Congregation Kol Ami 30th Anniversary Trip to Israel
May 30, 2023 - June 7, 2023
Click here to view the itinerary:
Join Rabbi Denise L. Eger on Kol Ami’s 30th anniversary trip to Israel! Explore the homeland of the Jewish people, its ancient history, and Israel’s vibrant modern sights and sounds.
Kol Ami’s friends and family will travel to Israel for an 8-day trip to Eretz Yisrael, the Land of Israel. Our trip begins in Jerusalem on May 30, 2023, winds our way north to the Galilee, and finally ends in the bustling city of Tel Aviv on June 7, 2023.
DEPOSITS DUE BY JANUARY 10, 2023.
We will explore the ancient sites of Jerusalem, the beauty of the Galilee, and walk in the footsteps of Jewish history. And we will feel the contemporary excitement of Tel Aviv, a world-class modern city! We'll stroll along the beaches of Tel Aviv, pray at the Kotel, and visit the LGBTQ community center, Gan Meir!
We will have our own special guide in addition to Rabbi Eger who will teach, share, and help us explore Israel and its many layers. There will be special briefings that will help us understand Israel and the geo-political picture with its neighbors that is always ever present. We will meet with the LGBTQ community and with Reform Jewish leaders in Israel. We will celebrate Shabbat together at a sister Reform congregation and we will have a chance to float in the Dead Sea!
Whether you have traveled to Israel before or this is your first trip, you will want to join this journey to Israel.
There is an optional 4-day add-on to Jordan on June 8-11. (See below for pricing)
The pricing for this trip is in addition to the pricing for Israel. PLEASE NOTE: If you add on the Jordan extension the pricing assumes that you will fly out/return to the States out of Amman, Jordan. If you require a transfer back to Israel, there are additional costs (and likely another night in a hotel in Israel).
Or there is an optional LGBTQ Tel Aviv Pride Extension. -hotel only; June 8- 10.
To see the full itinerary and details about the hotels see here. https://itinerary.kenes-
tours.com/Itinerary/Landing/5ac8d817-e3be-4e23-925f-2a0853a02a78
tours.com/Itinerary/Landing/5ac8d817-e3be-4e23-925f-2a0853a02a78
But in short, our hotel accommodations are as follows.
Jerusalem -5 nights at the Dan Panorama Hotel – May 30 check in-check out June 4
Galilee - 2 nights at Nof Ginosaur – check in June 4- check out June 6
Tel Aviv- 1 night at the Dan Panorama Hotel – check-in June 6-late check out June 7
Galilee - 2 nights at Nof Ginosaur – check in June 4- check out June 6
Tel Aviv- 1 night at the Dan Panorama Hotel – check-in June 6-late check out June 7
Pricing:
To secure your spot, a $300 non-refundable deposit per person is required.
To secure your spot, a $300 non-refundable deposit per person is required.
The price per person is $5,547.00 for double occupancy.
A single supplement is $1,626.00.
The price quoted is based on 15-20 participants. (Less than 15 paying participants the price will rise.)
It includes a land package only and is based on double occupancy in deluxe rooms. Price includes breakfast daily and 5 dinners; all entrance fees, group transfer from and to the airport, luggage handling at the hotels; air-conditioned bus. If you are arriving early or later transfer to the airport, will be on your own accord.
Pricing does not include airfare, insurance, drinks, and alcoholic beverages, lunches, 3 dinners, incidentals (papers, laundry, phone calls), or tips and gratuities to driver and guide.
1. To begin the process of booking hotels and activities, a non-refundable deposit of $300 per person is required. Please understand that our work is done before your tour begins. Therefore, even if the tour is canceled or for some reason, registered participants must cancel their participation in the tour, the deposit compensates us for work already done.
2. Balance of payment will be due on March 31, 2023.
3. All participants must travel with valid passports with expiration dates not earlier than December 10, 2024.
4. Payment can be done by credit card (Mastercard, Visa, Amex) or by bank/wire transfer to our tour provider Kenes’ - Israeli bank account. Please note that if you pay by credit card, Kenes add 4% to the price to cover the fees they are charged by the credit card companies.
2. Balance of payment will be due on March 31, 2023.
3. All participants must travel with valid passports with expiration dates not earlier than December 10, 2024.
4. Payment can be done by credit card (Mastercard, Visa, Amex) or by bank/wire transfer to our tour provider Kenes’ - Israeli bank account. Please note that if you pay by credit card, Kenes add 4% to the price to cover the fees they are charged by the credit card companies.
Airfare:
Because so many people have their own airline preferences and mileage programs and often wish to stop elsewhere before and/or after our trip we do not arrange for nor does the pricing include airfare. Please plan to arrive late afternoon of May 30. There will be one group transfer from the airport to Jerusalem.
Because so many people have their own airline preferences and mileage programs and often wish to stop elsewhere before and/or after our trip we do not arrange for nor does the pricing include airfare. Please plan to arrive late afternoon of May 30. There will be one group transfer from the airport to Jerusalem.
There is one nonstop daily from LAX on El Al. United has a non-stop from SFO. But every major airline (United, American, Delta, Lufthansa, British Airways, KLM, Air Canada) has flights to Israel that connect either through JFK, Newark, Heathrow, Frankfurt, Schiphol, or Toronto). There are other airlines as well consult your travel agent or preferred booking site.
If you are adding the Jordan extension it will be better/more cost-effective to fly into Tel Aviv and out of Amman, Jordan.
On June 7 there will be one group transfer to Ben Gurion airport in the evening after dinner. Most flights to the U.S. leave around midnight or early am. This can be confusing when booking check the time and date of departure carefully. For example, there is a United flight to Newark that leaves on June 7 at 11:25 pm but there is an American Airlines flight to JFK that leaves at 12:50 am on June 8. Please be careful when booking your return flights.
Recommend Gratuities:
Tips for Driver and Guide will be collected in cash during the trip. Plan on a minimum of $10 dollars a day for our driver and $12 -15 dollars a day for our guide per person. If they go out of their way to help you or make special arrangements for you, it is customary to add to this amount.
It is also customary to plan $5-7 a night for housekeeping at your hotel.
Tips for Driver and Guide will be collected in cash during the trip. Plan on a minimum of $10 dollars a day for our driver and $12 -15 dollars a day for our guide per person. If they go out of their way to help you or make special arrangements for you, it is customary to add to this amount.
It is also customary to plan $5-7 a night for housekeeping at your hotel.
Travel Insurance:
The acquisition of comprehensive medical and travel (“Cancel for Any Reason”) insurance prior to your arrival in Israel is essential and currently required by the Israeli government. You can purchase this separately by contacting David Glickman here or you can purchase it on your own through your own travel agent. PLEASE NOTE SOME POLICIES REQUIRE YOU PURCHASE WITHIN 14 DAYS OF DEPOSIT if you wish to cover any preexisting conditions (i.e. diabetes, heart issues, COPD, etc.)
The acquisition of comprehensive medical and travel (“Cancel for Any Reason”) insurance prior to your arrival in Israel is essential and currently required by the Israeli government. You can purchase this separately by contacting David Glickman here or you can purchase it on your own through your own travel agent. PLEASE NOTE SOME POLICIES REQUIRE YOU PURCHASE WITHIN 14 DAYS OF DEPOSIT if you wish to cover any preexisting conditions (i.e. diabetes, heart issues, COPD, etc.)
Cancelation Policy:
If you pay in full before February 28, 2023, the amount of the trip minus $300 is fully refundable.
If you pay in full before February 28, 2023, the amount of the trip minus $300 is fully refundable.
Until March 31, 2023, 50% refundable minus $300.
From April 30, 2023 - No Refund.
This cancelation policy is applicable to the Jordan Extension and Pride Extension.
Jordan Extension:
Continue to explore the Middle East with a four-day extension to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. One of the Arab countries at peace with Israel, explore the capital city of Amman, the ancient city Umm Qais and the Grecco-Roman metropolis of Jerash. On Mt. Nebo, see the view that Moses saw of the Promised Land. Visit one of the wonders of the world-Petra, the carved city of stone of the ancient Nabateans. Enjoy a desert Jeep ride in Wadi Rum, the playground of Lawrence of Arabia!
Continue to explore the Middle East with a four-day extension to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. One of the Arab countries at peace with Israel, explore the capital city of Amman, the ancient city Umm Qais and the Grecco-Roman metropolis of Jerash. On Mt. Nebo, see the view that Moses saw of the Promised Land. Visit one of the wonders of the world-Petra, the carved city of stone of the ancient Nabateans. Enjoy a desert Jeep ride in Wadi Rum, the playground of Lawrence of Arabia!
Pricing for 10-19 participants in the group is as follows. All prices double occupancy in a king or twin beds.
Per person - $1125; Included in this price are:
June 8 - One group transfer from Tel Aviv hotel to Sheik Hussein / Jordan River border crossing and Assistance at the border crossing – both Israeli and Jordanian terminals.
June 11 - One group departure transfer to Queen Alia International airport, Amman, and Assistance inside Queen Alia International airport with airport formalities.
Hotel accommodations:
1 night at the Ambassador Hotel Amman.
2 nights at the Petra Moon Luxury Hotel in Wadi Musa.
1 night at the Ambassador Hotel Amman.
2 nights at the Petra Moon Luxury Hotel in Wadi Musa.
Package Price includes Porterage at hotels and airport; Entrance fees to sites on the program; Touring with a private English-speaking, government-licensed guide; Transportation with a licensed driver in an air-conditioned coach vehicle; Entrances as per itinerary.
Meals: Daily buffet breakfast at hotels; 4 lunches – June 8, 9, 10, 11; 4 dinners – June 8, 9, 10,11.
Water on the bus, and Wi-fi on the bus as available.
Not Included: Personal expenses; Spa treatments; Meals not specified above Beverages during meals, unless specified above; Room upgrades or “extras” at hotels; Any items not listed as included in this proposal; Gratuities for the driver and guide.
Recommended Gratuities in Jordan:
As with most service businesses, it is customary in Jordan to show satisfaction with and appreciation for providers with gratuities at the end of the tour. We recommend the following guidelines:
Guide: $10 per participant per day; Driver: $6 per participant per day; Hotel housekeeping: $1-2 per participant per day.
General Information:
1. All participants must travel with valid passport expiration dates that are at least 6 months from the date of departure from Jordan.
Tel Aviv Pride Extension:
June 8-10
Tel Aviv Pride celebration is one of the largest in the world on the beaches of the Mediterranean! Tel Aviv is a wildly popular LGBTQ+ destination. Enjoy the world-famous Tel Aviv Pride Parade, Beach Party, Main Event, Wigstock, and clubs galore. Party at the Gay Beach near the Hilton with more than 250,000 people!
June 8-10
Tel Aviv Pride celebration is one of the largest in the world on the beaches of the Mediterranean! Tel Aviv is a wildly popular LGBTQ+ destination. Enjoy the world-famous Tel Aviv Pride Parade, Beach Party, Main Event, Wigstock, and clubs galore. Party at the Gay Beach near the Hilton with more than 250,000 people!
Each additional night at the Dan Panorama Tel Aviv $450 a night double occupancy, with Breakfast daily.
Single room $429 a night with Breakfast Daily.
Entrance fees to clubs and Parties are not included and meals are not mentioned.
For more information or to make a deposit please contact Rabbi Eger
Thu, April 25 2024
17 Nisan 5784
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Thu, April 25 2024 17 Nisan 5784
