
3. Shabbat lunch in the hotel
4. Shalosh Seudat and Havdallah at the home of one of the many Ateret Cohanim teachers or students in the old city.
5. Simcha Rothman, a leading expert in the field, will discuss the situation between the Israeli Supreme Court and the Knesset in their power struggle over the last 25-30 years.
6. Overnight in Jerusalem
SUNDAY, MAY 3 – A SOULFUL DAY AND FOND FAREWELL
7am – We will ascend to Har Habayit (Ramadan permitting) with a representative of the Temple Mount Institute (a project of the Israel Independence Fund) for a very special tour
(always keeping in mind Halacha) of the site of the 1st and 2nd Temples of the Jewish people.
10am – the group will assemble and board the bus for a trip to Hebron. A visit to the Maarat HaMachpela is always a special feature of our trip. Undoubtably we will meet with old friends and new there. We hope to see the beginnings of some building in the newly approved area next to the Abraham Avienu neighborhood.
2pm – Gush Etzion – an AFSI trip would not be complete without a visit to our friends at OzV’Gaon
FAREWELL DINNER
Following dinner, you can opt to be dropped at Ben Gurion Airport or back at our hotel in Jerusalem (where some of you may have stored your luggage.
Itinerary subject to change at the discretion of the organizers. First and foremost, we observe the IDF directives on safety and will adapt our schedule accordingly. Additionally, we try to stay flexible and adapt so that we may be part of the most exciting events as they develop.
