Depart on our overnight flight for Israel. Dinner and breakfast is served onboard. Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport located about half way between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Our special representatives greet and assist us before transferring us to Jerusalem. We stop for a beautiful panoramic view of the city before checking in to the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. Our program begins with the theme for this day - "Connecting to the Land". The morning starts with an orientation tour of Jerusalem from the promenade; stopping for a short "Shehechiyanu" prayer (traditionally recited upon entering the city of Jerusalem and for new beginnings). Drive by the Knesset, for a look at the menorah- symbol of the State of Israel, Supreme Court, government buildings and neighborhoods old and new. Then to Yad Vashem, Israel's national memorial to those who perished in the Holocaust, and the Israel Museum, with its Shrine of the Book housing the Dead Sea Scrolls, before returning to the hotel for dinner. This evening we participate in an opening ceremony with special guests in a unique venue. Overnight in Jerusalem. "Connecting with the History of the Old City" In the morning visit the Jewish Quarter, Cardo, dating to the Roman and Byzantine periods, Davidson Center at the entrance to the Jerusalem Archaeological Park. Here we see reconstructions using "cutting edge visual techniques". In the afternoon, tour Mt. Zion, David's Tomb, Room of the Last Supper (Coenaculum) and the Dormition Abbey. In the early evening, return to the Jewish Quarter and the Western Wall to watch the preparations for welcoming the Sabbath before enjoying a Shabbat Dinner. "Connecting to the History of the Land" Before departing for the South, participate in Communion Service at the Garden Tomb. Then depart Jerusalem and drive through the Judean Desert past the Inn of the Good Samaritan and along the shores of the Dead Sea to Massada. Ascend by cable car to tour this desert fortress of King Herod. Visit the palace, bath house, and remains of the ancient synagogue before continuing to Qumran where in 1947 two Bedouin shepherds came across a clay jar containing writings known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. Return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. "Connecting to Christian Jerusalem" In the morning begin with the Mt. of Olives, Gethsemane, St. Anne's Church, the Pool of Bethesda, Christian Quarter, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Bazaars. We drive to Bethlehem, where we see the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd's Fields. Return to Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. "Defending the Land" Drive from Jerusalem to the Gaza perimeter. Visit Kibbutz Yad Mordechai which played a vital role in protecting the border and holding back Egyptian troops during the 1948 War of Independence. Visit other kibbutzim that surround the Gaza border and tour Sderot, a town that exists in spite of regular Hamas rocket attacks, (we will only go there if it will be deemed absolutely safe) and meet with community leaders. Later tour army bases, take part in military briefings and lunch with soldiers of the IDF (Israel's Army). In the event that security does not permit a visit to the area on the Gaza perimeter, we go to Latrun for a ceremony at the tank museum then to Kibbutz Yad Mordechai and to Ashkelon, Israel's largest city overlooking the Gaza strip and outside of rocket range - for a touch Biblical History. Later visit an "R and R" facility, where we have lunch with the soldiers. Dinner and overnight in Haifa "Early Christianity and Modern Realities" Drive to Nazareth, then to Acco, Tzipori, and Muchraka. We have the opportunity to listen to a distinguished panel of scholars and experts on the Middle East, who discuss the geo-political situation. This evening enjoy a festive gala dinner with members of the Haifa community. Learn folk dances, sing songs and have fun at the party. Overnight Haifa. "Modern Realities and Early Christianity" Drive to the Lebanese Border and Misgav Am. Briefings by military experts. Then visit Banias (Caesarea Philippi) one of the sources of the Jordan River, Mt. Bental, Valley of Tears, Mt. of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Tabgha, of the Loaves and Fishes, and enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Drive to Yardenit Baptismal site. Return for dinner and overnight in Haifa. "From Biblical History to Modern Israel" Departing from Haifa we begin our sightseeing with visits to Megiddo (Armageddon), Caesarea, a Phoenician city rebuilt by Herod the Great more than 2,000 years ago, Nili Museum in Zichron Yaacov, Tel Aviv and Jaffa. Then transfer to the airport for our return flight to the USA. Arrival in New York.