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.
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Art & Culture 
Active 
Archaeology 
Heritage 
Family Friendly 
Food & Wine 
Home Hospitality
Program Itinerary
DAY 1
ON THE WAY
Sat. Nov 4, 2023
- Depart the USA.
DAY 2
THE START OF A SPECIAL JOURNEY|
Sun. Nov 5, 2023
- Group arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport. Our representative will be on hand to assist with all formalities and ensure your journey has the smoothest of starts.
- Meet your tour educator who will accompany you on this journey of education and inspiration.
- Group transfer to Tel Aviv, also known as “the city that never sleeps.” A place of sun and fun, its centers of culture and history are complimented by great beaches, stores, and entertainment.
- Check into the hotel.
- Opening dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 3
FOUNDATION OF THE CITY & STATE
Mon. Nov 6, 2023
- Breakfast at an Israeli hotel is an experience in itself. Start the day with a bounteous buffet.
- BUS 1:
- Arming for Independence: Visit the Ayalon Institute near Rehovot and uncover its role in the establishment of the state of Israel. This secret ammunition factory produced millions of bullets for Jewish forces fighting for a Jewish state and the end of British rule over Palestine.
- Beginnings: Modern Tel Aviv grew out of ancient Jaffa. Gaze out over the Mediterranean Sea; learn why Jaffa, mentioned in the biblical story of Jonah and the Whale, is so historically important; and see how its Old City reflects the present as well as the past.
- Peace AND Prosperity? The Peres Peace Center was created by the late Shimon Peres, former Prime Minister and President of Israel, to develop peacebuilding programs based on innovation and optimism. Our visit will include a tour of the Israeli Innovation Center, which celebrates the people and companies that are making Israel the "innovation nation." The center includes continually updated, high-tech exhibits on everything from artificial intelligence to the latest developments in water use.
- From Hebrew City to Hebrew State: 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.
- BUS 2:
- Complex Realties Pop On The Wall, Join an expert on Tel Aviv’s alternative scene for an urban adventure and graffiti tour. Explore the latest street art and find out what it reveals about life, ideas, and ideology in Tel Aviv, The first Jewish city.
- Is Tel Aviv Inclusive: Meet African women seeking refuge in Tel Aviv and see how they are working toward a brighter future by creating beautiful crochet products. Kuchinate (meaning crochet in Tigrinya) is a collective that celebrates African art and culture while empowering women asylum-seekers, many of whom suffered great hardships while fleeing to Israel. Here we’ll join with women from East Africa for a traditional coffee-making ceremony and talk with them about their lives in Israel and the struggles they are seeking to overcome through creativity and collective action. Try our hand at creating East African baskets (or bracelets) during a craft workshop led by the women of Kuchinate.
- An Israeli Scotch?! Innovation is the life blood of Tel Aviv take a tasting tour of the Milk & Honey Whisky Distillery, Israel’s one and only whisky distillery. Learn how Israel got into the Scotch game, see the stages of making spirits – from grain to glass – and then raise your own glass in celebration of your journey. L’chaim! Cheers!
- ALL:
- Return to the hotel.
- The City at Night: Tel Aviv’s food scene is on fire with world-class chefs and a huge range of happening restaurants. See and taste for yourself during a free evening with dinner on own account. Afterwards, those who love the nightlife can sample the city’s bar, club and café culture or stroll along the refurbished promenade and port.
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4
COMMUNITIES PAST & PRESENT
Tue. Nov 7, 2023
- Check out of the hotel and visit ANU – Museum of the Jewish People, the largest Jewish museum in the world, and join a fascinating journey that portrays the story of the Jewish people through the generations and up to the present time. The Museum represents all parts of the Jewish people and highlights the creative works and cultural riches of a variety of communities in different periods of history.
- BUS 1:
- Head northwards and back in time to Caesarea, one of the Land of Israel's most important cities during the Roman Period. Explore life 2,000 years ago with its ancient theater, palace, and bathhouse. Stop at the Ancient Roman Aqueduct, located on the pristine beaches of Caesarea. With the ruins of a past empire to your backs, enjoy the power of the sand, sea and the rush of the water as you celebrate the beginning of your journey throughout Israel.
- Visit Kfar Kedem in the Galilee for a hands-on family experience, exploring Jewish life of 2,000 years ago, including donkey rides, costumes, pita baking and more.
- BUS 2:
Minority Report: Shefaram is a fascinating but rarely-visited ancient town and modern city. An early Jewish rabbinical center operating under Roman rule, it was later a Crusader post and is now an Israeli Arab city with Muslim, Christian and Druze communities. We’ll meet with residents and hear of their determination to maintain close, respectful ties between the town’s different populations. Highlights of our tour will include:- The Food! Show off your Middle Eastern cooking skills as you whip up some knafeh, the iconic dessert of the Western Galilee, followed by a home-hospitality lunch.
- Visiting a local mosque and talking with a muezzin (Muslim clergy) about Islamic practice and life in Israel.
- The town’s beautiful Roman Catholic church where we’ll hear about the variety of Christian denominations in the area and their relations with the Muslim majority.
- Our visit to Shefaram will conclude at its now abandoned synagogue and a discussion on what, historically and today, it means to be a minority community in the Land of Israel.
- ALL:
Continue to the hotel for check-in and dinner.
Overnight: Upper Galilee
Meals: All: Breakfast & Dinner + Bus #2 only: Lunch
DAY 5
NORTHERN EXPOSURE
Wed. Nov 8, 2023
- BUS1:
- Go off-road for a jeep tour of the Golan Heights that will combine natural beauty with insights into one of Israel's most strategically important areas. Retrace the experiences of Israeli soldiers in their battles here during the Six Day War of 1967 and talk with your jeep drivers about their personal experiences and feelings about the Golan.
- Northern Borders, Northern Battles: We'll gaze across the Golan and into Syria from the top of Mount Bental and gain powerful insights into Israel's geopolitical and security situation. Analyze the current challenges Israel faces on its northern border, examine the impact of the tragic civil war in Syria, and hunker down in bunkers from the vital battles that took place here during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
- Comfort You Can Eat: Enjoy the culinary delights of a chocolate workshop at the De Karina Chocolate Factory on Kibbutz Ein Zivan. Chocolatier Karina Chepelinski continues her family's tradition of creating handmade premium chocolate. During this tour and workshop, taste various chocolates and learn what makes it so delicious. Then, experiment with quality ingredients to create your own chocolate masterpiece.
- BUS 2:
- Israel's Security Challenges on the Northern Borders: At the Har Adir lookout point hear from a research expert from the Alma Research and Education Center about some of the challenges facing Israel on its northern border. Some topics that will be discussed include: How has the civil war in Syria changed the IDF's security doctrine on the border? How is Hezbollah preparing for the next conflict with Israel? What are the solutions and how is the US involved?
- Visit Kfar Baram synagogue the ruins of two ancient Jewish synagogues at the site of Kafr Bir'im, an ancient village depopulated during the 1948 Palestinian exodus and learn how ancient history and recent history come alive in one place.
- The Sweet Science of Ice Cream: Coexistence sure tastes good at Buza (Arabic for ice cream). This Arab-Jewish joint venture uses natural ingredients and Italian techniques to create Galilean glida (Hebrew for ice cream). We’ll learn about – and try our own hand at – the science and art of making ice cream, tour Buza’s production area and laboratory, then settle in for some serious ice cream heaven with a “five -type” tasting session.
- Entangling the myth about The price paid, A Zionist Hero: Joseph Trumpeldor became a Zionist hero after he was killed in 1920 defending the Tel Hai settlement. His final words, muttered while dying, were said to be: “It does not matter. It is good to die for your country. ” We’ll learn about his life and his role in Zionist ideology at the Tel Hai Museum.
- ALL:
Return to the hotel for dinner.
Overnight: Upper Galilee
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 6
CITY OF LAYERS
Thu. Nov 9, 2023
- Check out of the hotel.
- BUS 1:
As we drive south on the Trans-Israel Highway, there will be plenty of opportunities to see the Security Barrier which runs along the seam zone between Israel and the Palestinian Territories, and to learn about the barrier’s effects on Israeli security and Palestinian communities.
ADULTS: Visit Yad Vashem, the national memorial to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, an essential emotional and educational experience. Your guided tour will include:- The Avenue of the Righteous, where trees symbolic of the renewal of life have been planted along with plaques honoring brave non-Jews who saved Jews during the Shoah.
- The Historical Museum, a state-of-the-art interactive display reflecting decades of research and educational expertise. The story of the Holocaust, with an emphasis on individual victims, is told through survivor testimonies, original artifacts, and personal possessions saved from the ghettos and camps.
- The Children’s Memorial, commemorating the 1.5 million children lost during the Holocaust.
- A memorial service where we will pay tribute to those who were lost. It will include the opportunity to talk about family members and loved ones who died during the Shoah.
KIDS: Two by Two the Animals Went into the Ark: The Biblical Zoo is one of Jerusalem’s loveliest places. It has a great collection of animals with a special focus on creatures mentioned in the Bible. It includes 62 acres of open areas where the animals live, a zoo train if you don’t feel like walking, a petting zoo, and plenty of other activities to keep all ages enthralled. - BUS 2:
- Up There Where We Belong: The Agamon Hula (Hula Lake), Israel’s best place for bird-watching, is home to thousands of storks, cranes, pelicans and flamingos. We’ll learn why early Zionist efforts to drain these swamps have been replaced by environmental protection. And for those with a need for speed, there’s bike-riding and golf-carting.
- As we drive south on the Trans-Israel Highway, there will be plenty of opportunities to see the Security Barrier which runs along the seam zone between Israel and the Palestinian Territories, and to learn about the barrier’s effects on Israeli security and Palestinian communities.
- The Reform Jewish World: A glimpse into the world of the Reform Movement in Israel with leaders of the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism.
- ALL:
- Meet for a group photo at the Monster slide.
- A First Look at the Holy City: Over the centuries, many have been moved and awed by their first sight of Jerusalem. We'll stop at a stunning overview of the city and celebrate our arrival with a special ceremony and the traditional “shehechiyanu” blessing of thanksgiving.
- Check into the hotel.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7
THE LAYERS OF JERUSALEM
Fri. Nov 10, 2023
- BUS 1:
- Stop at the Kotel to experience the special atmosphere of this holy spot and then walk through the Western Wall Tunnel, the underground continuation of the Western Wall alongside the Temple Mount.
- A walking tour will take you to the heart of Jewish life, history and holiness: Jerusalem's Old City and the Jewish Quarter. Among the highlights will be:
- The Cardo, the main street of Roman-controlled Jerusalem and its spectacular Byzantine-era columns.
- King Hezekiah's “Broad Wall”, built to protect Jerusalem from invasion 2,700 year ago.
- Hurva Square, the center of modern-day life in the Jewish Quarter.
- BUS 2:
- 1 City, 2 States, 3 Religions, and 4 Tribes:
- Take a multi-cultural journey through the hustle and bustle of Jerusalem’s Machane Yehuda open-air market: Enjoy the sights, smells, tastes, and sounds of this vibrant area where Jerusalemites shop.
- Set your mark on the land with tree planting at the Jerusalem Bird Observatory and enjoy free time at the New Jerusalem Deer Valley Park for leisure and nature.
- Kabbalat Shabbat services with Shoham community, followed by home hospitality
- Shabbat dinner.
- Return to the hotel.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: All: Breakfast & Shabbat dinner + Bus #2 only: Lunch
DAY 8
MASADA & THE DEAD SEA or SHABBAT IN JERUSALEM
Sat. Nov 11, 2023
- BUS 1:
- Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before setting out to explore the Dead Sea region.
- As Low as It Goes: We'll drive to the Dead Sea Basin, 1412 feet below sea level and the lowest place on earth. The desert, the landscape, and the views are breathtaking.
- The Last Stand: Take the cable car to the top of Masada with its extraordinary views and fascinating archaeological remains. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is where Jewish rebels are believed to have made their final attempt to resist Roman invaders (c 74 CE). We'll learn about Masada's importance as a symbol of Jewish defense and discuss its influence on modern Israel.
- The Sea of Salt: Float into happiness at The Dead Sea. Not much can live or swim in what is the saltiest piece of water in the world, nine times saltier than the ocean, but the weightless feeling of floating is great fun. Return to Jerusalem and to the hotel.
- BUS 2:
- Yemin Moshe and Mishkenot Sha'ananim:
- The City Underneath: Tour the Citadel moat and the “Kishle” in the Tower of David museum. Discover the underground military complex and prison compound from the 19th century which includes newly-discovered archaeological evidence on the history of Jerusalem since the First Temple.
- Get a different view of Jerusalem, its epic history, and diverse communities on a nighttime tour of the Old City Ramparts, we'll walk from Jaffa Gate to Zion Gate, hearing stories and seeing sights of times both ancient and new.
- A Mountain Holy to Many: Experience the complexity of inter-religious relations on Mount Zion. We’ll first visit the Upper Room. It is venerated by Christians as the location of Jesus’ Last Supper but was, for a period, converted into a mosque. In a room directly below, Jews pray at the place believed to be King David’s Tomb. We’ll also see the nearby Abbey of the Dormition, marking the place where the Virgin Mary is believed to have died, and learn about the Abbey’s long and not always easy relationship with the other faiths of Jerusalem.
- Late check-out from the hotel.
- Farewell dinner and group transfer to the airport.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 9
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
Sun. Nov 12, 2023
- Arrival in the USA.
RATES & LODGING
participants
50+
Cost p/p in double room
$3,975
Cost p/p in single room
$5,275
Child As 3rd (Reduction)
- ($770)
Tel Aviv: Sheraton
- Nights: 2
- Room Category: Deluxe
- Hotel Website
Upper Galilee: Pastoral Kfar Blum Hotel
- Nights: 2
- Room Category: Classic
- Hotel Website
Jerusalem: The Inbal
- Nights: 2+LCO
- Room Category: Standard
- Hotel Website
What to expect
- 6 nights' accommodations. Late check out on the day of departure is included.
- 7 days of touring with a tour educator (guide), in a luxury, air-conditioned bus.
- 2 Group arrival transfer & assistance at the airport.
- 2 Group departure transfer & assistance at the airport.
- Bus #1: Daily breakfast & 5 dinners.
- Bus #2: Daily breakfast, 2 lunches & 5 dinners.
- Water on the bus.
- Porterage at the airport & 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.
- 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.
- Gratuities: Recommend guidelines for tipping are provided in the terms section.
- 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 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.
- Please use the following information: Citizens Bank: 1 Citizens Drive, Riverside, RI 02915 Routing number: 021313103 (Domestic only) ACH: 036076150 SWIFT Code: CTZIUS33 (International only)
- Beneficiary Instructions: For the benefit of J² Adventures. Account number: 1001858331
- 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. Please refer to the small print tab on your trip’s webpage or in your proposal for your cancelation policy and fees.
- 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.
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