Am Shalom
Multigenerational Trip to Israel

Led by Rabbi Steven Lowenstein

Dec 19, 2026 - Dec 29, 2026

  • DESTINATION Israel
  • Who's Going Multi-Generational
  • Trip Type Community
  • Duration 11 DAYS
  • Group Size 25+
  • Price From $5,999
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.

  •   Heritage
  •   Family Friendly
  •   Local Specialists
  •   Nature Walks
  •   Jeep Tour
  •   Street Food
  •   UNESCO Heritage Sites

Program Itinerary

DAY 1
ON OUR WAY
Sat. Dec 19, 2026
  • Depart from Chicago to Israel.
Overnight: Flight
DAY 2
ARRIVAL TO ISRAEL
Sun. Dec 20, 2026
  • Arrive at Ben-Gurion International Airport and be welcomed by our representative and assistance with arrival formalities.
  • Meet your J² Expert Educator, who will guide you and your community through an exciting journey of discovery, education, and inspiration.
  • Transfer to Tel Aviv and check into your hotel.
  • Enjoy a welcome dinner and orientation with your J² Expert Educator.
Overnight: Tel Aviv Meals: Dinner
DAY 3
TEL AVIV-JAFFA: OLD & NEW
Tue. Dec 21, 2027
  • Stop at the Jaffa lookout for an introduction to Tel Aviv and to our journey in Israel.
  • Walk along the Independence Trail, tracing key moments from the founding of Tel Aviv in 1909 to the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.
  • Explore Nachalat Binyamin, Tel Aviv’s colorful arts and crafts market, followed by time at the bustling Carmel Market, where sights, sounds, and flavors bring the city to life
  • Visit ANU – Museum of the Jewish People, an engaging, interactive museum that tells the story of Jewish life, creativity, and diversity from ancient times to today.
  • Meet and have dinner with young adults serving in Israel through the Bayit Brigade, a supportive home for lone soldiers and new veterans, and hear inspiring personal stories about building a life in Israel.
Overnight: Tel Aviv Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4
ALONG THE WATER
Tue. Dec 22, 2026
  • Check out of the hotel and drive along the Mediterranean cost.
  • Stop at the Israel ParaSport Center, where sports empower people with disabilities, strengthening confidence, resilience, and community.
  • Continue to Caesarea, exploring layers of Roman, Crusader, and modern history while discussing continuity and change across civilizations.
  • Enjoy an immersive, hands-on family experience at Kfar Kedem, where Jewish life from 2,000 years ago comes alive through costumes, crafts, traditional activities, and a memorable donkey ride along ancient-style paths.
  • Drive to the upper Galilee and check into the hotel.
  • Dinner at the hotel and time to relax and unwind.
Overnight: Upper Galille Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5
CONNECTING TO HISTORY AND NATURE
Wed. Dec 23, 2026
  • Begin the day with a nature walk at the Tel Dan Nature Reserve, one of Israel’s most beautiful and tranquil sites. Explore the remains of a 5,000-year-old city and learn why water has always been a precious resource in the Middle East.
  • Gaze across the Golan and into Syria from the top of Mount Bental, gaining valuable insight into Israel’s geopolitical and security landscape while taking in the region’s sweeping views.
  • Experience the thrill of jeep tour through the Golan Heights, exploring rugged landscapes, ancient ruins, and stunning viewpoints. Experience the region's rich history, strategic significance, and vibrant nature, including lush valleys and volcanic rock formations.
  • Option 1: Sample some of the Golan Heights’ finest wines at Odem Mountain Winery, nestled at the foot of Mount Hermon and known for its distinctive high-altitude vintages.
    Option 2: Visit the Odem Freedom Farm to learn how Jewish tradition calls us to care for all living creatures, meeting staff who rehabilitate rescued animals and participating in a hands-on encounter with horses, pigs, birds, and even wolves.
  • Return to your hotel and gather for dinner together.
Overnight: Upper Galilee Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6
A TALE OF TWO CITIES
Thu. Dec 24, 2026
  • Check out of your hotel and begin your drive toward Jerusalem, transitioning from the Galilee’s landscapes to the spiritual heart of Israel.
  • Arrive in Tsfat (Safed), the center of Jewish mysticism. Wander through its winding alleys, medieval synagogues, and vibrant artists’ quarter while learning about the development of Kabbalah and the city’s unique spiritual legacy.
  • Stop at the Haas Promenade, overlooking Jerusalem, for a meaningful Shehecheyanu blessing—marking gratitude for reaching this powerful moment together.
  • Continue to Jerusalem and check into your hotel, settling in for the next chapter of your journey.
  • Adults: A reflective conversation on memory, resilience, and hope with Rachel Goldberg-Polin, sharing her personal journey and message of strength and meaning.
  • Kids: An Israeli game night featuring popular Israeli board games, fostering fun, connection, and cultural discovery.
Overnight: Jerusaelm Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7
LAYERS OF JERUSALEM
Fri. Dec 25, 2026
  • Tour the Jewish Quarter, tracing the heartbeat of Jewish life through narrow alleys and ancient stones that tell the story of faith, resilience, and renewal. Among the highlights will be:
    • Visit the Jerusalem Archaeological Park, including the Davidson Center and Robinson’s Arch, to explore layers of history where Jewish life once flourished at the foot of the Temple Mount.
    • Step along the Cardo, the main thoroughfare of Roman Jerusalem, and imagine the city’s vibrant past as you stroll among its restored Byzantine-era columns.
    • Stand before King Hezekiah’s Broad Wall, an impressive 2,700-year-old structure that once defended Jerusalem and still stands as a symbol of endurance and faith.
    • Gather in Hurva Square, the lively center of Jewish life in the Old City, where history, community, and spirituality intertwine in the heart of the Jewish Quarter.
  • 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. You'll discuss the wall's historical and contemporary importance and experience its unique atmosphere.
  • Wander through the vibrant Old City Shuk in the Christian Quarter, taking in its colorful stalls, rich aromas, and lively atmosphere as you explore and enjoy lunch on your own.
  • Climb to the rooftops of Jerusalem’s Old City to take in the views and reflect on the delicate balance of faiths that share this sacred space, overlooking the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the golden Dome of the Rock, and the Hurva Synagogue.
  • Return to the hotel for Kabbalat Shabbat, welcoming the day of rest together, followed by a festive Shabbat dinner.
Overnight: Jerusalem Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8
DEAD SEA BASIN
Sat. Dec 26, 2026
  • Descend through the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea Basin, the lowest point on earth.
  • Ride the cable car to the top of Masada, where Jewish rebels made their final stand against the Roman Empire around 74 CE. Learn about courage, choice, and legacy as you take in sweeping desert views.
  • Float on the Dead Sea and enjoy a buffet lunch at the hotel.
  • Hike through Nahal David in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, discovering waterfalls, desert wildlife, and lush oases.
  • Return to Jerusalem for Havdalah, marking the close of Shabbat.
Overnight: Jerusalem Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 9
CHALLENGES IN THE SOUTH
Sun. Dec 27, 2026
  • Option 1 (Adults & Older Teens): Travel to the Israel–Gaza border to meet Chen Kotler, a resident of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, who will share personal reflections on recent events and community resilience.
  • Option 2 (Kids & Families): Visit Kibbutz Yad Mordechai for a hands-on activity learning about bees, honey production, and kibbutz life.
  • Stop in Sderot for lunch on your own and gain insight into a city shaped by perseverance and strength.
  • Visit the Nova Memorial near Kibbutz Re’im, a site of remembrance created by families and friends to honor lives lost and to inspire commitment to a more compassionate future.
  • Return to the hotel for some reflection time.
Overnight: Jerusalem Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10
POWER OF MEMORY
Mon. Dec 28, 2026
  • Visit Yad LaKashish (Lifeline for the Elderly) and meet elderly immigrants whose stories reflect perseverance, dignity, and contribution to Israeli society.
  • Adults: A guided visit to Yad Vashem, focusing on memory, moral responsibility, and Jewish continuity.
  • Kids: A visit to the Israel Aquarium, exploring marine life from Israel’s “four seas” in an engaging, educational setting.
  • Enjoy free time at Machaneh Yehudah Market, experiencing Jerusalem’s vibrant energy through food, music, and color.
  • Gather for a farewell dinner to celebrate shared experiences, growth, and renewed connection to Israel and one another.
Overnight: Jerusalem Meals: Breakfast ,Dinner
DAY 11
HOME AGAIN
Tue. Dec 29, 2026
  • Check out of the hotel in the morning and transfer to the airport.
  • Depart Israel carrying forward deeper understanding, enduring questions, and a strengthened sense of Jewish peoplehood.

RATES & LODGING

Protect yourself from fraud by being cautious and vigilant when it comes to online theft. It is crucial to note that J² adventures will never send an email requesting you to transfer funds to a new account or to redirect a payment. We will never alter our account number or issue additional payment requests without first personally speaking to you and properly identifying ourselves. If you feel uncertain about any communication (scammers often impersonate legitimate companies via e-mail or by calling), halt and contact us directly through our toll-free number listed on our website to discuss any necessary payments. Refrain from responding to suspicious emails or clicking on links or attachments unless you are completely certain of their legitimacy. By following these guidelines and staying vigilant, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of fraud.
participants
25+
Cost p/p in double room
$5,999
Cost p/p in single room
$8,174
Child As 3rd (Reduction)
- ($1,200)

Tel Aviv: Carlton

Upper Galilee: Pastoral Kfar Blum Hotel

David Citadel Jerusalem

Jerusalem: David Citadel

Choose Your Way

VOYAGER
  • Carefully selected accommodations, offering comfort and quality.
  • A seamless, fully curated experience, as outlined below.
  • J² Customer Care available by phone and email.
  • $50 travel credit per person for your next J² journey.
VOYAGER PLUS
popular
  • Guaranteed room category upgrade.
  • A seamless, fully curated experience, as outlined below.
  • Private airport arrival transfer.
  • A signature J² gift awaiting you in your room.
  • Priority dedicated Customer Care.
  • A personal travel advisor for every detail, pre- and post-trip.
  • $200 credit per person for a future journey, separate from this experience.
VOYAGER PREMIERE
  • Guaranteed double category upgrade.
  • A seamless, fully curated experience, as outlined below.
  • Private round-trip airport transfers.
  • A signature J² gift awaiting you in your room.
  • Priority dedicated Customer Care.
  • A personal travel advisor for every detail, pre- and post-trip.
  • Exclusive access to sought-after dining, ticketed events, and premier performances.
  • 10% preferred savings on additional hotel nights, excursions and transportation.
  • $400 credit per person for a future journey, separate from this experience.

What to expect

  • 9 nights' accommodations.
  • 9 days of touring with a J² Expert Educator (guide), 9 days of touring in a luxury, climate controlled bus.
  • Daily breakfast, 1 lunch & 7 dinners.
  • The J² adventures App available on the App Store & on Google Play (active 30 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.
  • This journey includes walking tours, cultural site visits, and hotel stays that may involve uneven terrain, stairs, and longer distances on foot. While we do our best to accommodate a range of mobility levels, a moderate level of physical fitness is recommended to fully enjoy the experience. For more information, please see the “Travelers with Physical Limitations” section in our full Terms & Conditions.
  • 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).
  • This journey includes walking tours, cultural site visits, and hotel stays that may involve uneven terrain, stairs, and longer distances on foot. While we do our best to accommodate a range of mobility levels, a moderate level of physical fitness is recommended to fully enjoy the experience. For more information, please see the “Travelers with Physical Limitations” section in our full Terms & Conditions.
  • 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 $675 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 yourself from fraud by being cautious and vigilant when it comes to online theft. It is crucial to note that J² adventures will never send an email requesting you to transfer funds to a new account or to redirect a payment. We will never alter our account number or issue additional payment requests without first personally speaking to you and properly identifying ourselves. If you feel uncertain about any communication (scammers often impersonate legitimate companies via e-mail or by calling), halt and contact us directly through our toll-free number listed on our website to discuss any necessary payments. Refrain from responding to suspicious emails or clicking on links or attachments unless you are completely certain of their legitimacy. By following these guidelines and staying vigilant, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of fraud.
  • 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.

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. 

Stuff.

We have everything you need to know before you go. Check out our Instagram my_j2adventures for cool updates and interesting tidbits.