Join AFSI's Spring Israel Tour

1751 Second Ave, New York, NY 10128
Tel: 212-828-2424; Fax: 212-828-1717; afsi@rcn.com; http://www.afsi.org/
Contact: Helen Freedman, Executive Director
January, 2010


JOIN THE AFSI CHIZUK (SUPPORT) MISSION TO THE ENDANGERED LANDS & PEOPLE OF ISRAEL


MAY 9-17, 2010


Americans For a Safe Israel/AFSI has been leading Chizuk missions for over fifteen years to the threatened communities of Israel. By doing so, we have created strong ties with the land and the people who have been expelled from Gush Katif, and those who are facing expulsion from Judea and Samaria. Believing in the biblical road map, which charts a whole Israel, and an indivisible Jerusalem, we know it is our duty and responsibility to continue our program of first-hand identification with our beleaguered brethren. We urge everyone who believes as we do to join us on this trip.


Sunday, May 9 – Recommended departure on El Al from Newark Airport – 2:15 P.M. Participants book their own flights.


Monday, May 10 – Arrive in Israel 7:30 A.M. and depart at 8 A.M. in our private bus for the Shomron. We will be visiting as many of the threatened communities in Samaria as time permits, with scheduled meetings with leading figures in the communities. David HaIvri, head of the Shomron International Liaison Office, will be our guide. We will check in to the beautiful Ashel HaShomron hotel in Ariel in time for a swim in the beautiful outdoor pool, dinner and sleep.


Tuesday, May 11 – Leave Ariel and drive south to Shilo where Batya Medad will greet us and give us a first -hand tour of the site of the ancient holy tabernacle. We wil drive on to Beth-El, home of Arutz Sheva, and meet with Hillel Fendel, editor of the invaluable on-line news publication. We will learn about the invaluable work of Arutz Sheva, visit the Yeshiva there, and see the encroachment of Ramallah on the city. We’ll drive into Yerushalayim, check into the Kings Hotel, and prepare for the evening event at Yeshivat Beit Orot on Har HaZaytim. We will be joining the celebrants at the Yeshiva for the opening ceremonies in Yom Yerushalayim.


Wednesday, May 12 – Yom Yerushalayim – Begin the morning with an early morning ascent to the Temple Mount for those who wish to join Rabbi Richman on his incomparable tour. Meet with Dan Luria of Ateret Cohanim to learn about the Jewish Reclamation successes in Yerushalayim. In the late afternoon, we will gather at Safra Square to join the parade that runs through the city and ends at the Kotel. In solidarity with all Jews threatened with expulsion, we will wear our orange shirts reading, LET OUR PEOPLE STAY. That evening we will be the guests of the Moskowitz family at Ir David for the presentation of the Moskowitz Zionism awards.


Thursday, May 13 – Yom Hebron. This is the day Hebron was liberated in 1967. We will be there to celebrate with them. Israel Danziger will be our guide as we travelling south from Jerusalem, stopping first in Bethlehem at Kever Rachel. We’ll continue south through Gush Etzion, with its threatened communities of Tekoa, Nokdim, Maaleh Amos and Meitzad. In Hebron, we will meet with our dear friend David Wilder, who will give us an update on the situation there. Hopefully, we will also meet with other very good friends from Hebron and Kiryat Arba. We will be sure to visit the southern Hebron hill community of Negohot, where the government has been destroying Jewish homes. We’ll return to Yerushalayim for evening meetings. If possible, we’ll schedule a visit to Alyn Hospital which specializes in treating the most difficult cases involving children.


Friday, May 14 – We will be meeting with Arieh King, head of the Israel Land Fund, champion of those who wish to hold onto Jewish land in Jerusalem and throughout Israel. He’ll guide us on visits to threatened Jerusalem communities: Neveh Ya’akov, Pisgat Ze’ev, Ma’aleh Adumim, French Hill, and Givat Ze’ev. We’ll return to our hotel and prepare for Shabbat in Yerushalayim. There are many choices of synagogues, including the Great Synagogue, next door to the hotel. The evening meal will be at the hotel.


Shabbat, May 15 – Again, your choice for Shabbat services may lead you to a variety of synagogues, or to the Kotel. After lunch there will be an optional walking tour of the Old City, led by a member of Ateret Cohanim. Shalosh Seudot and Havdalah will be back at the hotel. The evening will be at leisure.


Sunday, May 16 - Early departure for Sderot, to meet with Alon Davidi and learn about the present conditions there. Then on to the Negev where we will be guided by our good friend and leader of the 21 former Gush Katif communities, Dror Vanunu. Dror will plan our day which will surely include meetings with our good friends Laurence Beziz, Rachel and Moshe Saperstein, and Anita Tucker. We will tour the new locations of the displaced communities, seeing some permanent homes and viewing the works in progress. The day and the tour will conclude with our gala farewell dinner in Ashkelon, followed by departure for the airport. Those who are staying on in Israel will be taken to Jerusalem following the drop-off at Ben Gurion.


Monday, May 17 – Early morning arrival back in the U.S.


THERE IS NO TRIP THAT COMPARES TO AFSI’S IN ITS COMMITMENT TO HANDS ON SUPPORT FOR THE PEOPLE & LAND OF ISRAEL.


The land cost is kept at a modest $1500 which covers expert tour guides, tour bus and driver, all hotels (double occupancy – additional cost for single supplement), and most meals. March 1 is the deadline for reservations, requiring a non-refundable deposit of $500. Payment in full must be made by April 12. Please call Helen at AFSI, 212-828-2424; 1-800-235-3658; or email: afsi@rcn.com. Credit card charges will be accepted for members only. All others must pay an additional $100 charge, and pay by check, or become members of AFSI for $50 per year. Since every participant will be making his own flight arrangements, it is possible that people will be arriving before or after the morning of May 10. In that case it will be necessary to meet us at the airport in Israel at 8 A.M. Israelis are also welcome to join us. Anyone who cannot be part of the mission, but would like to sponsor a student for the trip, either fully or partially, should contact the AFSI office. Also, we are happy to distribute money to those in need in the many communities we’ll be visiting. Checks made out to AFSI, and ear-marked for that purpose will be scrupulously administered.


THERE IS LIMITED SPACE FOR THE MISSION. DON’T BE LEFT OUT OF THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF HISTORY IN THE MAKING. SIGN UP NOW!!