ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE Community Israel Experience / December 19 - January 1, 2013 The SJCC is returning to Israel this coming December, and we want YOU to join us! We will start with a relaxing Shabbat in the stunning natural beauty of the Negev Desert. From Israel s south we make our way north via Masada and the Dead Sea and on to the Galilee. For our second Shabbat we ascend to Jerusalem and then conclude the experience in Tel Aviv including a New Year s Eve celebration. Whether you are a first time visitor or a seasoned veteran, this trip is for you. Whether you are a family with children or a retiree traveling on your own, this trip is for you. We will have some choices built into the itinerary so that you can experience Israel the way you want. Led by Rabbi Avi Friedman, not only will this intergenerational trip strengthen your relationship with the Land of Israel, it will create lasting bonds among the members of the SJCC community who participate. Our travel partner. Authentic Israel is a Tel Aviv-based tour operator with three decades of experience providing touring programs in Israel. Authentic Israel specializes in creating custom experiences for groups of all backgrounds. Learn more at www.authenticisrael.com PROGRAM ITINERARY The following is our projected Community Israel Experience program itinerary. An updated itinerary will be distributed about two months prior and is subject to some change. Meals Included: B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner Wednesday, December 19 / Departure for Israel Option #1: Depart for Israel on the group flight at 8:55pm from JFK Airport on Delta #268 Option #2: Arrange your own flight to Israel Thursday, December 20 / Into the Desert Group flight lands at 2:40pm to Ben Gurion Airport Participants flying on own should arrive by 4:30pm Orientation program and dinner at Neot Kedumin Begin travel south to the Negev Desert Evening: Night walk along the Ramon Crater rim Overnight: Ramon Inn, Mitzpe Ramon [D] Friday, December 21 / Desert Wanderings Off-road jeep tour on the Ramon Crater floor Visit JNF water reclamation project in the Negev Desert Sde Boker Israel s desert pioneering legacy Nature walk to the Ein Avdat desert oasis Kabbalat Shabbat service and community dinner Overnight: Ramon Inn, Mitzpe Ramon [B / D] Saturday, December 22 / Shabbat in the Desert Shabbat programming and lunch as a community Yoga activity at the Adama center in Mitzpe Ramon Relaxed afternoon at hotel spa facilities Option to visit the Ramon Crater Visitor Center Evening: Bedouin-style hafla dinner feast and bonfire party at Chan HaShayarot desert tent Overnight: Ramon Inn, Mitzpe Ramon [B / L / D] Sunday, December 23 / Masada & Desert Travel eastwards to the Judean Desert Hike up Masada via the Roman Ramp Walking tour of Masada and descend via cable car Floating at the Dead Sea s Ein Bokek beach Nature walk to Ein Gedi desert waterfalls Travel up the Jordan Valley to the Galilee Check-in and tour of the kibbutz community Dinner included at accommodations Overnight: Maagan Guest House, Galilee [B / D]
Monday, December 24 / Mystics of the Galilee Walking tour of Tsfat Birthplace of Kabbalah Explore the Hula Valley migratory bird reserve Ascend the Golan Heights Regional view of Israel s neighbors from atop Mt. Ben Tal Evening: Hamat Gader hot springs and dinner Overnight: Maagan Guest House, Galilee [B / D] Tuesday, December 25 / Along the Mediterranean Tour of Beit Shearim Talmudic-era catacombs Kfar Hasidim Youth Village including lunch Ascend to Jerusalem Stopping en route at Latrun Armored Corp Museum and Memorial Panoramic Jerusalem intro at the Haas Promenade Evening: Tower of David Sound & Light Show Overnight: Prima Royale, Jerusalem [B / L] Wednesday, December 26 / Old City of Jerusalem Enter the Old City via the Zion Gate and explore the alleyways and rooftops of the Jewish Quarter Reflections at the Kotel The Western Wall The Kotel Tunnels and Southern Walls Excavations The City of David First Temple Era Jerusalem Group dinner at Darna Restaurant Overnight: Prima Royale, Jerusalem [B / D] Thursday, December 27 / FREE DAY Free day to explore Jerusalem on own Overnight: Prima Royale, Jerusalem [B] Friday, December 28 / Preparing for Shabbat Service project preparing Shabbat meals for the hungry Pre-Shabbat shopping at Mahane Yehuda market TRAVEL PACKAGE SERVICES INCLUDED: Accommodations according to itinerary (or similar) Meals, activity costs & entrance fees as per itinerary Licensed Israeli guide daily Deluxe motor coach daily (except Shabbat) Flights to/from Israel (optional) The Herzl Museum Story of the Aliyah Movement Kabbalat Shabbat service and group dinner at hotel Overnight: Prima Royale, Jerusalem [B / D] Saturday, December 29 / Shabbat in Jerusalem Davening at a local Masorti Movement synagogue Walking tour of Jerusalem neighborhoods Relaxed afternoon to explore Jerusalem on own Havdallah service and closing program Overnight: Prima Royale, Jerusalem [B / L] Sunday, December 30 / Loss & Renewal Yad VaShem Holocaust Memorial Children s Alternative: Jerusalem Biblical Zoo Group lunch at Anna Ticho House Restaurant Travel to Tel Aviv and check-in to beach-side hotel Evening: Mayumana Theater in Jaffa Overnight: Metropolitan Hotel, Tel Aviv [B / L] Monday, December 31 / Celebrating Modern Israel Machon Ayalon The struggle for independence Celebrate Statehood at Independence Hall Reflections at the Rabin Square Memorial Walking tour and closing dinner in Jaffa Evening: Group New Year s Eve Celebration in Tel Aviv! Overnight: Metropolitan Hotel, Tel Aviv [B / D] Tuesday, January 1 / L Hitraot! Participants on group flight return to Ben Gurion airport in early morning for 5:30am on KLM 462 Land in Amsterdam at 9:50am and connect to KLM 641 departing at 1:25pm; Arrive to JFK at 3:30pm EST SERVICES NOT INCLUDED: Guide/driver gratuities Meals not listed in the Itinerary Travelers Insurance (see below) Hotel incidentals GETTING TO ISRAEL. The program includes an optional flight from JFK Airport on Delta/KLM. Participants may also arrange their own flights to Israel on the airline of their choice. Please plan to arrive to Israel no later than 5:00pm on December 20, 2012 and depart Israel on the evening of December 31 st or the morning of January 1 st.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION PARTICIPANT #1 (primary contact) Tel (Cell): Tel (Other): Email address: Mailing Address: PARTICIPANT #2 (if applicable) Tel (Cell): Tel (Other): Email address: PARTICIPANT #3 (if applicable) PARTICIPANT #4 (if applicable) PARTICIPANT #5 (if applicable) Enter your first and last name as it appears in your passport. Please note that according to Israeli customs regulations, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your arrival date in Israel. SPECIAL ROOMING NOTES: Requests for a roommate will be accommodated where possible. MEDICAL & DIETARY NOTES: EMERGENCY CONTACT Name: Relation: Emergency Phone #1: Emergency Phone #2:
PROGRAM SELECTION & COSTS PROGRAM SELECTIONS / COST PER PERSON Please indicate number of applicable travelers Air & Land Package from JFK [$4,150/p] Land-Only Package [$2,585/p] Supplement Single Room [$700/p] NOTE: Participants paying by check are eligible for a 2% discount Discount for Children, Age 18 and Under [$250/p] Based on double or triple room hotel occupancy Terms of Participation. A $250/person deposit is due with registration. The balance of program costs is due by September 10, 2012. Please note that participants who cancel after September 10, 2012 are entitled to a refund, minus a $1,000 cancellation fee. Participants who cancel after November 1, 2012 are not eligible for a refund. All cancellations must be made in writing, and participants are encouraged to take out trip cancellation insurance. Registration is subject to a minimum of 30 participants and a maximum of 45. The group flight fare is based on current fuel fees and taxes of $640, which is subject to change at the Delta s sole discretion till the time of ticketing about 60 days prior to departure. PAYMENT DETAILS Deposit Due with Registration ($/Person): $ Total Amount Due: $ Payment Method (check one): Check Visa / Mastercard / AmEx Credit Card #: Security Code: Expiration Date: Name on Card: Billing Address: Signature: Date: Completed forms should be sent by fax to 1-202-315-3269 or by mail to: Authentic Israel / 5185 MacArthur Blvd NW, #640 / Washington, DC 20016 For questions about the program, contact Rabbi Avi Freedman at avi@summitjcc.org. For questions about registration, contact Avi Green at our travel partner, Authentic Israel, at avi@authenticisrael.com. STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING. Except for the willful negligence of its direct employees or representatives, Authentic Israel and the Summit Jewish Community Center assume no liability or responsibility for any injuries, inconvenience, illness, theft, property damage, irregularity, or incidental damages occasioned by circumstances beyond the control of the tour operator or by any person or reason whatsoever including but not limited to events such as strikes, revolts, wars, natural disasters, closures of airports and/or hotels, default or omission of any common or private carrier or the default, negligence or omission of and by any third party providing services or facilities to or included in this tour or any part thereof. Enrollment in and payment for the tour constitutes your acceptance of the program conditions and this Statement of Responsibility. The program conditions become a binding contract when your enrollment and payment are received.
GROUP TRAVEL INSURANCE Authentic Israel has partnered with Travel Insurance Israel to provide an optional travel insurance package. BENEFITS Pre-Departure Trip Cancellation Post-Departure Trip Interruption Travel Delay/Missed Connection Medical Expense/Emergency Evacuation Baggage and Personal Effects MAXIMUM LIMITS Trip Cost Baggage Delay $300 Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Cancel For Any Reason (Optional)* Not available to residents of Washington St. Up to 150% of Trip Cost $500 Maximum $50,000/$500,000 ($50 deductible) $1,000 ($250 per article limit) Covered (if purchased w/in 14 days of trip deposit) 75% of non-refundable Trip Cost The above table is a summary of benefits. Please see the policy wording for a complete description. All benefits subject to plan exclusions. Cancel For Any Reason. This supplemental coverage can be selected provided the plan is purchased within 14 days of initial trip deposit or airfare payment and the appropriate additional premium is paid. Cancellation must be made at least two days or more prior to departure. Optional Medical Upgrade: $25/Person Applies to all travelers on same policy and adds the following additional benefits provided the plan is purchased within 14 days of initial trip deposit or airfare payment and the appropriate additional premium is paid: Additional $50,000 Emergency Accident and Sickness Medical per person Additional $500,000 Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains per person $0 deductible Primary medical coverage Children under the age of 18 traveling with parent(s) are covered for FREE DELUXE PLAN DELUXE PLAN + CANCEL FOR ANY REASON COVERED AMOUNT PER ADULT (18+)* COVERED AMOUNT PER ADULT (18+)* AGE $1,501- $2,000 $2,001- $2,500 $2,501- $3,000 $3,001- $3,500 $3,501- $4,000 $1,501- $2,000 $2,001- $2,500 $2,501- $3,000 $3,001- $3,500 $3,501- $4,000 18-35 $79 $99 $119 $138 $155 $115 $145 $175 $203 $229 36-60 $102 $125 $146 $154 $169 $149 $184 $215 $227 $250 61-70 $131 $161 $190 $220 $249 $193 $238 $281 $326 $370 *All trip costs must be included as part of your coverage including flight costs not booked through Authentic Israel. Order online at www.grouptravelinsuranceisrael.com Questions? Please contact Dani Eisenstock at dani@travelinsuranceisrael.com or 1-888-747-3773.