Program is tentative and subject to change. Connect with our Customer Care Team by calling: (888) 230-6008 Mon.-Thur. from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
YOUR journey
J² crafts journeys of inspiration, education, and Jewish connections to Israel and worldwide. We are guided by a simple but powerful concept: No two trips are the same; each experience should be personal, meaningful, and backed by superb service. Travel is not just about the places you visit, but the connections you make along the way.
Program Itinerary
DAY 1
Departure
Mon. Jun 17, 2024
- Depart the USA.
Overnight: Flight
DAY 2
LET THE STORY BEGIN
Tue. Jun 18, 2024
- Arrive at Ben-Gurion International Airport.
- Welcome to Jerusalem: Enter the vibrant and colorful ancient city of Jerusalem and experience the convergence of the old and the new.
- Check into the hotel.
- Meet your tour educator who will accompany you on this journey of education and inspiration.
- Climb to the top of the Tower of David Citadel, while searching for treasure. Enjoy your first sight of Jerusalem while reciting the traditional “shehechiyanu” blessing of thanksgiving.
- Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3
HEAVENLY & EARTHLY JERUSALEM
Wed. Jun 19, 2024
- Enjoy breakfast at an Israeli hotel.
- Adults: Dialogue with Dan Feferman, author, speaker, and researcher, and Director of Communications and Global Affairs at Sharaka, an NGO that works to build people-to-people peace between Israel and the Arab world. Among Dan’s areas of focus and interest:
- Children: Visit Ein Yael, an interactive, living museum, located on a 2,000-year-old archaeological site.
- Take part in an interactive archeological dig geared to all ages at the Beit Guvrin Caves.
- Return to Jerusalem.
- Watch the Night Spectacular at the Tower of David Museum, a cinematic celebration of sight and sound depicting the story of Jerusalem.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4
HISTORY & SPIRITUALITY IN JERUSALEM
Thu. Jun 20, 2024
- Bar Mitzvah at Ezrat Israel, the pluralistic section of the Kotel (Western Wall).
- Take a walking tour through Jerusalem's Old City and the Jewish Quarter and experience the center of Jewish life, history, and holiness. Among the highlights will be:
- A climb to the rooftops to see and discuss the ties and tensions between the different faith groups and communities of the Old City. From this one spot, we'll look out over the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, venerated by Christian groups as the burial place of Jesus; the golden Dome of the Rock, which is sacred to Islam; and the Jewish Quarter's famous Hurva Synagogue.
- The Jerusalem Archaeological Park is a large-scale excavation that has uncovered vital parts of ancient Jerusalem. A particular highlight is to walk on the Southern Wall steps used by Jewish pilgrims to enter the Temple, 2,000 years ago. See also Robinson's Arch, the remains of a major Second Temple-period street, and drainage tunnels used by Jewish fighters hiding from the Roman invaders.
- No visit to Israel is complete without experiencing the Kotel (Western Wall), widely considered Judaism's holiest site. Each year, over one million notes containing prayers and wishes are placed in the cracks of the wall. We'll discuss the wall's historical and contemporary importance and experience its unique atmosphere.
- Explore the Western Wall Tunnel, the underground continuation of the Kotel, and examine important archaeological discoveries that are revising our understanding of daily life in ancient Jerusalem.
- The Old City Ramparts: Stroll along the ancient outer walls for a bird's-eye view of the remarkably diverse yet closely bound communities of Jerusalem's Old City.
- Plant a tree at the Jerusalem Bird Observatory.
- Return to the hotel.
- Enjoy dinner at a restaurant of your choice. We’ll be happy to make reservations and recommendations.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5
LAYERS OF JERUSALEM
Fri. Jun 21, 2024
- Adults and children over 10: Visit Yad Vashem. Your guided tour will include:
- The Avenue of the Righteous.
- The Historical Museum.
- “No Child’s Play,” which presents the toys, games, diaries, and personal stories of children trapped in the Shoah.
- Younger children with youth counselor: Visit Jerusalem’s Biblical Zoo, a beautifully landscaped habitat with a special focus on preserving Biblical fauna, geared to children of all ages.
- Experience the sights, smells, and tastes of Jerusalem while walking through the Mahane Yehuda open-air market.
- Return to the hotel to freshen up before Shabbat.
- Participate in a Kabbalat Shabbat Yerushalmit with hundreds of Jerusalemites at the Old Train Station.
- Home Hospitality Shabbat dinner/communal Shabbat dinner with local congregants.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6
DEAD SEA BASIN
Sat. Jun 22, 2024
- Descend to the Dead Sea Basin.
- Take the cable car to the top of Masada, where Jewish rebels are believed to have made their final attempt to resist Roman invaders (c 74 CE).
- Coat yourself in the famous Dead Sea mud and float into happiness on the Dead Sea where the feeling of weightlessness is great fun.
- Ride a camel into the Judean wilderness followed by a traditional "hafla" dinner in a tent.
- Return to Jerusalem.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7
FROM THE HILLS OF JERUSALEM TO THE HILLS OF THE NORTH
Sun. Jun 23, 2024
- Check out of the hotel.
- Drive north through the Jordan Valley.
- Welcome to the capital of Jewish mysticism. Tsfat - with its medieval synagogues and modern art galleries. Learn about the development of Jewish mysticism while touring the streets and alleys of the city.
- Walk through the Tsfat Cemetery, including the grave of Rabbi Isaac Luria – “the Ari. ”
- Meet with David Friedman, a Tsfat artist inspired by Kabbalah.
- Children: Go on a scavenger hunt through Tsfat and tour the Tsfat Candle Factory.
- Drive to the hotel for check-in, followed by dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: North
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8
TEL AVIV: THE FIRST HEBREW CITY
Mon. Jun 24, 2024
- Check out of the hotel.
- Explore Israel’s security situation on the Golan Heights.
- Visit an abandoned Syrian outpost where Israeli soldiers fought in the Six-Day War.
- Drive south on the Trans-Israel Highway and see the Security Barrier.
- Visit the Ayalon Institute near Rehovot and its secret ammunition factory.
- Stop at the Jaffa lookout for an introduction to Tel Aviv.
- Check into the hotel.
- Enjoy Tel Aviv’s night life.
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9
EAT, DRINK, AND BREATHE TEL AVIV
Tue. Jun 25, 2024
- Adults: Meet with Ms. Joanna Landau, Founder of VIBEISRAEL, a non-profit, a-political grassroots organization, promoting the recognition of Israel, at home and abroad, as a vibrant source of creativity and innovation.
- Children: Join ex-IDF combat soldiers and enjoy a session of Krav Maga, the IDF-developed martial art.
- Walk along the newly-opened Independence Trail in Tel Aviv and embark on a remarkable journey that begins with the founding of Tel Aviv in 1909 and ends with the establishment of Israel in 1948.
- Explore Carmel Market and enjoy a tasting tour.
- Join a scavenger hunt in Neve Zedek, one of Tel Aviv’s oldest neighborhoods.
- Optional: Enjoy SUP, standup paddle boarding, on Tel Aviv beach.
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10
TAKING IT ALL BACK HOME
Wed. Jun 26, 2024
- Experience the dynamism of Jewish life at the newly-opened ANU Museum of the Jewish People, dedicated to telling their story and representing their diversity, highlighting the creative works and cultural riches of a variety of communities in different periods of history until the present day.
- Check out local murals and graffiti in the streets and alleys of the Florentine Neighborhood.
- Walk through Jaffa's famous Flea Market – “Shuk Hapishpeshim.”
- Late check-out from the hotel.
- Festive farewell dinner.
- Transfer to Ben Gurion International Airport and check in for your flight.
Overnight: Flight
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 11
BACK HOME
Thu. Jun 27, 2024
- Arrive home.
What to expect
- 8 nights' accommodations. Late check out on the day of departure is included.
- 9 days of touring with a J² Expert Educator (guide), 9 days of touring in a luxury, air-conditioned bus.
- Group arrival transfer & assistance at the airport.
- Group departure transfer & assistance at the airport.
- Daily breakfast, 0 lunches & 4 dinners.
- The J² adventures App available on the App Store & on Google Play (active 7 days before your departure and throughout your trip).
- Water on the bus.
- Porterage at the hotels.
- All site entrance fees & program fees as per your final program.
- Credit card fees.
- Flights to & from Israel.
- COVID related expenses, including tests.
- Evening transportation when dinner is not included.
- Amendments to the program: In the event that any sites, programs or meals etc. are added to the program, an additional fee may be required.
- Personal extras: Items of personal nature such as laundry, wines, mineral water, beverages, coffee, tea, food other than the table d’hotel menu, passport and visa fees, insurance, and foreign port taxes, unless otherwise specified.
- Gratuities: Recommend guidelines for tipping are provided in the terms section.
- US and foreign airport taxes, Q fuel surcharge and border taxes when applicable.
- Value Added Tax is currently not applicable to tourists visiting Israel. Should the law change, you will be notified accordingly, and VAT will be added to your final invoice.
- Peace of Mind Travel Protection Program (POM).
- Please review our terms & conditions (T&C’s) or request that we send you our full T&C’s. Until you do that, here is the small print, and other stuff you may want to know:
- Validity | All prices quoted are based on exchange rates as of the proposal date and are subject to change without notice. Rates are per person and are based on shared twin room occupancy.
- How to Make a Reservation | The quickest way to make a reservation is to register online or contact us by email. We accept VISA, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards. A non-refundable deposit of $XXX is required in order to complete the registration process.
- For any assistance with this registration process or other trip-related queries, please email Customer Care: [email protected].
- Payments | The balance of your payment is due 90 days before your trip begins, or as specified in your invoice. You will receive an email reminder 2 weeks before this date. Various payment options are available as follows:
- Credit card | We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Please check with your credit card provider regarding international processing fees. We are unable to process payments of over $1,000 over the phone. Please submit payment online via a credit card or by wiring funds via your bank.
- Domestic bank wire transfer | Payment should be wired in the same currency that is listed on your invoice. Please add the name of your group or invoice number as a reference and forward a copy of the transfer receipt by email. The bank transfer should clearly state the beneficiary’s name on the wire transfer.
- J² Adventures reserves the right to automatically cancel your reservation on that date and it may be subject to reconfirmation should the final payment not be received.
- Cancelation Policy | All cancelations need to be made in writing. The cancelation fee depends on the date when we receive written notification of your request to cancel your booking. Please note that the deposit is non-refundable.
- Cancelation fees | Cancelations made 90 or more days prior to departure incur the loss of the deposit. Cancelations made 89 to 46 days prior to departure incur the loss of 50% of the full trip cost. Cancelations made 45 days or less prior to the departure incur the loss of 100% of the full trip cost.
- Cancelation fees may also include: Hotel or supplier cancelation fees. J² Adventures reserves the right to adjust its terms of payment, including cancelation policies and initial deposits.
- Protect your investment for $495 p/p: Should you cancel your trip up to 5 days before your departure for any reason, our POM program offers you a trip refund. Call 888-230-6008 or e-mail: [email protected].
- Please click here to view our full terms (T&C’s). These T&C’s apply to all reservations created within J2 Adventures.
DISCOVER NEW WORLDS.
JEWISH JOURNEYS.
A family vacation to Israel. An adventure of a lifetime traveling with friends to Morocco. A trip to Poland or Portugal with your community. What do these trips have in common? No matter where you go, you will come back with a fresh perspective and appreciation of the place you visited as well as a heightened awareness of your identity as part of the global Jewish community.
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