Around israel in 8 days

Itinerary

WOMEN’S MISSION TO ISRAEL

Around Israel in 8 days February 20 - 28, 2015

Dear Friends, Welcome to the L’ayla Women’s Mission to Israel, sponsored by OU Israel. We are so excited that you are here and proud to be your hosts. As you will see throughout the next week, we have planned very meaningful tours and programs that will hopefully make this one of the most special experiences of your lives.

I would like to begin by thanking our outstanding chair of the Mission, Linda S. Elman. Linda works very hard and is extremely dedicated to so many important community projects both in Israel and in the US. I am so grateful that she chose this Mission as one of the beneficiaries of her great talents. You will get to experience firsthand her warm personality and her tireless efforts to make each of you comfortable during your stay here.

Hamelech and served as a constant inspiration to him. We each have beautiful new songs within us that the world is awaiting, when we can access our ability to renew our energy (hischadshus) we will feel new inspiration and strength to sing our songs.

During this next week, we will be in the place of The Beginning, Eretz Yisrael.Creation began from this country and Adam Ha’Rishon was created from the earth of Eretz Yisrael. This holy place is the best and easiest place to connect to our own ability to start a new beginning and to feel Hischadshus.

May we be zoche to find the inspiration together.

Bivracha,

This year, we have chosen a theme for our Mission to Israel; “Shiru L’Hashem Shir Chodosh”, Singing a new song to Hashem. This theme is found throughout the beautiful Tehillim of David

Rivka Segal Coordinator, Women’s Initiative

1 DAY

' ARRIVAL AT 6:40 AM We will begin by travelling up the Mediterranean coast to Atlit.

This was an illegal immigrant detention camp that is now a museum presenting the story of the struggle of Jews leaving Nazi persecution and trying to reach British-controlled Palestine.

Then, we will roam through the Carmel Forest to see the beautiful new regrowth after last year’s devastating fire; stopping at the new monument to the firefighters who lost their lives fighting the blaze.

Have a beautiful lunch on the beach of Nahariya at the Hagalil restaurant.

On to Rosh Hanikra, for a cable car ride to see the grottos and one of the most beautiful scenes in Israel.

Continue on to Meron and the Kever of Rav Shimon Bar Yochai to daven minchah and watch a beautiful sunset.

Dinner and lodging at the Kibbutz Lavi hotel.

TOUR GUIDE: Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz, Rav of Young Israel of Carmiel

Monday

Monday, Feb. 20

2 Tuesday

DAY

Tuesday Feb. 21, Shvat 28 ' BREAKFAST AT 7:15 AM ' BUS IS LEAVING AT 8:00 SHARP. We will begin with a special tour of Tzfat with noted local personality, Yossi Rotenberg. Yossi will take us to places that you have never been to in Tzfat, no matter how many times you have been there.

Travel further North to the Adir Winery and Cheese factory. Here we will learn the art of making goat cheese and have our hand at making some ourselves.

Continue to Tiveria to learn about some of the great Talmudic scholars who lived in this holy city.

Rabbi Schwartz, our tour guide, will bring stories and discussions from the Mishnah alive as we visit the places where they occurred.

Dinner will be at Cherri Restaurant on the Tiveria boardwalk.

Ascend to Yerushalayim where we will meet Rabbi Sholom Gold for an introduction to our visit of the Kotel where we will go to daven Maariv.

3 DAY

' LEAVE HOTEL AT 8:15 AM Starting at the unique home of our tour guide, Tziporah Piltz, on Har Hazeisim, we will trace the path of a yoledet ( a woman who recently gave birth) on her way to bring a Korban in the Beit Hamikdash.

This unique tour will give us insight into the special connection women throughout history had with the Beit Hamikdash. We will delve deeper into the beauty of its structure as well as discuss the keilim (vessels) and the services performed there. We will tour the Southern Wall excavations and appreciate the loss of the Beit Hamikdash like never before.

After lunch at one of the Old City eateries (on your own), we will then drive through some of the exciting newer Jewish communities in Yerushalayim with noted activist, Judy Grossman, ending with Minchah at the Kever of Shimon HaTzadik. Dinner on your own.

Return at 8:00PM for a special program at the OU Israel Center, 22 Keren Hayesod St., Mishpacha Magazine presents: Meet the writers and editors Including Riva Pomerantz, Brynie Greisman, Nomee Sheingarten and more‌. This is a great opportunity to hear from and interact with the noted shapers of this premier magazine.

Wednesday

Wednesday Feb. 22, Shvat 29

4 Thursday

DAY

Thursday February 23, Shvat 30 (Rosh Chodesh) ' BUS LEAVES AT 8:00 AM ' Understanding the Midbar (desert) with tour guide, Estie Hershkowitz: Follow the path of King David to the Dead Sea stopping on the way to study and say various Tehillim. Learn about great historical events that happened here to bring stories of Tanach alive.

Hike through the beautiful (and easy!) trail at Ein Gedi to see the magnificent waterfall.

Prepare yourself for a fantastic Jeep Ride through the Judean Desert.

Dinner at Café Kastel overlooking the hills of Yerushalayim and the mountains of the Judean desert.

' PART II While Jerusalem prepares for Shabbos, we join Debbie Shapiro, a noted author, for a magical tour of the older areas of Yerushalayim. We will learn about the Muslim Morranos who made a detour from their forced pilgrimage to Mecca to create the Haji Synagogue; we will visit the Bucharian Mossayoff Synagogue, shop in the Bucharian shuk, stop in at the famous “Aish Tanura” bread bakery, visit the famous Mirrer Yeshiva and wander through the tiny alleyways and courtyards that are so unique to Yerushalayim.

5 DAY

' LEAVE HOTEL AT 8:30 AM ' Once again, join Debbie Shapiro in meeting some of Yerushalayim’s great Rebbetzins. We will learn about the unique Yerushalmi education and lifestyle. This is an incredible opportunity to catch a glimpse of the women from the “old yishuv”.

Shop in Geulah and end off your morning at Shuk Machane Yehuda to see the exciting pre-Shabbos whirlwind.

' SHABBOS PARASHAS TERUMA

CANDELIGHTING AT 4:57 PM ' Kabbalas Shabbos at the Kotel.

Enjoy the Shabbos Seudah at the home of Rivka Segal in the old and quaint neighborhood of Nachlaot. Meet Dov Ber Cohen, a former teacher of Buddhism in India and now a well- known mekarev rechokim in both India and Israel and a lecturer for Yeshivas Aish HaTorah.

' Following the Seudah, we will then walk to join the Belz Shabbos Tisch with the Belzer Rebbetzin.

Friday

Friday Feb. 24, Rosh Chodesh Adar

6 Saturday

DAY

Shabbos Day ' 12:30 Seudah will be at the home of Linda S. Elman in the Old City followed by a tour of the Old City with renowned tour guide, Barnea Levi Selevan.

End the Shabbos with Seudah Shlishis and Havdalah at the Heritage House.

Motzei Shabbos

' 8:00 Melave Malka reception at the home of Judy Ziering in Rechavia, with a very special shiur from the popular Israeli teacher, Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi.

7 DAY

' 7:45 AM Begin the day with a tour of the Knesset and continue afterwards for a tour of the newly renovated Israel Museum with docent, Debra Applebaum.

Following the tour we will have lunch at the Modern Restaurant, an avant garde eating experience at the Israel Museum. ' We will end the day with a tour and some

shopping at Yad Lakashish, a crafts workshop providing jobs for elderly and disabled citizens.

The day will end at 4:00 pm allowing time for you to have an early evening to meet friends and family or just to do whatever you want!

Sunday

Sunday February 26, Adar 3

L’ayla Women’s Mission to Israel 9

8 Monday

DAY

10 L’ayla Women’s Mission to Israel

Monday, February 27, Adar 4 ' For those of you staying at the hotel, please check

Daven Minchah at Mearas Hamachpela

out before we begin the day’s program and leave your luggage in the hotel storage area.

' Return to Yerushalayim for a farewell dinner at the

' LEAVE HOTEL AT 8:30 A.M. Daven at Kever Rachel and appreciate the deep significance and privilege that we have to visit this holy site.

Continue on for a tour of Hevron with Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum who will share with us what was and is in Hevron. As part of our visit, we will visit some inspiring and tenacious women who are helping to solidify the community of Hevron today.

popular Brazilian steak house, Papagaio.

8:00 P.M. Return to the hotel to collect your luggage and drive to the airport.

‫לשנה הבאה בירושלים הבנויה‬

Photo

Thoughts

1 DAY

2 DAY

DAY

4 DAY

Thoughts

3

Thoughts

5 DAY

6 DAY

DAY

8 DAY

Thoughts

7

Thank You

Thank You ' Aliza Elman for the design of the beautiful advertising ' Yehuda Josephson at Travel Deal for arranging the hotels and busses ' Judy Ziering for hosting the Melave Malka ' Neemi Segal for taking care of many last minute details ' The wonderful administration and staff of OU Israel

' Rabbi Avi Berman, Executive Director

' David Katz, Chief Financial Officer

' Sara Berelowitz, Comptroller ' Shira Hershkowitz, Office Manager ' Yael Hauftmann, Graphic Designer (a special thank you for the beautiful itinerary)

' Ita Rochel, for taking care of so many technical details

Important Numbers

Taxis

' Emergency 100 ' OU Israel 560-9100 (ext. 0) ' Linda Man 052-329-0805

' Rechavia 02-625-4444 ' Romema 02-538-5555 ' Givat Shaul 02-651-2111

Some great shopping ideas

' Dahlia's - 17 Emek Refaim St.-02-566-

' Esther Weiss

9498. Quaint little store owned by 3 sisters. They sell jewelry by various Israeli artists and small gift items. Shopping here is always a delight!

small gift shop in the Rova right near the parking lot. Filled with lots and lots of fabulous items. All price ranges. Located right near the small grocery store as you enter the Rova from the main parking lot. Recently 2 big beautiful Arab owned stores, that look Jewish, opened right near her. Stop in and say hi to Esther. She is a great lady to meet who has lived in the Rova for many years.

Very helpful and very accommodating.

' Blue and White - in the Cardo of the Rova.

Beautiful art work in all price ranges. Honest and dependable. Will ship home.

' Yirmiyahu - 3 Yanai 02-625-5248 (very close to David Citadel Hotel). Great store off the beaten track for tablecloths, washing towels, challah covers. Does not look like much when you walk in, but ask for help. Great prices!

' Ethnics-34 Yaffa 02-662-1481-Large collection of jewelry, artwork and gift items from various eclectic artists. Ask to be put on their email list.

Shopping

Linda Recommends...

Yael Hauftmann / OU

WWW.OUISRAEL.ORG