A Bar-Mitzvah trip to Israel can be an unforgettable experience for any Jewish child. If you are limited in time, consider a short 3-day Bar-Mitzvah tour that will cover a few of the significant sites relating to the history of the State of Israel and the Jewish People.
Heading Towards Jerusalem, after Latrun, we get off the highway and join the 1948 Burma Road, learning about the battles around Jerusalem in 1948. Upon reaching Jerusalem, we park the car and head to a tour by foot of the Jewish Quarter, the Western Wall, and the City of David. These sites present best the core of Jewish history from the time of King David to our days. The tour could include a walk-in Hezekiah’s Tunnel, or joining a tour of the Western Wall Tunnels.
We head first to Masada, famed for the suicidal act of 960 Jews some 2000 years ago. Rich archaeological remains and a well-planned visitor center enhance the dramatic story. The most important finds are on display at the new Masada Museum. In nearby Ein Gedi, we can have lunch and then stroll in the beautiful botanical gardens of the kibbutz. We can then head to Ein-Gedi’s Nature Reserve and either hike and swim in Nahal David or explore the well-preserved mosaic floor of Ein-Gedi’s ancient synagogue. Our last stop will be at Qumran, a famous site for discovering the Dead Sea Scrolls. If time permits, we will also include a stop for a swim at the Dead Sea.
Our last day will be devoted to the modern history of Israel, reflected in Jaffa and Tel-Aviv. We will start with a stroll along the alleys of old Jaffa and its nearby Flea Market. Next, we will drive to Palmach Museum to learn about the Jewish resistance against the British in the 1940’s, then head to Rothschild Boulevard. At Shalom Meir Tower Visitors Center, we will review the early history of Tel-Aviv, and nearby, we will visit the Independence Hall, where the state of Israel was declared (!). We will end with a drive to the Rabin’s assassination site and asses the current geopolitics of Israel and its surroundings.
