Local rabbis to lead Israel tours

Rabbi Gershon Johnson of Temple Beth Haverim in Agoura Hills and his wife, Sharene, will take guests to Israel June 29 through July 12. The tour will visit ancient and modern sights.

The group tour is open to family members and singles of all ages and will not exceed more than 30 people.

The Johnsons have visited Israel 11 times. The couple will hold an informative meeting about the trip in April. For more information call the temple at (818) 991-7111.

Rabbi Shimon Paskow of Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks and his wife, Carol, will lead a two-week tour of Israel beginning Sun., July 3.

The group will visit Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, Rehovot, Masada, Tiberias, Safed, Haifa, Acre, Rosh Hanikra, swim in the Dead Sea and take a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee.

In Jerusalem, tourists will see the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Western Wall and its tunnel, the Chagall windows, the Knesset, museums, Yad Vashem Memorial of the Holocaust, Hebrew University, excavated caves and other historical and archeological sites holy to Jews, Christians and Moslems. The group will meet with prominent Israeli personalities.

After Israel, an optional four-day stopover in Barcelona, Spain is available.

Accommodations will be in "five star" deluxe hotels with daily breakfast and gourmet dinners. Transportation will be in an air-conditioned motor coach.

The couple has led more than 30 tours. People of all religious persuasions and ethnic backgrounds are welcome. Special arrangements can be made for Bar or Bat Mitzvah, anniversaries and other celebrations.

For more information, call Rabbi Paskow at (805) 497-6891.