Haim Aronovitz will lead this tour. Melton travel is open to adults of all ages.  

We are so pleased that you are interested in travelling with Melton! As you may know, Melton provides the educational content for its tours, but is not a travel agency. VIA SABRA is the travel logistics provider for this tour and is responsible for the collection of all deposits and other fees. Because Melton does not collect any travel deposits or fees, it is not responsible for any financial loss associated with a cancellation of this tour for reasons beyond Melton’s control, including COVID.

We encourage you to read Via Sabra’s Terms and Conditions thoroughly, advising that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers both “cancellation for any reason” and for “COVID-related” reasons. Even where your destination does not presently restrict travel due to COVID, we still recommend you purchase a policy with such coverage.

Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to travelling and learning with you,
The Melton Travel Team

If you would like to be notified when registration opens, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Tour Includes

• Accommodations: 10 nights
• Meals: All breakfasts plus four additional meals. (Please note that not all group meals will be kosher, but all will include vegetarian or fish options.)
• Educational Programming: All entrance fees and programs as per the Melton itinerary.

Hotels

• Jerusalem: The Herbert Samuel Hotel
• Kinneret: Pundak Lavi at Kibbutz Lavi

Note: We will do our best to assist you with extensions both before and after the tour.

Tour Does Not Include Flights

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 Julian Banegas (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 215-568-6655, Ext. 377) with your flight requests.

DAY ONE: Monday
BEREISHIT: BEGINNINGS

Early-arrivals option

Meet in hotel lobby at 1:30 p.m. and transfer to Mount Scopus

Campus or Sanctuary: Why a Hebrew University?
A special exploration of The Hebrew University campus on Mount Scopus

Evening

Opening Dinner

One and One Make… One!
Introductions and Reflections

Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY TWO: Tuesday
ANCIENT ROOTS

Morning

Why Jerusalem? Study session overlooking the city

Emerging Center: Field trip to the Jewish Quarter of the Old City

Group lunch in the Quarter

Free time

Afternoon

Days of Glory; Days of Destruction
Exploration of the Burnt House in the Old City

Summary Session: Why Was The Temple Destroyed?

Tour of the Western Wall Tunnels

Evening

A visit to the Israel Museum and The Shrine of the Book (optional) OR

Dinner at leisure

Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY THREE: Wednesday
IN APOCALYPTIC TIMES

Morning

Early departure for Dead Sea region

The Dead Sea Sect: Rejecting the Center in the Struggle for Light
Field trip to Qumran

Group lunch

Afternoon

The Fall of Masada and the Future of the Jewish People
Field trip to Masada 

Swim in the Dead Sea OR

Study Session: Bar Kochba: True or False Messiah?

Return to Jerusalem and Evening at leisure

Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY FOUR: Thursday
OLDNEW CITY - JEWISH CULTURE REDEFINED

Morning

A City Rises From the Dunes
Explore earliest neighborhoods beyond the walls of Jaffa

"We Hereby Declare the Establishment of a Jewish State…"
Explore the growing city, including Rothschild Boulevard, where Ben Gurion declared Israel's Independence

Lunch at leisure in central Tel Aviv

Afternoon

How and What Can We Learn from Our Past?

• Bialik in Tel Aviv- Then and Now–Study session in Bialik's house in central Tel Aviv
• The Day the Music Died... A visit to Kikar Rabin

Reflections

Evening

Group dinner in the Yemenite Quarter of Tel Aviv

Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY FIVE: Friday
THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE - CITIZENS' PERSPECTIVES

Morning

Symbols and Signs - Mapping Jerusalem's Multi-faceted Population
Study session, followed by field trip to Jerusalem neighborhoods

Afternoon

Free time; Preparations for Shabbat

Evening

Lekha Dodi Likrat Kallah - Welcoming remarks towards our Melton Shabbat Celebration

Candle-lighting and Evening Services

Traditional Shabbat dinner- Se'udat Shabbat with participants in the “Olive, Vine, and Palette” tour

Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY SIX: Saturday
VAYINAFASH… SHABBAT

Breakfast at the hotel

Morning Services at Synagogue(s) of choice

A Look at the Weekly Torah Portion- Closing the Book of Leviticus

In a private setting, indulge in a Jewish Shabbat Brunch- Enjoy the variety of classic ethnic foods that are part of the Shabbat day meal. These dishes are brought directly from the homes in which the food was cooked by families that share their heritage and flavors.

Afternoon

Optional Walking Tours– The Poetry of Yehuda Amichai  OR  Along King David Street: Three Buildings, Three Faiths, Three Agendas

Se'udah Shlisheet - late afternoon snack and schmooze

Evening: Havdalah

Dinner and rest of evening at leisure

Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY SEVEN: Sunday
TUMULTOUS TIMES: The Roman Centuries in the Land of Israel

Morning

Travel north to Caesarea

Between Caesarea and Jerusalem - Two World Views
Field trip and study session at Caesarea 

Lunch at leisure

Afternoon

The Period of the Mishna: Responding to New Jewish Realities
Field trip and study session at Beit Shearim OR Tsippori

Drive to Kibbutz Lavi

Evening

Group dinner

Study session: The Fable of the Goat

Overnight: Pundak Lavi

DAY EIGHT: Monday
FROM OLD TO NEW (ZIONIST) JEWS: TWO VISIONS OF REDEMPTION

Morning

Building Community in Anticipation of Redemption
Exploration of story and explore the alleys and synagogues of Tsfat

Lunch at leisure

Afternoon

"Deep River; My Heart is Over Jordan…"
Rafting on the Jordan River (weather permitting)

Of Farmers and Poets: What Motivated the New Jew?
Field trip to Kinneret Farm and Kinneret Cemetery

Evening

Group dinner in Tiberias

Overnight: Pundak Lavi

DAY NINE: Tuesday
FROM 67 to '67 ... AND BEYOND: FATEFUL DECISIONS, THEN AND NOW

Morning

Options on the Syrian Front
Study session

Depart for Tour of the Golan Heights

"From Here you Look Seven-Fold Larger..." Overview into Galilee Panhandle from Golan Heights and examination of the period leading to the 1967 War

Yom HaDin: What Went Wrong?
Stop at sites connected to the Yom Kippur War and examination of outbreak of Yom Kippur War in 1973.

Lunch in Katzrin, “Capital” of the Golan

Afternoon

My Past; My Future/Our Past, Our Future
Meeting with a resident of the Golan

What Do We Learn From the Story of Gamla?
Visit the Golan Archaeological Museum in Katzrin

Summary session

Make our way back to Jerusalem

Evening at leisure

Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY TEN: Wednesday
DIFFICULT FREEDOM: THE COST OF SOVEREIGNTY

Morning

Israel and the Holocaust: The Shoah and Collective Memory in Israel
Site visit and study session at Yad VaShem

Lunch at leisure

Afternoon

Free time

Land and Compromise: Addressing One of Israel's Central Challenges

• Study session at hotel
• Departure for field trip to the Administered Territories
• Home hospitality (Dinner and an Encounter with differing viewpoints on the issue)

Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY ELEVEN: Thursday
BACK TO THE FUTURE

Morning

Mt. Herzl: Symbols of Sovereignty
Tour and study sessions on Mt. Herzl

"And the Children Will Return to Their Borders..."
Stop at Kibbutz Ramat Rachel

S.Y. Agnon as Symbol
Tour and study session in the home of the Nobel Laureate

Lunch at leisure

Afternoon

Free time

Where Have We Been and Where Are We Going To?
Closing activity evaluating the tour

Evening

Celebratory dinner with the Olive, Vine, and Palette tour

NOTE: Please try to arrange flights from 11:45 p.m. on, and enjoy the festive group dinner. Transportation will be provided to Ben Gurion airport for all those flying on Thursday night after 11:30 p.m.

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

Need to Know

• Melton has offered quality educational travel opportunities for over 25 years, but it is not a travel agency and does not handle any payments made towards the tour. We have contracted this tour to Via Sabra  and it is essential that you read their Terms and Conditions prior to your actual registration.
•  Melton is not responsible for cancellation of this program for reasons beyond its control and your travel insurance should cover both "cancellation for any reason" and "COVID-related cancellation". This latter policy is being offered by a number of insurance companies (see Insurance, Health & Safety, on this page). 

Cancellations

Please refer to the Cancellation policy that appears in the Terms and Conditions of the Registration process with Via Sabra.

The Via Sabra Cancellation policy states, in part:

Cancellation by Via Sabra/Israel4All

You hereby acknowledge that a booked tour may be cancelled, amended, or delayed due to circumstances which are not under our control (including force majeure events which prevent us from operating the tour). In such cases, we will make our best efforts to inform you in advance of such changes and make every attempt to minimize the impact of such cancellations, changes or delays on the costs, schedule, and your general services experience.

Any cancellation by Via Sabra/Israel4All will be subject to the cancellation terms set forth below:

1. Via Sabra/Israel4All reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any group trip for any reason. Except in the case of extreme circumstances detailed below, we will offer alternative arrangements.
2. Via Sabra/Israel4All shall not be responsible for any of the additional costs for air tickets or other travel arrangements not made by us.
3. Via Sabra/Israel4All operates a number of group trips that are based on a minimum number of participants. Should the minimum threshold not be reached and the trip cancelled, participants will be notified 45 days prior to the trip’s start date.
4. In the event of cancellation by Via Sabra/Israel4All, all efforts will be made to issue refunds, minus a $200 processing fee. Alternatively, the full amount can be used for a future trip/tour.

Cancellation by You

You may cancel your trip with Via Sabra/Israel4All at any time, subject to the cancellation terms set out below:

1. Initial bookings made on the website can be cancelled within 48 hours, with a full refund.
2. All cancellations must be made in writing.
3. For cancellations made:

• Up to 45 days prior to departure, any payments above the deposit towards the trip will be refunded. The deposit is non-refundable.
• 45-30 days prior to departure, 50% of the total tour cost per person will be refunded.
• 29-8 days prior to departure, 25% of the total tour cost per person will be refunded.
• 7-0 days prior to departure, the client will incur 100% of the cost of the tour.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to cancellations made as a result of force majeure circumstances, or due to Israel-imposed governmental or air flight restrictions, including those related to COVID-19, either funds on deposit can be applied to a future trip or you can receive a refund, less $200 per person which is a non-refundable processing fee.

All cancellation requests must be made in writing.

Please note that all reimbursements on payments made by credit card will carry a 3% processing fee. 

 Additional Information

•  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 will 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.
•  Hotel Accommodations: The tour price includes all hotel accommodations, in hotel rooms with private baths. 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 specified in the itinerary. In travel beyond Israel, not all communal meals are kosher certified, but fish- and vegetarian options will always be available and kashrut and other dietary requirements of group members will be taken into account. Participants can order additional kosher meals at prices set by our local agents.
•  All tours are led by a Melton educator  who remains with the group throughout the tour.
•  Gratuities: All gratuities for the educators, guides, drivers, and 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 the 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.

• 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 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 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 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.

Not Included

• Flights, personal and health insurance.
• 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.

Please note that Via Sabra will obey all protocols/restrictions in place regarding COVID.

We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. Melton is not responsible for cancellation of this program for reasons beyond its control. Your comprehensive travel insurance should cover both "cancellation for any reason" and "COVID-related cancellation". This latter policy is being offered by a number of insurance companies. We refer you to a list published by Forbes magazine, showing those companies that offer this new policy.

Please note that such policies may require registration for the policy within 14-21 days of your registration for the seminar.

Via Sabra recommends Travel Insured.

Please consult with your insurance provider regarding land, air and health insurance options or contact Travel Insured.

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.

Additional Information

• Airline Security Measures: Your name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket, or you may be denied boarding. It must also be exactly as it appears on your passport. Please make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after the date of your return home.
• 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 U.S. Transportation Security Administration website at tsa.gov to obtain more information on acceptable identity documentation and prohibited luggage items.

For more information, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

T: 1–646–921–0747, Ext. 4