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
Rabbi Jeff Salkin – a distinguished SUNY Purchase alumnus, acclaimed author, and respected spiritual leader – will guide us on a special journey designed for the broader Purchase community. Together, we will delve into the complexities of contemporary Israel, with a distinctive focus on its vibrant culture and dynamic political landscape.
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Local Specialists 
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Special Access 
Art & Culture 
Current Affairs
THE EXPERT
Program Itinerary
DAY 1
ON OUR WAY
Sun. Jun 28, 2026
- Depart the U.S. for Israel.
Overnight: Flight
DAY 2
ARRIVAL & OPENING CONVERSATIONS
Mon. Jun 29, 2026
- Welcome to Israel! Arrive at Ben-Gurion International Airport and meet your J² Expert Educator, who will accompany you on this journey of education and inspiration.
- Group transfer to Tel Aviv and check into your hotel.
- In the evening, gather for a welcome dinner and dialogue with Rabbi Jeff Salkin and your educator to set the tone for the week - exploring Israel’s complexity, vitality, and purpose in today’s world.
Overnight: Tel Aviv, Israel
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3
VOICES OF A CHANGING NATION
Tue. Jun 30, 2026
- Begin the day with an in-depth conversation, “It’s Complicated,” led by a leading Israeli thinker such as Yossi Klein Halevi, Tal Becker, or Micah Goodman, to unpack Israel’s current political, cultural, and moral challenges.
- Explore the Florentin neighborhood, where street art and graffiti capture the pulse of Israeli society - its tensions, dreams, and resilience.
- Continue with a multi-cultural tasting tour through Tel Aviv’s vibrant Levinsky or Hatikvah Market, meeting locals and sampling diverse flavors that tell the story of Israel’s mosaic.
- Visit Kfar Kassem to engage in a shared society dialogue, gaining insight into the experiences and aspirations of Israel’s Arab citizens.
- This evening, enjoy time on your own to explore Tel Aviv’s seaside promenade, cafes, and lively nightlife.
Overnight: Tel Aviv, Israel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4
COURAGE AND COMMUNITY IN THE SOUTH
Wed. Jul 1, 2026
- Check out and travel south to the Otef Aza (Gaza Envelope) region.
- Visit Kibbutz Kfar Aza, a community profoundly affected by October 7. Meet residents to hear stories of loss, resilience, and rebuilding.
- Stop for lunch on your own in Sderot, a city that embodies the endurance of life along Israel’s border.
- Pay tribute at the Nova Music Festival site, now a living memorial to those who perished.
- Drive to Jerusalem and check into your hotel.
Overnight: Jerusalem, Israel
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5
IDEAS, JUSTICE & IDENTITY IN JERUSALEM
Thu. Jul 2, 2026
- Begin the day with a study session led by Rabbi Michael Marmur (Hebrew Union College), exploring Belonging and Identity in Jewish thought and Israeli life.
- Gain perspective on judicial reform and democracy during a visit to the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC), meeting with Executive Director Orly Erez-Likhovski.
- Take a self-guided exploration and lunch on your own at Machaneh Yehudah Market, where Jerusalem’s diversity comes alive.
- Visit the new National Library of Israel, a stunning modern space connecting centuries of Jewish creativity, culture, and memory.
- Visit to Maaleh Film School – Explore Israel’s unique film school dedicated to integrating Jewish tradition and modern creativity. Meet with several Maaleh filmmakers to discuss their work, gain insight into contemporary Israeli cinema, and learn how film is used as a medium for cultural and spiritual expression.
- Enjoy a free evening to experience Jerusalem’s vibrant cafes and pedestrian streets.
Overnight: Jerusalem, Israel
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6
BORDERS, PERSPECTIVES & PEACE
Fri. Jul 3, 2026
- Cross into the West Bank for a guided visit to Ramallah with Rami Nazzal, a Palestinian journalist offering a window into life on the other side of the Green Line.
- Meet with Eliana Passentin, of the Binyamin Regional Council, for a frank conversation about life in the settlements and the complexity of Israeli society.
- Return to Jerusalem and prepare to welcome Shabbat.
- Participate in Kabbalat Shabbat services at one of several synagogues, followed by a festive Shabbat dinner with shared reflection and connection.
Overnight: Jerusalem, Israel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7
SHABBAT REFLECTIONS & FAREWELL TO JERUSALEM
Sat. Jul 4, 2026
- Enjoy a morning at leisure to rest, reflect, or stroll through Jerusalem’s neighborhoods.
- In the afternoon, walk through the Old City of Jerusalem, exploring both the Jewish and Christian Quarters - delving into the spiritual, historical, and human dimensions of this sacred city.
- As Shabbat ends, gather for Havdalah overlooking the Old City, marking the transition with music, poetry, and community.
- Enjoy a farewell dinner before your late-night transfer to the airport.
Overnight: Flight
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8
HOME AGAIN
Sun. Jul 5, 2026
- Arrive back in the United States, carrying home the experiences, learning, and insights of your journey through Israel.
RATES & LODGING
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.
participants
20+
Cost p/p in double room
$3,890
Cost p/p in single room
$5,090
Tel Aviv: Carlton
- Nights: 2
- Room Category: Premium Side Sea View
- Hotel Website
Jerusalem: The Inbal
- Nights: 3 + LCO
- Room Category: Standard
- Hotel Website
What to expect
- 5 nights' accommodations. Late check out on the day of departure is included.
- 6 days of touring with a J² Expert Educator (guide) in a luxury, climate controlled bus.
- Daily breakfast, 1 lunch & 3 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.
- 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.
- 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 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 $500 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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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