Chicago Sinai
Family Trip to Israel

Led by Rabbi Amanda Greene

Dec 20, 2023 - Dec 31, 2023

DESTINATION Israel
Who’s Going Families
Trip Type Congregational
Duration 12 DAYS
Group Size 20+
Price From $5,400

J²way intro
Your journey
Itinerary
Rates & Lodging
What to expect

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.

Archaeology
Heritage
Home Hospitality
Street Food
Jeep Tour
Nature Walks
Active

Program Itinerary

DAY 1

DEPARTURE

Wed. Dec 20, 2023

Depart the USA.

Overnight: Flight

DAY 2

THE START OF A SPECIAL JOURNEY

Thu. Dec 21, 2023

Arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport.
Meet your tour educator who will accompany you on this journey of education and inspiration.
Depart the airport for Jerusalem.
Stop at the Haas Promenade for an overlook of the Old and New City of Jerusalem, in the same spot where our ancestors stood in ancient times, and to recite the traditional "shehechiyanu” blessing.
Check into the hotel.
Welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Jerusalem Meals: Dinner

DAY 3

A CITY OF LAYERS

Fri. Dec 22, 2023

Breakfast at an Israeli hotel is an experience in itself. Start the day with a bounteous buffet.
Proceed to Jerusalem's Old City and walk along the ancient ramparts.
One Mountain, Three Religions: An inter-denominational exploration of Zion, the traditional burial site of King David, the Room of the Last Supper and a mosque - all sharing a single building.
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.
Going Under, Going Deeper: 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.
Ascend to the Jewish Quarter for visits to more archaeological treasures and other highlights, among them:
- A walk along the Rooftops of the Old City for a behind-the-scenes look at the various communities in Jerusalem and how they live alongside each other.
- The Cardo, the main street of Roman-controlled Jerusalem and its spectacular Byzantine-era columns.
- King Hezekiah's "Broad Wall," a massive wall built to protect Jerusalem from invasion 2,700 years ago.
- Hurva Square, the central square of the Jewish Quarter.
Free time to explore on own prior to Shabbat.
Return to the hotel.
Kabbalat Shabbat services at a Kehilat Hadror, a local Reform community.
Home Hospitality Shabbat dinner/communal Shabbat dinner with local congregants or festive Shabbat dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Jerusalem Meals: Breakfast & Shabbat Dinner

DAY 4

SHABBAT IN JERUSALEM

Sat. Dec 23, 2023

B'nai Mitzvah services at the Dan Panorama Penthouse suite, followed by a celebratory lunch.
AFTERNOON OPTION 1:
Visit the wonderfully creative Israel Museum, with its wide-ranging and eclectic collection, from Archaeology and the Dead Sea Scrolls to Jewish Life and Art, European art, contemporary Israeli art and the open-air model of Jerusalem in the Second Temple period.
OR
Explore the fascinating medieval Church of the Holy Sepulchre, venerated by many as the site of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
Walk through Jerusalem's famous Old City Market (shuk).
AFTERNOON OPTION 2:
Yemin Moshe Scavenger Hunt: Discover the fabulous story of the expansion of Jerusalem beyond the Old City. Wandering from the Montefiore Windmill through the winding alleys of Yemin Moshe with an Israel ScaVentures picture pack, you will learn the story of a frontier neighborhood that became one of Jerusalem's most beautiful neighborhood.
ALL:
Ben Kodesh Lechol: Havdallah overlooking the Old City.

Overnight: Jerusalem Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 5

THE DEAD SEA BASIN

Sun. Dec 24, 2023

Descend to the Dead Sea Basin and drive by Qumran, the area where the Dead Sea Sect established a community and the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.
Ascend by cable-car or walk up the Snake Path to Masada, Herod's mountain palace and the site of the Jewish Zealots' last stand against the Roman Legionnaires. Discuss Masada's role as a symbol of Jewish defense and its current significance in modern Israel.
Experience an astonishing sense of weightlessness as you float in the super-saline Dead Sea.
Visit Genesis Land, a Biblical-style encampment in the Judean Desert. Delve into the Bible, experience Biblical hospitality, take a camel ride and enjoy a ‘hafla' feast.
Return to Jerusalem.

Overnight: Jerusalem Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 6

THE POWER OF MEMORY

Mon. Dec 25, 2023

ADULTS + OLDER YOUTH (age 10+):
Visit the Yad Vashem complex, the Jewish National Memorial to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, including:
- The Avenue of the Righteous
- The Historical Museum
- The Children's Memorial
- A concluding Memorial Service
YOUNGER YOUTH (accompanied by a youth counselor):
Visit Ein Yael, an interactive, living museum, located on a 2,000-yearold archaeological site. There is the option of taking part in weaving, ceramics, painting and other crafts typical of life in ancient times.
ALL:
Set your mark on the land with tree planting and enjoy free time at the Jerusalem Deer Valley Park for leisure and nature.
Take a multi-cultural tasting journey through the hustle and bustle of Jerusalem's Machaneh Yehudah open-air market: Enjoy the sights, smells, tastes and sounds of this vibrant area where Jerusalemites shops.

Overnight: Jerusalem Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 7

COMMUNITIES PAST AND PRESENT

Tue. Dec 26, 2023

Check out of the hotel.
Drive north along the Jordan Valley, part of the enormous Syrian-African Rift.
Visit Bio-Bee Biological Systems on Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu, leading experts in the mass production of beneficial insects and mites for agricultural purposes. There is regional cooperation in this field with Palestinians and Jordanians.
Visit the Kinneret Cemetery: Enter the world of the early Zionist pioneers and learn about their hopes and dreams, their trials and tribulations and their ultimate success. Pause at the graves of legendary personalities such as Rachel the Poetess, Zionist philosopher Ber Borochov and songwriter Naomi Shemer.
Ready-Steady-Cook! Who are the champion cooks on the trip? Find out in a cooking competition where laughter and fun are at the top of the menu. Guided by a professional chef, we’ll split into teams and prepare a meal using the flavors of the Galilee. And after the cooking comes the eating with dinner.
Continue to the Upper Galilee hotel for check-in.

Overnight: Upper Galilee Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 8

ADVENTURES IN THE GALILEE

Wed. Dec 27, 2023

Walk through the Tel Dan Nature Reserve, located on the largest tributary of the Jordan River, and explore the ruins of the great Biblical city of Dan.
Take a Jeep tour off-road up the Golan Heights in the footsteps of Israeli soldiers and their battles in the Six-Day War. Enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and gain an insight into the strategic complexity of the Golan.
The panoramic views from Bental (overlooking the abandoned Syrian town of Kuneitra) give sharp insights into Israel's security situation on the Golan Heights, and the enormous challenges it faced in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, and the new threat from the north, ISIS.
Explore Tsfat, a center of Jewish mysticism for hundreds of years and a contemporary artists' colony, including:
- Guided visit to the Ari, Caro or Abuhav Synagogues, each with its great stories and mystical messages.
- A stroll through the quaint Artists' Colony and shop in the galleries and crafts shops.
Return to the hotel for dinner.

Overnight: Upper Galilee Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 9

FROM SEA TO MOUNTAINS

Thu. Dec 28, 2023

Check out of the hotel, depart along the coastal plain to Akko (Acre), a UNESCO Heritage Site, for a multi-layered experience from the days of the Crusades through contemporary Israel.
Visit the Yemin Orde Youth Village, one of Israel's most innovative educational institutions, specializing in integrating new immigrant youth into Israeli society. Dialogue with faculty and students.
Stop on the top of Mount Carmel for a panoramic view of Haifa Bay and a view of the Baha'i Gardens and gold-domed Shrine of the Bab, one of the holiest sites of the Baha'i religion.
Enter the city of Tel Aviv, known as the “city that never sleeps,” with its centers of culture, recreation and national history, great beaches and fine stores.
Check into the hotel.

Overnight: Tel Aviv Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10

I DIG ISRAEL

Fri. Dec 29, 2023

Explore the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel’s renowned research center for the natural and exact sciences.
Drive to the Beit Guvrin Caves to take part in an archaeological Prepare to get your hands dirty uncovering pottery from the Hellenistic period, 2,300 years ago, followed by a crawl through the Maresha Cave Labyrinth (crawling is optional). Beit GuvrinMaresha National Park was recently recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Travel through the Valley of Elah, the site of the Biblical battle between David and Goliath.
Return to Tel Aviv for a chance to visit the Nachalat Binyamin pedestrian mall, with its bi-weekly crafts fair and eateries. Alongside is the colorful Carmel open-air market and across the way Sheinkin Street, with its hip cafés and funky chic shopping.
Kabbalat Shabbat in Shoham, followed by home hospitality Shabbat dinner.

Overnight: Tel Aviv Meals: Breakfast & Shabbat Dinner

DAY 11

A CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS

Sat. Dec 30, 2023

Visit the Jaffa Overlook for an introduction to Tel Aviv at the place where it all began.
Against The Odds - Building a State: Visit Independence Hall, where David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the State of Israel on May 14th, 1948.
Walking tour through colorful Neve Zedek, one of Tel Aviv's earliest neighborhoods. Today it is a cultural mecca, with many small boutiques and galleries, and the Suzanne Dellal Dance and Theater Center.
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.
A Fallen Leader, A Fallen Soldier: The assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995 was one of the greatest traumas of Israeli political history. Discuss his life and death at Rabin Square, the place where he was murdered, and take a quiet moment to reflect at the Rabin Memorial. We’ll also see how Rabin Square has become one of the crucial public spaces in Israel and the location for political protests, state ceremonies and spontaneous celebrations.  
Three Stars in the Israeli Sky: At nightfall, we will mark the end of a special Shabbat with a communal Havdallah ceremony.  
Late check-out and farewell dinner.
Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for the departure flight.

Overnight: Flight Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 12

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

Sun. Dec 31, 2023

Return to the USA.

RATES & LODGING

participants

20+

Cost p/p in double room

$5,400

Cost p/p in single room

$6,980

Child As 3rd (Reduction)

- ($480)

Cost of accommodations for pre & post nights including breakfast and all taxes:
-Jerusalem: Dan Panorama - $365,- per night per double occupancy Jerusalem room, $345,- per night per single occupancy Jerusalem room.
-Tel Aviv: Crowne Plaza Beach: $358,- per night per double occupancy Deluxe room, $335,- per night per single occupancy Deluxe room.

*All rates are subject to availability. Registration open

Jerusalem: Dan Panorama

Nights: 5

Room Category: Jerusalem

Hotel Website

Upper Galilee: Kfar Giladi hotel

Nights: 2

Room Category: Bazelet

Hotel Website

Tel Aviv: Crowne Plaza Beach

Nights: 2+LCO

Room Category: Deluxe

Hotel Website

9 nights' accommodations. Late check out on the day of departure is included.
10 days of touring with a tour educator (guide) in a luxury, air-conditioned bus.
Daily breakfast, 2 lunches & 7 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.