YOUR journey
Embark on a transformative, multi-week adventure that lets you fully immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Israel. You’ll live independently in well-located luxury apartments, offering easy access to the heart of your chosen city. Experience daily life like a local—strolling through bustling markets, practicing Hebrew, and soaking up the rhythm of Israeli life. On weekends, enjoy guided group excursions led by a J² adventures Expert Educator, exploring Israel’s diverse landscapes and stories.
This is your opportunity to live abroad and truly connect. J² adventures curates bespoke journeys that inspire, educate, and deepen your connection to Israel and Jewish heritage worldwide. Every trip is uniquely tailored, ensuring a personal and meaningful experience backed by exceptional service. Travel, after all, isn’t just about places—it’s about the relationships and memories you create.
J² adventures offers this long-term experiential program for adults eager to engage with the country in a meaningful way. Live like a local, learn from outstanding experts, and take part in a thoughtfully curated program that explores Israel’s complex and captivating mosaic. Discover its beauty, diversity, and challenges as you connect with others who share your love for Israel, Jewish culture, and the spirit of adventure.
With accommodations in Tel Aviv, this program combines guided tours, enlightening seminars, and ample independent time to explore Israel at your own pace.
Expert Scholar
Home Hospitality
Food & Wine
Heritage
Nature Walks
Local Specialists
Social Justice
Current Affairs
Program Itinerary
- Departure from the United States. Fly safely (nesiya tova).
- Arrive at Ben-Gurion International Airport. Exciting to welcome you to Israel.
- We will gather for program orientation, begin to get to know each other, and settle into our Tel Aviv housing.
- Our orientation will include a warm welcome, personal introductions, and an overview of the program. Meet the people from J² adventures. and Belong who will accompany you throughout your Israel experience.
- Take some time to visit your neighborhood market (makolet) to pick up a few basics.
- We will take a walking tour together to explore the neighborhoods of Tel Aviv, soaking in the city’s vibrant atmosphere.
- Recommendation: Visit the Carmel Market to pick up Shabbat challot, chocolate rogelach pastries, or fresh humus and tehina.
- Shabbat Shalom! We will celebrate being together at a group Shabbat dinner.
- Current affairs in Israel change at breakneck speed. Our session will devote time to the most recent news and provide context for understanding the issues of the day.
- Experience the dynamism of Jewish life at the ANU Museum of the Jewish People. ANU's unique historical perspective and cutting-edge interactive exhibits bring an ancient and ongoing story to life, creating a meaningful connection for us all.
- Recommendation: Explore the Yarkon River park to see how Tel Avivians spend their Shabbat afternoon. Pick up lunch at the Tel Aviv port's restaurants and small open-air market for a Saturday afternoon picnic.
- As the new week begins, we will wrap up our orientation and move forward into the next stages of our journey.
- Belong Engagement sessions will be held throughout the program, focusing on connecting with Israeli life and offering opportunities to engage with outstanding Israeli professionals and experts.
- Workshop and Orientation: Volunteering in Israel. We will explore our roles as volunteers in various Tel Aviv settings. We’ll reflect on our personal goals for volunteering and discuss the unique aspects of volunteering in Israel compared to volunteer experiences in the United States.
- We encourage you to take on a volunteer project. Israel has more non-profits per capita than any other place in the world. You may already be connected with an organization working to make Israel better. If you need assistance in finding an appropriate volunteer placement, our staff is ready to help you.
- Spend the day exploring Tel Aviv on your own.
- Recommendation: Check out the Secret Tel Aviv website for information on everything from coffee houses to upcoming events to galleries and exhibitions. A great resource to help you make the most of your time in Tel Aviv.
- Israel Today: The pain of October 7 remains deeply felt across Israel. In this session, we will explore where Israel stands today and examine models that can guide us all in transitioning from pain to healing. This session is part of our ongoing series on Israel Today.
- Recommendation: Spend the afternoon at the Tel Aviv Art Museum, an internationally acclaimed home for Israeli art, visiting international exhibits, and timely special shows focusing on the many issues of the day.
- Recommendation: Head to the Beit Ariela Library's cafe on the porch, across the open plaza from the library—a great place to grab a bite and enjoy your coffee in the sunshine.
- We will head north to Haifa to explore its rich diversity and delve into the unique challenges faced by Haifa and the surrounding Galilee region.
- Perched above the city near the Bahá'í Gardens, there’s no better vantage point to understand the story of Haifa—its rich history and the vibrant diversity of its people.
- Haifa, a city where Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel live side by side, is often celebrated as a model of coexistence. Through encounters with activists and local leaders, we will explore the realities and challenges of building a shared society.
- The communal gardens at the Leo Baeck School and Education Center have become a vibrant hub for greening the city and fostering connections among Haifa residents from all walks of life. During our visit, we’ll learn about the planning and vision behind the gardens and take the opportunity to volunteer, contributing to Haifa’s sustainability.
- Walking through Tel Aviv’s Neve Tzedek neighborhood and the historic Trumpeldor Cemetery offers a journey into the revival of the Hebrew language and the lives of the visionaries who laid the foundations of modern Israeli culture. This is the first session of our ongoing series on Hebrew Language and Culture.
- Recommendation: Neve Tzedek is a colorful set of streets full of boutiques, small books stores, and a variety of eateries. Wander the neighborhood on your own and find a shady spot to enjoy an ice cream.
- Shabbat is your time to visit with friends and family and to get out and explore Israel. Please consult our concierge for assistance in making your Shabbat plans.
- Recommendation: Join an Israeli congregation for an evening Kabbalat Shabbat. Whatever your synagogue preference may be, ask our staff to assist so you can enjoy a spiritually uplifting Friday night experience.
- Enjoy your second Shabbat in Israel!
- Recommendation: If you are staying in Tel Aviv for Shabbat, take a walk along the beach beginning at Bogroshov Beach and head south to Jaffa. A great opportunity to catch a wave, enjoy an orange juice, and catch locals on the sand and surf.
- Sunday (Yom Rishon) is the beginning of the Israeli work week. Most Sundays will remain free, allowing you to travel for Shabbat, visit friends and family, and return to Tel Aviv feeling ready and refreshed for the week ahead.
- Recommendation: Visit the Rubin House, the home and studio of Israeli artist, Rubin Reuven. Not far from the corner of Allenby and King George, follow up your studio visit with lunch at a nearby restaurant.
- Belong Engagement sessions will be held throughout the program, focusing on connecting with Israeli life and offering opportunities to engage with outstanding Israeli professionals and experts.
- Recommendation: Live like a hipster. Head down to Florentin, a bubbling hub for all things art and artists in Israel. Whether you are looking for an old record shop or a double espresso or a venue for live music, Florentin is worth the walk.
- Jewish and Democratic? In this session, we will explore Israel's Declaration of Independence and the variety of visions for its future, examining the fundamental questions emerging the ongoing judicial overhaul. Is it possible to be both Jewish and democratic? This discussion is part of our ongoing Israel Today series.
- Recommendation: Check out the website of the International School at Tel Aviv University for live events, lectures, concerts, exhibitions, and tours of the campus.
- Recommendation: While exploring Tel Aviv University, be sure to visit the Cymbalista Synagogue and Jewish Heritage Center. A striking example of modern Israeli architecture, it serves as a museum and event space, offering a deeper look into the Jewish experience.
- Spend the day exploring Tel Aviv on your own.
- Recommendation: Spend the day in Jaffa. From the churches and views at the top of the hill, to the sea-front promenade, and continuing to the galleries and flea market adjacent to the Ottoman clock tower, Jaffa always surprises.
- Take the next step toward becoming a local with our Hebrew language and culture sessions. Enhance your language skills while discovering the unique aspects of contemporary Israeli culture. This session is part of our ongoing Hebrew Language and Culture series.
- Head north in the afternoon for our Shabbat Field Seminar.
- Check into your hotel followed by dinner.
- Our field seminar will explore the Galilee, delving into its rich history and diverse cultures, while examining potential scenarios for the region's future.
- From the Arbel Mountain, the entire Galilee is stretched before us. From this vista, we will explore the topography and human geography of Israel's north.
- We will visit a kibbutz in the Galilee finger, an area that was crucial in Israel's pioneering history. We will explore together the recent challenges posed by the war with Hizbullah, through the lens of civilian resilience and security concerns.
- Ascending to the Golan, we will meet with security experts from the Alma Center to discuss the collapse of the Syrian Assad regime and its aftermath for Israel and her neighbors.
- Returning to our hotel, there will be time to prepare for Shabbat. We will welcome Shabbat together as a group and enjoy a festive dinner at the hotel. Shabbat Shalom.
- Check out of the hotel.
- Our field seminar will explore the Galilee, with its rich history and diverse cultures, while considering scenarios for the region's future.
- A short hike on Mount Meron will open our day as we explore the nature and the mystical traditions that are part of the very air of the Galilee area adjacent to Tzfat.
- Tzippori was the home of Rabbi Judah the Prince and it was there that the Mishnah was edited. We will visit the archeological park and reflect on this major shift in Jewish life from a Temple-based Judaism to a text-based Judaism.
- As we make our way back to Tel Aviv, we will visit the Druze villages of the Carmel Mountains. An encounter with Israeli Druze will also include a cooking workshop in a local home.
- Return to Tel Aviv.
- Sunday (Yom Rishon) is the beginning of the Israeli work week. Most Sundays will remain free, allowing you to travel for Shabbat, visit friends and family, and return to Tel Aviv feeling ready and refreshed for the week ahead.
- Recommendation: Visit the Land of Israel Museum in Ramat Aviv, a treasure trove of archeology, modern photography, and outdoor gardens. Walk from the museum to the Ramat Aviv Shopping Mall to check out life in one of Tel Aviv's most affluent neighborhoods.
- Belong Engagement sessions will take place throughout the program and will focus on personal and professional development connected with Israeli life and encounters with outstanding Israeli professionals and experts.
- Check out what’s happening at the Bronfman Auditorium, located at the end of Rothschild Boulevard. One of Israel’s premier venues, it hosts local musical stars, international artists, and more.
- Religion and State is a crucial and thorny issue in Israeli life. What are the legal frameworks that define the relations between religion and state in Israel? And what are the key issues surrounding the ongoing debate over the role of religion in the public sphere? This session is part of our ongoing series on Israel Today.
- Recommendation: If you looking for a walking trail in the Tel Aviv area, check out alltrails.com/israel/tel-aviv. Bring a hat and a bottle of water and stretch your legs.
- We will explore Jerusalem and encounter the topics, places, and people navigating the tensions between the ideal of a holy city and the realities of daily life.
- Beginning with contemporary Jerusalem, we will visit the "Hand in Hand" School, a unique, veteran educational institution that promotes Arab-Israeli education where Jewish and Arab children study together in a bilingual setting.
- A walking tour of Jerusalem's Old City offers an opportunity to explore the shared connections as well as shared tensions that exist between the Abrahamic faiths. Our walk will include:
- The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is a site revered by the Pre-Reformation Christian world as the site where Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected.
- The rooftops of the Old City provide one of the best views on the Temple Mount and the Muslim Shrines of the Al Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock.
- Lunch on own in the Jewish Quarter.
- The Western Wall is considered one of Judaism's most sacred sites. What is the story of the Western Wall and why was it referred to before 1967 as the "Wall of Tears"?
- Return to Tel Aviv.
- Israeli music offers a vibrant and revealing window into Israeli culture and communal memory. We will participate in a workshop that focuses on select clips of iconic Israeli songs and explores what they reveal about Israeli lives and hopes. This session is part of our ongoing Hebrew Language and Culture series.
- Recommendation: Go underground to check out the popular music scene in Tel Aviv. At The Barby (Jaffa Port #1) and at The Levontin (Levontin #7), performances includes everything from folk to punk to indie rock. Get your groove on.
- Shabbat is your time to visit with friends and family and to get out and explore Israel. Please consult our concierge for assistance in making your shabbat plans.
- Recommendation: Join Beit Tfilah Israeli to bring in Shabbat. The Israeli Prayer House was established as a personal need of a small group of activists looking for a way to live a spiritual and community life in Tel Aviv matching the spirit of the time and place. Events take place at the Tel Aviv Port or along Rothschild Boulevard, depending on the season and on the weather, Check their website to see where they are meeting and when.
- Enjoy Shabbat in the Holy Land!
- Recommendation: Whether you are an athlete or a spectator, visit the Tel Aviv Municipality website (See -Sports). You can join a beach side volleyball game or attend a soccer match at Bloomfield Stadium.
- Sunday (Yom Rishon) is the beginning of the Israeli work week. Most Sundays will remain free, allowing you to travel for Shabbat, visit friends and family, and return to Tel Aviv feeling ready and refreshed for the week ahead.
- Recommendation: Walk the Tel Aviv Botanical Gardens adjacent to Tel Aviv University to enjoy a unique collection of flora from around the world. Nearby is the Museum of Natural History, a renovated campus designed to resemble Noah's Ark.
- Belong Engagement sessions will take place throughout the program and will focus on connecting with Israeli life and encounters with outstanding Israeli professionals and experts.
- Recommendation: The Peres Center for Peace and Innovation showcases Israel's story as a start-up nation with guided tours in an interactive setting. Reserve tickets before your visit on the Peres Center website.
- In Israel, nearly everyone has roots from somewhere else, but is that really true? We’ll explore the timeline of immigration to Israel, its current challenges, and the famous saying: "Israel loves immigration (Aliyah), but doesn’t really like immigrants (Olim)." This session is part of our ongoing Israel Today series.
- Recommendation: On Tuesdays and Fridays, Nahalat Binyamin's arts and crafts fair, with its 200+ booths, opens its doors. Whether you are looking for a special gift, a unique souvenir, or a photo opportunity, it's worth the visit.
- Hebrew slang is a salad of evolving influences. By examining its roots in Arabic, Yiddish, Turkish, and Russian, we can trace the development of modern Israel and define what's "in" and what's "out." This session is part of an ongoing series on Hebrew Language and Culture.
- Recommendation: Sarona was one of Tel Aviv's earliest neighborhoods. Today it is a culinary hub across from Israel's Ministry of Defense. Whether you crave sushi or a burger, desire a cold brew or a cold beer, drop by Sarona and enjoy.
- Departure in the afternoon for our Shabbat Field Seminar.
- Stopping in the city of Rahat, we will encounter the dynamic changes that have taken place among Israeli Bedouins since 1948 and the shifts in self-identity of a community holding onto the past and striving toward a better future.
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The heart of Beersheva is Ben-Gurion University. Our encounter with the campus, students, and faculty will showcase the academic excellence that BGU is known for, but also look at the university as a community builder and major development generator for the entire Negev region. - When David Ben-Gurion left office as Prime Minister of Israel, he retired to the quiet kibbutz of Sde Boker. Visiting Sde Boker, Ben-Gurion's modest home, and his tomb overlooking the Avdat Valley is an opportunity to both honor the man and to reflect on notions of leadership then and now.
- Check into your Negev hostel.
- The field seminar will explore concepts of neighbors and borders and their implications for life in the Negev.
- Built as a student village to bring brain power to the Negev, the village of Ashalim has also become home to many who before October 7 lived in the kibbutzim and moshavim of the Israel-Gaza border. We will meet with the residents of Ashalim and hear their experiences from a war not yet over, and hopes for a brighter tomorrow.
- Along the Israel-Gaza border, questions remain about rebuilding and about how to remember all those who were lost. Our visit to this beautiful and haunted region will include:
- The memorial site, erected at the location of the Nova Festival and the tragic massacre that followed, is a grassroots initiative by families, friends, and local communities, giving voice to the survivors, honoring those who lost their lives, and remembering those who are not yet home.
- Moshav Netiv Ha'Aserah is a pioneering settlement that came under attack by Hamas at dawn on October 7. We will walk through the moshav with a local resident to hear firsthand accounts of that harrowing day, the events of the war in Gaza, and the ongoing efforts to rebuild both the moshav and the families affected.
- Returning to our hostel, there will be time to prepare for Shabbat. We will welcome Shabbat together as a group and enjoy dinner at our hostel. Shabbat Shalom.
- Check out of the hostel.
- Few countries can boast that archeology is a national sport. Visit the excavations at Beit Guvrin and Tel Maresha. Wander through the underground city and stand in awe at the Roman amphitheater, immortalized in Ridley Scott's "Gladiator."
- Stand at the top of Tel Azeka, Bible in hand, and gaze over the landscape where, according to tradition, David the Shepherd faced the giant Goliath. What do we mean when we say "it happened here"?
- The historic site and memorial at Shar HaGai is dedicated to the history of the Independence War on the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv Road. Our visit will explore both the history and also the way that 1948 is recalled in Israeli literature and music.
- Return to Tel Aviv.
- We will devote time to reflect on our time together, sharing our experiences and discussing the questions that we're bringing home with us.
- We will begin to get organized and move out of our housing.
- It's time to celebrate our journey with a farewell meal at a local venue.
- Travel safely as you begin to return home. Hoping that you are carrying Israel with you in a new and inspiring way. Le'hitraot!
RATES & LODGING

Tel Aviv: Master Mazeh
- Nights: 31
- Room Category: One Bedroom Apartment
- Hotel Website
What to expect
- 31 nights’ accommodation in a two-room apartment with kitchen, living room and bedroom.
- 2 Excursions with a J² Expert Educator (guide) in a luxury, air-conditioned vehicle.
- 2 Three-day seminars to the North and South of Israel with a J² Expert Educator (guide) in a luxury, air-conditioned vehicle.
- 13 Study sessions with local experts, speakers, and Tour Educators.
- 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 5 dinners.
- The J² adventures App available on the App Store & on Google Play (active 30 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.
- Airport arrival and departure transfers.
- Breakfasts.
- 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.
- Gratuities: Recommend guidelines for tipping are provided in the terms section.
- 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.
- 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 of $1,000 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 60 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 59 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.
- 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.
Stuff.
We have everything you need to know before you go. Check out our Instagram my_j2adventures for cool updates and interesting tidbits.
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