Kalamazoo & Western Michigan Israel Experience

April 16 – 27, 2023

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Dekel Israel Tours is pleased to welcome:

Kalamazoo & Western Michigan — Israel Experience

Dates: April 16 – 27, 2023

This special twelve-day experience is a journey through time and place — the narrative of the Jewish Homeland. From the remnants of our ancient past to the realization of the dream of statehood, encounter the many stories of Ha’Aretz — The Land.

Tel Aviv – Jaffa
Zichron Ya’akov
Tzfat & the Galilee
Golan Heights
Jerusalem Old and New
Masada & the Dead Sea

Read through the tabs below for useful information about the trip.
Registration information can be found below that.

Experience Israel:

Join us for a special Israel trip with Temple B’nai Israel and Congregation of Moses. Explore the Jewish Homeland’s rich historical and cultural tapestry on an amazing journey across the millennia, from the birth of a people to the birth of a state, and right up to the present moment.

Stage One: Bruchim HaBa’im!

The journey begins in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, where ancient port city meets economic and technological hub. We’ll explore the themes of Antiquity to Modernity; being Jewish in Israel; the birth and development of the State of Israel; and more.

Stage Two: Heading North

We’ll move our way up the Mediterranean coast toward some of Israel’s great historical treasures and head deep into the beautiful Galil and Golan regions to discover the cultural traditions of different Jewish communities around the world, expressions of Jewish spirituality and mysticism, and modern geopolitical history.

Stage Three: Yerushalayim Shel Zahav

Welcome Home to Jerusalem, the heart of the Jewish world. We’ll discover all the wonder of Jerusalem, from the ancient walled city to the bustling modern metropolis. We’ll also enjoy a day trip to Masada and the Dead Sea, moving moments at Yad Vashem and on Yom HaZikaron, and an exuberant Independence Day celebration.

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Tentative Itinerary

The itinerary is subject to change based on time, weather, security, and other considerations.
Hotels listed, or similar.

DAY 1
SUNDAY, APRIL 16, 2023

ARRIVAL DAY (D)
Tel Aviv: From Sand Dunes to Skyscrapers

Settle into the hotel
Jaffa: ancient port city
Leisure time
Welcome Dinner

Dan Panorama, TLV

DAY 2
MONDAY, APRIL 17, 2023

TEL AVIV REGION (B,D)
Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Machon Ayalon: clandestine bullet factory
Tel Aviv, Independence Trail
Graffiti & Street Art Tour
Yom HaShoah program

Dan Panorama, TLV

DAY 3
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2023

COASTAL PLAIN (B,D)
Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Memorial Day

Rabin Square
Yom HaShoah siren at 10:00
Zichron Ya’akov: the First Aliyah
Kibbutz Hannaton: Mikva Shamaya

Ramot Resort, Kinneret

DAY 4
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2023

UPPER GALILEE (B,D)
Mystics and Sages

Tzfat: City of Mysticism
Mount Meron
Cultural exchange with local Galilee family; traditional flavors

Ramot Resort, Kinneret

DAY 5
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023

GOLAN HEIGHTS (B,D)
Tanks, Jeeps, and Whiskey

Golan: Mapping the Independence, Six-Day, and Yom Kippur Wars
Off-road Jeep tour
Visit a local whiskey distillery

Ramot Resort, Kinneret

DAY 6
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023

JORDAN VALLEY (B,D)
Jerusalem-Bound

Kinneret Cemetery
Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu: BioBee tour
Mount Scopus: welcome to Jerusalem
Shabbat services at Kol HaNeshama

Dan Panorama, JLM

DAY 7
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2023

JERUSALEM (B,L)
Shabbat in Jerusalem 

Shabbat morning services
Picnic in the park
Afternoon at leisure to visit the Israel Museum or explore the city on your own

Dan Panorama, JLM

DAY 8
SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 2023

JERUSALEM (B)
Four Quarters, Three Religions…

Old City of Jerusalem: one square km of hearts and history
Davidson Center and Western Wall
Muslim & Christian Quarters

Dan Panorama, JLM

DAY 9
MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2023

JERUSALEM (B,L,D)
Heart of the Nation

Support the artisans at Yad L’Kashish
Visit Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial
8:00 pm pause with the nation for the Yom HaZikaron siren

Dan Panorama, JLM

DAY 10
TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2023

JUDEAN DESERT (B,L)
Yom HaZikaron

Fortress of Masada
11:00 am Yom HaZikaron siren
Dead Sea experience
Celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut in Jerusalem

Dan Panorama, JLM

DAY 11
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2023

JERUSALEM (B)
Yom Ha’Atzmaut / Departure

Morning of learning
Independence Day Flyover
Mahane Yehuda market
Closing program & tree planting

Departures

DAY 12
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2023

WELCOME BACK TO MICHIGAN
L’Hitraot

L’Hitraot means, “until we see you again.”
It’s more than just Goodbye.


Per Person Package Cost — $3880

Per person sharing a double occupancy room
(Based on a minimum of 20 participants)

The Israel Experience package includes:

Ten nights accommodation in a standard double occupancy room at the hotels listed, breakfast included.
Services of a top-level English-Speaking Israeli tour guide for 11 full days.
Lunches and dinners listed as included in the itinerary.
Comfortable air-conditioned coach with professional driver for touring days.
Entrance fees into all sites and attractions as per itinerary.
All overnights and meals for guide and driver when needed.
A guest packet for each room (includes hats, maps, notepads, and more) and two water bottles per person, per day.
Full backing of Dekel Tours, and 24/7 support to ensure smooth running of the trip and real-time response to any unforeseen disturbances.

Package excludes:

Airfare to and from Israel.
Activities not listed in itinerary.
All gratuities and other out-of-pocket and personal expenses.
Any optional travel or touring arrangements.
Insurance for baggage, personal items, trip cancellation or interruption, medical expenses, etc.
Fees related to testing for COVID that may be required prior to, during, or after the trip.

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Extras & Upgrades Available!

Arrive in Israel early and/or stay late, and we’ll take care of all your arrangements (extra nights at the hotel, transportation to/from the airport, dinner reservations, etc.)
Airport transportation for flights arriving/departing outside the group transportation window
Upgrade to a premium room at the hotels
Any other arrangements that would help make your trip perfect

Payment and Cancellation Policy:

Deposit of 15% of trip cost is required in order to confirm registration. This sum includes a non-refundable $200 good-faith deposit per participant.
Registration closes 6 months prior to arrival (October 15, 2022), and all registered guests must have paid a deposit by this date in order to confirm participation.
If space remains in the group after the official close of registration, additional guests may be added on a first-come-first-served basis and must pay a deposit immediately in order to confirm participation.
Complete and final payment is required 60 days prior to arrival (February 15, 2023).
Only payments by credit card and bank transfer will be accepted. Guests paying by bank transfer are eligible for a 2% discount.
Cancellations received over 60 days prior to arrival will be eligible for a full refund (less the $200 per guest good-faith deposit).
Cancellations received between 60 and 45 days prior to arrival will be eligible for a 50% refund.
Cancellations received between 45 and 30 days prior to arrival will be eligible for a 25% refund.
No refunds will be possible on cancellations within 30 days of arrival.
In the event that the trip is canceled due to unforeseen circumstances: Non-refundable good-faith deposits may be applied to re-booked trips that are scheduled to arrive within two years of original arrival date, at Dekel Tours’ sole discretion.
In the event that an individual guest cancels due to unforeseen circumstances: Full refunds (including good-faith deposit) may be granted if an equal (or greater) number of replacement guests are found and confirmed, at Dekel Tours’ sole discretion. Any refunds, if applicable, will be issued after the replacement guests have paid in full.

We’re in the planning stages of an optional trip extension to Petra

Come back soon for updates

Petra: World Heritage Site

Tour the stunning archaeological park at Petra and see such iconic sites as the Treasury, the Siq, the Street of Facades, and more.

Mystical Wadi Rum

Experience the beauty of the Red Desert on a jeep trek through spectacular desert landscapes, imposing rock formations, and red sand dunes.

Eilat: Day of Sun and Fun

Spend the day relaxing in the warm Israeli sunshine, enjoying the many waterfront attractions, or engaging in that most Israeli of activities: shopping.

Pricing will depend on the number of extension participants as well as the final trip details.

Ready to sign up?

To sign up, click one of the payment buttons below in order to make your deposit.
You’ll be redirected to a secure credit card payment site.
The deposit amount is $582 per participant ($1164 per couple).

Deposit for 1 participant
Deposit for 2 participants

For registration and general information:

Please contact Gerry Tregerman

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