Here's an idea of what you can expect on a Taglit-Birthright Israel with URJ Kesher…Ten jam-packed days full of new friendships and the exciting sites, sounds and flavors of Israel. Of course, each trip is different depending on the exact dates, flight schedule and time of year. However, what you see here is meant to give you a taste of what you can expect in Israel with Kesher!
DAY #1 / MONDAY / Depart for Israel
Meet-up with Kesher staff and your fellow participants at the gateway airport. Check-in your luggage and get on board the plane. Spend the night in the sky en route to the Land of Milk & Honey! Note: Most Taglit-Birthright Israel trips travel with El Al Israel Airlines
DAY #2 / TUESDAY / Walking in the Footsteps of History
Arrive at Ben-Gurion Airport, meet your Israeli guide and join together to celebrate the official start of the program. From the airport, we set off for an active archeological dig site in the caves at Beit Guvrin National Park. After getting dirty in the rubble of ancient history, we head up to Jerusalem where we toast Israel’s City of Gold at sunset from Jerusalem's Haas Promenade. The journey has just begun. Overnight: Jerusalem
DAY #3 / WEDNESDAY / Jerusalem’s Old City
Spend the morning visiting Jerusalem's Old City. Explore the rooftops, alleyways, and tunnels of the picturesque Jewish Quarter. Spend a moment of reflection at the Kotel/Western Wall and learn about the evolving dynamics of pluralism in contemporary Jerusalem. Finally, we close the day by heading southwards into the Negev Desert where we enjoy a Bedouin-style bonfire BBQ dinner feast. Savor this memorable evening relaxing under the desert stars with your new trip friends. Overnight: Bedouin Tent
DAY #4 / THURSDAY / Heroism in the Judean Desert
Wake up early and ascend to the summit of Masada for a breathtaking sunrise over the Dead Sea. Recount the 2000 year-old story of Jewish heroism atop the Masada desert fortress. Descend Masada via the Snake Path and cool off under the desert waterfalls at the Ein Gedi oasis. Close out the day floating on the Dead Sea the lowest point on earth! That evening, we return to Jerusalem to celebrate at Taglit-Birthright Israel’s "MEGA EVENT" along with thousands of participants from five continents. Overnight: Jerusalem
DAY #5 / FRIDAY / Peace, Security & Coexistence
Today we explore the different dimensions of contemporary Israeli politics how to best balance security considerations while maintaining Israel’s democratic principles. We will spend the morning taking a tour of Israel’s Security Fence followed by a visit to a nearby Arab- Israeli village. Here we will meet with the local Imam to learn about efforts to improve a climate of coexistence in the Middle East. Return to Jerusalem to grab a quick falafel sandwich at Mahane Yehuda marketplace and prepare for Shabbat the Jewish day of rest. As the sun sets, we welcome Shabbat Jerusalem-style. Celebrate Shabbat with a festive dinner and a relaxed evening in Jerusalem. Overnight: Jerusalem
DAY #6 / SATURDAY / Shabbat in Jerusalem
Rest up! Spend the morning sleeping-in or join an optional Shabbat service. Regroup for a delicious Shabbat lunch together followed by a walking tour of Jerusalem’s colorful multiethnic neighborhoods. Hang out with your friends at a grassy Jerusalem park in the late afternoon, and then mark the end of Shabbat and the start of a new week with the Havdalla ceremony at HUC (Hebrew Union College). Later that evening we go out as a group to a local Jerusalem nightclub and experience a different side of Jerusalem. Overnight: Jerusalem
DAY #7 / SUNDAY / Northwards to the Galilee
Start the new week in Israel by meeting up with a group of Israeli peers who will be joining the trip for the rest of the experience. Get to know your new local friends and then set off all together northwards to Israel’s Galilee region. Along the way, we stop for a visit to the Druze village of Ussafiya and experience the delicious local hospitality. Continue north to the mystical city of Tsfat and learn about the origins of the Kabbalah there. Close out the day swimming in the Kinneret the Sea of Galilee before checking-in to a local kibbutz guest house for the evening. That night we will take a walking tour of the kibbutz grounds and then hang out together watching a local Israeli film. Overnight: The Galilee
DAY #8 / MONDAY / Ascent to the Golan Heights
Today we set off for the Golan Heights along the far northern edge of Israel. Here we will trace the ancient history of Jewish civilization on the Golan as well as the modern story of heroes like Eli Cohen and the brave soldiers of the IDF who reclaimed the land in 1967. Learn about the political, ecological, and water struggle dynamics of the Golan. Look out on Israel’s neighbors to the east and north from atop Mount Bental. Here you may reflect on your own feelings about the future of this unique land. As the day comes to a close we make our way to Tel Aviv Israel’s culture & business capital. That night we go out to a Tel Aviv theater production and experience the late night energy of city that truly never sleeps. Overnight: Tel Aviv
DAY #9 / TUESDAY / Tragedy & Redemption
In the morning we visit Yad VaShem, the Holocaust Museum and Memorial including a meeting with a survivor. Afterward, we walk to Mt. Herzl, Israel's national memorial, where we reflect on the sacrifices which made modern Israel possible. Finally we return to Jerusalem's Old City for a final visit to the Kotel followed by a free night out on the town along Tel Aviv's waterfront promenade. Overnight: Tel Aviv
DAY #10 / WEDNESDAY / Contemporary Tel Aviv
On our final day in Israel, we walk the streets of Tel Aviv Israel’s most dynamic city. Explore the beauty of the architecture in Tel Aviv’s “White City” neighborhood and Nahalat Binyamin street festival. Learn about Tel Aviv’s diverse cultural traditions and about local social justice movements. Finally, we reflect on the tragedy of Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination at Rabin Square. We close out the day (and the program) on a grassy hill in old Jaffa seaport overlooking the Tel Aviv coastline. Here we reflect on the contemporary meaning of Jewish identity in Israel and how it relates to our own experiences as Jews in North America. Enjoy a delicious final meal in Tel Aviv and then head back to Ben Gurion Airport for the journey back to North America.
SELECT SITE DESCRIPTIONS
Jerusalem Promenade - Panoramic Intro to an Ancient City
Welcome to Jerusalem! The Haas Promenade of Jerusalem offers a sweeping view of the Old City as it opens up across three converging valleys below. From this magnificent viewpoint, we will be introduced to the story of Jerusalem, its topography, major landmarks, and the arc of its history.
Old City & Jewish Quarter Walking Tour
The Jewish Quarter of the Old City sits at the heart of the ancient and modern Jewish World. History comes alive as we walk along rooftops, alleys and tunnel ways. Our experience in the Old City culminates at the Western Wall, which is a treasured relic of the 2nd Temple that once stood in Jerusalem. The Western Wall is a one-of-a-kind symbol that connects the Jewish people back to their history.
Camel Trek & Traditional Bedouin Hafla Feast
No visit to Israel would be complete without a camel ride. These land cruisers of the desert are famous for their hardiness. We'll have the chance to mount up and go for a spin in the desert. Camel riding is followed by a traditional hafla feast in a Bedouin tent. The Bedouin are famous for their hospitality and truly delicious food. Relax on floor pillows in the tent as we dine in style the Bedouin way.
Sunrise Ascent to Masada via the Snake Path
Masada is a desert fortress built on the heights of a flat-topped mountain that overlooks the Dead Sea. After climbing to its plateau summit along the Snake Path route, we will tour Masada's ancient ruins and hear the epic famous story of the breakaway band of Jewish rebels that fled from the Roman army to Masada some two thousand years ago for a final stand.
Desert Waterfalls in Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
Along the shore of the Dead Sea rises the Judean Mountains. These mountains contain some of the driest land on earth -- with a couple of significant exceptions. One of the oases in the desert is Ein Gedi. A steady stream of water runs through this national reserve year round giving life to a narrow band of desert. A large number of Ibex and other desert mammals call Ein Gedi home and can nearly always be found along the water's edge. This short hike contains plenty of opportunities to swim and is especially relaxing and refreshing.
Floating along the Beaches of the Dead Sea
There is possibly no site in Israel as famous as the Dead Sea. This unique body of water occupies the lowest place on the planet earth and is so salty that everything floats. It's quite a unique phenomenon. The Dead Sea is also famous for its mineral rich mud along the shores. The mud is said to be excellent for the skin. Smear it on!
Mahane Yehuda Market as Jerusalem Prepares for Shabbat
Jerusalem is both an ancient city and a modern one. Nothing defines Jerusalem modernity more than the Mahane Yehuda "shuk" or marketplace. Everything edible is for sale at Mahane Yehuda, including super fresh produce and plenty of local delicacies. On a Friday afternoon, the market is literally buzzing with frenetic energy as the people of Jerusalem prepare for Shabbat.
Friday Night Lights at the Western Wall
No matter what your Jewish background, there's something very special about a Friday night at the Western Wall. As the Shabbat day of rest begins, thousands of Israelis descend upon the Western Wall complex for traditional Friday night prayers & song. Not every Kesher group is able to spend Shabbat in Jerusalem, but if your group is one of the fortunate ones, you are in for a special treat.
Walking Tour of Jerusalem Neighborhoods
The "modern" neighborhoods of Jerusalem (post 1800's) are full of colorful charm. These neighborhoods also contain the living history of Jewish communities from all corners of the world which have made their way to Jerusalem. Each established its own unique neighborhood where their respective cultural life is preserved to this day. You'll find that a lot can be learned about the story of the Jewish people on a simple walk through Jerusalem's neighborhoods.
Mifgash Program with Israeli Peers
Each URJ Kesher trip is joined by a group of Israeli peers for at least four days of the trip. Usually the Israeli peers are chosen from among those currently serving in Israel's Defense Forces. The purpose of the mifgash (which loosely translates as "an encounter") is for Israelis and North Americans to get to know each other on a personal level and to better understand each side's world view and identity. One component of the mifgash is a formal discussion session which will explore topics such as: What is the impact of terrorism on society? What does it mean to be Jewish in the modern world? What binds North American Jews and Israelis together? The only way to understand a country is to understand its people. This is your chance to really get to know Israel through Israelis your age.
The Mystical City & Artist Colony of Tzfat
Located in the hills of the Galilee overlooking the Sea of Galilee to the south, Tzfat has long been a center of Jewish mysticism and intrigue. This ancient city is full of stone alleys, rich history, and very colorful personalities. There's nothing quite like Tzfat. In more recent times, a unique artist colony has found a home in Tzfat. Well worth a stroll.
Regional Lookout from Mount Bental
Situated on the far eastern border of the Golan, Mount Ben Tal offers a panoramic view of Israel, Lebanon, Syrian, and Jordan (all from a very safe distance!!!). On a very clear day, you can even look out onto Damascus. Visiting Mount Ben Tal helps put the geography & geo-politics of the Middle East into a better perspective. The top of the mountain also contains a well preserved Syrian bunker from the Yom Kippur War in 1973. It's a fascinating window into Israel's more modern history.
Yad Va-Shem Holocaust Memorial
Yad Va-Shem is Israel's national Holocaust memorial. Situated in wooded hills of Jerusalem, it is a uniquely solemn complex. After walking through the main museum area, we will walk through central shrine area, the Sculpture Garden, the Forest of the Righteous Gentiles, and the especially powerful Children's Memorial.
Nahalat Binyamin: Tel Aviv's Street Festival
Located in the Yemenite Quarter, one of Tel Aviv's earliest neighborhoods, Nachalat Binyamin pedestrian mall is a colorful open-air bazaar of handicrafts, street performances, pantomime and live music. Twice a week, the street becomes full of tourists and Israelis alike who wander among the stands, sit at the fashionable outdoor cafes, and simply share the lively atmosphere that is all around. Nahalat Binyamin is trendy Tel Aviv at its finest.
