An Unforgettable Israel Journey
with
Congregation B'nai Israel

Led by Rabbi Bill Gershon

Jun 11, 2023 - Jun 20, 2023

DESTINATION Israel
Who’s Going Adults Only
Trip Type Congregational
Duration 10 DAYS
Group Size 15+
Price From $4,860

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.

Active
Heritage
Archaeology
Art & Culture
Current Affairs
Expert Scholar
Food & Wine
Local Specialists
Nature Walks

Program Itinerary

DAY 1

ON THE WAY

Sun. Jun 11, 2023

Depart the USA.

Overnight: Flight

DAY 2

ARRIVAL

Mon. Jun 12, 2023

Arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport.
Meet your tour educator who will accompany you on this journey of education and inspiration.
Enter Tel Aviv, also 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.
Israel 101 – Our Thoughts, Our Journey: Enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant and orientation for your trip with your Rabbi and tour educator.

Overnight: Tel Aviv Meals: Dinner

DAY 3

COMMUNITIES THEN AND NOW

Tue. Jun 13, 2023

Breakfast at an Israeli hotel is an experience in itself. Start the day with a bounteous buffet.
Check out of the hotel.
Ascend to the Jaffa Overlook for an introduction to Tel Aviv at the place where it all began.
Walk through Jaffa’s famous flea market – Shuk Hapishpeshim.
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."
As we drive north 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.
A Way Forward in the North: Visit Sindyanna of Galilee and sample some of their award-winning olive oil. We’ll learn how this non-profit organization is producing fine, fair-trade products and creating economic opportunities for Arab women, one of Israel’s most underemployed sectors. The tour will include: Talking with one of the basket weavers about her life and work. We’ll see how she uses traditional and modern weaving techniques and find out how Arab and Jewish women are coming together to learn and revitalize this long-established local craft.
Continue to the hotel in the Upper Galilee for check-in, followed by dinner.

Overnight: Upper Galilee Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 4

EXPLORING THE GOLAN

Wed. Jun 14, 2023

Paradise Springs is one of the places we’ll visit at the Tel Dan Nature Reserve. We’ll tour the remains of a 5,000-year-old city and find out why water is like gold in the parched Middle East.
Go for a jeep tour of the Golan Heights. Enjoy the views that only 'off-road' can provide, and learn about the place of the Golan in Israel's dramatic history.
Stop by Tel Faher, an abandoned Syrian outpost that once threatened the northern towns of Israel, and follow the footsteps of Israeli soldiers who fought there in the 1967 Six Day War. The view offers an invaluable insight into the challenges of the war and its rapid and unexpected conclusion.
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.
Cooking a Love Story: Join Liz and Shai in their home on the Merom Golan kibbutz for a meal and an occasion to savor. As we feast on Shai's "enchanted soup", smoked entrecote and fabulous vegetarian options, Liz, an actress and raconteur, will explain how this couple's love story came to include providing great food and the warmest of hospitality.

Overnight: Upper Galilee Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 5

A TALE OF TWO CITIES

Thu. Jun 15, 2023

Check out of the hotel.
Perhaps it's the combination of mysticism and art, and maybe it's the mountain air in Israel's highest city; entering Tsfat, there is a sense of something uniquely Jewish but not quite of this world. Here, you'll:
- Visit the Ari synagogue and share in the inspiration and innovation that moved Rabbi Isaac Luria (the Holy Ari) and his fellow mystics. In Tsfat they developed the Kabbalah, the esoteric insights of Judaism and created Kabbalat Shabbat, the prayers sung on Friday evenings to welcome the arrival of the Sabbath.
- Walk through the cobbled streets and alleyways to the Artists' Colony with its galleries, shops, and studios.
- Meet with artist Sheva Chaya in her studio, for an interactive window into the world of Kabbalah, glass blowing, and questions of identity and Judaism.
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 Mount Scopus for 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 6

THE CITY OF LAYERS

Fri. Jun 16, 2023

At the Heart of It All: Explore the City of David, the core of ancient Jerusalem, and learn how the city was administered during the First Temple period. Our visit will include:
- Archaeological discoveries illustrating how the wealthy and powerful lived in ancient Jerusalem.
- Travelling through time as we walk in ancient drainage channels from the City of David to the Western Wall’s massive foundation stones at the foot of the Temple Mount.
Stop at the Kotel (Western Wall) to experience the special atmosphere of this holy spot.
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.
At the end of the Via Dolorosa is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Jesus is believed to have been crucified. This is one of Christianity’s great pilgrimage sites and a testament to the remarkable diversity of the Christian world. It includes an empty tomb where it is said that Jesus was buried and resurrected.
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 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 center of modern-day life in the Jewish Quarter.
The City of Shabbat: Join Jerusalem in welcoming the Sabbath, the high point of the Jewish week, with Kabbalat Shabbat services. You can celebrate Shabbat alongside people from countless different traditions and countries at Judaism’s holiest Site, the Kotel (Western Wall) or sample some of the city’s dizzying variety of synagogues. We'll be happy to supply maps and suggestions of which synagogue might work best for you.
Blessings, Challah, and Friends: Shabbat dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Jerusalem Meals: Breakfast & Shabbat Dinner

DAY 7

SHABBAT IN JERUSALEM

Sat. Jun 17, 2023

Morning services at Kehilat Zion led by Rabbi Tamar Elad Appelbaum.
Jerusalem and its Writers: Explore the streets of Jerusalem through the eyes and words of its poets and authors, including Yehuda Amichai and S. Y. Agnon.
Tour the Tower of David Museum where the story of Jerusalem is told with exciting exhibitions and in an amazing location. Visit some Christian sites, including the Pool of Bethesda and St. Anne's Crusader Church, followed by a walk along the Via Dolorosa, passing by the Ecce Homo Arch and the Sisters of Zion Convent, ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Three Stars in the Jerusalem Sky: At nightfall, we will mark the end of a special Shabbat with a communal Havdallah ceremony overlooking the Old City.

Overnight: Jerusalem Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8

THE DEAD SEA BASIN

Sun. Jun 18, 2023

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, 1,412 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.
Muddy Good Fun: Coat yourself in the famous Dead Sea mud, a time-honored tradition enjoyed by all ages. For thousands of years, it has been believed that the mud and minerals of the Dead Sea have special healing and beauty qualities. See and feel for yourself.
We’ll drive by Qumran, where a separatist Jewish sect from the Second Temple period created an isolated community and where the Dead Sea Scrolls, some of the most ancient and important religious manuscripts in existence, were discovered.
Return to Jerusalem and to the hotel.

Overnight: Jerusalem Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9

MEMORY AND RENEWAL

Mon. Jun 19, 2023

Dialogue with journalist-scholar and author Yossi Klein Halevi on Israel's political scene - 'Where Have We Been and Where Are We Headed?'
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, where candles shine like stars in the sky to commemorate the 1.5 million children lost during the Holocaust.
- A concluding memorial ceremony by the Korczak Memorial.
Sustainability: Jerusalem Market tour focusing on food security with Metzilot Hamazon, The Jerusalem Food Rescuers, whose aim is to create a more just and sustainable urban food system with less waste, followed by dinner.
Late check-out and group transfer to Ben Gurion Airport and check in for the departure flight.

Overnight: Flight Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 10

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

Tue. Jun 20, 2023

Return to the USA.

RATES & LODGING

participants

15+

Cost p/p in double room

$4,860

Cost p/p in single room

$6,110

Child As 3rd (Reduction)

- ($540)

Cost of accommodations for pre & post nights including breakfast and all taxes:
-Tel Aviv: Dan Panorama $390,- per night per double occupancy Tel Aviv room, $380,- per night per single occupancy Tel Aviv room.
-Jerusalem: Herbert $418,- per night per double occupancy room, $396,- per night per single occupancy room.

*All rates are subject to availability. Registration open

Tel Aviv: Dan Panorama

Nights: 1

Room Category: Tel Aviv

Hotel Website

Upper Galilee: Pastoral Kfar Blum Hotel

Nights: 2

Room Category: Classic

Hotel Website

Jerusalem: Herbert Samuel

Nights: 4+LCO

Room Category: Superior

Hotel Website

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