Israel

Jerusalem, Masada, Tel Aviv, Galilee,
Haifa, Tiberias, Golan Heights,
Safed, and more!
Folk Dancing, Folk Music, Culture, History, Art, and Adventure!

Dancing with the Kurds in Jerusalem

When:  March 13-24,  2022   

Led by: Jim Gold,  Joe Freedman, and Lee Friedman

Featuring:
★ See the new-old, multi-faceted culture of Israel!
★ Meet the Israeli people, learn their songs and dances,  visit historic sites.
★ For dancers, non-dancers, and anyone with a love of travel and culture.
★ Folk dancing with Israeli choreographers, Balkan dance with Dunav.
★ Meet Yemenite, Bedouin, and Druze cultural groups.
★ Attend Arab and Druze Debka dance workshops.
★ Price includes city tours, private deluxe motor coach,  folk dance workshops, entrance fees, professional tour guide, breakfasts, most dinners.
★ Note: Our tour is appropriate for people who keep kosher and observe Shabbat

Klezmer musicians in Safed

Price: Land Only: $3995 

I can’t wait to go!  Reserve my place with my $200 deposit per person. See registration form and information below.  Or register through PayPal (no PayPal account necessary)

*Download Israel itinerary pdf.  With pictures.  No pictures.

Jim Gold Tour of Israel. Dancing with the Yemenites and More!

OUR ITINERARY:
Day 1:  Sunday,  March 13:
Depart on airline of your choice.

Yemenite women of Kiryat Ekron performing

Day 2:  Monday, March 14:  
Arrive in Israel. Meet in late afternoon to check-in to Tel Aviv’s Dan Panorama hotel. Overview of  Old Jaffa.  Orientation.  Dinner in Mediterranean-style restaurant in Yemenite Quarter. Overnight Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv.

Day 3: Tuesday, March 15: 
TEL AVIV:  Independence Hall, with focus on the founding and growth of Tel Aviv.  Enjoy walking through the arts and crafts fair on Nahalat Binyamin street. In the town of Or Yehuda, visit the Museum of  Babylonian Jewry to appreciate the history and culture of Jews of Iraqi origin. Return to Tel Aviv. Free for dinner. Evening workshop with an Israeli folk dance teacher/choreographer.  Overnight Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv.

Western Wall

Day 4: Wednesday, March 16:  
Check-out and travel south to the northern Negev Desert. In the Bedouin city of Rahat learn first-hand about Bedouin hospitality and their transition from nomadic to urban life.  Afternoon transfer to Dead Sea hotel .Use of  spa facilities.  Float on the Dead Sea while reading a newspaper! Group dinner and overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Ein Boqeq, Dead Sea

Day 5: Thursday, March 17:
Tour the amazing finds on Masada and take a walk through the breath-taking nature reserve of Ein Gedi, ascend to Jerusalem.  Free time for dinner. Evening: Optional Balkan dancing with the Dunav Club.  Overnight:  Dan Panorama, Jerusalem.

Talking with the Bedouins

Day 6: Friday, March 18: 
Old City of Jerusalem: Visit the Christian Quarter and Church of the Holy Sepulcher,  Jewish Quarter, Kotel (Western Wall).  Optional Friday night Sabbath services at the Kotel. “Shabbat” dinner at the hotel.  Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem.

Day 7: Saturday ( “Shabbat”), March 19:
Day of leisure. Optional walking tour of Tower of David.  Afternoon walking tour of first neighborhoods outside the City Walls.  On your own for lunch and dinner. Evening: optional Israeli dancing with in one of a variety of folk dance clubs. Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem.

Day 8: Sunday, March 20:
Drive through Jerusalem’s Cultural Mile to the  Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum. Afternoon: Tour the various ethnic neighborhoods in the Nahla’ot area as well as the colorful Machaneh Yehuda Open-Air Market.  Evening Yemenite dance workshop.  Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem.

Waterfall at Ein Gedi

Day 9:  Monday, March 21: 
Check-out and begin traveling north along the Jordan Valley Road. Stop at Qasr al-Yehud – the traditional location of the Israelites’ crossing over the Jordan River and perhaps the place where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Arriving in the Lower Galilee we learn Circassian dances and hear about the history of these ethnic Moslems, originating in the Caucasus mountains, who live in the village of Kafr Kama. Arriving at the Kinneret  (Sea of Galilee) we pause to dance to the songs of the poetess Rahel and of the song writer Naomi Shemer.  Dinner and overnight: Nof Ginosar Kibbutz Hotel on the Kinneret Sea.

Day 10: Tuesday, March 22: 
In Haifa take-in a breathtaking panoramic view of the Bay and the Bahai Gardens.  With the staff of Bet HaGefen, an Arab-Jewish community center, we will walk through the Arab neighborhood of Wadi Nisnas, with its imaginative street art.  In the late afternoon we travel to Deir el Assad to participate in an Arab Debka dance workshop with the amazing Yihye Abu Juma.  At a Druze Village we hear about the history and culture of this colorful ethnic group and enjoy their traditional dinner. Overnight: Nof Ginosar Kibbutz Hotel on the Kinneret Sea.

Druze musicians

Day 11: Wednesday, March 23: 
In the mystical city of Zfat (Safed) we visit one of the colorful synagogues and meet with a Kabbalistic (mystical) artist.  Ascending to the Golan Heights we have a unique view of the north of the country. Tour and wine-tasting at the Golan Heights Winery. Drive down the coast. Farewell Dinner in Tel Aviv (or on the way). Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv.

Day 12: Thursday, March 24: 
Depart on airline of your choice.

Visit www.jimgold.com to see YOUTUBE tour videos!

Jim Gold at Mt Ararat

About Jim Gold:
Jim Gold brings a love of old cultures, new discoveries, people, music and languages to the events he organizes.  For over 30 years, as president of Jim Gold International, he has taught folk dancing and led Folk Tours to over 20 countries including: Israel, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Norway, Poland, Turkey, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, the Balkans and more. The purpose of these trips is to experience history, art and local traditions, with an emphasis on folk dance and folk culture. Jim’s adventures as a folk dance teacher, international tour leader and entrepreneur, have been chronicled in his nine books, the latest being: “50 Folk Dances choreographed by Jim Gold.” As a professional classical guitarist and singer, his concerts have appeared in schools, universities and on TV. This is his 34th year leading Jim Gold International Tours.

Joe Freedman

About Joe Freedman 
Joe’s interest in international folk dancing and folk guitar began at 12 years old in St. Louis. He holds undergraduate degrees from Columbia University and The Jewish Theological Seminary, and a doctorate in education from Columbia Teachers College.  In New York he studied Israeli dance instruction with the legendary Fred Berk. In 1980 he and his wife moved to Israel where he organized educational tours as director of the Ramah Programs in Israel. A licensed Israeli tour guide and certified Israeli folk dance instructor, Joe loves connecting Israeli music and dance to sites in Israel and sharing his enthusiasm about the country with tourists. www.joefreedman.co.il

REGISTRATION:
I can’t wait to go! Enclosed is my registration deposit of $200 per person. Israel single supplement: $995. Additional charges: $145 for hotel taxes and service charges. Gratuities not included. Program and prices subject to change without notice. Cancellations 90 days prior to departure: Total refund: Less than 60 days: No refund. Travel insurance strongly recommended. Total balance due December 1, 2022.

Make checks payable to: Jim Gold International, Inc., 497 Cumberland Ave.,  Teaneck, NJ 07666 (201) 836-0362   Email: jimgold@jimgold.com   www.jimgold.com

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JIM GOLD INTERNATIONAL:  TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Air Transportation:  International air not included except as noted. Rates: Tour rates are subject to change in the event of currency fluctuations or increase in costs. Inclusive tour rates are per person in double occupancy. In case of computer or human billing errors, we reserve the right to re-invoice clients with corrected billing. Reservations: Deposits and Payments: Deposit of $200 per person is required at time of reservation. Balance is due 90 days prior to departure date. Changes: Prices and program subject to change without notice Baggage: One baggage per person and a carry on is allowed. Cancellations: Cancellations 45 days prior to departure: Refund 50%  of total price. Less than 30 days: No refund. Additionally, any cancellation fees imposed by the respective hotels, airlines, tour companies and cruise lines will be charged. Travel Insurance is non-refundable as are unused services. Gratuities: Tipping to guides, drivers, transfer personnel and hotel staff is left to the discretion of the participants and is not included.
Insurance: Tour participants are strongly recommended to purchase insurance for trip cancellation, trip interruption, accident, sickness and/or loss of baggage and personal effects. Dispute Resolution: The sole and exclusive method of resolving any dispute which might rise under this agreement and any agreement between Jim Gold International, Inc., and another party (ies), the brochure or website and deemed to arise in the United States of America, shall be by arbitration before the American Arbitration Association in New York City pursuant to the Association’s rules then in effect. Any such arbitration must take place in N.Y.C., N.Y. In any such arbitration, the substantive law of N.Y. will apply. In the event a tour participant should find a service or hotel unacceptable, it should be reported immediately to the local representative and to Jim Gold International, Inc. upon their immediate return. No claim shall be deemed legitimate if not reported to the local representative and if reported after the scheduled service or after departure from the hotel. Responsibility: Jim Gold International, Inc. Of 497 Cumberland Avenue, Teaneck, NJ 07666 U.S.A  acts solely in its capacity as marketing agent on behalf of its suppliers such as air carriers, ground operator, taxi suppliers, motor coach suppliers, excursion or tour companies and hotels identified on documents supplied in connection with purchase of the tours. Jim Gold International, Inc. shall not be held responsible for any wrongful or negligent acts or omissions by any supplier or other party not directly owned or exclusively controlled by Jim Gold International, Inc. or by the failure of any equipment operated by any such supplier or other party. Jim Gold International, Inc. shall not be liable for any loss, injury or damage to person, property or otherwise, in connection with any accommodations, transportation, or other services, resulting directly or indirectly from any acts of God, dangerous incident to the sea, fire, breakdown of machinery or equipment, acts of government or other authorities, wars whether or not declared, hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, pilferage, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, defaults, delays or cancellations of or changes to itineraries or schedules, or from any causes resulting from insufficient or improperly issued passports, visas, or other documents passports, visas, or other documents.  Neither Jim Gold International, Inc. nor any of its affiliates or subsidiaries shall be or become liable or responsible for any additional expenses or liability sustained or incurred by the tour member as a result of any of the aforementioned causes. Tour participant agrees that any claim against Jim Gold International, Inc. is subject only to the jurisdiction of the courts of the country in which the cause of action arose. The right is reserved to substitute hotels and to alter itineraries. The right is also reserved to cancel the tour prior to departure. If any tour is canceled prior to departure, Jim Gold International, Inc. will be responsible only up to the amount of monies Jim Gold International, Inc. received less any cancellation fee applied by a supplier as defined above. Travel Insurance is recommended. Jim Gold International, Inc. is not responsible or liable for defaults of those not directly under the exclusive control of Jim Gold International, Inc. All tickets and vouchers issued for transportation and services are subject to the terms and conditions under which such transportation and services are provided to the participant by the owners or contractors. The traveler assumes full responsibility for, and hereby releases Jim Gold International, Inc. from any duty of checking and verifying any and all passport, visa, vaccination or other entry requirements for each destination, and all safety and security conditions during the length of the proposed travel. Should any clause contained here in be determined void by any court of law, such a finding shall not affect the other clauses contained herein; each clause is a covenant which stand on its own. The receipt of your deposit and/or final payment will indicate that you have read these Terms and Conditions, and that you have agreed to them. Prices are subject to change.
Jim Gold International, Inc.  497 Cumberland Avenue,   Teaneck, NJ 07666  U.S.A. Phone: (201) 836-0362    www.jimgold.com    e-mail: jimgold@jimgold.com