Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America

JWV trips to Israel

2012 trip for web

The JWV Allied Veterans and Leadership Mission to Israel
February 18-28, 2012

Itinerary

Day 1: Saturday evening, Feb. 18 - Overnight non stop flight to Israel from Newark, NJ. or JFK. Dinner, in-flight entertainment and breakfast on board.

Day 2, Sunday, Feb. 19 - Morning arrival at Ben Gurion airport. Meet and assist by aviatours team. Transfer to our Tel Aviv hotel. Check in and relax. We meet for dinner at our hotel.

Day 3, Monday, Feb. 20 - A briefing by the U.S Military attache. Panoramic tour of the city to see the site of assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and the Kirya (housing the Ministry of Defense) and the IDF HQ. Visit the colorful Carmel Market to see how Israelis buy their fruits and vegetables. Nearby is Neve Zedek - an old part of Tel Aviv that has been renovated and has become a leisure place. It's highlight is the Tachana - the renovated first railway station built by the Turks in the 19 century. Upon return to our hotel you can enjoy a walk on the Tel Aviv board walk. Dinner on your own.

Day 4, Tuesday, Feb. 21 - Briefing by Tzevet Chairman and an IDF guest speaker. Visit the Independence Hall where David Ben Gurion announced the independence of Israel in 1948. Visit the Rabin Center depicting Yitzhak Rabin life alongside the story of the State of Israel. Possible meeting with his daughter Dalia Rabin. Afternoon rest at out hotel in Tel Aviv. Dinner at our hotel. In the evening, we stroll in Old Jaffa streets.

Day 5, Wednesday, Feb. 22 - Today we head north. Our first stop is the Malam Intelligence Center depicting the heritage of the intelligence community of The IDF and Mossad. Briefing by Brig General (Res.) Dudu Zur. Continue to Caesarea- the Roman port city built by King Herod. Continue to Haifa to see the magnificent Bahaii Gardens and visit the Pnimiya Zvait - IDF "West Point". We shall meet cadets and their commander Lt. Col. Lior Gross. We reach our Tiberias hotel where we will spend the night. Dinner at the hotel. After dinner, enjoy a stroll on the Sea of Galilee board walk.

Day 6, Thursday, Feb. 23 - Leadership Tour - Bus No. 1: Travel to Golan Heights - Stop at Shalom Observation Point for a magnificent view of the Sea of Galilee, then visit Mt. Bental, an ex IDF post overlooking Syria. Visit an IDF unit (subject to IDF approval and conditions). Return to our hotel for rest. In the afternoon, visit the House of Dona Gracia - a unique story of the expulsion of Jews from Spain.

Allied Veterans - Bus No. 2: Depart from the hotel, travel to Golan Heights - Stop at Shalom Observation Point for a magnificent view of the Sea of Galilee then visit Mt. Bental, an ex IDF post overlooking Syria. Take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee (if weather permits). In the middle of the sea we shut the engines and read the scriptures (Mark 6:45 - 52). In this holy place we can visualize Him walking on the water. We dock near Capernaum to visit the synagogue where Jesus preached. Later, we will proceed to Tabgha - the site of the multiplication of the fish and bread and then Mount of Beatitudes. Afternoon trip to Nazareth, to visit the Church of Annunciation and Cana where the first miracle of water turning into wine took place. Couples who wish to renew their marriage vows can do so here. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Day 7, Friday, Feb. 24 - Drive to Jerusalem. On the way visit the 2nd World War Jewish Warrior museum at Latroun. Proceed to Avalon Institute to see a hidden ammunition factory that was operated during the British Mandate and recently discovered. Check in and rest at our Jerusalem hotel. Erev Shabbat Dinner at our hotel.

Day 8, Saturday, Feb. 25 - Shabbat rest or join a tour to Massada and Dead Sea, famous for its rich minerals. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 9, Sunday, Feb. 26 - We begin by visiting the Western Wall and the Chain of Generations. Meet at the Perimeter Barrier around Jerusalem for a briefing. Enter the Old City where we will visit the Herodian Quarter (the underground section of the Jewish Quarter). Visit the Ammunition Hill - A national memorial site and a battle site from the 6 day war. This is also the World Center of Jewish War Veterans (possible event). Free evening and dinner on your own.

Day 10, Monday, Feb. 27- Visit Yad Vashem - the new Holocaust Museum. Visit the new 9/11Memorial site. Visit the Way of the Cross and the Holy Sepulcher Church. Afternoon visit to the Knesset and briefing by a Knesset Member. Farewell dinner and transfer to our night flight back home.

Day 11 Tuesaday, Feb 28 - Flight home. Arrive same day.

Welcome home! You have just returned from a lifetime experience!