The Community Synagogue
Family Trip To Israel

Led by Rabbi Irwin Zeplowitz

Feb 15, 2024 - Feb 25, 2024

  • DESTINATION Israel
  • Who’s Going Multi-Generational
  • Trip Type Congregational
  • Duration 11 DAYS
  • Group Size 30+
  • Price From $4,895
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.

Early bird discount: Participants who complete registration and pay the $500 per person deposit by midnight, July 31, 2023, will receive $100 off per person, which will be deducted from the final trip invoice.

  •   Active
  •   Archaeology
  •   Art & Culture
  •   Food & Wine
  •   Heritage
  •   Local Specialists
  •   Family Friendly
  •   Jeep Tour
  •   Street Food
  •   Nature Walks

Program Itinerary

DAY 1
ON THE WAY
Thu. Feb 15, 2024
  • Depart the USA.
Overnight: Flight
DAY 2
THE START OF A SPECIAL JOURNEY
Fri. Feb 16, 2024
  • Arrival 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.
  • Shabbat candle-lighting at the hotel.
  • Kabbalat Shabbat services at the hotel.
  • Blessings, Challah, and Friends: Friday night is the traditional highlight of the Jewish week and the Jewish stomach. Enjoy a Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Jerusalem Meals: Dinner
DAY 3
SHABBAT IN JERUSALEM
Sat. Feb 17, 2024
  • Breakfast at an Israeli hotel is an experience in itself. Start the day with a bounteous buffet.
  • Optional Shabbat morning services at local synagogues.
  • Visit the Kotel - Western Wall and experience the special atmosphere of this holy site.
  • Walking tour through the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, for visits to archaeological treasures and other highlights, among them:
    • 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 Jerusalem in the 6th century.
    • King Hezekiah’s First Temple-period “Broad Wall”.
    • Hurva Square, the central square of the Jewish Quarter.
  • Tour the Tower of David Museum and explore the city's history – from the time of Abraham to the end of the British Mandate over Palestine.
  • Three Stars in the Israeli Sky: At nightfall, we will mark the end of a special Shabbat with a communal Havdallah ceremony.
  • Visit the Mahane Yehuda Shuk (open air market) at night with its bars and cafes.
Overnight: Jerusalem Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4
MASADA & THE DEAD SEA
Sun. Feb 18, 2024
  • Descend to the Dead Sea Basin.
  • Ascend by cable-car 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 the weightlessness of the Dead Sea as you float in its waters.
  • The ibex, hyraxes, and other desert mammals that live in this area. Nahal David is named after the biblical David, who fled here to escape from the murderous King Saul.
Overnight: Jerusalem Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5
SEARCHING FOR JEWISH ROOTS
Mon. Feb 19, 2024
  • B'nai Mitzvah ceremony at Ezrat Israel, the pluralistic section of the Kotel (Western Wall).
  • Adults and older kids from age 10 and up:
    • 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.
  • Younger kids with youth counsellor:
    • Visit the Biblical Zoo, a beautifully landscaped habitat with a special focus on preserving Biblical fauna, geared to children of all ages.
      OR
      Visit Ein Yael, an interactive, living museum, located on a 2,000-year-old archaeological site.
  • Experience the sights, smells, and tastes of Jerusalem while walking through the Mahane Yehuda open-air market.
  • Join the Temple Mount Sifting Project.
  • Free time at the Old Train Station Plaza.
Overnight: Jerusalem Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6
SPIRITUALITY AND MORE
Tue. Feb 20, 2024
  • Check out of the hotel.
  • Drive south past Tiberias, an ancient/modern city located on the shores of Lake Kinneret, Sea of Galilee. One of Israel’s four holy Jewish cities, this is where the “Jerusalem” Talmud was codified and where Maimonides is buried.
  • 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, shop in the galleries and crafts shops and engage in dialogues with local artisans inspired by the messages of Kabbalah.
  • Adults: Meet with Artist David Freidman and talk about Kabbalah and art.
  • Youth: Explore the Secrets of Tsfat in an escape Room.
  • Drive to the Upper Galilee and check into the kibbutz hotel. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Upper Galilee Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 7
COMMUNITIES OF THE NORTH
Wed. Feb 21, 2024
  • Visit the Katzrin Talmudic Village and explore its archaeological remains, including the homes from a thriving ancient Jewish community.
  • 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 Mt. 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.
  • Enjoy the culinary delight of a chocolate workshop at the De Karina Chocolate Factory on Kibbutz Ein Zivan.
  • Return to the hotel for dinner.
  • Thoughts and Experiences Thus Far: Opportunity for group conversation & reflection.
Overnight: Upper Galilee Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 8
ALONG THE WATER
Thu. Feb 22, 2024
  • Check out of the hotel and drive South.
  • Celebrate your B'nai Mitzvah in the beauty, wilderness, and history of the Zippori National Park.
  • Haifa, Israel’s largest port is also the city where the country’s Jewish and Arab populations live most closely together. Stop at an overlook of the famous Baha’i Gardens.
  • Visit Caesarea, one of the Land of Israel's most important cities during the Roman Period.
  • Enter 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.
  • 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. 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 9
ALTNEULAND: DREAMS & REALITIES IN TEL AVIV
Fri. Feb 23, 2024
  • Visit the Old City of Jaffa and ascend from the old port through the renovated alleyways to the Jaffa Overlook for an introduction to Tel Aviv at the place where it all began.
  • Culture Tours of Tel Aviv, Combining Street Art, Language & Graffiti: Join a local resident, to explore the urban culture of the city.
  • Explore Nachalat Binyamin, Tel Aviv’s arts and crafts market before we move on to the Carmel Market.
  • 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. Children, youth and parents will also visit the Heroes exhibit which celebrates the ongoing heroism of Jewish life and history.
  • Kabbalat Shabbat at a reform Congregation followed by home hospitality dinner.
Overnight: Tel Aviv Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 10
FREE SHABBAT IN TEL AVIV
Sat. Feb 24, 2024
  • Optional Shabbat morning services.
  • Free day in Tel Aviv with an opportunity to:
    • Enjoy the Ganei Yehoshua Park on the Yarkon River.
    • Visit the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.
    • Explore the gentrified Neve Zedek neighborhood.
    • Walk through the Tel Aviv Port.
    • Crash the waves of the Mediterranean Sea.
  • Ben Kodesh Lechol: Havdallah overlooking the sea.
  • Late check-out from the hotel.
  • Farewell dinner.
  • Group transfer to Ben Gurion International Airport to check in for the departure flight to the USA.
Overnight: Flight Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 11
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
Sun. Feb 25, 2024
  • Return to New York.

RATES & LODGING

participants
30+
Cost p/p in double room
$4,895
Cost p/p in single room
$6,395
Child As 3rd (Reduction)
- ($975)
Early bird discount: Participants who complete registration and pay the $500 per person deposit by midnight, July 31, 2023, will receive $100 off per person, which will be deducted from the final trip invoice. Registration open

Jerusalem: The Inbal

Upper Galilee: Pastoral Kfar Blum Hotel

Tel Aviv: Carlton

What to expect

  • 8 nights' accommodations. Late check out on the day of departure is included until 6:00 pm.
  • 8 days of touring with a tour educator (guide) in a luxury, air-conditioned bus.
  • Daily breakfast & 5 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 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 $500 per person 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.
  • 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.

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. 

J2 STUFF.

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

 
 

Just like you we're concerned for the future. And like you, J2 stands for equality, tolerance, pluralism, and true democracy.