בס"ד

MARCIA WIEDER DREAM UNIVERSITY

RETREAT IN ISRAEL

- 8-16 June 2018 -

Day 1 – Friday June 8

Arrivals at Ben Gurion International Airport

VIP airport service and transfer to Jerusalem upon request

Shabbat dinner in Jerusalem

Experience an authentic Shabbat experience in the Holy City of Jerusalem. We will witness

Hebrew traditions spanning back to biblical times, including "Kiddush" – the prayer for

welcoming the Shabbat, partaking of the Hala "Shabbat Bread", prayers and festive Shabbat

meal.

Overnight: Mount Zion Hotel Jerusalem

Day 2 – Saturday June 9 Relax at the hotel in the morning Optional Tour 1 Jewish Quarter A walking tour of the Jewish Quarter in the Old city.

Optional Tour 2 Bethlehem The Hebrew Bible identifies Bethlehem as the city where David was born and the location where he was crowned as the King of Israel. The New Testament identifies Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth. The town is inhabited by one of the oldest Christian communities in the world.

Church of the Nativity The Church of the Nativity is a basilica located in Bethlehem, which is considered to be the oldest continuously operating Christian church in the world. The church was originally commissioned in 327 AD by Constantine and his mother Helena over the site that is still traditionally considered to be located over the cave that marks the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth. The Church of the Nativity site's original basilica was completed in 339 AD and destroyed by fire during the Samaritan Revolts in the sixth century. The site holds a prominent religious significance to those of both the Christian and Muslim faiths. Overnight: Mount Zion Hotel Jerusalem

Day 3 – Sunday June 10 09:00 Depart Hotel “Shehecheyanu” Ceremony from Armon HaNetziv Promenade Exclusive "Shehecheyanu" ceremony from the Haas Promenade – Aviad will give historical and biblical explanations from Abraham until the present. The ritual will include an ancient welcoming ceremony with wine, Hala, salt and olive oil.

City of David

The City of David tells the story of ancient Jerusalem, and the Biblical City of Kind David. The

story of the City of David begins 3,000 years ago, when King David decided to leave Hebron

and go to Jerusalem in order to unite the Israelites around one capital. The First Temple was

constructed under King Solomon, King David’s son, on the top of Mount Moriah. Today, the

City of David is an archeological site that serves as a study center of that period, and offers a

glimpse into ancient Jerusalem. This charming hill is located near the Temple Mount and offers

its visitors a magnificent view over fortifications and ancient walls, underground water

tunnels, a dip in the waters of the Gihon Spring and a walk in Hezekiah's Tunnel.

Western wall – The Kotel Time to reflect and to place a note in the ancient stones…

Lunch

Travel South

“The Patriarch's Way” Walk in the footsteps of the Patriarch's on this historical path. Attractions include an ancient Mikvah – a spiritual purification bath - and intact Roman milestones.

Visit "Hebron" and the Cave of the Patriarchs The Cave of Machpelah in Hebron marks the burial ground purchased by Abraham where all the patriarchs and matriarchs, except Rachel (who died near Bethlehem) are interred. Walls built by Herod the Great 2,000 years ago surround it, while the interior combines medieval architecture, and Arabesque décor and synagogues founded after the reestablishment of the Jewish community here in 1967. In one corner of the hall of Isaac and Rebecca a cupola stands over a small opening into the actual Cave of Machpelah.

Check in at Kfar HaNokdim

Bedouin style Dinner – the guide will discuss the People of Israel's journey in the desert for 40

years.

Overnight: Tents in the desert

Day 4 – Monday June 11 Camel rides

Masada

Masada is an ancient fortress built on an isolated rock plateau, the royal citadel of King Herod

the Great, and the last post of the zealots at the time of the Great Revolt against the Romans.

Lunch

Ein Gedi – King David brook

The spectacular Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, just west of the Dead Sea shore, is blessed with two

continually flowing streams, the David Stream in the north and the Arugot Stream in the south.

A short hike through the streams includes a number of waterfalls and swimming areas.

In 1st Samuel 24, Saul continues to pursue David into Ein Gedi. Saul thinks he has the upper

hand but David is given the opportunity to turn the tables on Saul and deliver himself from

Saul’s pursuit, yet David holds back and does not kill Saul. David’s actions fulfilled a prophesy

and sent a message to Saul…

Swim in the Dead Sea

Qasr el Yahud – baptism in the Jordan River Qasr el Yahud is a baptism site in the Jordan River Valley in the West Bank. It is the traditional spot where the New Testament narrative of the baptism of Jesus took place. According to tradition, it is also the place where the Israelites crossed over the Jordan River and Elijah the Prophet ascended to heaven.

Overlook Mount Nebo

The mountain whereby Moses overlooked the Promised Land that he was never to enter…

Travel north Overnight: Ramot Resort Hotel

Day 5 – Tuesday June 12 09:00 Depart hotel Kursi Kursi has been identified by tradition as the site of the so-called "Miracle of the Swine", where

Jesus healed one or two men possessed by demons by driving these into a herd of pigs.

Sail on the Sea of Galilee by Ancient ship

Sail on the waters where Jesus performed many miracles and walked on water…

Capernaum

“Nahum's village" was a fishing village in the Hasmonean period, and is located on the

northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Archaeological excavations have revealed two ancient

synagogues built one over the other. A cathedral sits above the site of the home of St. Peter's

mother in law.

Mount of Beatitudes

The Mount of Beatitudes refers to the hill in northern Israel, and is the possible location from

the Sermon on the Mount. Near the location of the miracle of feeding the 5,000.

Overnight: Ramot Resort Hotel

Day 6 – Wednesday June 13

09:00 Depart hotel

Gamla

Gamla was an ancient Jewish city in the Golan Heights. Inhabited since the early Bronze Age,

Gamla is a symbol of heroism for the modern state of Israel and an important historical and

archaeological site. It currently resides within the Gamla nature reserve and is a prominent

tourist attraction. Here one can also enjoy a breathtaking eagle and vulture observation point.

Jeep tour on Syrian border

Tour of Syrian-Israeli border and breifing about Syria-Israel security situation.

Golan Heights Winery The Golan Heights Winery is located in Katzrin, built on the site of an agricultural village from

the period of the Mishna. The Winery is jointly owned by eight Israeli settlements, which all

supply the grapes. Its first vintage was released in 1984.

The Winery’s Visitors Center offers guided tours for groups and individuals, whereby one can

learn about the process of winemaking, taste the famous wines from Israel and abroad and

purchase fine wines, accessories and souvenirs.

Golan Olive Oil Press The visit combines a guided tour of the ancient and modern olive presses, a short film about olive oil production, tasting olive oil and testing some of the cosmetics that are produced by Olea Essence. An impressive gift shop stocks beauty products and health foods produced in and around the Golan Heights.

Overnight: Ramot Resort Hotel

Day 7 – Thursday June 14 09:00 Depart hotel

Kfar Kanna

Kfar Kanna is associated with the New Testament village of Cana, where Jesus turned water

into wine at the Marriage at Cana.

Basilica of the Annunciation

According to the Catholic Christian tradition this was the home of the Virgin Mary, where the

angel Gabriel told her the news that she became pregnant with the Son of God.

Nazareth Village A first-century farm and village presenting the life, times and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth for all the world. Two thousand years after the birth of Jesus, Nazareth Village opened its doors to visitors. Nazareth Village is located on a site that was remarkably untouched and unchanged since Jesus time. In fact, Nazareth Village preserves the last remaining fields worked by Jesus’ friends, family and fellow villagers.

Mount Carmel

Elijah was a prophet and a wonder-worker in the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign

of Ahab (9th century BC), he raised the dead, brought fire down from the sky, and was taken

up in a whirlwind (either accompanied by a chariot and horses of flame or riding in it). In the

Book of Malachi, Elijah's return is prophesied "before the coming of the great and terrible day

of the Lord," making him a harbinger of the Messiah and the eschaton in various faiths that

revere the Hebrew Bible. Derivative references to Elijah appear in the Talmud, Mishnah, the

New Testament and the Qur'an.

Caesarea

A glimpse into the past - fascinating ancient port city built by King Herod.

Overnight: Mount Zion Hotel

Day 8 – Friday June 15 09:00 Depart hotel

Gethsemane Garden

Gethsemane is a garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem most famous as the

place where, according to the gospels, Jesus and his disciples are said to have prayed the night

before Jesus' crucifixion.

Cenacle - the room of the Last Supper

The Cenacle (from Latin cenaculum), also known as the "Upper Room", is the site of The Last

Supper, and the site where many other events described in the New Testament took place.

Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu

The church takes its name from the Latin word "Gallicantu", meaning cock's-crow. This is in

commemoration of Peter's triple rejection of Jesus "... before the cock crows twice.

Visit the dungeons where it is believed Jesus was kept.

Station No.1 at the Via Dolorosa

Garden Tomb The Garden Tomb is believed by many to be the garden and sepulcher of Joseph of Arimathea, and therefore a possible site of the resurrection of Jesus. The Garden Tomb is an alternative site to the famous Holy Sepulchre for you to consider the Crucifixion and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Garden is a beautiful place in which you will discover several things that were all here on the night Jesus died and which match the accounts in the four Gospels.

Visit Machaneh Yehuda Market

Often referred to as “The Shuk”, is an outdoor marketplace in Jerusalem. The colors, smells,

flavors and bustle of the marketplace is accentuated by vendors who call out their prices to

passersby. On Thursdays and Fridays, the marketplace is abuzz with special shoppers

stocking up for Shabbat all this creates a unique atmosphere

Banquet dinner and Group summary at Mount Zion Hotel

Day 9 – Saturday June 16

Transfer to Ben Gurion International Airport

VIP airport service and transfer to Jerusalem upon request