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
Join us for the 2024 Cincinnati Community Mission to Israel! Generous subsidies of $4,000 per person, up to a maximum of $12,000 per family, are available thanks to the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati.
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.
An unforgettable trip awaits! Our community will take a transformative journey to Israel from July 7-16, 2024 and we are inviting you to participate!
Once you have registered for the trip, you can also register for the extension to Petra in Jordan. Click here for details.
Your $500 per person deposit is fully refundable till Sept. 1, 2023.
Active 
Heritage 
Archaeology 
Art & Culture 
Expert Scholar 
Food & Wine - Local Specialists
Nature Walks - Special Access
Program Itinerary
DAY 1
ON THE WAY
Sun. Jul 7, 2024
- Depart on your flight to Israel.
Overnight: Flight
DAY 2
THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS
Mon. Jul 8, 2024
- Arrive at Ben-Gurion International Airport.
- Check-in to your hotel. (Hotel check-in time is generally from 3:00pm.)
- Opening session & welcome dinner with the tour educator & leaders.
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Meals: Welcome Dinner
DAY 3
THE MANY LAYERS OF TEL AVIV
Tue. Jul 9, 2024
- Breakfast at an Israeli hotel is an experience in itself. Start the day with a bounteous buffet.
- Stop at the Jaffa Overlook for an introduction to Tel Aviv and to our journey in Israel.
- Walk along the Independence Trail 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.
- Browse your way through Nahalat Binyamin, Tel Aviv’s arts and crafts market.
- Carmel Market is where Tel Aviv comes to shop and to eat. This tasting tour will prove that, when it comes to food in Israel, variety is the spice of life. We’ll sample the tastes of the Middle East and Mediterranean, wander the market’s hidden alleyways and surprising stores, and feel the hustle and bustle of the shuk.
- Experience the dynamism of Jewish life at the newly-opened ANU Museum of the Jewish People, which showcases the diversity of Jews across the globe and highlights the creative works and cultural riches of a variety of communities in different periods of history until the present day.
- Enjoy dinner together with everyone on the Cincinnati Community Mission.
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Community Dinner Event
DAY 4
VOYAGE AND DISCOVERY
Wed. Jul 10, 2024
- 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.
- Embark on a jeep ride in the Judean Hills along the famous Burma Road, which was hastily constructed during the War of Independence (1948) in an attempt to break the siege of Jerusalem.
- Wine tasting at a local boutique winery.
- Pay tribute to the men and women of Israel's armored division at the Armored Corps Memorial and Museum in Latrun, located atop a militarily strategic hill on the main route from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
- Enjoy Tel Aviv at night and check out the city’s nightlife, world-class restaurants, and club and café culture.
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5
GLORY OF JERUSALEM
Thu. Jul 11, 2024
- Check-out of the hotel and depart for Jerusalem.
- 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 Jerusalem Archaeological Park is a large-scale excavation that has uncovered vital parts of ancient Jerusalem.
- 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.
- 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.
- Check in to your hotel in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6
BEYOND THE SURFACE
Fri. Jul 12, 2024
- Plant a tree at the Jerusalem Bird Observatory and gain insight into the urban wildlife of Jerusalem through bird-watching and bird-banding.
- Enjoy a tour of the grounds of Israel’s “Capitol Hill”: The Rose Garden, featuring more than 400 species of roses imported from all around the world; The Knesset – Israel’s Parliament building and its famous Menorah – Israel’s symbol monument built from bronze; The Supreme Court – designed to reflect Jewish and democratic values of justice.
- Visit Mount Herzl.
- Return to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat.
- Celebrate Shabbat together at the Blaustein Hall.
- Enjoy a festive Shabbat dinner and celebrate the holy day in song.
- Walk to the Western Wall (Kottel) for a quiet late night visit.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Shabbat Dinner
DAY 7
SHABBAT IN JERUSALEM OR DEAD SEA
Sat. Jul 13, 2024
- OPTION 1
- Spend the day at the Dead Sea Basin. Take the cable car to the top of Masada, where Jewish rebels are believed to have made their final attempt to resist Roman invaders (c 74 CE).
- OPTION 2
- Enjoy a guided tour of 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.
- OPTION 3
- Stretch your legs with a hike that will take you from the tree-laden beauty of the Jerusalem Hills down to the Sataf Springs. Along the way, witness how ancient methods of agricultural cultivation are being revived in modern Israel.
- ALL
- Join a communal Havdalah service overlooking the Old City.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8
MEMORY AND RENEWAL
Sun. Jul 14, 2024
- Prepare for your visit to Yad Vashem with a renowned Holocaust educator and scholar.
- Head to Yad Vashem, the national memorial to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, an essential emotional and educational experience. Your 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.
- Experience the vibrancy and energy of Mahane Yehuda’s open-air market and enjoy a tasty lunch.
- Enjoy dinner together with everyone on the Cincinnati Community Mission.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Community Dinner Event
DAY 9
ENCOUNTERS AND REFLECTIONS
Mon. Jul 15, 2024
- Where are we and where are we going? A conversation with Ambassador of the United States to Israel - Thomas R. Nides.
- Meet with President of Israel Isaac Herzog at his official residence.
- Choose from some Tikkun Olam projects:
- OPTION 1:
Join Keren BeKavod, the Center for Social and Communal Activity of Israel's Reform Movement, and pack boxes of food to be sent to residents in need. - OPTION 2:
Meet elderly, often impoverished, immigrants who are finding a sense of purpose and creating beautiful artwork at Yad LaKashish (Lifeline for the Elderly). We’ll hear personal stories and see the aging artisans in action, talk with those running this inspirational organization, and check out the fabulous gift shop that supports this endeavor. - OPTION 3:
Visit Susan’s house, an art center and meeting place for youth at risk, which provides an opportunity of learning a craft and skill in order for them to become a productive part of Israeli society. - Enjoy some free time.
- Consider your experience on this journey and what you are taking back home with you in a closing circle.
- Check out of your hotel before a festive farewell dinner.
- Group transfer to Ben Gurion International Airport to check in for your departure flights to the US.
Overnight: Flight
Meals: Breakfast & Farewell Dinner
DAY 10
UNTIL THE NEXT TIME
Tue. Jul 16, 2024
- Return to the USA.
RATES & LODGING
participants
30+
Cost p/p in double room
$5,985
Cost p/p in single room
$7,675
$5,345 Cost per person sharing a room as third.
Cost of accommodations for pre & post nights including breakfast and all taxes:
-PRE Tel Aviv: Hilton $565,- per night per double occupancy room, $545,- per night per single occupancy room, $630,- per night per double occupancy room with child as third.
-POST Jerusalem: $400,- per night per double occupancy room, $385,- per night per single occupancy room, $440,- per night per double occupancy room with child as third.
The night of July 15 is not included. If you would like to reserve the full night (with check out on July 16) a charge of $160, per room will apply.
*All rates are subject to availability. Registration open
Tel Aviv: Hilton
- Nights: 3
- Hotel Website
Jerusalem: The Inbal
- Nights: 4 + LCO
- Hotel Website
What to expect
- 7 nights' accommodations. Late check out at 6:00 p.m. 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, 3 lunches & 3 dinners (plus 2 Community Dinner Events).
- Water on the bus.
- Porterage at the airport & hotels.
- The J² adventures App available on the App Store & on Google Play (active 7 days before your departure and throughout your trip).
- 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.Group of 15 participants and more: Tour Educator: $12 | Driver: $6 per day per person.
- 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 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 after September 1, 2023 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 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.
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.
The J2 App
available on the App Store & on Google Play.
