Our Home, Our Hearts: Israel with Rabbi Don Goor and Cantor Evan Kent

Best Moments

Active

Art & Culture

Food & Wine

Heritage

Home Hospitality

Innovation

Local Specialists

Explore eclectic neighborhoods across the country
LGBTQ life in the Holy Land
A behind-the-scenes look at the Israeli Reform movement
What’s multicultural about Israel?
Hummus, ice cream, wines: find out Don & Evan’s favorites
Daily jog, Torah yoga, paddleboarding: Connect mind, body, and soul

Led by Rabbi Don Goor and Cantor Evan Kent

Program Outline

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IT’S TIME Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Depart the US.

Overnight Flight

OVER TO YOU, DON. TELL US WHAT’S IN STORE Wednesday, October 26, 2022

JERUSALEM MOSAIC Thursday, October 27, 2022

BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH Friday, October 28, 2022

GET OUT YOUR WALKING SHOES Saturday, October 29, 2022

CORNERS OF CO-EXISTENCE Sunday, October 30, 2022

Check out of the hotel.
As we drive north on the Trans-Israel Highway, there will be an opportunity to see the Security Barrier which runs along the seam zone between Israel and the Palestinian Territories, and to learn about the barrier’s effects on Israeli security and Palestinian communities.
I first visited the Leo Baeck School in Haifa when I was 16 years old as an exchange student. Back then, it was a cool high school for hanging out. Today it is so much more than just a school – it teaches pluralism and is a model for co-existence. We are very close with the head of the school, and one of the rabbis there, Naama Dafni-Kellen, attributes her becoming a rabbi to me.
Coexistence Through Cuisine: We strongly believe in a multicultural society. Essentially, it’s why we made Aliyah – we wanted to help bring the values of pluralism and tolerance to Israel. Haifa is an amazing example of multiculturalism, and the most authentic market in Haifa is without a doubt Wadi Nisnas. This will be a cultural as well as a culinary tour as we talk with local merchants and residents about how the spices and stalls of Wadi Nisnas express the history and soul of a community.
Star of the Sea: In the 13th century, Catholic hermits imitated Elijah and took to the caves of Mount Carmel. We’ll visit the Stella Maris (Star of the Sea) Monastery, established near Elijah’s caves and the spiritual center of the Carmelite religious order. A place of contemplation, the monastery has seen some pretty turbulent times, including occupation by the British and Israel militaries. I am particularly excited to check out the impressive dome with its paintings of Elijah and other biblical figures.
We’re going to take a moment at the top of Mount Carmel, the setting for many biblical stories and the old stomping ground of the prophet Elijah, to admire the view of Haifa Bay. If you want an example of Haifa’s tremendous diversity, look no further than the beautiful Baha’i Gardens, known as one of the two holiest sites for the Baha’ai faith, and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
You Be the Chef: We love food. We especially love Middle Eastern food. A great way to experience authentic Middle Eastern fare is to take part in a cooking workshop guided by an Israeli-Arab family who will welcome us into their home. The Arab villages of the Galilee are famous for their food, including fish and olive dishes and delicious desserts like knafeh and baklawa. We’ll discover the local culinary secrets and, mentored by our host family, prepare and eat a traditional dinner.

Overnight Elma Arts Complex Luxury Hotel, Zichron Yaacov

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

NORTHERN EXPOSURE Monday, October 31, 2022

THE WINE CAPITAL OF ISRAEL Tuesday, November 1, 2022

EAT, DRINK, & BREATHE TEL AVIV Wednesday, November 2, 2022

LIFE IN THE FIRST HEBREW CITY Thursday, November 3, 2022

THAT WENT FAST Friday, November 4, 2022

Rates & Lodging

# of participants 20+

ADULT PRICE ( SHARING DOUBLE ROOM ) $4595

Single Supplement $1800

Reserve Now

Choice Lodging

David Citadel, Jerusalem

Nights: 4 Room Category: Superior New City

Hotel Website View gallery

Elma Hotel, Zichron Ya'akov

Nights: 2 Room Category: Deluxe Sea View

Hotel Website View gallery

The Drisco Hotel, Tel Aviv

Nights: 3 Room Category: Classic

Hotel Website View gallery

What to Expect

Included
Excluded
The small print

Included

9 nights’ accommodation at select hotels.
8 days of touring in a luxury, air-conditioned bus.
9 days of touring with a licensed, English speaking tour educator.
Individual transfers and VIP assistance to and from the airport.
All site entrance fees and program fees as per itinerary.
Meals: daily breakfast, 3 lunches & 5 dinners.
Gratuities: All gratuities for restaurant staff at group meals are included
Portage at hotels.
Water and Don & Evan’s favorite snacks

Excluded

Evening transportation when dinner is not included.
Amendments to the program: In the event that any sites, programs or meals etc are added to the program, an additional fee may be required.
Personal extras: Items of personal nature such as laundry, wines, mineral water, beverages, coffee, tea, food other than the table d’hotel menu, passport and visa fees, insurance, and foreign port taxes, unless otherwise specified.
US and foreign airport taxes, Q fuel surcharge and border taxes when applicable.
Value Added Tax is currently not applicable to tourists visiting Israel. Should the law change, you will be notified accordingly, and VAT will be added to your final invoice.
Gratuities: We recommend the following guidelines for tipping (amounts in US dollars):

Group of 20 participants or more: Expert Educator: $8 | Driver: $4 - per participant per day.

The small print

Group rates: Group rates are per person based on double occupancy and a minimum of
20 full-paying participants. Should the number of participants drop below the minimum
listed, the cost of the trip will be adjusted to reflect the additional expense of operating the
program.

Currency: Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach
transportation, special dinners, sightseeing, admissions, luggage handling and the services
of local guides, drivers, and the tour guide/educator are included.

Payment policy: Da'at Educational Expeditions reserves the right to adjust its terms of
payment, including cancelation policies and initial deposits. Notification of any changes will
be made explicitly to the participants where relevant.

An initial deposit of $500 per person, non-refundable, non-transferable is due at the time of reservation unless another amount is indicated.
Final payment is due 90 days before the scheduled trip begins, or as specified in
your invoice.

Cancelation policy: All cancelations need to be made in writing. The cancelation fee
depends on the date when we receive written notification of your request to
cancel your booking. Please note that the deposit is non-refundable.

Cancelation fees made:

90 or more days prior to departure incur the loss of the deposit.
89 to 46 days prior to departure incur the loss of 50% of the full trip cost.
45 days or less prior to the departure incur the loss of 100% of the full
trip cost.

Cancelation fees may also include:

Hotel or supplier cancelation fees.
For trips in Israel only: The cost of the PEACE OF MIND TRAVEL PROTECTION PROGRAM (POM), if this was purchased.
Group airfare penalty fee.

Travel insurance: We strongly recommend that you purchase your own travel insurance.
Please discuss land, air and health insurance options with your insurance provider or contact
Travel Insured at 1-800-344-6226, ext. 257. Some insurance programs provide more
comprehensive coverage when the policy is purchased in close proximity to the initial trip
deposit. We, therefore, recommend that you secure insurance within 14 days of your initial
deposit payment date.

Choice lodging:

Room categories are based on standard Run of House unless otherwise noted.
Our standard is to provide the best available hotels while considering value. Although the level of accommodations may differ slightly from hotel to hotel, we are committed to your comfort.
We reserve the right to make substitutions with hotels of equal standard. No refunds will be issued for the differences between hotel prices.
The standard hotel room in Israel is generally smaller than in the US, comfortably accommodating two people in either one queen-size bed or two single beds. Some hotels offer triple rooms consisting of standard twin beds plus a sofa/folding bed or cot for the third person.
Special requests such as room selections, bed types, and smoking preferences are subject to availability and are strictly at the discretion of the hotel's management on a run-of-house basis.
All hotel rates are non-negotiable and are based on the agreements made between Dalat Educational Expeditions and its suppliers.
Hotel check-in time is generally not before 3:00 p.m. and check-out time is prior to noon. If you are taking a late-night flight, make sure to organize adequate arrangements for accommodation until you are ready to leave for the airport. If a day room is included in the itinerary, check-out time will usually be at 6:00 p.m.

Airfare