A 100% wheelchair-bound Israeli veteran looks forward each week to his therapeutic riding lesson and is then able to take a few steps forward; After several months of veterinary care for a swallowed fish-hook, a sea turtle is released back to the sea on an Israeli beach, with a group of schoolchildren cheering him on; At the edge of a large Arab town in the West Bank, a thin horse is brought to a free veterinary clinic, where an Israeli veterinarian uses a file to solve a horse’s severe dental problem. An aggressive grade-school bully becomes more socialized and improves his grades by interacting with a shy, abused rescued dog in an animal-assisted therapy program; 50 tourists in a covered wagon at a pink sunset are filled with awe as tens of thousands of cranes descend to spend the night in Lake Hula; A group of tourists enter the inner sanctums of the Knesset to meet a Knesset member who speaks with them about passing animal-friendly laws in Israel. All of these activities involve positive interactions between humans and animals, and are all in Israel. Many tours cater to people with common interests or professions—-doctors, businessmen, teachers…….Why not a group of animal-lovers? For people with an avid (or even lukewarm) interest in animals, visiting such activities can make lasting, inspiring impressions "Israel Unleashed" is a new tour that blends a love of animals, Israel, and explorations into Judaism. It is a balance of animal-related projects, standard tourist sites, magnificent canyon trails, meeting Israel’s leading domestic animal and wildlife advocates, and several upbeat Jewish experiences, Hearing of such a tour, some animal-lovers might “prick up their ears”, decide to “hightail it” to Israel, and have a “dog-gone” good time with fellow animal-lovers. According to Tova Saul, well-known Jerusalem tour guide and animal-rescuer, “People who love animals share a language of animal-related opinions, experiences, and feelings. This deeply connects them across differences in politics, religions, personalities, and ages, so they can be a happy cohesive group as they experience Israel together.” The tour’s speakers are top-notch in their fields, such as: Dr. William Clark, of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, who has spent 30 years engaged in wildlife law enforcement efforts at the national and international levels, and is a driving force behind the Interpol Wildlife Crime Group; A Knesset member involved in pro-animal legislation; Gila Manolson, author of several books on traditional Jewish dating and marriage; Applicants are now being accepted for the June 3-June 13, 2012 trip, which will be limited to 14 people. For further information, see www.israelunleashed.yolasite.com
Shalom! "Israel Unleashed" is very exciting opportunity to tour Israel, specially geared for animal lovers. It is a one-of-a-kind experience that blends a love of animals, the Land of Israel, and explorations into Judaism. This adventure will include major tourist sites, animal-related sites, Israel's exquisite nature trails, and several Jewish experiences, such as Friday evening at the Western Wall. Many people are not only animal-lovers, but are also very involved with animal rescue or wildlife conservation. Many have a trip to Israel on their “to-do” list. This tour, during which they will travel with kindred spirits to uplifting animal-related sites, will inspire them to tour the country. We will visit places involving animal rescue, wildlife conservation, and zoo therapy, and meet some of Israel’s foremost wildlife conservationists and animal welfare advocates. The trip will be led by a licensed Israeli tour guide and committed animal lover. The dynamic educators are among the most popular in Jerusalem, and are in high demand as speakers around the world. We are now accepting applicants for our October 23-November 2, 2011 trip, which will be limited to 14 people. The itinerary is below. For information about the price and registration form, please see the sttachments. Please feel free to forward this information to possibly interested individuals. Sincerely, Tova Saul Keshet: The Center for Educational Tourism in Israel PO Box 8540Jerusalem 91084 Telephone: (972) 2 6713518 Fax: (972) 2 6713624 www.keshetisrael.co.il God's teaching obliges you not only to refrain from inflicting unnecessary pain on any animal, but to help and, when you can, to lessen the pain whenever you see an animal suffering Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch ISRAELUNLEASHED: A Journey into Israel for Jewish Animal Lovers October 23 – November 1, 2011 Date Program Meals/Overnight Sunday, October 23 Departure from US. Monday, October 24 Bruchim Haba’aim-Welcome to Israel Morning arrival to Ben Gurion Airport. Travel to Tel Mondto visit Israel’s largest therapeutic riding center. Visit the Sea Turtle Rescue Center at Mevo’ot Yam Naval School at Michmoret. Continue to theAlexanderRiver to see the indigenous giant turtles. Travel to Kibbutz Dalia, our hotel for the next two nights. Lunch-on own Dinner: Kibbutz Daliah Guest House Overnight: Kibbutz Dalia Guest House) Tuesday, October 25 Travel to Moshav Gan Yoshia to visit a donkey and horse rescue center. Taking a Stand: Visit Caesaria, ancient Roman capital of the Judean Province. Visit Hai Bar Carmel endangered wildlife breeding and release center. Continue to Zichron Ya’akov, a town founded by early Zionist pioneers at the end of the 19th Century for an evening of wine-tasting and dinner with Etti Altman, founder and director of the NGO “Let Animals Live”. Lunch-on own Dinner: Zichron Winery Overnight: Kibbutz Daliah Guest House) Wednesday, October 26 Land of the Bible Travel to the “Mukhraka”, site of the prophet Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Ba’al for a view of the Jezre’el Valley and a reading of this dramatic story. Mountains and Mystics: Visit Zefat for a tour of the alleys and synagogues of this city and a meeting with mystic artist Avraham Lowenthal. Arrive at Agmon Ha-Hula and see myriads of cranes and other exotic birds fly to Lake Hula for the night. Transfer to Kibbutz Gonen Guest House. In the evening we’ll have a meeting and discussion with Nadav Israeli, head of the SPNI (Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel) Bird Center in Northern Israel. Lunch-on own Dinner at Kibbutz Gonen Overnight: Kibbutz Gonen Guest House Thursday, October 27 A View from the Heights Ascend the Golan Heights and visit Mitzpeh Gadot, a former Syrian position from which the Syrians fired into Israel before the 1967 Six Day War. Continue for a nature walk along one of the streams of the Golan. Rafting on the Jordan River (if available). Begin our journey south with a visit to Tiberias for dinner and drive through the Jordan RiverValley to Jerusalem. Overnight in Jerusalem. Lunch: On own Dinner: Tiberias Overnight: Jerusalem Friday, October 28 Welcome to Jerusalem! We will begin our visit in the city of Jerusalem with an overview of the city from the Haas Promenade. Enter the Old City of Jerusalem and intimately explore the Jewish Quarter. BakeHalla,the traditional bread for Shabbat, in the home of Jerusalem resident Ruth Schlossman. Continue to the exciting, vibrant market of Mahaneh Yehuda to experience the city as it prepares for Shabbat. Walk through historic neighborhood of Nachlaot on the way to a small park where every Friday, volunteers for the city shelter display homeless dogs for adoption. Absorb the atmosphere of Shabbat evening at the Western Wall. Meet with some very special Jerusalemitesfor Dinner in the Old City. Optional “Oneg Shabbat” program after dinner. Lunch-on own Shabbat dinner in the Old City Overnight: Jerusalem Shabbat, October 29 Shabbat in Jerusalem After a chance to rest, we will have Shabbat lunch back in the Jewish Quarter with Old City residents. Tour the Moslem, Christian and Armenian Quarters of the Old City, including walking on the Ramparts, visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and a roof-top view of the entire city. Enjoy the “third meal” (dinner). Free evening to rest or explore Jerusalem’s many café-lined streets and lanes. Shabbat lunch on own Dinner on own Overnight: Lev Yerushalayim Hotel Sunday, October 30 3,000 Years in Jerusalem We’ll begin our day with a visit to The City of David, the remnants of the city founded by this biblical king. Tour Area “G” and explore the underground ruins of “Warren’s Shaft and Hezekiah’s Tunnel” and learn the dramatic history of the site. From Ashes to Redemption: Visit Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Memorial and Museum. Gila Manolson on traditional Jewish dating, love, and marriage (at our hotel). Evening: Attend a Jewish wedding (upon availability) and learn the meaning of the ceremony. Lunch and dinner on own Monday, October 31 Gush Etzion. Travel south from Jerusalem to visit the Etzion Bloc of settlements. Pina Hama (Cozy Corner):Brief stop at free coffee shop for soldiers, run by volunteers. Hear
