Teacher Trek Itinerary Summer 2012
June 11–22, 2011
Staff: Yossi Nameri and Sharna Marcus
Monday, June 11
Departure from JFK International Airport – Swiss Air flight LX17/LX254 6:05 PM
Check in with your staff at the Swiss Air ticket counter (Terminal 4) at 2:05 PM
Tuesday, June 12
Arrival: Israeli participants welcome you. Together you begin your 10-day adventure on this incredible PELIE – Teacher Trek!
Travel North to the Golan
Opening Ceremony: Make the transition from home to Israel and mark the beginning of your journey, and together say Shehechiyanu, the blessing for renewal.
Check in to Hotel
Orientation Program You and your Israeli peers begin to learn about each other and review the goals and highlights of the program.
Overnight: Kibbutz Chukuk Guest House – Galilee
Wednesday, June 13
Hike in the Jilaboon: Hike along a stream in the Golan – an important tributary to the Sea of Galilee. Learn about the historic significance and the geological intricacies of the Golan.
Har Bental: Ascend to the top of the Golan Heights. Learn about the history of this area and its importance to Israel.
Mitzpe Gadot: Look over the Jordan Valley and Syria and discuss the challenges faced by Israel in this region while taking in the view of the beautiful Hula Valley.
Kinneret: Visit the graves of Israel's famous poet Rachel and the songwriter Naomi Shemer. Hear their stories of immigration and love for the Land of Israel as Israelis share their inspirational poetry with you
Group Activity
Overnight: Kibbutz Chukuk Guest House – Galilee
Thursday, June 14
Tzfat: Wind through the blue-painted alleys of this mystical city and learn about the origins of the Kabballah, the famous rabbis that lived here, and the artist community that remains.
Travel to Yemin Orde
Yemin Orde Youth Village: Tour one of Israel’s most historically significant youth villages, established on Mt. Carmel in 1950 to safeguard destitute youth from around the world.
Daliat El-Carmel: Visit this Druze village overlooking Mt. Carmel
Group Activity
Overnight: Kibbutz Chukuk Guest House – Galilee
Friday, June 15
Travel to Jerusalem
Jerusalem Overlook at Haas Promenade: View and take pictures of this beautiful Jerusalem panorama as you overlook the glittering Old City
Emek Refaim: Enjoy lunch and shopping in this Jerusalem neighborhood
Old City of Jerusalem – Jewish Quarter: Explore the vast history within the walls of the ancient city. Share in the legacy of Jewish life spanning generations as this Jerusalem neighborhood prepares for Shabbat
Western Wall: Visit the Wall and leave a note of prayer.
Shabbat Preparations
Kabbalat Shabbat: Experience the beauty of Shabbat in Jerusalem. Enjoy a festive Shabbat meal and singing.
T’filot/Prayer Options
Group Activity: In the spirit of Shabbat, enjoy sweets and snacks for an intimate gathering called an Oneg.
Overnight: Leonardo Inn – Jerusalem
Saturday, June 16
Discussion on Parashat Hashavua: In Judaism, every week is assigned a special section (parasha) from the Torah. Discuss the meaning of this week’s parasha in relation to your experience in Israel.
Shabbat Lunch
Rest and Relax
Yad Vashem Preparatory Discussion
Group Activity
Havdallah: Mark the end of Shabbat and the beginning of the week with a creative and meaningful ceremony.
Evening Cultural Activity: Enjoy an evening stroll and dinner out in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Leonardo Inn – Jerusalem
Sunday, June 17
Yad Vashem: Visit Israel's Holocaust Memorial on Mt. Herzl – participants with relatives that are survivors share their stories and Israelis share the impact that the Holocaust has on their life in Israel. Learn about the collective and the individual ways that Holocaust memory is preserved in the Jewish State.
Nadav Democratic School: Speak with teachers and students at this unique Modi’in school
Travel to Tel Aviv
Rabin Square: Learn about the life and legacy of Israel’s Former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Israelis share their memories of his assassination and discuss the impact he had on contemporary Israel.
Evening Cultural Activity
Overnight: Sea Net Hotel – Tel Aviv
Monday, June 18
Independence Museum: Visit the site where David Ben Gurion declared the Independence of the State of Israel. Learn about the challenges and emotion of that historic moment.
Bialik-Rogozin School: Visit this remarkable school in Tel Aviv, featured in the Academy Award winning documentary Strangers No More
Carmel Market: Walk, shop and grab lunch in the busy center of downtown Tel Aviv.
Travel South to the Negev Desert
Sde Boker: Visit the grave of David Ben Gurion, Israel's first Prime Minister. Learn about Ben Gurion and his passion for cultivating Israel's vast desert.
Desert Camel Trek On the back of a camel, enjoy the far reaches of the Negev desert.
Bedouin Hospitality Meal: Enjoy a feast while learning about Bedouin life & culture.
Group Activity
Overnight: Ha’an Hashayarut Tents – Negev Desert
Tuesday, June 19
Hike through the Natural Cliff Formations at Ein Uvdat: Learn about the ancient significance of the
desert oasis, and prepare for a brief, but challenging ascent out of the gorge.
Overlook on Machtesh Ramon: Learn about this geological wonder – the largest naturally-formed crater in the world
Shirat Hamidbar: Literally, “Desert Song,” this desert oasis has become known for its herbs and spices
Group Activity
Overnight: Kibbutz Ein Gedi Guest House – Dead Sea
Wednesday, June 20
Sunrise on Masada: Hear the story of the Jewish people’s heroic struggle atop Masada as you take in beautiful views of the desert. Learn about the historical and contemporary significance of this ancient desert fortress.
Dead Sea: Your chance to float in the Dead Sea!
Travel to Jerusalem
Time for Shopping and Lunch in Mahane Yehuda: Explore Jerusalem’s vibrant and aromatic open-air market
Israel through Music: Professional rock musician Udi Krauss will take you on a journey of Israel through the eyes of a musician.
Overnight: Neve Shalom Guest House – Jerusalem
Thursday, June 21
Neve Shalom School: Visit this cooperative village of Jews and Palestinian Arabs of Israeli citizenship, situated equidistant from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv-Jaffa.
Lifeline for the Old: Tour the Yad Lekashish workshops and visit with the elderly
Time for Shopping and Lunch on Ben Yehuda Street: One last chance to pick up gifts for friends and loved ones in Jerusalem’s main shopping district
Har Herzl: Israeli peers lead you through Israel's military cemetery. Hear about the impact of army and war on their lives, as they share stories of Israeli dignitaries and of their own friends who are buried there.
Final Discussion: Time to reflect as a group on the experience that you had together.
Friday, June 22
Travel to the Airport
Departure from Ben Gurion Airport – El Al Airlines Flight LX 257/16 5:00 AM
Arrival to JFK International Airport 12:35 PM
