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YOUR journey
The journey featured on this page is open to all & the trip leader welcomes your participation!
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.
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THE EXPERT
Program Itinerary
DAY 1
ON THE WAY TO ISRAEL
Wed. Aug 9, 2023
- Depart the U.S.A.
Overnight: Flight
DAY 2
THE START OF A SPECIAL JOURNEY
Thu. Aug 10, 2023
- Arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport.
- Meet your tour educator who will accompany you on this journey of education and inspiration.
- Enter Tel Aviv, also known as “the city that never sleeps.” A place of sun and fun, its centers of culture and history are complimented by great beaches, stores, and entertainment.
- Stop for an introduction to Tel Aviv and to our journey in Israel followed by a Welcome Ceramony.
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 3
FOUNDATION OF THE CITY & STATE
Fri. Aug 11, 2023
- Breakfast at an Israeli hotel is an experience in itself. Start the day with a bounteous buffet.
- 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.
- Jaffa Stories and Coffee: You’re warmly invited into the home of Doris Hiffawi to hear about her life as a Christian Arab in Jaffa. Over coffee brewed by her family and Arabic sweets, she’ll talk about whether the area’s Jewish, Muslim, and Christian population mix or merely make do. We’ll also find out how female entrepreneurs like Doris are bringing change to this socio-economically deprived neighborhood.
- What’s Going on in Bohemian Tel Aviv? Join an expert on Tel Aviv’s alternative scene for an urban adventure and graffiti tour. Explore the latest street art and find out what it reveals about life, ideas, and ideology in Israel’s cultural capital.
- Enjoy lunch at the Sarona Market. Through the smells, flavors, and tastes of this renovated historical Templars town, explore the range of cuisine – from local street food to fine dining by world-renowned Israeli chefs.
- Browse your way through Nahalat Binyamin, Tel Aviv’s arts and crafts market, before we check out the hustle and bustle at the Carmel Market.
- A Fallen Leader, A Fallen Soldier: The assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995 was one of the great traumas of Israeli political history. Discuss his life and death at Rabin Square, the place where he was murdered, and take a quiet moment to reflect at the Rabin Memorial. We’ll also see how Rabin Square has become one of the crucial public spaces in Israel and the location for political protests, state ceremonies and spontaneous celebrations.
- Return to the hotel.
- Kabbalat Shabbat services with Beit Tefilah Israeli at the Tel Aviv Port. As the sun sets over the Mediterranean Sea, join Israelis from diverse backgrounds welcoming Shabbat through prayer, song, and joy.
- Shabbat dinner at a local restaurant/hotel.
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Meals: Breakfast & Shabbat Dinner
DAY 4
FREE SHABBAT IN TEL AVIV
Sat. Aug 12, 2023
- Morning services on the beach with Rabbi Rosenwasser.
- Free shabbat with an opportunity to:
- Visit the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.
- Walk through the Tel Aviv Port.
- Visit the Anu Museum.
- Crash the waves of the Mediterranean Sea.
- Enjoy the Ganei Yehoshua Park on the Yarkon River.
- Three Stars in the Israel 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 for yourself during a free evening with dinner. 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 5
ALONG THE COAST
Sun. Aug 13, 2023
- Check out of the hotel and depart Tel Aviv.
- Drive along the coast 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.
- Continue to Haifa.
- Take a moment at the top of Mount Carmel, the setting for many biblical stories and the old stomping ground of the prophet Elijah, to admire the view of Haifa Bay. Haifa’s diversity is also reflected by the fact that it is a world center of the Baha’i religious movement. We’ll see the beautiful Baha’i Gardens and one of their holiest sites, the gold-domed Shrine of the Bab, and discuss the sometimes-tragic history of this community and how a faith that began in Iran ended up being based in Israel.
- Drive to the Upper Galilee.
- Higher Ground: Hit the ground racing as we go off-road for a jeep tour of the Golan Heights that will combine natural beauty with security insights into one of Israel’s most strategically important areas. Retrace the experiences of Israeli soldiers in their battles during the Six Day War of 1967 and the 1973 Yom Kippur War and talk with your jeep drivers about their personal experiences and feelings about the Golan.
- Check into your hotel.
- Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Upper Galilee
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 6
SPIRITUALITY & NATURE IN THE NORTH
Mon. Aug 14, 2023
- Visit the Hula Nature Reserve, home to thousands of storks, cranes, pelicans, and flamingos. Enjoy bike-riding and golf-carting.
- 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 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.
- See the Caro synagogue, built originally, like the Ari, 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.
- Walk through the cobbled streets and alleyways to the Artists' Colony with its galleries, shops, and studios.
- From Little Things, Great Things Grow: The Golan Heights is wine country. Sample some of its best at the Pelter Winery. Nir and Tal Pelter used to run this winery out of the backyard of their family farm. The brothers have proven their expertise since then, but the winery remains a boutique family affair. We're doing the driving, so you're welcome to treat yourself.
- or
- Enjoy a chocolate workshop at the De Karina Chocolate Factory on Kibbutz Ein Zivan, where you will take part in a tour and workshop and sample handmade premium chocolate.
- All: Northern Borders, Northern Battles: We'll gaze across the Golan and into Syria from the top of Mount Bental and gain powerful insights into Israel's geopolitical and security situation. Analyze the current challenges Israel faces on its northern border, examine the impact of the tragic civil war in Syria, and hunker down in bunkers from the vital battles that took place here during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
- Return to the hotel for dinner.
Overnight: Upper Galilee
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 7
THE LAYERS OF JERUSALEM
Tue. Aug 15, 2023
- Check out of the hotel and depart.
- Kinneret Cemetery: The area around the Kinneret was a stronghold for early Zionist experiments in communal living and collective agriculture. We’ll visit the graves of some of the iconic figures in pioneering Zionist culture buried at the Kinneret Cemetery including Rachel the Poetess, the Zionist Marxist philosopher Ber Borochov, and Naomi Shemer, the “first lady of Israeli song,” and discuss communal life in Israel then and now.
- Swim in the freshwater pools and natural springs at the Gan Hashlosha Nature Reserve (Sachne), situated at the foot of Mt. Gilboa.
- 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.
- Welcome to Jerusalem: Continue to the vibrant and colorful ancient city of Jerusalem, and experience the convergence of the old and the new. Head straight to the Kotel (Western Wall), widely considered to be Judaism’s holiest existing site. It will be the ideal location as we celebrate our arrival in Jerusalem with a special ceremony and the traditional “shehechiyanu” blessing of thanksgiving.
- The Jerusalem Archaeological Park is a large-scale excavation that has uncovered vital parts of ancient Jerusalem. A particular highlight is to walk on the Southern Wall steps used by Jewish pilgrims to enter the Temple, 2,000 years ago. But there is much else to see, including Robinson’s Arch, the remains of a major Second Temple-period street, and drainage tunnels used by Jewish fighters hiding from the Roman invaders. A museum, including movies and a 3-D model of ancient Jerusalem, add to the experience.
- 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.
- Check into your hotel and evening at leisure in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8
SEARCHING FOR ROOTS
Wed. Aug 16, 2023
- The Process for Progress: Discuss the way forward in the struggle for religious pluralism and gender equality in Israel with a representative from the Israel Religious Action Center.
- One City or Two? Go beyond the headlines as we explore the geopolitics of Jerusalem with site visits and discussions on key issues. Learn more about the complex relationship between predominantly Arab East Jerusalem and the city’s mostly Jewish western part. We’ll encounter the Security Barrier and discuss its effects.
- Is Religion the Way Forward or an Obstacle to Peace? We’ll go beyond the Green Line to meet with Ali Abu Awwad and Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger from Shorashim (Roots), a program bringing West Bank Palestinians and their Jewish neighbors together despite their fears and suspicions.
- Diggin' for Roots: Get in touch with the land and history of Israel. Take part in an archaeological dig at the Beit Guvrin Caves. Get your hands dirty uncovering pottery from the Hellenistic period, 2300 years ago, and then crawl through the Maresha Cave Labyrinth in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Return to Jerusalem.
- High Times in the Holy City: Jerusalem at night provides a very different vision of the Holy City. Check out how the locals let their hair down during a free evening and explore Jerusalem nightlife, such as:
- The Mamilla Mall, an upscale, open-air food and shopping area located outside the Old City’s Jaffa Gate.
- Joining the crowds strolling through the Ben Yehuda and Nahalat Shiva Pedestrian Malls.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9
JEWISH MEMORY, JEWISH RENEWAL
Thu. Aug 17, 2023
- Visit Mount Herzl, Israel's national cemetery.
- 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.
- Take a multi-cultural tasting journey through the hustle and bustle of Jerusalem’s Mahane Yehudah open-air market: Enjoy the sights, smells, tastes and sounds of this vibrant area where Jerusalemites shop.
- Check out the best hummus joints. The tour will proceed from west to east Jerusalem.
- All: Return to the hotel.
- Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 10
MASADA & THE DEAD SEA
Fri. Aug 18, 2023
- 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: 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.
- Muddy Good Fun: Coat yourself in the famous Dead Sea mud, a time-honored tradition enjoyed by all ages. For thousands of years, it has been believed that the mud and minerals of the Dead Sea have special healing and beauty qualities. See and feel for yourself.
- Return to Jerusalem and prepare for Shabbat.
- Kabbalat Shabbat services at Kehillat Mevasseret in Mevasseret Zion, led by Rabbi Alona Nir-Keren, followed by a home hospitality Shabbat dinner/communal Shabbat dinner with local congregants.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast & Shabbat Dinner
DAY 11
SHABBAT IN JERUSALEM
Sat. Aug 19, 2023
- Shabbat morning services with Rabbi Rosenwasser overlooking the Old City Walls.
- Free time in Jerusalem with an opportunity to:
- Enjoy the hotel’s pool.
- Visit the renewed and wonderfully creative Israel Museum, with its eclectic collection, ranging from archaeology and the Dead Sea Scrolls to Jewish life and art, European art, contemporary Israeli art, and the open-air model of Jerusalem in the Second Temple period.
- Spend time in the Old City Shuk (market) in the Christian quarter.
- Visit the First Station. Jerusalem’s rail link from the late 19th century has been transformed into a center of restaurants, shops, and culture.
- Late check out.
- Arming for Independence: 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.
- Farewell dinner at the Ayalon Institute.
- Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for your return flight to the USA.
Overnight: Flight
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 12
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
Sun. Aug 20, 2023
- Return to the U.S.A.
RATES & LODGING
participants
30+
Cost p/p in double room
$4,695
Cost p/p in single room
$6,560
Child As 3rd (Reduction)
- ($1,215)
Tel Aviv: Carlton
- Nights: 3
- Room Category: Superior
- Hotel Website
Upper Galilee: Hotel HaGoshrim nature
- Nights: 2
- Room Category: Classic
- Hotel Website
Jerusalem: The Inbal
- Nights: 4+LCO
- Room Category: Standard
- Hotel Website
What to expect
- 9 nights' accommodations. Late check out on the day of departure is included.
- 9 days of touring with a tour educator (guide), 8 days of touring in a luxury, air-conditioned bus.
- Daily breakfast & 7 dinners.
- Water on the bus.
- Porterage at the 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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