The following is a sample of a Mini-mester program held in the winter; please remember that each trip is customized to the needs and themes of the group.
Day 1, Arrival in Israel: Transfer to Kibbutz Mashabei Sadeh in theNegev, group dinner, ice-breakers and orientation. Overnight: Kibbutz Mashabei Sadeh
Day 2, The Living Desert: Tefillot overlooking Nahal Zin, Ben Gurion’s cabin, hike Ein Avdat, special program at Mitzpe Revivim. Evening program of group games. Overnight: Kibbutz Mashabei Sadeh
Day 3, BaMidbar: The Wonders of the Makhtesh: Hike in the Little Makhtesh (Israel’sGrand Canyon), travel to a Bedouin tent for a camel ride and ‘hafla’ Bedouin dinner, followed by overnight in a Bedouin tent.
Day 4, A Question of Freedom in the Wilderness: Climb Masada via the Roman ramp, dip in the Dead Sea, Ein Gedi hike and travel toJerusalem. Evening program on Israeli society. Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 5, Jerusalem: The Center of the World: Overview of theOldCity from the Tayelet (Haas Promenade). Inside the Western Walls: Virtual model of the Second Temple at the Davidson Center, rooftops activity and lunch in the Jewish Quarter, followed by a supermarket sweep. Evening visit to the Kotel (Western Wall) and the Kotelunnels.
Overnight:Jerusalem
Day 6, Digging Up Our Past – and Back to the Future: Dig-for-a-Day program at Tel Maresha/Beit Guvrin and visiting Emek HaEla, where David fought Goliath. Return toJerusalem and prepare for Shabbat. Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel, walk back to the hostel for Shabbat dinner and Oneg. Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 7, Shabbat in Jerusalem: Services in a choice of local synagogues, Shabbat lunch and rest, walking tour of the area around the youth hostel, havdalah, evening outing to the Jerusalem Malha mall. Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 8, Yizkor: Those Who Sacrificed: Yad Vashem seminar,MountHerzl and the newHerzlCenter. Evening activity at the Jerusalem Time Elevator and supervised free time downtown on Ben Yehuda Street. Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 9, The First Modern Hebrew City and Foundations of the State: Yad Lekashish (Lifeline for the Aged workshop), travel to Tel Aviv and visit Independence Hall, the Jaffa Institute. Spend the evening in Old Jaffa. Overnight: Tel Aviv area
Day 10, Caesarea: the Gateway to the West: Late wake up, walking tour through Neve Tzedek neighborhood and Beit Hapalmach. Travel up the coast for the Caesarea harbor multimedia program and overnight in the Galilee.
Day 11, The Golan Heights – The Eyes of the Nation: Hike in Nahal Jilaboon or one of the amazing nearby riverbeds. Stop at Mitzpe Golan for a view onto theHulaValley, and Har Bental to seeSyria andMount Hermon, followed by a visit to the Talmudic village in Katzrin. Overnight: Galilee
Day 12, Mountaintops and Mysticism in the Galilee: Ramah activity at Tzippori, Tzfat and a festive dinner. Overnight: Galilee
Day 13, Putting Down Roots in the Land: Drive to the area of Modiin for tree planting, and a visit to the Latrun fortress. Travel toJerusalem and prepare for Shabbat, followed by Shabbat dinner and oneg. Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 14, Ideal Time in an Ideal Place: Services in a choice of local synagogues, Shabbat lunch and rest, summary and reflection session. Shabbat ends with havdalah, depart for Ben Gurion airport (arrival in North America the next day).