It is a new nation in an ancient land - reborn in 1948, when, out of the ashes of the Holocaust, and in spite of violent opposition in the Arab world, the modern state of Israel was estab¬lished at long last.

This year, you, too, can be a part of the Jewish state’s amazing history, when you join friends from around the block and around the globe, to take part in a wonderful celebration of Israel’s 60th birthday. Visiting Israel also gives you the golden opportunity to visit the old city in Jerusalem and learn about its unique archaeology; see Yad Vashem, the country’s national Holocaust memorial; tour the Bahai Gardens, often termed the “eighth Wonder of the World;” and spend time at the new Herzl Museum, which honors the vision of the man considered by many to be the prophet of the state of Israel. You’ll also get to climb historic Mount Masada; pray at the Western Wall; float in the Dead Sea, and much, much more..

U.S. State Department’s Top 10 Travel Tips.

1. Make sure you have a signed, valid passport (and visas, if required). Also, before you go, fill in the emergency information page of your passport!

2. Read the Consular Information Sheets (and Public Announcements or Travel Warnings, if applicable) for the countries you plan to visit. (See “Consular Information Program” section for more details.)

3. Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which you are traveling. Remember, the U.S. Constitution does not follow you! While in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws.

4. Make 2 copies of your passport identification page. This will facilitate replacement if your passport is lost or stolen. Leave one copy at home with friends or relatives. Carry the other with you in a separate place from your passport.

5. Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends at home so that you can be contacted in case of an emergency.

6. Do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas. Do not accept packages from strangers.

7. If you plan to stay abroad for more than two weeks, upon arrival you should notify by phone or register in person with the U.S. embassy in the country you are visiting. This will facilitate communication in case someone contacts the embassy looking for you.

8. To avoid being a target of crime, try not to wear conspicuous clothing and expensive jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of money or unnecessary credit cards.

9. In order to avoid violating local laws, deal only with authorized agents when you exchange money or purchase art or antiques.

10. If you get into trouble, contact the nearest U.S. embassy.

A Final Thought

Israel is like a museum. You will see relics that date from antiquity, buildings that are not considered old unless they were built thousands of years ago. Israel offers you a time portal, almost like the ones you see in science fiction movies, through which to see the past. Virtually every step you take is on ground many consider to be holy. You can visit all the sites and have a wonderful time and learn a lot, but if you think of Israel only as a museum, a place no different than Rome or Athens, you will miss perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Israel — the vibrancy of the modern Jewish state and its people. Israel has increasingly become Westernized and “Americanized,” but it is still a place very different from any other on earth.