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.
Archaeology 
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Nature Walks
Program Itinerary
DAY 1
ARRIVAL
Thu. Jan 18, 2024
- Depart the USA.
Overnight: Flight
DAY 2
THE START OF OUR JOURNEY
Fri. Jan 19, 2024
- Welcome to Israel. Arrive at Ben-Gurion International Airport.
- Check into the hotel.
- Meet your tour educator who will accompany you on this journey of education and inspiration.
- Shabbat candle-lighting at the hotel.
- Kabbalat Shabbat overlooking the beach.
- Blessings, Challah, and Friends: Friday night is the traditional highlight of the Jewish week and the Jewish stomach. Enjoy a Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3
FOUNDATION OF THE CITY & STATE
Sat. Jan 20, 2024
- Breakfast at an Israeli hotel is an experience in itself. Start the day with a bounteous buffet.
- Shabbat Morning service led by Rabbi Symons.
- From Hebrew City to Hebrew State: Walk along the newly-opened 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.
- Beginnings: Modern Tel Aviv grew out of ancient Jaffa. Gaze out over the Mediterranean Sea; learn why Jaffa, mentioned in the biblical story of Jonah and the Whale, is so historically important, and see how its Old City reflects the present as well as the past.
- Return to the hotel.
- Three Stars in the Israeli Sky: At nightfall, we will mark the end of a special Shabbat with a communal Havdallah ceremony.
- The City at Night: Tel Aviv’s food scene is on fire with world-class chefs and a huge range of happening restaurants. See and taste a free evening with dinner on your own. Afterwards, those who love the nightlife can sample the city’s bar, club and café culture or stroll along the refurbished promenade and port.
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4
COMMUNITIES PAST AND PRESENT
Sun. Jan 21, 2024
- Check out of the hotel and depart north.
- Visit the Palmach Museum.
- Drive along the coast to and back in time to Caesarea, one of the Land of Israel's most important cities during the Roman Period. Explore life 2,000 years ago with its ancient theater, palace, and bathhouse.
- A Home and a Hope: The Yemin Orde Youth Village houses, protects, and educates over 400 youth from across the globe. Most of its children have suffered trauma early in their lives, including loss, neglect, and poverty. Yemin Orde gives these children a safe place to live, with individualized therapeutic care and an education that integrates general studies with Jewish identity and culture. Tour the village and meet some of the students and faculty of this innovative program.
- Check into the hotel and have Dinner.
- Learn about the Kibbutz movement.
Overnight: Upper Galilee
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 5
NATURE & SECURITY IN THE GOLAN
Mon. Jan 22, 2024
- Visit Emek Habecha (“the Valley of Tears”) on the eastern edge of the Golan Heights.
- 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.
- Option 1:
- The Golan Heights is also wine country. Sample some of its best during a tour of the boutique Pelter Winery. We're doing the driving so treat yourself to some Israeli gin to go with the grapes. L'chaim and cheers!
- Option 2:
- Comfort You Can Eat: Enjoy the culinary delights of a chocolate workshop at the De Karina Chocolate Factory on Kibbutz Ein Zivan. Chocolatier Karina Chepelinski continues her family's tradition of creating handmade premium chocolate. During this tour and workshop, taste various chocolates and learn what makes it so delicious. Then, experiment with quality ingredients to create your own chocolate masterpiece.
- Join an Israeli Arab family at their home to talk, over tea and coffee, about their lives and to join them for a GalilEat cooking workshop, followed by a traditional lunch/dinner and knafeh workshop.
Overnight: Upper Galilee
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 6
A TALE OF TWO STORIES
Tue. Jan 23, 2024
- 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 followed by text study with Rabbi Bruso.
- See the Caro Synagogue, built originally, like the Ari Synagogue, in the 16th century. It is where Rabbi Joseph Caro, one of the greatest of all Jewish legal authorities, taught and lived. Hear the story of how he was visited here by a maggid, an angelic messenger, who revealed secrets of the Torah.
- Drive through Tiberias on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Visit Tiberias on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, numbered among the four Jewish holy cities in the land because of its connection with the codification of the Talmud some 1,600 years ago.
- As we drive south through the Jordan Valley, we’ll discuss the strategic and political situation in this area and consider how Israeli control over it is viewed by some as vital to national security but by others as an impediment to any future agreement with the Palestinians.
- 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 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.
- You will have an option to 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.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7
MASADA AND DEAD SEA
Wed. Jan 24, 2024
- 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, 1412 feet below sea level and the lowest place on earth. The desert, the landscape, and the views are breathtaking.
- The Last Stand: Climb via the Snake Path OR 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.
- Hike in Nahal David, part of the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. This is a desert oasis with springs, waterfalls, and freshwater pools, so don't forget your swimsuits.
- How Fast Can This Thing Go? The patriarch Abraham will welcome us to Genesis Land for a taste of life and travel in biblical times as we take a camel for a test drive and ride into the heart of the desert. Afterward, see how you would have managed living in the wilderness during the time of the patriarchs and matriarchs with some fun, family-friendly activities, We'll kick back in a spacious, cool desert tent and enjoy a traditional "hafla" dinner.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 8
THE LAYERS OF CITY (TU BISHVAT)
Thu. Jan 25, 2024
- 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Tree-planting ceremony.
- Depart Jerusalem and drive towards Beit Guvrin.
- Diggin' for Roots: We'll literally get in touch with the land and history of Israel during an archaeological dig at the Beit Guvrin Caves. Get your hands dirty uncovering pottery from the Hellenistic period, 2300 years ago before crawling through the Maresha Cave Labyrinth. The non-crawlers among us will visit a more spacious part of the cave complex in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Return to Jerusalem and to the hotel.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9
MEMORY AND RENEWAL
Fri. Jan 26, 2024
- The Holocaust and Israel Today: Scholar Shlomo Balsam will examine how the memory of the Holocaust continues to influence the country, its politics, and its people.
- Adults & Youth:
-
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, commemorating the 1. 5 million children lost during the Holocaust.
-
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:
- Children:
- Explore the wonderfully creative Israel Museum, housing more than 5,000 years of cultural treasures.
- All:
- Experience the sights, smells, and tastes of Jerusalem while walking through the Mahane Yehuda open-air market.
- Kabbalat Shabbat services at Kehillat Mevasseret in Mevasseret Zion, led by Alona Nir-Keren.
- Home hospitality OR Сommunity Shabbat dinner.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 10
SHABBAT IN JERUSALEM
Sat. Jan 27, 2024
- Shabbat Morning service at a local synagogue.
- Yemin Moshe and Mishkenot Sha'ananim: Get to know the great banker and philanthropist Sir Moses Montefiore as you explore the pastoral neighborhoods, famous windmill and the artists’ colony that he developed and which transformed Jerusalem in the nineteenth century. En route, view two of modern Jerusalem’s most storied and important landmarks: the King David Hotel and the YMCA building.
- 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. Three Stars in the Israel Sky: At nightfall, we will mark the end of a special Shabbat with a communal Havdallah ceremony.
- Late check out of the hotel.
- Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.
- Group transfer to the airport and check into your flight.
Overnight: Flight
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 11
HOME
Sun. Jan 28, 2024
- Return to the USA.
RATES & LODGING
participants
20+
Cost p/p in double room
$4,490
Cost p/p in single room
$5,640
Child As 3rd (Reduction)
- ($400)
Tel Aviv: Crowne Plaza Beach
- Nights: 2
- Room Category: Deluxe
- Hotel Website
Upper Galilee: Hotel HaGoshrim nature
- Nights: 2
- Room Category: Superior
- Hotel Website
Jerusalem: Dan Panorama
- Nights: 4+LCO
- Room Category: Superior
- Hotel Website
What to expect
- 8 nights' accommodations. Late check out on the day of departure is included.
- 10 days of touring with a tour educator (guide), in a luxury, air-conditioned bus.
- Daily breakfast & 6 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.
- 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.
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