EFTA01123622.pdf

. The Organizing Committee \-P Office of the Executive Director 3. VIP Department 10110 Van isaaccabi2o13 Maccabiah Preparations: January 2013 Update RECORD NUMBERS! Thousands of young Jewish athletes from all over the globe will see their dream of competing in a world-class event come true this July! Round-up of the latest entry form stage on Dec 31 confirmed that Maccabiah 2013 in July will break all participation records, soaring to around 8500 athletes from over 71 countries. The final tally will be near or over 9000 athletes, very likely in Delegations from 70 or even more countries in the largest international event ever staged in the Jewish world and largest ever hosted in Israel. No less than 42 types of sport will be contested in 140 tournaments at over 85 venues all over the country. PREPARING A WORLD-CLASS EVENT: Hotels hosting athletes and guests — 40 big establishments each rated 4- or 5-stars — and all training facilities and competition venues have been inspected to meet safety and security requirements, likewise numerous cultural event venues. All Maccabiah Departments are swiftly approaching operational manpower levels; professional staff, Maccabiah suppliers' personnel, and volunteers are entering training programs. Expansion and modernization to state-of-the-art levels is swiftly competing at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem, where the Opening Ceremony will be held, likewise construction of the brand-new Ofer Stadium in Haifa for the Closing Ceremony. Levels of support, cooperation and systems-integration with Israel's government, national authorities, municipalities, the Police and security services are closer and better than ever. VIP PROGRAM: A glorious summer awaits you, one you will remember all your life. You will see thousands of Jewish athletes parade into a Jerusalem stadium, ranked in their Delegations flying the flags of over 70 countries, the greatest celebration of the global fellowship and solidarity of the Jewish People and the People of Israel. This July, share in the excitement and sheer exhilaration of seeing our athletes go ever higher, faster and stronger. Maccabiah 2013 will show you our ancient and new homeland; you will marvel at the sights, sounds and tastes, feel the heartbeat and discover the special magic of a place where we all connect as mishpacha, members of the same family. Your 2013 VIP Program is our way of saying thank you to our generous supporters for investing in the Jewish Future, for gifting so many resources, time, talent and effort to make the dream come true for so many thousands of young Jewish athletes. We've expanded the Official Program to a full week with special events and exclusive tour programs from Wednesday July 17 through Tuesday July 23, based in luxury Jerusalem hotels until Sunday 21, when we move to the finest establishments in Tel Aviv. July 2013 Flights to Israel and Hotel bookings are quickly filling up, so please make your travel arrangements now! (1) If you have not yet registered for the Maccabiah 2013 VIP Program, contact Danielle Kimchi , VIP Desk at Gil Travel Tel 215.568.6655 x370 OR 800.223.3855 x370/ (2) Vered, Michal and Re'ut of Maccabiah VIP Department are already at your service! As soon as you register the VIP department will email a questionnaire to you. Together, we'll tailor your program to your personal requirements, and make all arrangements at your request, including stays in Israel before and after the Official VIP Program. 'rt at Creating the Areblni Kfar Maccabiah Ramat Gan 52105 / Tel +972-3-6715733 /Fax +972-3-6772426 / EFTA01123622  A Maccabiah 2013 Official VIP Program (Jon 2013 Provisional *) ' titan i ftacca 20,3 ARRIVAL IN ISRAEL July 16 Tuesday Participants are earnestly requested to arrive in Israel at any time before or on this date, and to check-in at your pre-arranged Hotel in Jerusalem; VIP Dept. staff will welcome you at Ben Gurion Airport and at your Hotel. July 17 - 20 HOSTED IN JERUSALEM July 17 Wednesday Morning: Israel Museum Tours expertly guided in person by Museum CEO James Snyder and senior curators, through the world-famous Jewish Life Cycle and Eretz Yisrael Archeology collections, the Synagogues, and including areas closed to the general public. Evening: "Golden Jerusalem" Maccabiah VIP Event: With President Peres and Prime Minister Netanyahu, we are the guests of Mayor Nir Barkat and the City of Jerusalem; a splendid Dinner in the magnificent setting of the fabled David's Tower atop the16th Century walls of the Old City, with great cabaret performances by top-class artistes. July 18 Thursday Morning: We attend the Torch Relay Ceremony at the Tombs of the Maccabee Dynasty in Ancient Modi'in; Maccabiah Riders will carry the Torch amidst the impressive roar of their massed Harley-Davidson Bikes from Modi'in to various sites on its progress up to Jerusalem for the Opening Ceremony. Evening: Maccabiah 2013 Opening Ceremony; first we attend the exclusive VIP cocktail reception in the newly-expanded and modernized Teddy Stadium, then, with the President and Prime Minister, we fill the best seats to cheer the Parade of Delegations, watch the Ceremony and enjoy the spectacular Show. July 19 Friday Morning: 3 terrific VIP Tour options: (a) Israel's top guides lead you through extraordinary recent discoveries adjacent to / near the Temple Mount: Western Wall Tunnels and David's City; (b) visit the famous Castel Winery, growers and producers of the finest wine from the Eastern Mediterranean region; (c) Studios of the enterprising ladies of beautiful Ein Kerem, including a poetess, flamenco dancer and a chocolatier. Evening: The most magical "Lecha Dodi" ever: Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel! With Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovich, Rabbi of the Western Wall, and a richly traditional Shabbat Eve dinner. July 20 Shabbat Post-Sabbath Evening: "Excellence in Jewish Sports" Gala at Binyanei Ha'uma Jerusalem International Conference Center; we start with a VIP Cocktail, then thrill to spectacular gymnastics by Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman, Israel's world-class Alex Shatilov and Rhythmic Gymnast Team, bid a fond farewell to Arik Ze'evi, Israel's 'Gentle Giant' of Judo, and get involved in the spellbinding performance of celebrated mindbender Lior Suchard. EFTA01123623  Sk i * Maccabiah 2013 Official VIP Program (Jon 2013 Provisional *) urianabit July 21- 23 HOSTED IN TEL AVIV July 21 Sunday Morning: We go down from the hills of Jerusalem, split up to support and cheer for our teams and athletes at tournaments in various sports in the Maccabiah's Tel Aviv and Central Regions; then we check-in at Hilton Hotel, Tel Aviv. Late afternoon and on into the evening: The ultimate "Miracle on the Mediterranean" tour through 35 centuries of Ancient Jaffa, it's place in Greek Mythology and in our Biblical past, take in the amazing sites, sounds, aromas and tastes of its many exotic cuisines, then a long moment to watch the fabulous splendor of a sunset over the blue Mediterranean — all before we hit the town in modern Tel Aviv to wend through some of the lo- and hi-cultures of Tel Aviv's phenomenal nightlife, one of the world's top party towns ... July 22 Monday Morning: Now we get serious: We visit an Israel Defense Forces Base, escorted and briefed over lunch by senior and field-grade commanders, meet and talk with young soldiers serving operationally on the ultra high-technology frontiers of Israel's uniquely capable surface-to-air missile defenses. It's a rare privilege: We're going to see the "Iron Dome" system that safeguards millions of Israeli citizens from terrorist rocket attacks. Evening: The one and only free evening on your VIP program, when you do as you please, and Tel Aviv-Jaffa — the Nonstop City — is the place to feel free. Just ask, tell us what you fancy, and we'll point you in all the right ain't misbehavin' directions ... July 23 Tuesday Morning: Restored to our best morning-after behavior, we go up to the Maccabiah VIP Brunch Reception at the Official Residence in Jerusalem of the world's oldest Head of State, our very own 90 years-young Shimon Peres, President of Israel Evening: MWU Board of Trustees Dinner Salute to the International VIP's, hosted at the private home of an MWU Trustee. DEPARTURE FROM ISRAEL July 24 Wednesday Maccabiah VIP Department staff will smooth all arrangements for your departure from Israel via Ben Gurion Airport. In Hebrew, we never say goodbye to family and close friends; we say "Le'hitratot"— Till we meet again! EFTA01123624