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.
Art & Culture
Current Affairs Expert Scholar
Food & Wine
Home Hospitality
Nature Walks Local Specialists
UNESCO Heritage Sites
Program Itinerary
- Welcome to Israel! Upon arrival, meet your J² Expert Educator, who will accompany you throughout this journey of learning, reflection, and connection.
- Stop at the Haas Promenade overlooking Jerusalem for a traditional Shehechiyanu blessing, expressing gratitude for reaching this moment and offering a first panoramic introduction to the city that has inspired Jewish dreams for generations.
- Settle into the hotel and enjoy time to rest and acclimate after the overnight flight.
- This evening, gather for a festive welcome dinner and opening orientation. Together we will explore the central themes that will accompany us throughout the journey: Israel in the aftermath of October 7, Jewish peoplehood, Zionism, religious pluralism, resilience, coexistence, and the evolving relationship between Israel and Jewish communities around the world.
- Begin your day by entering the Old City through the Dung Gate. Start with a visit to the Davidson Center and Jerusalem Archaeological Park, where remarkable archaeological discoveries illuminate the story of Jewish life and worship in ancient Jerusalem.
- Meet with a representative of the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) or Women of the Wall at the egalitarian Ezrat Yisrael prayer space to discuss religious pluralism, gender equality, and the ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive Jewish future in Israel.
- Continue to the Kotel (Western Wall) for personal reflection at this enduring symbol of Jewish identity.
- Ascend to the rooftops of the Old City for breathtaking views of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Dome of the Rock, and the Hurva Synagogue, offering a vivid perspective on Jerusalem's extraordinary religious and cultural diversity.
- Conclude with free time to shop in the Old City before returning to the hotel. This evening is at leisure.
- Travel south to the Gaza Envelope for a meaningful encounter with communities whose lives were forever changed by the events of October 7.
- Meet local residents and hear firsthand accounts of loss, courage, resilience, and rebuilding as Israelis grapple with trauma while working to create a hopeful future for their communities.
- Enjoy free time for lunch in Sderot, supporting local businesses and witnessing the determination of a community that has lived on the front lines of conflict for decades.
- Visit the Nova Music Festival Memorial Site and reflect on the stories of those who were murdered, kidnapped, and impacted by the attacks. Through personal testimony and collective memory, gain insight into how October 7 continues to shape Israeli society.
- Return to Jerusalem.
- This evening, meet with members of the Parents Circle–Families Forum, a unique organization bringing together Israeli and Palestinian families who have lost loved ones to the conflict. Through personal stories and honest conversation, explore the possibilities and challenges of reconciliation, dialogue, and shared humanity.
- This morning, visit Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial. For first-time visitors, embark on a comprehensive exploration of the museum’s exhibits, tracing the personal stories, artifacts, and historical lessons of the Holocaust, while reflecting on Jewish resilience and identity.
- For return visitors, focus on specialized elements: explore the Holocaust Art Museum, the Synagogue, the Exhibitions Pavilion, engage in the Learning Center, and reflect upon the sculptures scattered across the site.
- Continue to Machaneh Yehuda Market, where Jerusalem's diverse communities, cultures, and flavors come together in one vibrant gathering place. Enjoy free time for lunch and the opportunity to experience one of Israel's most beloved public spaces.
- Return to the hotel and enjoy time to prepare for Shabbat.
- Join the Kamatz–Mevasseret Zion Reform Community for an uplifting Kabbalat Shabbat service that reflects the creativity and vibrancy of Israeli Reform Judaism. Following services, enjoy home hospitality dinners with local families, sharing conversation, traditions, and personal perspectives around the Shabbat table.
- Spend Shabbat experiencing Jerusalem at its most peaceful, as the city slows its pace and centuries of history, faith, and tradition come into sharper focus.
- For those interested, begin the morning with an optional walking tour of the Christian Quarter of the Old City. Wander through its narrow alleyways, ancient courtyards, and bustling markets before visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of Christianity's holiest sites. Explore the traditions, architecture, and history surrounding the place revered by many Christians as the site of Jesus' crucifixion, burial, and resurrection, while gaining a deeper appreciation for Jerusalem's extraordinary religious diversity and significance to multiple faiths.
- Visit the Israel Museum, Israel's premier cultural institution, home to one of the world's most important collections of archaeology, Judaica, and fine art. Explore the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are preserved, and discover how these remarkable manuscripts transformed our understanding of Jewish history and the biblical world. Continue through the museum's extensive collections, tracing the story of Jewish civilization through archaeology, art, and culture.
- Enjoy a leisurely walking tour through Jerusalem's historic neighborhoods. Begin in Yemin Moshe, admiring the iconic Montefiore Windmill and learning about Sir Moses Montefiore's vision for the first Jewish neighborhood built outside the Old City's walls. Continue to Mishkenot Sha'ananim, where the story of modern Jerusalem began, before strolling along King David Street, passing many of the institutions, hotels, and landmarks that witnessed the transformation of Jerusalem from a provincial Ottoman town into the capital of the modern State of Israel.
- Conclude at the Jewish Agency Building, where many of the defining moments in the Zionist movement and the establishment of the State of Israel unfolded. Reflect on the remarkable journey from dream to statehood and the enduring partnership between Israel and Jewish communities around the world.
- Gather this evening for a meaningful Havdalah ceremony, marking the close of Shabbat and welcoming the new week together through song, blessings, and reflection.
- Check out of your hotel in Jerusalem, bidding farewell to the city’s rich history and layered stories. As you leave, reflect on the profound experiences of Jerusalem and prepare for a day of dramatic landscapes and transitions.
- Experience the beauty and serenity of the Judean Desert as dramatic cliffs and endless horizons stretch across the landscape.
- Visit Masada, the iconic mountaintop fortress. Ascend by cable car and step into the dramatic history of Herod’s palace and the site of the zealots’ last stand. From the summit, take in sweeping views of the desert and the Dead Sea below.
- Float effortlessly in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea at Kalia Beach, one of the world's most unique natural wonders and the lowest place on earth.
- Leaving the Dead Sea, drive north along the Jordan Valley. As you pass through this fertile plain, rich with biblical history and agricultural innovation, take in the contrast between desert and greenery, following the path of the ancient Jordan River.
- Arrive at Kibbutz Ginosar, nestled on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Check into the kibbutz hotel, where the tranquil waters and surrounding hills create a peaceful atmosphere. Enjoy dinner at the kibbutz and reflect on the day’s journey from desert heights to the Galilee’s calm waters.
- Begin the day in the enchanting city of Tzfat, one of Judaism's four holy cities and the birthplace of Jewish mysticism. Wander through winding alleyways, artist studios, colorful galleries, and ancient synagogues while discovering how spiritual creativity flourished here following the Expulsion from Spain.
- Visit the historic Ari and Caro Synagogues and explore the enduring influence of Kabbalah on Jewish thought and practice.
- Continue to Tel Dan Nature Reserve, where lush streams, archaeological remains, and biblical history converge in one of Israel's most beautiful natural settings.
- Ascend Mount Bental for sweeping views into Syria and the Golan Heights while exploring Israel's complex geopolitical reality and the strategic significance of the region.
- Dialogue with a research expert of the Alma Research and Education Center overlooking Israel's border with Lebanon. Discuss the evolving security situation in northern Israel, Hezbollah, regional threats, and the impact of recent events on communities throughout the Galilee.
- Return to your kibbutz hotel for dinner, sharing reflections of mysticism, nature, and security.
- Check out of the hotel.
- Travel along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea National Park and explore the magnificent remains of King Herod's port city. Walk among Roman theaters, ancient streets, aqueducts, and archaeological treasures while tracing the many civilizations that have shaped this land.
- Explore Kibbutz Magal and gain insight into the history, values, and evolution of the kibbutz movement, visit Netafim, the pioneering Israeli company that revolutionized smart irrigation, for a behind-the-scenes look at cutting-edge agricultural innovation, and conclude with a guided olive oil tasting, learning about olive cultivation, production techniques, and the flavors of one of Israel's oldest culinary traditions.
- Continue to Tel Aviv, Israel's vibrant cultural and economic center.
- Enjoy free time to explore Nachalat Binyamin and Carmel Market, where artists, entrepreneurs, food vendors, and residents come together to create one of Tel Aviv's most dynamic and colorful neighborhoods. Experience the energy, creativity, and diversity that characterize contemporary Israeli life.
- Check into your Tel Aviv hotel and soak in the energy of the First Hebrew City.
- Meet with a leading Israeli journalist, political analyst, or public intellectual for a candid conversation about contemporary Israeli society. Explore the political, social, and security challenges facing Israel today, and discuss how October 7 has reshaped national priorities, public discourse, and the country's future direction.
- Stop at the Jaffa lookout for a sweeping view of the Mediterranean coastline and an introduction to Tel Aviv's remarkable story - from ancient port city to modern hub of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
- Meet Ihab and Ora Balha, a couple who embody coexistence: Ihab, an Arab Muslim from Jaffa, and Ora, a Jewish woman from the Galilee. Together, they founded The Orchard of Abraham’s Children, a bilingual peace kindergarten in Jaffa. Hear their inspiring story, their vision for shared society, and their efforts to foster understanding through education and dialogue.
- Next, visit the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation. Explore the Innovation Center, where you’ll gain insight into Israel’s pioneering tech advancements and the vision of building a better future.
- Continue with a guided street art tour of the Florentin neighborhood. Discover Tel Aviv’s urban creativity as you explore graffiti, murals, and street art that reflect social commentary, identity, and cultural expression.
- Engage in a thought-provoking text study session with BINA, the secular yeshiva, where Jewish texts are explored through a pluralistic and social lens. Reflect on the evolving nature of Israeli identity.
- Conclude the day with a festive farewell dinner, celebrating the journey you’ve taken, the relationships formed, and the diverse facets of Israel you’ve encountered.
- Check out of the hotel.
- Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for your return flight home.
- As the journey concludes, carry forward new perspectives, meaningful relationships, and a deeper understanding of Israel's history, people, challenges, and hopes for the future.
RATES & LODGING
Jerusalem: Nucha Hotel
- Nights: 5
- Room Category: Executive Balcony
- Hotel Website
Sea of Galilee: Nof Ginosar Hotel
- Nights: 2
- Room Category: Deluxe
- Hotel Website
Tel Aviv: Tal by The Beach
- Nights: 2
- Room Category: Standard
- Hotel Website
Choose Your Way
What to expect
- 9 nights' accommodations.
- 9 days of touring with a J² Expert Educator (guide) in a luxury, climate controlled bus.
- Daily breakfast & 5 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.
- Gratuities: Recommend guidelines for tipping are provided in the terms section.
- Late check out on the day of departure 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.
- 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 double occupancy room.
- 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.
THE J2World
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