SPECIAL TOUR AT A SPECIAL PRICE

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For the months of June & July, is offering a special introductory full-day walking tour of the Old City, suitable for First-Time Visitors, Families (no strollers) or small groups (up to 10 people).

We will cover all the highlights, including a walk on the Ramparts, the Roman Plaza, the Muslim Quarter, the via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Christian Quarter, the Armenian Quarter and the Jewish Quarter, finishing the day at the Western Wall. (Exact itinerary is subject to change.) Site entrance fees are NOT included.

Please note that as we will be walking in areas with religious sensitivities, modest dress is required (no shorts, but slacks or jeans are okay and please cover shoulders).

There will also be time for shopping, a cold drink break in the Muslim Quarter, and lunch will be in either the Armenian or Jewish Quarter (variety of choices).

This tour is NOT available on Friday or Shabbat.

Contact: suztours@gmail.com for more information.

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THE 23rd RED SEA INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL

11 INTERNATIONAL BANDS, 11 ISRAELI BANDS AND ALL-NIGHT JAM SESSIONS

EILAT, 23-26 AUGUST 2009

The perennially popular Red Sea International Jazz Festival, which takes place during the last weekend in August in Eilat and is now in its 23rd year, attracts tens of thousands of jazz aficionados from Israel and overseas who come to enjoy great music, jam sessions, a relaxed atmosphere and all the best that Israel's most popular tourist resort has to offer. This year's festival, which takes place from 23-26 August 2009, features performances by 11 international bands and 11 Israeli bands, among them world-renowned jazz performers as well as young local artists.

This year marks a change in scheduling and venues, with every evening beginning at 19:00 with an open concert featuring the best Israeli young jazz groups. The festival concerts will be held in three venues: a new Jazz Club of 1000 seats around tables serving food and drink; a 2000 seat hall and a 4000 seat arena overlooking the Red Sea. The concert schedule allows jazz fans to attend up to 4 out of 9 daily performances and special day pass tickets, including a newly-introduced VIP ticket are on sale.

International artists performing this year include guitarists John Scofield, Kurt Rosenwinkel, singers Dee Dee Bridgewater and Robin McKelle, saxophonists Paquito d'Rivera and Jimmy Greene, drummer Dafnis Prieto and bluegrass musician in a special jazz project with pianist Mike Alvie.

The 11 Israeli groups include Danny Sanderson in "Black&White", Eli Degibiri Trio, Marina Maximilian-Blumin in a special performance designed for the RSJF, Amos Hoffman Quintet, Rea Bar Ness Quartet, Funk'n'Stein, The Apples, The Nechama Girls, Peter Wertheimer with the Israeli Camerata Jerusalem under the baton of Rafi Kadishson, The Israeli Big Band conducted by Danny Rosenfeld and the Afro-music group Kabako.

The traditional free midnight jam sessions take place around the pool of the Isrotel Yam Suf, adjacent to the port area. An integral part of the festival's unique atmosphere, these jazz sessions bring together Israeli and international jazz musicians, much to the delight of hundreds of fans every evening into the small hours. International musicians will give master classes and young jazz groups will perform around the city of Eilat.

The festival is directed by the Red Sea Tourism Administration, produced by Taluy LTD and Gov Productions LTD and supported by Eilat municipality, the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Ministry of Tourism, Eilat Port, Eilat Hotel Association and commercial sponsorships.

The festival website: www.redseajazzeilat.com

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Magen David Adom Needs YOUR Help... NOW!

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MESSAGE TO TOURISTS FROM MOT & ITGA

At this time, thousands of tourists are on holiday in Israel, and the events taking place in and around Gaza have no affect on incoming tourism to Israel. The Israeli Ministry of Tourism is sorry for any inconvenience caused as a result of the ongoing aggression by Hamas and our response.

The State of Israel has tried for many months to achieve quiet in the area and has made a number of offers to Hamas in order to avoid military intervention, but we must protect our citizens. We will continue to supply humanitarian assistance to the residents of the Palestinian Authority who are injured by the terrorist policies of Hamas. Our military operation is focused only against the terror emanating from Gaza, which is far from Jerusalem and the center of the country as well as the main vacation spots. Currently, there is no problem traveling and vacationing throughout the country.
The State of Israel is prepared to protect all those who are in the country, citizens and tourists alike and will accompany you securely to your departure point from Israel, if such a need arises.
Tourism is considered important to both Israelis and Palestinians and can create a common bridge for cooperation, understanding and peace. The Israeli Government will continue to work together with the responsible bodies in the Palestinian Authority who are interested in peace and not in dispute, in order to advance tourism for all in the region.

RAMAT RACHEL & THE HISTORY OF JERUSALEM

From the First Temple Period until the 8th Century CE and then nothing until 1926, the archaeological site at Ramat Rachel boasts SEVEN distinct layers of civilization... and more is being revealed as the archaeological dig which began in 2005 continues!

So - take a 4-hour walk with me around Ramat Rachel to discover those seven layers plus what lay buried in secret from the Mandate Period until the 1980s, the very spiritual Olive Tree Park and the monument to heroism at the Bell Outpost and more!

ISRAEL'S NATIONAL MONUMENTS

Starting at Yad Vashem (Israel National Holocaust Memorial), we will spend the day seeing, exploring, learning and understanding the institutions that best illustrate the modern Israeli national identity.

Yad Vashem - to remember the Six Million who were murdered, including 1.5 million children and to thank the "Righteous Gentiles" who helped to save so many... The stacks and stacks and stacks of stones in the Valley of Destroyed Communities representing Jewish communities in Old Europe which were destroyed by hate...

Har Herzl - Israel National Cemetery - where Theodore Herzl, the father of Modern Zionism is buried... place a remembrance stone on the graves of Yitzhak & Leah Rabin... and visit the graves of Jewish heros of the Second World War, the Israeli War of Independence and from all the wars and terror attacks throughout Israel's modern history...

What could be better than lunch in the cafe at The Israel Museum along with a chance to purchase some very special gifts for friends & family at the delightful Museum Shop, followed by a visit to the Shrine of the Book to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and a tour of the Model of Second Temple Period Jerusalem?

The Wohl Rose Garden is a peaceful place to stop for a moment to "smell the roses" on the way to see the Israeli Knesset and the Official State Menorah - discuss the decision to make the Menorah (not the Star of David) the official symbol of the State of Israel and decipher the images sculpted into the large State Menorah which stands outside the Knesset. (Tour of Knesset subject to availability & security considerations.)

Tour the *new* Israel Supreme Court building, which features a blend of ancient & modern architecture that fits very nicely into this very ancient and very modern city!

A final walk down the hill to sit on the grass, review the day and watch the walkers, footballers, picnicers, families, dogs and more in the beautiful Gan Sacher (Sacher Park) at the end of an emotionally moving and very full day!

ON TOP OF IT ALL!

Walk on the Ramparts of the Old City Walls from Jaffa Gate to Zion or Dung Gates and learn the history of these ancient and not-so-ancient walls, what lies beneath, what you see inside and outside and more...

Exit the Walls at Zion Gate anjoy a very private stroll about the closed-to-the-public Armenian Quarter, visit the Armenian Museum and meet Armenian craftspeople. (this portion NOT on Sunday or Christian holidays), continue to the Jewish Quarter and walk on the Byzantine & Crusader Cardo and hear the story of Hezekiah's Broad Wall.

OR

Continue on the Walls to Dung Gate and then explore the excavation at the Southern Wall, walk on a Second Temple Period Street, view Umayyad Palaces and Byzantine Houses, see a short film about making a pilgrimage to the Temple Mount in ancient times and enjoy a spiritual experience at the Western Wall.

and that's only the morning portion.........