Temple Rodef Shalom
Family Adventure in Israel

Led by Rabbi Jeffrey Saxe and Dara Holop

Dec 20, 2023 - Dec 31, 2023

DESTINATION Israel
Who’s Going Families
Trip Type Congregational
Duration 12 DAYS
Group Size 30+
Price From $4,650

J²way intro
Your journey
Itinerary
Rates & Lodging
What to expect

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.

Active
Archaeology
Family Friendly
Heritage
Nature Walks

Program Itinerary

DAY 1

DEPARTURE

Wed. Dec 20, 2023

Depart the USA.

DAY 2

ARRIVAL

Thu. Dec 21, 2023

Arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport. Our representative will be on hand to assist with all formalities and ensure your journey has the smoothest of starts.
Meet your tour educator who will accompany you on this journey of education and inspiration.
Group transfer to 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.
Check into the hotel.
Welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Tel Aviv Meals: Dinner

DAY 3

FOUNDATION OF A CITY & STATE

Fri. Dec 22, 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.
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.
From Hebrew City to Hebrew State: Walk along the Independence Trail in Tel Aviv 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.
Calling Boutique-Loving Hipsters: Browse your way through Nachalat Binyamin, Tel Aviv’s arts and crafts market before we check out the hustle and bustle at the Carmel Market.
Return to the hotel.
Kabbalat Shabbat service with Beit Samueli Kehilat Ra’anan, followed by home hospitality dinner.

Overnight: Tel Aviv Meals: Dinner

DAY 4

SHABBAT IN TEL AVIV

Sat. Dec 23, 2023

Experience the dynamism of Jewish life at the newly opened ANU Museum of the Jewish People, dedicated to telling their story and representing their diversity, highlighting the creative works and cultural riches of a variety of communities in different periods of history until the present day. 
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.
What’s Going on in Bohemian Tel Aviv? Join an expert on Tel Aviv’s alternative scene for an urban adventure. Explore the latest street art, slang, and graffiti and find out what they reveal about life, ideas, and ideology in Israel’s cultural capital.
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 for yourself during a free evening. 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

DAY 5

COMMUNITIES IN THE NORTH

Sun. Dec 24, 2023

Check out of the hotel.
Head north 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.
Speaking Common Languages of Peace: Examine the role of shared Jewish-Arab education in creating integrated communities and in turning fear into friendship. We’ll tour the Yad B’Yad (Hand in Hand) school in Jerusalem, part of a network of bilingual, multicultural educational institutions which aim to show that the two communities can learn and live together.
Visit Kfar Kedem in the Galilee for a hands-on family experience, exploring Jewish life of 2,000 years ago, including donkey rides, costumes, pita baking and more. 
Check into the hotel. 
Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Upper Galilee Meals: Dinner

DAY 6

ADVENTURES IN THE NORTH

Mon. Dec 25, 2023

Go off-road for a jeep tour on the Golan Heights that will combine natural beauty with insights into one of Israel's most strategically important areas.  We recommend talking with your jeep drivers about their personal experiences and feelings about the Golan. 
Northern Borders: We'll gaze across the Golan and into Syria from the top of Mount Bental and learn more about Israel's geopolitical and security situation, including the current challenges Israel faces on its northern border, the impact of the tragic civil war in Syria, and hunker down in bunkers from the battles that took place here during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
Option 1: From Golan Grapes, Fine Wines Are Made: Where the mountains kiss the sky, nature speaks to you at the Odem Mountain Winery, located at the foot of Mount Hermon on the Golan Heights. Winemaker Adam Alfasi strives to create the perfect balance between nature and modern technology in producing quality boutique Kosher wines. We'll visit the vineyards and learn about Odem's winemaking process.
Option 2: Take a tour of The Odem Deer Forest for families with children to see the animals and enjoy some activites.
Return to the hotel for dinner.

Overnight: Upper Galilee Meals: Dinner

DAY 7

SPIRITUALITY AND PIONEERING

Tue. Dec 26, 2023

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.
- 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, 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.
Take an interactive tour of the Bio-Bee fields, where environmentally-friendly ways to protect crops, which use flies, bees and owls rather than pesticides, are developed. We’ll see how this is thriving in 21st century Israel and is strengthening environmentalism in the international marketplace.
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.

Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY 8

THE POWER OF MEMORY

Wed. Dec 27, 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 (IRAC).
Adults: Visit Yad Vashem, the national memorial to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, an essential emotional and educational experience. Your 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. 
- A memorial service where we will pay tribute to those who were lost. It will include the opportunity to talk about family members and loved ones who died during the Shoah. 
Kids: Two by Two the Animals Went into the Ark: The Biblical Zoo is one of Jerusalem’s loveliest places. It has a great collection of animals with a special focus on creatures mentioned in the Bible. It includes 62 acres of open areas where the animals live, a zoo train if you don’t feel like walking, a petting zoo, and plenty of other activities to keep all ages enthralled. 
All:  Take part in an archaeological dig at the Beit Guvrin Caves: prepare to get your hands dirty uncovering pottery from the Hellenistic period, 2,300 years ago, and optionally crawl through the Maresha Cave Labyrinth, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 
Return to the hotel.
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.

Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY 9

INTO THE DESERT: MASADA & THE DEAD SEA

Thu. Dec 28, 2023

Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before setting out to explore the Dead Sea region.
We'll take the cable car to the top of Masada, where Jewish rebels are believed to have made their final attempt to resist Roman invaders (c 74 CE). Surrounded by astonishing views of the desert, read from the Torah and feel yourself a full part of the Jewish and Israel story.
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.
An Unforgettable Ceremony at an Unforgettable Location: B'nai Mitzvah celebrations will be at one of Israel's most iconic and extraordinary sites The ancient Ein Gedi Synagogue.
How Fast Can This Thing Go? Take a camel for a test drive as you ride into the heart of the desert. The patriarch Abraham will welcome us to Genesis Land as we get a taste of hospitality and travel in Biblical times.
Return to Jerusalem.

Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY 10

THE LAYERS OF JERUSALEM

Fri. Dec 29, 2023

Set your mark on the land with tree planting at the Jerusalem Bird Observatory.
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.
Become Your Favorite Biblical Character! Let the Bible's authentic costumes and amazing backgrounds provide a fun photo opportunity for you to dress up like Moses, Ruth, or a Temple Priest.
Communal Kaballat shabat service at the windmill (Weather permitting) followed by a private dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Jerusalem Meals: Dinner

DAY 11

SHABBAT IN JERUSALEM

Sat. Dec 30, 2023

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.
Explore the wonderfully creative Israel Museum, housing more than 5,000 years of cultural treasures. Highlights include the archaeology wing, with the most extensive collection of biblical artifacts in the world; the Jewish art and life wing; the fine arts wing; the sculpture garden; and the open-air model of Jerusalem during the Second Temple period. Don't miss the Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls, considered the world's oldest existing biblical manuscripts.
Three Stars in the Jerusalem Sky: a communal Havdallah ceremony overlooking the Old City.
Late check out of the hotel.
Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Group transfer to Ben Gurion International Airport and check in for your flight.

Meals: Dinner

DAY 12

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

Sun. Dec 31, 2023

Return to the USA.

RATES & LODGING

participants

30+

Cost p/p in double room

$4,650

Cost p/p in single room

$6,410

Child As 3rd (Reduction)

- ($830)

Cost of accommodations for pre & post nights including breakfast and all taxes:
-Tel Aviv: Dan Panorama $290,- per night per double occupancy room, $270,- per night per single occupancy room, $315,- per night per double occupancy room with child as third
-Jerusalem: Dan Panorama $465,- per night per double occupancy room, $445,- per night per single occupancy room, $620,- per night per double occupancy room with child as third

*All rates are subject to availability. Registration open

Tel Aviv: Dan Panorama

Nights: 3

Room Category: Tel Aviv

Hotel Website

Upper Galilee: Pastoral Kfar Blum Hotel

Nights: 2

Room Category: Classic

Hotel Website

Jerusalem: Dan Panorama

Nights: 4+LCO

Room Category: Jerusalem

Hotel Website

9 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.
Group arrival transfer & assistance at the airport.
Group departure transfer & assistance at the airport.
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.