Israel

ISRAEL A Historical Tour of

A TOUR OF ISRAELIn our presentation, we have included some history, culture, government and customs to give some background to the trip. We finish with the itinerary.

On 14 May 1948, Israel proclaimed its independence.

Flag of Israel

White with a blue hexagram, known as the Magen David or Shield of David, centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag; the basic design resembles a Jewish prayer shawl (tallit), which is white with blue stripes; the hexagram as a Jewish symbol dates back to medieval times

The Israeli national anthem, Hatikva , is over one hundred years old. Its melody is of unknown origin, although some believe it comes from an Eastern European fold song. Its lyrics are explicitly Zionist, extolling the return of the Jews to their holy land. The song was banned from the airwaves during the British mandate, and it continues to be somewhat controversial today; there has been some debate as to whether its Zionist message is still valid.

http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Israel.html#ixzz1rnWTXEBR

Israel is a Middle Eastern county located east of the Mediterranean Sea. It boasts famous cities such as Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Bethlehem and more.

Israel’s Military

Military branches: Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israel Naval Force (IN), Israel Air Force (IAF) (2010)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for compulsory (Jews, Druzes) and voluntary (Christ ians, Musl ims, Circassians) mil i tary service; both sexes are obl igated to mi l i tary service; conscript service obl igation - 36 months for enl isted men, 21 months for enl isted women, 48 months for off icers; pi lots commit to 9 years service; reserve obl igation to age 41-51 (men), 24 (women) (2010)

Manpower available for mili tary service: males age 16-49: 1,797,960females age 16-49: 1,713,230 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for mili tary service: males age 16-49: 1,517,510females age 16-49: 1,446,132 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching mil itari ly significant age annually:

male: 62,304female: 59,418 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures: 7.3% of GDP (2006)country comparison to the world: 6

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/is.html#top

Israel’s System of Government

Israel is a parliamentary democracy with legislative, executive and judicial branches. The head of the state is the president, whose duties are mostly ceremonial and formal; the office symbolizes the unity and sovereignty of the state. The Knesset, Israel's legislative authority, is a 120-member unicameral parliament which operates in plenary session and through 12 standing committees. Its members are elected every four years in universal nationwide elections. The government (cabinet of ministers) is charged with administering internal and foreign affairs. It is headed by a prime minister and is collectively responsible to the Knesset.

Population Prime Minister Benjamin NetanyahuSince its inception in 1948, Israel's population has grown almost ten-fold.Its 7.8 million inhabitants comprise a mosaic of people with varied ethnic backgrounds, lifestyles, religions, cultures and traditions.Today Jewish citizens comprise some 75.4% of the country’s population, while the country's non-Jewish citizens number about 24.6%.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/facts%20about%20israel/israel%20in%20brief/

Industry

Israel's industry concentrates on manufacturing products with a high value that are primarily based on technological innovation. These include medical electronics, agro technology, telecommunications, computer hardware and software, solar energy, food processing and fine chemicals.

Agriculture

Israel's agricultural successes are the result of a long struggle against harsh, adverse conditions and of making maximum use of scarce water and arable land. Today, agriculture represents some 2.4% of GNP and 2% of exports. Israel produces 93% of its own food requirements, supplemented by imports of grain, oil seeds, meat, coffee, cocoa and sugar, which are more than offset by the wide range of agricultural products for export.

Foreign TradeTrade is conducted with countries on six continents. Some 48% of imports and 32% of exports are with Europe, boosted by Israel's free trade agreement with the EU (concluded in 1975). A similar agreement was signed with the United States (1985), whose trade with Israel accounts for 12% of Israel's imports and 35% of its exports.

Culture Thousands of years of history, the ingathering of the Jews from over 70 countries, a society of multi-ethnic communities living side by side, and an unending flow of international input via satellite and cable have contributed to the development of an Israeli culture which reflects worldwide elements while striving for an identity of its own. Cultural expression through the arts is as varied as the people themselves; with literature, theater, concerts, radio and television programming, entertainment, museums and galleries for every interest and taste. http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/facts%20about%20israel/israel%20in%20brief/

Pics@ https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/photo_gallery/is/photo_gallery_A1_is_1.html

Archeology

Archeology in Israel involves the systematic investigation of all the remains of the country's past - from prehistory to the end of Ottoman rule. The profusion of material remains is evidence of the many cultures that have left their imprint on the Land.

Above all archeological research clearly reveals the historical link between the Jewish people, the Bible and the Land of Israel, uncovering the remains of the cultural heritage of the Jewish people in its homeland. These visible remains, buried in the soil, constitute the physical link between the past, the present and the future of the Jewish people in its country.

This unbroken chain of history can be observed at sites all over the country. Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, has been the focus of extensive archeological activity and remains of 5,000 years of history have been revealed. http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/History/History+of+Israel/Facts%20about%20Israel-%20History

Currency • The New Israeli Shekel (NIS) is the country's freely traded currency.• Coin denominations are 5, 10 and 50 agorot, and 1, 5 and 10 NIS.• Banknotes are available in denominations of 20, 50, 100 and 200 NIS.• US dollars and various European currencies are also legal tender, with change made in NIS.• Travellers' checks are widely accepted.• Israeli currency can be converted in an airport or border banks.

ISRAELI HOLIDAYS Shabbat: The weekly day of rest, the Jewish

Sabbath is celebrated from sundown Friday through Saturday evening.

Rosh Hashanah: The Jewish New Year, also known as the Day of Judgment. Marks the beginning of the Days of Awe.

Yom Kippur: The Jewish Day of Atonement and a fast day, marks the end of the Days of Awe.

Simhat Torah: Celebrates the ending of one cycle of reading the entire Torah in synagogue, and the beginning of a new cycle.

Sukkot : Recalls when the People of Israel lived in fragile huts in the desert after the exodus from ancient Egypt. It is also one of the pilgrimage holidays to the Temple in Jerusalem.

Hanukkah: The Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah celebrates the victory of the Maccabean army over the Greeks in 165 BCE and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Tu Bishvat: The New Year of the Trees, symbolized by eating foods from the Land of Israel.

Purim: A boisterous and festive holiday celebrating when Queen Esther saved the Jews of Persia from destruction in 473 BCE. Purim Recipes

Passover: Commemorates the exodus of the People of Israel from ancient Egypt, highlighted by the Passover Seder meal.

Yom Haatzmaut: Celebrates the establishment of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948.

Lag B’omer: A holiday marking Jewish unity and pride that is celebrated with parades, outings and bonfires at night.

Shavuot: Also known as the Harvest Festival and the First Fruits Festival, Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Torah to the People of Israel at Mt. Sinai.

Food

Israel is known in the Bible as the "land of milk and honey."

Today Israel is widely credited with a rich and distinctive cuisine; one reflecting the diversity of Israeli society, but with roots deeply planted in Jewish and regional customs.

Falafels (pita style sandwiches) are a common favorite.

http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Israel.html#ixzz1rnWIs54f

Israeli Cultures

What people wear in Israel reflects the fact that the country is the crossroads of many cultures and religions. This influences local fashion as much as the climate and geography do.

Many Arabs and Bedouins maintain their traditional headdress and embroidered robes, regardless of their religion.

When visiting holy sites or religious neighborhoods, women should wear skirts and long sleeves, and men should wear long pants. Otherwise, you may be refused entry to some tourist sites.

In coastal cities like Tel Aviv, anything goes!

http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Israel.html

Resources & Travel

Israel is relatively poor in natural resources, but the natural resources and minerals they do have are lumber, potash (potassium chloride), copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, and sand. Israel has many modern day conveniences of travel; many tour group’s tour in a charter bus. Israel is a very rocky, mountainous country, so comfortable tennis shoes or hiking boots are a must!http://www.indexmundi.com/israel/natural_resources.html

Sports

The most popular sport of Israel is soccer, with basketball and tennis a close second.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Facts+About+Israel/Culture/CULTURE-+Sports.htm Israeli soccer team

The Language

Israeli people speak Hebrew as well as Arabic, with English as the most popular foreign language.

Education and Science

School attendance is mandatory from age five, and free through age 18. Almost all three- and four-year-olds attend some kind of preschool program. Israel's institutions of higher education include universities, offering a wide range of subjects in science and humanities, and serving as research institutions of worldwide repute, colleges offering academic courses and vocational schools. The country’s high level of scientific research and development and the application of R&D compensate for the country’s lack of natural resources.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/facts%20about%20israel/israel%20in%20brief/

Interestingly, they read and write from the right to the left side of the page!

Map of Israel – Areas of Touring

Masada:

Masada is located very close to the Dead Sea. According to historian Josephus Flavius, Herod the Great built the fortress of Masada between 37 and 31 BCE; Herod was hated by his Jewish subjects; he furnished Masada as a refuge for himself. It included a casemate wall around the plateau, storehouses, large cisterns, barracks, palaces, and an armory. About 75 years after Herod’s death, a revolt of the Jews against the Romans in 66 CE, a group of Jewish rebels fled to Masada. In 70 CE they were joined by zealots and their families who had fled from Jerusalem. Then, in 73 CE, the Roman government starting invading Masada and the rebels decided to burn the fortress and end their lives, rather than be taken alive.

http://www.delange.org/ADIsrael/Masada/Masada.htm

To reach Masada you can climb, hike paths, or ride a cable car to the top.

Dead Sea:

The Dead Sea’s name comes from the fact it has several rivers that run into it, including the Jordan River, but it doesn’t have any rivers running out of it. The weather in the area is very hot which causes evaporation, leaving behind the famous mineral salts.

The plans for the trip!

Day One: Arrive in Tel-Aviv at Ben Gurion InternationalAirport.Stay overnight at hotelnear the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. Mediterranean coast

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Day Two: Traveling and sightseeing to Megiddo-Biblical siteof Armageddon, Nazareth-Jesus’ birthplace, and the beautiful Sea of Galilee.Stay overnight at hotel. ------------------------------------------------------------------------Day Three: Sail the Sea of Galilee and Visit the Golan Heights.Stay overnight at hotel near Sea of Galilee

Sea of Galilee

Day Four: Finish touring Sea of Galilee area,visit Mt of Beatitudes-Where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount, Beth Shean-visit archeological sites,Dead Sea.Stay overnight at hotel. Dead Sea and salts

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Day Five: Tour Masada-Herod’s Fortress, Qumran-where dead sea scrolls were found, Jerusalem.Stay overnight at hotel

Masada Ruins

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Day Six: Tour Old Jerusalem-Dome of the Rock Mosque(and the Wailing Wall), Many Biblical sites of Jesus-GardenOf Gethsemane, Via Dolorosa, Mt of Olives and more.Stay overnight at hotel Garden of Gethsemane

Day Seven: Continue Old Jerusalem, Mt Zion-Upper Room (last supper), Bethlehem-Jesus’ birthplace,Shepherds Field-Biblical site of angelannouncing birth of Jesus, GardenTomb-Jesus’ burial site.Stay overnight at hotel Old Jerusalem-Dome of the Rock-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Day Eight: Begin journey back to U.S.

http://www.israeltourismconsultants.com/christian-tours-to-israel-holy-land-tours-travel/in-the-footsteps-of-christ-tour-ii