OU January 2009 Mission to Israel Itinerary
Date:
14 Jan, 2009
Description:
January 2009 Mission to Israel
Wednesday, January 14th - Sunday, January 25th
TENTATIVE ITINERARY
Subject to Change
Wednesday, January 14, 2009: Arrival and Check-In
3pm Dan Panorama Hotel opens up for Check-In.
3-8pm OU Welcome Desk will be in the lobby: Please stop by to check-in for the mission and pick up your welcome packet.
Thursday, January 15, 2009: Nitzan & Sderot
Shacharit.
Breakfast address from Rabbi Benny Elon* (Ichud Leumi-Mafdal party).
Depart from the Dan Panorama.
Nitzan: Visit the communities evacuated from Gush Katif. Meet members of the community in the OU Newton Zula Moadon. Buy products made by expellees at the Gush Katif art gallery.
Jeep riding on the coast of the Mediterranean (weather permitting).
Visit Sderot. Meet Debbie Gross, Head of the OU Israel Trauma Team. Observe an actual trauma therapy session.
Lunch in Sderot at Yeshivat Sderot with Rabbi Dovid Fendel.
Meet with Alon Davidi, Sderot Director of Security, and tour Sderot.
Meeting with Sderot mayor.
Meet with Guy Nagar, Director of Makom Balev, and Makom Balev children in the youth club’s bomb shelter.
Dinner on your own in Jerusalem.
*Speakers subject to change based upon availability
Friday, January 16, 2009: Israeli & Jerusalem History
Shacharit.
Depart from the Dan Panorama for a visit to the Menachem Begin Heritage Center which serves as a Research Institute of the Struggle for the Independence of Israel and its future security and development.
Descend to the City of David. Visit the new visitors center and walk through Hezekiah’s water tunnel built 2700 years ago to protect Jerusalem’s water supply from invading armies.
Leisure time to prepare for Shabbat.
Candle lighting time at the hotel.
Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel.
Shabbat Dinner at the OU Israel Center.
Shiur.
Saturday, January 17, 2009: Shabbat in Jerusalem
Shacharit at the following locations:
- The Kotel
- The Great Synagogue
Shabbat Lunch at the OU Israel Center.
Minchah at the OU Israel Center.
Seudah Shlishit at the OU Israel Center with drasha.
Ma’ariv at the OU Israel Center.
Depart from the Dan Panorama for a visit to the OU’s wildly popular Zula program for Israel’s youth at risk.
Sunday, January 18, 2009: The North & Kibbutz Lavi
Shacharit.
Breakfast address from former member of the Knesset Uzi Landau * (Likud party).
Depart from the Dan Panorama for a few days at Kibbutz Lavi.
Visit an exclusive army base in the North. Learn about the selective group of men and women serving here. Tour the base with General Raz Karni and hear about his contributions to OU Israel.
Travel to Tiberias. Visit the graves of Rabbi Akiva and the Rambam. Talmudic tour through Tiberias.
Lunch in Apropo on the Kinneret.
Visit the Makom Balev branch in Acco. Learn how the citizens were affected by the Second Lebanon War in 2006 and the challenges they still face. Visit the D’Oraita branch in Acco and hear about the successful programs for youth in the area.
Arrive at Kibbutz Lavi.
Dinner followed by football in the back parking lot with Rabbi Yaakov Lehrfield of Young Israel of Staten Island.
*Speakers subject to change based upon availability
Monday, January 19, 2009: The North & Kibbutz Lavi
Shacharit.
Breakfast followed by a tour of Kibbutz Lavi.
Depart Kibbutz Lavi for a visit to Ramat David Air Force base. Briefing on Syrian border by Commander. Watch military exercises with aircraft.
Lev Yehudi Beit Lapid in Tiberias. Learn about the kiruv projects and other activities from director Yaki Yitach and Rabbi Ohad Baruchi. Short learning session with secular Israeli youth.
Boat ride on the Kinneret with packed lunch included. Deputy Mayor joins us to speak about Tiberias and the OU activities in the city.
Leisure time at Kibbutz Lavi.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009: Kibbutz Lavi & Tsfat
Shacharit followed by breakfast.
Depart from Kibbutz Lavi for shopping in the old city of Tsfat where beautiful Judaica, artwork, and jewelry can be purchased.
Lunch in Tsfat.
Travel to Netanya to shop and enjoy the Mediterranean breeze.
Visit a Lev Yehudi kiruv house en route to Jerusalem.
Return to the Dan Panorama Hotel in Jerusalem.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009: A Day with Tzahal
Shacharit followed by breakfast.
Depart for a visit to Rabbi Yedidiah Atlas at his army base in the West Bank. See the troops on maneuvers.
Lunch with the soldiers.
See military equipment up close and participate in shooting practice.
*Speakers subject to change based upon availability
Thursday, January 22, 2009: Chevron, Gush Etzion, & Kever Rachel
Depart from the Dan Panorama Hotel.
Shacharit at the Maarat Ha’Machpela in Hebron (The Cave of the Patriarchs).
Gutnick Center breakfast followed by a tour with Simcha Hochbaum.
Travel to Gush Etzion to screen the powerful film about Kfar Etzion and the story of the Gush.
Travel to Massuot Yitzhak for meeting with Rafael Ben Denan, Director of OU Israel Kiruv Projects. Observe Michi Yosefi give a meditative workshop to soldiers about Eretz Yisrael. Hear a presentation from high-ranking army officer Colonel Bentzi Gruber where he will speak about the challenges within the IDF.
Lunch with the mayor of Gush Etzion Shaul Goldstein. Time permitting, meet with a group of soldiers reconnecting with Judaism and learning about the land of Israel. Opportunity for Q&A with the soldiers.
Travel to Kever Rachel (Rachel Imeinu’s Tomb) for Minchah and a tour.
Dinner and Leisure Time on Your Own
Friday, January 23, 2009: Holocaust History & Jerusalem
Shacharit.
Breakfast.
Depart for Yad Vashem tour, including a tour of the new Holocaust History Museum. Separate children’s tours possible for anyone under 10 years of age.
Shopping in Jerusalem.
Return to the Dan Panorama to prepare for Shabbat.
Candle lighting time at the hotel.
Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel.
Shabbat Dinner at the OU Israel Center.
Shiur.
Saturday, January 24, 2009: Shabbat in Jerusalem
Shacharit at the following locations:
- The Kotel
- The Great Synagogue
Shabbat Lunch at the OU Israel Center.
Minchah at the OU Israel Center.
Seudah Shlishit at the OU Israel Center with drasha.
Ma’ariv at the OU Israel Center.
Possibility for another visit to the OU’s wildly popular Zula program for Israel’s youth at risk.
Sunday, January 25, 2009: Farewell
Shacharit followed by breakfast.
Leisure time on your own.
12noon Hotel Check-Out (mission participants may store their packed luggage at the hotel until heading to the airport).
Times are Approximate
*Speakers subject to change based upon availability.
Contact:
To register, call Allyson Gur-Aryeh at 212-613-8124.