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
Art & Culture
Current Affairs Food & Wine
Heritage
Social Justice
Street Art
UNESCO Heritage Sites
Urban Graffiti Tour
Program Itinerary
- Depart from the U.S.
- Land in Israel and independently transfer to Tel Aviv, a modern city that reflects Israel’s spirit of innovation and cultural dynamism.
- Tour begins: 7:30 PM, Dan Panorama Tel Aviv. Meet your expert Tour Educator who will accompany you throughout the trip, helping frame the themes of peoplehood, resilience, diversity, and identity that we’ll explore together.
- Gather as a full group for the first time during a meaningful welcome dinner and orientation session in Tel Aviv, setting the stage for a transformative experience rooted in learning, community, and shared values.
- Begin the day at the Jaffa overlook, where the ancient port meets Israel’s most modern city. This scenic point provides a visual and historical entryway into the country’s layered story.
- Visit the ANU Museum of the Jewish People, an interactive museum that powerfully explores the global Jewish experience across time, geography, belief, and identity - highlighting voices from Sephardi, Ashkenazi, Mizrahi, LGBTQ+, and interfaith communities.
- Stroll through Nachalat Binyamin, Tel Aviv’s vibrant pedestrian art and craft market, meeting local artisans and experiencing Israel’s creative economy in action.
- Meander through the Carmel Market for lunch on your own, where spices, street food, and family-run stalls tell the story of Israel’s immigrant past and culinary melting pot.
- Discover the street art and political graffiti of the Florentine neighborhood, where walls speak truth, pain, and hope in colorful layers that mirror the complexity of Israeli society.
- Check out of the hotel and travel north to the Western Galilee, a region known for its natural beauty and coexistence initiatives between Jewish and Arab communities.
- Visit the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya to see firsthand how healthcare operates in a region frequently affected by conflict, and explore the hospital’s fortified underground emergency facilities.
- Continue to Arab El-Aramshe, a Bedouin border town impacted by recent Hezbollah rocket fire, and hear directly from residents about living with daily uncertainty - and enduring community strength.
- Participate in a security seminar with Lt. Col. (Res.) Sarit Zehavi, founder of the Alma Center, to gain an in-depth understanding of the geopolitical tensions shaping Israel’s northern frontier.
- Enjoy a communal dinner and cultural gathering with members of the Partnership2Gether network, reflecting on the power of global Jewish connection and shared community-building.
- Begin with a visit to Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee, a city central to the Christian story and an example of how sacred narratives intertwine in Israel’s geography.
- Climb the Mount of Beatitudes, believed to be the site of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, and reflect on its message of humility, justice, and peace as part of our shared human story.
- Explore Tsfat (Safed), the spiritual heart of Jewish mysticism, where Kabbalists in the 16th century reimagined Jewish spirituality, and where the arts continue to flourish today.
- Wander Tsfat’s narrow alleyways to visit historic synagogues and vibrant galleries, engage with local artists, and enjoy lunch on your own in a peaceful, mystical setting.
- Conclude the day at a boutique winery, where you’ll learn about Israel’s growing wine industry and enjoy a tasting that blends terroir with tradition in every glass.
- Dinner at the hotel.
- Depart the Galilee and journey south, descending toward Jerusalem - both the spiritual and political capital of the Jewish people.
- Stop at Zippori National Park, home to stunning Roman-era mosaics and a former center of Jewish learning after the destruction of the Second Temple.
- Travel along the Trans-Israel Highway and discuss the evolving realities of Israeli security, including a view of the Separation Barrier and its implications for peace and protection.
- Pause at the Haas Promenade for your first full view of Jerusalem and gather for a Shehechiyanu blessing to express gratitude for reaching this sacred moment.
- Celebrate Shabbat together with a joyful Kabbalat Shabbat service followed by a festive dinner at the hotel - bringing together many Jewish traditions under one spiritual roof.
- Join Hebrew Union College for Shabbat morning services on their Jerusalem campus, connecting with Reform Judaism’s educational and spiritual heartbeat in Israel.
- Explore the Tower of David Museum to trace the city’s 3,000-year story of kings, conquerors, and communities, all nestled within Jerusalem’s ancient walls.
- Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a sacred site for millions of Christians and a powerful expression of Jerusalem’s multifaith significance and global reach.
- Conclude Shabbat with a musical and spiritual Havdalah ceremony overlooking the Old City, welcoming the new week with candles, spices, and shared song.
- Spend the morning at Yad Vashem, Israel’s national Holocaust memorial and museum, engaging in a powerful, guided experience through the Historical Museum, the Children’s Memorial, and the Avenue of the Righteous Among the Nations.
- Walk through the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City, discovering Hurva Square and the dynamic intersections of ancient and modern Jewish life.
- Explore the Southern Wall Excavations and Davidson Center, where archaeological findings connect us to the Second Temple period and our shared heritage.
- Visit Ezrat Yisrael, the pluralistic prayer space at the Kotel, where Jews of all denominations and backgrounds can gather with full dignity and inclusion.
- Travel through the Judean Desert to Masada, the legendary mountaintop fortress where Jewish rebels made their final stand against Rome, choosing autonomy over submission.
- Ascend via cable car and explore Masada’s palaces, synagogues, and fortifications, reflecting on its layered meanings of courage, survival, and peoplehood.
- Continue to the Dead Sea and enjoy floating in its mineral-rich waters - a playful yet deeply symbolic experience at the lowest point on earth.
- Return to Jerusalem for an evening at leisure, with opportunities to explore the city’s rich culinary scene, museums, or nightlife on your own.
- Check out of the hotel and begin the day by volunteering at Pantry Packers, preparing food packages for Israeli families in need and participating in tikkun olam (repairing the world).
- Tour the new Israel National Library, a breathtaking space housing Jewish creativity, historical texts, and new initiatives—including a national archive of personal testimonies from October 7, 2023.
- Experience the Mahane Yehuda Market, where global Jewish food traditions merge in a swirl of taste, sound, and color. Enjoy lunch on your own while taking in the vibrant energy.
- Mark the conclusion of your journey with a tree-planting ceremony at the Jerusalem Bird Observatory, symbolizing your lasting connection to Israel’s land and future.
- Tour ends: Jerusalem. Share a closing dinner filled with gratitude, reflection, and a renewed commitment to Klal Yisrael, before transferring to Ben Gurion Airport for your return flight.
- Arrive back in the U.S.
RATES & LODGING
Tel Aviv: Dan Panorama
- Nights: 2
- Room Category: Tel Aviv
- Hotel Website
Sea of Galilee: Nof Ginosar Hotel
- Nights: 2
- Room Category: Deluxe
- Hotel Website
Jerusalem: Dan Panorama
- Nights: 4
- Room Category: Deluxe
- Hotel Website
What to expect
- 8 nights' accommodations.
- 9 days of touring with a J² Expert Educator (guide), 7 days of touring in a luxury, climate controlled bus.
- Daily breakfast & 5 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.
- Flights to & from Israel.
- Credit card fees.
- Arrival transfer & assistance at the airport.
- Late check out on the day of departure is excluded.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
The J2 App
available on the App Store & on Google Play.