Israel Trip Itinerary

Sunday May 2
Departure from Oakland

Monday May 3
Arrival at Ben Gurion airport.
Welcome BBQ in the Yarkon Park and check-in.

Tuesday May 4
Begin the day at Independence Hall to reenact the moving moment when the State of Israel was declared by David Ben Gurion.
Volunteer hands-on with the Jaffa Institute, preparing food packages for the city’s less fortunate.
Stroll through the Jaffa Flea Market.
Travel south to the Negev. Visit David Ben Gurion’s Grave.
Check-in and Dinner.

Wednesday May 5
Dawn hike at Nahal Havarin.
Breakfast
Crawl through the Loz Cisterns.
Explore the Ramon Crater, a geological wonder, on foot and by jeep.
Eve: Star Gazing

Thursday May 6
Visit Kibbutz Revivim, one of the first pioneering settlements in the Negev.
Visit the Biblical city of Tel Arad, built as an outpost by King Solomon.
Sunset camel ride at Kfar Hanokdim followed by Bedouin “hafla” dinner. Sleep in a Bedouin tent (bathrooms and showers available).

Friday May 7
Hike to the Nahal David waterfall in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve.
Float in the Dead Sea.
To the North
Check-in and prepare for Shabbat.
Kabbalat Shabbat at Beirav Carlebach minyan.
Festive Shabbat dinner.

Shabbat May 8
Shabbat morning tefilot at local synagogue followed by walking tour on the Jewish Quarter.
Shabbat lunch and rest time.
Seudah Shlishit picnic followed by meeting with Kabbalistic artist, David Friedman.
Havdalah
Eve: Kinneret boat ride and dinner in Tiberias.

Sunday May 9
Meet IDF soldiers serving on the northern border.
Ascend the Golan Heights to Mt. Bental, to the bunkers overlooking Syria.
Hands-on chocolate workshop at the De Karina Boutique Chocolate factory on Kibbutz Ein Zivan.
Hike to the Jilaboun waterfall at Nahal Devorah.
Continue to Gonen for check-in and dinner.

Monday May 10
Visit the impressive Roman city of Bet Shean. Explore the site in teams as you fill in a special questionnaire.
Travel to Jerusalem via the Jordan River Valley.
Meet Ethiopian families who crossed the desert to Sudan to wait for months in refugee camps before being airlifted to Israel by the Mossad.
End the day with a spectacular outlook over Jerusalem from Mt. Scopus.
Check-in and dinner.

Tuesday May 11
Erev Yom Yerushalayim Descend to the City of David. Walk through Hezekiah’s water tunnel.
Jewish Quarter Scavenger Hunt and cash lunch.
Participate hands-on in a unique rescue dig, sifting through remains from the Temple Mount.
Yom Yerushalayim tekes with local community and dinner.

Wednesday May 12
Yom Yerushalayim
Learn and remember at the Yad Vashem Memorial Complex, including visits to the historical museum and Childrens’ Memorial.
Visit Ammunition Hill, site of a fierce battle for the reunification of Jerusalem during the Six Day War.
Evening: TBA (Degel March?)

Thursday May 13 Visit Yad L’Kashish-Lifeline of the Elderly, where shopping is a true mitzvah!
Volunteer with Hazon Yeshayahu.
Last minute shopping time.
Final visit to the Kotel.
Visit the Neot Kedumim Biblical Nature Reserve. Enjoy tree planting, sheep herding, and other activities. Summary discussion and farewell dinner.
Transfer to airport for departing flight.

Friday May 14 Arrival in Oakland.

8th Grade Heads to Israel

Dear OHDS Families,

At Oakland Hebrew Day School, we are committed to creating an environment where students will deepen their love and commitment to our rich heritage of learning. Our students continuously develop their relationship with God, opening themselves to the mystery and wonder of the world. They are devoted to exploring the language, practice, and outlook of the two cultures within which we live and they learn to shape Jewish life and contribute to the broader society.

Throughout the years at OHDS, the students are taught that the creation of the State of Israel is one of the seminal events in Jewish history. Recognizing the significance of Israel and its national institutions, we seek to instill in our students an attachment to the State of Israel and its people as well as a sense of responsibility for their welfare. We are proud and excited that this year’s eighth grade will be traveling in Israel from May 2nd – May 14th, marking our seventh annual tradition of culminating the OHDS K-8 Jewish educational experience. This trip is a meaningful testament to what we truly hold valuable and what we teach our students to understand and cherish.

Through this trip, we are certain that we will solidify within our students a culture of caring and a compassionate disposition. The powerful impact that a trip of this kind can have on our school community and the greater Jewish community as a whole is certain.

We look forward to relaying all of the wonderful stories of our travels upon our return!

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yehudah Potok, Head of School