Biblical In-Sites Travel Seminar

The Biblical In-Sites Seminar, taking place in Israel November 30 - December 10, 2020, will be led by Haim Aronovitz, Director of Melton Travel Seminars. The seminar is open to adults who enjoy in-depth Jewish educational travel, including all Melton students and graduates.   

For more information about this seminar, please click the tab headings in this section or the ≡ icon on mobile devices.

Tour Includes

• 10 nights' accommodation at select hotels
• 9 days of a luxury, air-conditioned bus with licensed, English speaking Melton educator
• 1 group transfer and assistance from/to the airport
• All site entrance fees and program fees as per itinerary
• Daily breakfast, 6 lunches, and 5 dinners
• Portage at the airport and hotel

DAY ONE: Monday

BEREISHIT (IN THE BEGINNING...)

Afternoon
Convene and Introductions: Who Are We? (Lekh Lekha Moments)
Overlooking Jerusalem and the Desert: The View as Text
The Second Lekh Lekha: Study Session at Hebrew University, Mount Scopus, with Dr. Howie Deitcher, Director of the Florence Melton Institute.

Evening
Opening Dinner: A Biblical Feast at Eucalyptus restaurant
Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY TWO: Tuesday

THE WORLD OF OUR (FORE) FATHERS

Morning
The TaNaKH: An Overview with Rabbi Dr. Morey Schwartz, Director of Education and Innovation, The Florence Melton School
Excursion to Ne'ot Kedumim, the Biblical Landscape Heritage Gardens:
In the Vale of The Song of Songs  
OR 
Exploring the Seven Species (Tour with texts)
Group Lunch at Neot Kedumim

Afternoon
Of Matriarchs and Patriarchs: Hevron as Layered Memory
Drive to and through southern Judea 
Visit Hebron (security situation permitting)

Evening
Dinner and evening at leisure
Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY THREE: Wednesday

ENTERING THE TEXT...AND (RE)ENTERING THE LAND

Morning
Travel through the Judean Desert and then to the Dead Sea region
Abraham and Lot at S'dom: Ethical Imperatives (study session)
Lunch on your own

Afternoon
(How) Did Joshua Bring The Israelites Over the River? The Jordan as Symbol
Visit the Jordan River/Jericho region; study session

Evening 
Group Dinner in Jerusalem

Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY FOUR: Thursday

AND THE LAND WAS QUIET FOR FORTY YEARS

Morning
Overview of the Book of Judges
The Samson Cycle: A Journey Through the Tribal Lands of Dan 
Travel from Jerusalem to the Beit Shemesh region
Field trip and study sessions overlooking Tsora
Continue to Ashkelon National Park:
Who Is a Philistine? (Study session)
Picnic Lunch on the Mediterranean

Afternoon
... And on the Way Back, A First Look at Kings…
David, The Shepherd Become Leader: Clash of Giants in the Valley of Elah 

Evening
Group Dinner in Jerusalem
Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY FIVE: Friday
DAVID: THE YOUTHFUL LEADER BECOMES KING...

Morning
So Who Is David For Us? (study session)
(i) The Ark of the Covenant Returns to Israel 
Study session near Tel Beit Shemesh 
(ii) Following David from Kiryat Ye'arim to Jerusalem
(iii) David in "Ir David, that is Jerusalem" 
Field trip and study sessions on way

Afternoon
Free

Evening – Lecha Dodi Likrat Kallah…
Kabbalat Shabbat and Dinner
Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY SIX: SHABBAT - VAYINAFASH

Morning
In Jerusalem with many synagogue options, much rest, good food and good company
Parashat Hashavua - Midday study session
Lunch at the hotel

Afternoon
A Remarkable Discovery: The oldest Biblical text ever found
Walk to Ketef Hinnom, overlooking the Hinnom Valley
Se'udah Shlisheet - late afternoon snack and schmooze
Havdalah

Evening
Dinner and evening at leisure

Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY SEVEN: Sunday
CHALLENGES OF LEADERSHIP...

Morning
Travel via the Via Maris, Strategic Route For Ancient Superpowers
Afek: Between Israelites, Philistines and the Lost Ark
Lunch at leisure

Afternoon 
Deborah, Yael and the Tent Pegs: Women for all Seasons?
Mount Tavor and surroundings

Check in at Kibbutz Lavi Hotel
Processing and review session at kibbutz prior to dinner

Evening
Group Dinner
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi

DAY EIGHT: Monday
ALTERNATIVE CENTERS IN THE NORTH...

Morning
Dan as Capital
Study on site at Tel Dan Nature Reserve
Lunch at leisure at Dag Al HaDan

Afternoon
Hatzor: Royal City 
Visit Tel Hatzor, ancient throughway for regional superpowers

Evening
Dinner at Kibbutz Lavi
The Bible and its Place in Our Identity
A discussion with kibbutz member
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi

DAY NINE: Tuesday
THE TROUBLE WITH KINGS...

Morning
(i)   Testing for Leadership: Gideon's Brook, Jezreel Valley 
(ii)  Behind Every Successful Man… 
Jezebel, Ahab and Elijah at Jezreel (bibliodrama)
Lunch at leisure at Yokneam Mall

Afternoon
(iii) Apocalypse Now: The War to End All Wars
Visit site and study session at Megiddo
Return to Jerusalem

Evening
Group Dinner in Jerusalem
Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY TEN: Wednesday
THE CLASSIC PROPHETS

Day commences at 8:00 a.m.
Morning
Between Isaiah and Jeremiah (Study session)
Oh Jerusalem! The Prophets and the Vision of Jerusalem Rebuilt
An exploration of Zedekiah's Cave, and a consideration of the nature of the prophetic message regarding the "city on the hill"  

OR 

In the Footsteps of Isaiah: Visit to Sataf, on the outskirts of Jerusalem, and hike through its water system  

Group lunch

Afternoon
Tying it all Together: An Excursion to the Archaeology Wing of the Israel Museum

Evening
Free
Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY ELEVEN: Thursday
BETWEEN PAST AND FUTURE
Mother Rachel and Jeremiah's Promise

Day commences at 8:00 a.m.
Morning
Travel to Kibbutz Ramat Rachel
Of Destruction and Rebirth:  Rachel as Comforter and Symbol of Optimism
Visit Kever Rachel (Rachel's Tomb)
If I Forget Thee, O Jerusalem…(Psalm 137)
Visit Goldman Promenade, overlooking Jerusalem; process visit to Rachel's Tomb
Lunch at leisure and afternoon break

Afternoon.
Closing Session

Festive Farewell Dinner
NOTE: Please try to arrange flights from 11:30 p.m. on, and enjoy the final dinner with your group.

Note: Itinerary subject to change. Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays observed in the destinations being visited.

In Jerusalem - Dan Panorama for the nights of November 30 - December 5 and December 8-9

In the North: Lavi Inn (Kibbutz Lavi) for the nights of December 6-7

Flight Arrangements

We will be pleased to assist you in any and all flight arrangements, including additional travel plans, through our partners at Gil Travel. Please contact Fred Bomze (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 215-568-6655 x 244) with your flight requests.

Need to Know

• Group rates are per person based on double occupancy and a minimum of 15 fully paying participants per bus. Should the number of participants drop below the minimum listed above, we may adjust the cost of the trip to reflect the additional expense of operating the program.
• Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, special dinners, sightseeing, admissions, luggage handling and the services of local guides, drivers, and the tour guide/educator are included.
• A non-refundable sum of $500 is required for registration. This sum will be put towards the overall cost of the seminar. If the seminar is cancelled, the registration fee will be refunded.
• Hotel Accommodations: The tour price includes all hotel accommodations, in hotel rooms with private bathrooms. Our standard is to provide the best available hotels while considering value. Although the level of the accommodations may differ slightly from hotel to hotel, we are committed to your comfort. Two-bed rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bed rooms with a rollaway cot where available and are not recommended when considering the comfort of those in the room. King-size beds are not available in most hotels; what is considered king-size usually consists of two single beds pushed together and made up separately, but with one headboard. Some two-bed rooms may have two twin - not full- or queen-size - beds.
• Meals are included as indicated in the itinerary. All meals provided in Israel are kosher. In travel beyond Israel, group meals are kosher unless otherwise specified. Participants can order additional kosher meals at prices set by our local agents.
• All trips are conducted by a Melton educator who remains with the group throughout the tour.
• Gratuities Included: All gratuities for restaurant staff are included.
• Baggage: The Travel Agent and/or Tour Operator, shall not be held responsible for any damage to or loss of luggage/personal items. All damage/loss must be reported at time of incident and documented in writing by local authorities for submission to the insurance company. With regard to airline baggage allowance, different carriers have different regulations for business and coach, please check with your individual carrier with regard to permitted number of pieces, weights and dimensions. The tour operator is not responsible for fees levied by any air carrier for the transport of personal belongings of any kind.
• Porterage at hotels. Please note that room service is not included.

Not Included

• Flights and personal insurance are not included.
• Transfers from / to the airport unless as part of an organized group travelling together.
• Personal Expenses, including meals not mentioned above or drinks during meals, unless specified above, or room service.
• Travel and health Insurance.

Additional Information

• Airline Security Measures: In the U.S., you must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in for travel to international destinations. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.
• If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S, you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.
• Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, or aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times. You may also wish to visit the Transportation Security Administration website at www.tsa.gov to obtain more information on acceptable identity documentation and prohibited luggage items.
• Holidays and Museum Closures - Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays observed in the destinations being visited.
• Photography During Tours: We will occasionally use photographs taken by fellow guests or your trip director for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify us at the start of your tour.

We strongly recommend that comprehensive health coverage and trip cancellation insurance be purchased.

Gil Travel recommends RoamRight Travel Insurance. Consider travel protection for:

• Trip Cancellation
• Trip Interruption
• Emergency Medical Expenses
• Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation of Remains
• Trip Delay
• Baggage & Personal Effects
• Baggage Delay and more…

For more information on the available plans or to enroll, visit RoamRight Travel Insurance or contact RoamRight at 1-866-891-6614 and reference Gil Travel.

Please Note: To be eligible for the waiver of pre-existing medical condition exclusion, the protection plan must be purchased within 21 days from the time you make your initial trip deposit, the entire non-refundable amount of the trip must be insured, and you must be medically able to travel at the time the premium is paid. However, the travel protection plan itself can be purchased any time prior to departure.