Friday May 20: Yad Vashem–Old City of Jerusalem. Saturday May 21: New City of Jerusalem–Bethlehem. In the morning, there will be a Shabbat service at the synagogue at Hebrew Union College, where Rabbi Stahl will accompany Jewish worshippers, and the Christian worshippers will visit the Mt. of Olives, Garden of Gethsemene and conclude with a service at the Garden Tomb. In the afternoon, we will visit the city of Bethlehem, Manger Square, and the Church of the Nativity. We will stop at one of the famous Bethlehem gift shops on our way back to Jerusalem. After dinner, we will visit the Western Wall tunnels at night. Today we depart Jerusalem and head toward Tel Aviv. Our first stop of the day will be at the Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam, a village jointly established by Jewish and Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel, that is engaged in educational work for peace, equality and understanding between the two peoples. We will then continue on to the Elah Valley and the city of Azekah - the site of the famous David and Goliath battle. On the outskirts of Tel Aviv, we will visit the ancient city of Jaffa, the city where Jonah attempted to flee from God. Once in the city of Tel Aviv, we will visit the Diaspora Museum to review the 2500 year experience of the Jewish people outside the land of Israel. We will conclude the day with our farewell dinner at a local Israeli restaurant in Tel Aviv. After dinner, we will transfer to the airport for our return flight home. ** TRANSPORTATION: Round trip airfare from San Antonio to Israel. ** HOTELS: Seven (7) nights accommodations at Deluxe First Class hotels in Israel, as listed in itinerary, or similar, based on two persons sharing a twin-bedded room with private bath throughout. A few single rooms are available at an additional cost of $1119. If a passenger cannot supply a roommate and MBF Enterprises, Inc. is unable to do so, the passenger will have to pay the supplemental charge. ** MEALS: Two meals daily in Israel consisting of buffet Israeli breakfast and dinner are included throughout the tour. ** SIGHTSEEING: Sightseeing by private motorcoach, as shown in itinerary, including all entrance fees, with private English-speaking guide. ** TRANSFERS: All transfers between airports and hotels. ** PORTERAGE: Porterage and handling of one (1) bag per person. ** TAXES: All taxes on the hotels, meals and other tour services. Not included in tour price: ** Tips for the local Israeli guide and driver. ** Trip cancellation insurance (strongly recommended). ** Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, etc.). ** Excessive baggage charges, such as overweight charges or the porterage of more than (1) suitcase. ** Individual services apart from group. ** Expenses due to flight delays, strikes, bad weather or other irregularities. ** Cost of passport.
Passport #____________________ Date of Issue___________________
2011 SAN ANTONIO INTERFAITH
TOUR OF ISRAEL
May 15-24, 2011
Scheduled to Participate: Rabbi Sam & Lynn Stahl and Michael Fanning, Ph.D.
Tentative Itinerary (Subject to Change)
(Note: For a printable tour itinerary (without the photos) and registration form, please click on the following link - 2011 San Antonio Interfaith Tour)
Sunday May 15: San Antonio-Israel.
The group will depart San Antonio at approx. 3:00 in the afternoon on our flight to Tel Aviv.
Monday May 16: Tel Aviv.
Upon arrival in Israel, we will be met by our hosts, who will assist and escort us through customs and transfer us by private motorcoach to the deluxe Renaissance Hotel, located directly on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
(http://marriott.com/hotels/travel/tlvbr-renaissance-tel-aviv-hotel/)
Tuesday May 17: Tel Aviv-Caesarea-Mt. Carmel-Muchraka-Daleat el Carmel-Tzippori (Sepphoris)-Tiberias.
Our day will begin with a tour of the city of Tel Aviv, including stops at Rabin Square and Independence Hall, where David ben Gurion announced the establishment of the State of Israel in May 1948. We will drive up the coastal road to the spectacular ruins of the port city of Caesarea. While in the city that was home to the first Gentile Christian, we will visit the Roman theater, the aqueducts, the Crusader city, and the new excavations in the city. We will then drive to the top of Mt. Carmel to the Carmelite monastery of Muchraka, where we will recount the story of Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal. While on the summit of Mt. Carmel, we will stop at the home of a local Druze tribesman for a hospitality visit. Our last stop will be at the incredible Roman city of Sepphoris, where we will view the magnificent mosaics, talk about the importance of the city in early Jewish history and learn about the possible connection between this city and Jesus. We will then head toward Tiberius and our hotel, the Leonardo Plaza Tiberias Hotel, located directly on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
(http://www.leonardo-hotels.com/Leonardo_Plaza_Hotel_Tiberias)
Wednesday May 18: Sea of Galilee-"Galilee Boat"-Capernaum-Tel Dan-Safed- Jordan River.
We will spend this entire day visiting sites in the northern part of Israel. We begin with a boat trip across the Sea of Galilee in one of the new wooden "replica" boats. We will then see the incredible "Galilee Boat", an ancient fishing vessel that dates back to the time of Jesus. Our next stop will be Capernaum, the city where Jesus performed many of his miracles. From there, we will then drive north to the city of Dan, where we will visit the nature preserve and the fascinating Canaanite and Israelite remains in the ancient capital of the Israelite tribe of Dan. We will even see the actual city gate that Abraham walked through on his travel to the Promised Land. After lunch at a local kibbutz, we will stop in the fascinating city of Safed. Located high in the Galilee mountains, Safed is an historic city of Jewish mysticism and religion, as well as home to many gifted artists. We will walk through the narrow alleyways and streets of this fascinating city to visit one of the most famous ancient synagogues in the world. After completing our visit in Safed, we will make our last stop of the day at the Jordan River. Overnight at the Leonardo Plaza Tiberius.
Thursday May 19: Nazareth-Megiddo-Beit Shean-Spring of Harod-Jericho-Jerusalem.
Today we leave the Sea of Galilee region and travel toward the Holy City of Jerusalem. After driving through the city of Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle, we will make a short stop in the city of Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus. We will then drive across the Jezreel Valley (Esdraelon Valley, Valley of Megiddo, Valley of Armageddon) to visit the fortress city of Megiddo, where we will see and touch ruins dating back to the time of the Canaanites and Israelite kings! James Michener's The Source is reportedly based on this particular "tel". We will then travel to view the newly uncovered ruins of the Roman city of Beit Shean, stopping on the way at the Springs of Harod, where Gideon chose his 300 fighting men. If the political situation at the time permits, we will make a stop in the city of Jericho and visit the site where Joshua conquered the city. Excitement will then build as we travel up the Judean hills and enter the city of Jerusalem. We will stop on the mountains surrounding Jerusalem and mark the occasion with a once-in-a-lifetime Interfaith service! After this inspirational service, we will travel through the city on the way to our hotel - the David Citadel Jerusalem Hotel.
(http://www.thedavidcitadel.com/)
We will begin the day with a visit to Yad Vashem, the incredible museum of the Holocaust. We will then continue to spend the rest of the day immersed in the Holy City of Jerusalem! We will visit some of the most famous sites in the Holy Land – the Western Wall, Davidson Archaeological Park (Southern Wall excavations), Temple Mount, Pool of Bethseda, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jaffa Gate, Tower of David and many more attractions. We will conclude our incredible day with an early Friday evening visit to the Western Wall to usher in Shabbat followed by the entire group gathering together for Shabbat dinner at the David Citadel.
Sunday May 22: Dead Sea-Masada-Qumran-Jericho.
Today we will drive through the wilderness of Judea on the ancient Roman road down to the Dead Sea. We will then travel down the shores of the Dead Sea to visit the inspiring fortress - Masada. Built by Herod the Great as a winter palace, Masada was the site of the final stand of some 900 Jewish rebels as they fought against the Roman troops in the year 73. After a swim in the Dead Sea, we will visit the ancient city of Qumran, the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.
Monday May 23: Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam-Elah Valley-Joppa-Tel Aviv.
Thursday May 24: Tel Aviv-USA.
Arrive back in San Antonio in the afternoon.
Cost of Tour: $3986.00 per person
Included in Tour Cost:
** Airline taxes and fuel surcharges (This is currently running less than $100 per person)
GENERAL CONDITIONS
Registration and deposits: An initial deposit of $300 per person is required to secure definite reservations. We regret that no space may be reserved without a deposit.
Credit Card Payments: To make your deposit by credit card, click on the following link - Interfaith Credit Card Payments.
Final payment: Balance of payment is due on February 15, 2011 (90 days prior to departure).
Cancellations and refunds: If the trip is canceled in its entirety after a deposit has been made, there will be a $100 cancellation charge, unless there is someone on the waiting list to take your place. Cancellations must be made in writing; verbal cancellations, whether in person or by phone, are not valid. If a trip is cancelled within 90 days of departure, the penalty will be an additional $200 per person, due to cancellation penalties levied by the airlines, hotels and ground suppliers. There will be no refund if a trip is cancelled 60 days prior to departure, unless the trip can be sold to another individual. A special optional trip cancellation insurance policy is available.
Travel and Health Documents: A valid passport is required for all tours. No special inoculations are required unless specifically notified.
Tour price: The price of the tour is based on a minimum of 30 passengers. Should the final membership fall below this number, MBF Enterprises, Inc. reserves the right to increase the tour price.
Responsibility: This tour is planned and operated by MBF Enterprises, Inc. by contracting for services from other suppliers. MBF Enterprises, Inc. and/or its agents, acting as agents for the tour members, shall be responsible to tour members for supplying services and accommodations as set forth in this brochure, except to the extent such services and accommodations cannot be supplied due to force of nature, delays, or other causes beyond the control of MBF Enterprises, Inc. If the service and accommodations set forth in this brochure cannot be supplied due to delays or other causes beyond the control of MBF Enterprises, Inc., best efforts will be made to supply comparable services and accommodations. If such services and accommodation cannot be provided due to the above reasons, or if the services are not used due to voluntary omission by the tour member, refunds will not be granted.
By becoming a member of the tour, a participant waives any claim against MBF Enterprises, Inc. for any damages to or loss of property, or any injury to or death of persons due to any act of negligence of any hotels or any other persons rendering any of the services and accommodations included in the ground portion of the itinerary. MBF Enterprises, Inc. shall not be responsible for any delays, substitutions of equipment, or any act or omission whatsoever by any air or surface carrier, its agents, servants and employees; and a participant, by becoming a member of the tour, waives any claim arising there from. MBF Enterprises, Inc. and/or its agents is not responsible for loss or damage to participants baggage (baggage insurance highly recommended). The liability of the Airlines for the loss or damage to the baggage of the participant shall be limited in accordance with the carrier's liability insurance coverage, unless a higher value has been declared with respect hereto and additional payment made to the airline.
MBF Enterprises, Inc. reserves the right to decline, accept or retain any participant as a member of this tour at any time. If a participant is removed from the tour, a proportionate refund will be made. MBF Enterprises, Inc. reserves the right to cancel the tour prior to departure and if the tour is canceled, MBF Enterprises, Inc. shall have no responsibility beyond the refund of monies paid by the participant to MBF Enterprises, Inc. NOTE: If, because of war, or an act of God, or any reasonably unavoidable catastrophic circumstances, MBF Enterprises, Inc. and/or the tour hosts are forced to cancel the tour after funds are advanced to the airlines, ground service agents or other such vendors, MBF Enterprises, Inc. and/or the tour hosts are only obligated to return moneys advanced by the passengers in this tour which MBF Enterprises, Inc. and/or the tour hosts are successful in recovering from those vendors.
RESERVATION FORM
2011 San Antonio Interfaith Tour
May 15-24, 2011
(Note: For a printable tour itinerary (without the photos) and registration form, please click on the following link - 2011 San Antonio Interfaith Tour)
Name:
Address:
City/State/Zip:
Telephone (Home): (Office):
Email:
Email:
Name by which you like to be called:
_____I am willing to share a room with another tour member.
_____Please find me a roommate
_____I have a roommate:
_____I will travel on a single room basis at an additional supplemental cost.
Please answer the following questions. This information will help us with hotel registration, airline reservations, and any visa requirements.
Participant #1:
Name as it appears on your passport_______________________ __
Your Birth date_________________ Date of Expiration_________________
Birthplace____________________ Your Profession__________________
Participant #2:
Name as it appears on your passport_______________________ __
Passport #____________________ Date of Issue___________________
Your Birth date_________________ Date of Expiration_________________
Birthplace____________________ Your Profession__________________
Name to contact in case of emergency: _______________________
Relationship to you: ____________________ Telephone_____________________
Any special requests, dietary and/or medical requirements of which we should be aware?
I am enclosing (or have already sent) a check for the amount of $__________, payable to MBF Enterprises, Inc., as my initial deposit.
RESPONSIBILITY:This tour is planned and operated by MBF Enterprises, Inc. by contracting for services from other suppliers. MBF Enterprises, Inc. and/or its agents, acting as agents for the tour members, shall be responsible to tour members for supplying services and accommodations as set forth in this brochure, except to the extent such services and accommodations cannot be supplied due to force of nature, delays, or other causes beyond the control of MBF Enterprises, Inc. If the service and accommodations set forth in this brochure cannot be supplied due to delays or other causes beyond the control of MBF Enterprises, Inc., best efforts will be made to supply comparable services and accommodations. If such services and accommodation cannot be provided due to the above reasons, or if the services are not used due to voluntary omission by the tour member, refunds will not be granted.
By becoming a member of the tour, a participant waives any claim against MBF Enterprises, Inc. for any damages to or loss of property, or any injury to or death of persons due to any act of negligence of any hotels or any other persons rendering any of the services and accommodations included in the ground portion of the itinerary. MBF Enterprises, Inc. shall not be responsible for any delays, substitutions of equipment, or any act or omission whatsoever by any air or surface carrier, its agents, servants and employees; and a participant, by becoming a member of the tour, waives any claim arising therefrom. MBF Enterprises, Inc. and/or its agents is not responsible for loss or damage to participants baggage (baggage insurance highly recommended). The liability of the Airlines for the loss or damage to the baggage of the participant shall be limited in accordance with the carrier’s liability insurance coverage, unless a higher value has been declared with respect hereto and additional payment made to the airline.
MBF Enterprises, Inc. reserves the right to decline, accept or retain any participant as a member of this tour at any time. If a participant is removed from the tour, a proportionate refund will be made. MBF Enterprises, Inc. reserves the right to cancel the tour prior to departure and if the tour is canceled, MBF Enterprises, Inc. shall have no responsibility beyond the refund of monies paid by the participant to MBF Enterprises, Inc. NOTE: If, because of war, or an act of God, or any reasonably unavoidable catastrophic circumstances, MBF Enterprises, Inc. and/or the tour hosts are forced to cancel the tour after funds are advanced to the airlines, ground service agents or other such vendors, MBF Enterprises, Inc. and/or the tour hosts are only obligated to return moneys advanced by the passengers in this tour which MBF Enterprises, Inc. and/or the tour hosts are successful in recovering from those vendors.
As a condition to acceptance of any application, each applicant must agree to and sign the statement set forth below:
I have carefully read the itinerary outline for this tour, as well as the terms and conditions of application and participation and represent that I am physically and mentally fit to be able to participate in it and recognize and accept any risks thereof and the conditions set forth therein, including the refund policy. I also understand and hereby agree for and on behalf of myself, my dependents, my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns to abide by the conditions set forth under “Responsibility” (above), and to release, defend and hold harmless MBF Enterprises, Inc. and any of their officers, agents, licensees or representatives from any and all liability for delays, injuries or death, or the loss of or damage to any property, however occurring during any portion of, or in relation to, this trip.
Signature:________________________________ Date:_________________________
Signature:________________________________ Date:_________________________
Tour Members Requesting a Roommate Assigned by MBF Enterprises, Inc.
We will try to arrange roommates for those traveling alone who prefer to share a room with another participant. If we are unable to find a roommate and a single room must be assigned, or if due to cancellation, illness or any other reason, a single room must be assigned at any time, the single supplement must be paid by the tour member.
Signature:________________________________ Date:_________________________
Signature:________________________________ Date:_________________________
Please return the completed form (with signature) to:
MBF Enterprises, Inc.
1655 Hawks Tree Lane
San Antonio, TX 78248
(210) 710-6234 Office
(480) 247-5895 Fax
mike@mikefanning.com