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.