Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of our Jewish State's founding by experiencing Israel together with your Federation family.
Join the Jewish Federation of Delaware on an exhilarating and meaningful seven-day, six-night mission to our Jewish homeland. This customized journey is sure to speak to your passions and interests, and will provide a meaningful connection to Israel.
Whether this is your first time or your tenth time visiting Israel, this mission will provide you with a unique, one-of-a-kind experience!
This mission will highlight:
- Society, Politics & Security
- Food, Wine & Culture
- Tech & Business
- Historical Perspectives & Future Visions of Israel
Have a question? View our FAQ here
DETAILS
Dates
Monday, October 16 - Sunday, October 22, 2023
Accommodations:
David Intercontinental Hotel, Tel Aviv
Leonardo Negev, Beer Sheba
David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem
Fees / Deposits / Insurance / Subsidies / Minimum Gift:
- $500 non-refundable deposit is required to secure space on the Mission. Deposit payment is due within 10 days to secure your spot on the mission. The balance of the fees for the Mission are due in full on August 1, 2023.
- Mission cost will be between $5,395 to $5,947 per person depending on the number of participants (a minimum of 25 people needed for the Mission).
- There is a supplement fee of $1,919 for a single room, if desired, in addition to the Mission cost.
- JFD is offering a generous limited-time subsidy of $1,500 per person for the Mission (maximum family subsidy of $4,500), with thanks to the Grant Family Fund. The subsidy will be deducted from your final balance due on August 1, 2023.
- All Mission participants are required to make a minimum household gift of $500 to the JFD 2023 Annual Campaign.
- Airline travel and any extensions in Israel before or after the Mission are not included in the Mission cost.
- Personal travel and medical insurance are not included in the Mission cost but are highly recommended for each participant. Kenes has recommended the following website: [will add link once we receive it]
Itinerary Information - Please note that this is the most current Itinerary available, but certain activities and times are subject to change and will be updated as needed.
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Day 1 - Monday, October 16th, 2023
ARRIVAL
Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport.
WELCOME TO ISRAEL
Our meet & assist services will be happy to provide you with a service with your arrival procedures.
TRAVEL TIME
Depart for Tel Aviv for hotel check-in.
WELCOME BY GUIDE
Meet your tour educator in the hotel lobby and depart for the day.
ANU MUSEUM OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE
Visit the recently renovated ANU Museum of the Jewish People. Anu is a global center for Jews worldwide that plays a pivotal role as a vibrant, dynamic and interactive educational and cultural institution, strengthening Jewish identity and perpetuating Jewish heritage globally.
OPENING DINNER
7:30 PM - Enjoy a festive dinner with opening words delivered by the Federations and trip chairs at the museum gallery.
OPENING SPEAKER
Innovative Spirit Shaping the Way We Think and Feel: Meet with Ms. Joanna Landau , Founder of VIBEISRAEL, a non-profit, a-political grassroots organization, promoting the recognition of Israel, at home and abroad, as a vibrant source of creativity and innovation.
OVERNIGHT:
David Intercontinental Hotel, Tel Aviv -
Day 2 - Tuesday, October 17th, 2023
RUN TEL AVIV
Begin the morning with a city jog, passing the sites and people of Tel Aviv.
BREAKFAST
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
ISRAEL AT 75: SOCIETY, POLITICS AND SECURITY
8 AM - Israel at 75: Society, Politics and Security Briefing with Major. (Res.) Dan Feferman from the Jewish People Policy Institute. For almost a decade, Dan has served as a foreign policy and national security analyst, strategist and adviser in the IDF General Staff; as a special assistant to the Deputy Chief of the General Staff; and as a commander in an elite intelligence unit of AMAN's Research and Analysis Division.9:15 AM - Meet with your tour educator and depart for the day.
JAFFA
9:30 AM - 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.
PERES CENTER FOR PEACE AND INNOVATION
10:30 AM - Peace AND Prosperity? The Peres Peace Centre was created by the late Shimon Peres, former Prime Minister and President of Israel, to develop peacebuilding programs based on innovation and optimism.
THE INDEPENDENCE TRAIL
12:30 PM - From Hebrew City to Hebrew State: Walk along the newly-opened 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.
CARMEL MARKET TASTING TOUR
1:15 PM - Munching in the Market: Carmel Market is where Tel Aviv comes to shop and to eat. This tasting tour will prove that, when it comes to food in Israel, variety is the spice of life. We’ll enjoy a lunch sampling the tastes of Middle East and Mediterranean, wander the market’s hidden alleyways and surprising stores, and feel the hustle and bustle of the shuk.
NACHALAT BINYAMIN
2:30 PM - Stroll down the Nachalat Binyamin pedestrian mall, with its bi-weekly craft fair and eateries. Alongside is the colorful Carmel open-air market.WHISKY DISTILLERY
3:30 PM - An Israeli Scotch?! Take a tasting tour of the Milk & Honey Whisky Distillery, Israel’s one and only whisky distillery. Learn how Israel got into the Scotch game, see the stages of making spirits – from grain to glass – and then raise your own glass in celebration of your journey. L’chaim! Cheers!
FREE TIME
4:30 PM - Return to the hotel for a free evening with dinner on own.
TEL AVIV NIGHTLIFE
Enjoy an evening in Tel Aviv for an opportunity to:- Meander through the Old City of Jaffa
- Stroll down Rothschild Boulevard, with its many cafés and bars.
- Experience Tel Aviv Port, with its restaurants and clubs.
- Explore the gentrified Neve Zedek neighborhood.
- Saunter down the Tel Aviv Beach Promenade
- Wander through the Tachana, Tel Aviv’s renovated old train station, now a center of boutiques and good food, and one of Tel Aviv’s blooming hot spots.
- Walk through the smells, flavors and tastes of the renovated historical Templers town of Sarona, and explore the range of cuisine - from local street food to fine dining by world-renowned Israeli chefs.
OVERNIGHT:
David Intercontinental Hotel, Tel Aviv -
Day 3 - Wednesday, October 18th, 2023
BREAKFAST
Breakfast at the hotel followed by check-out.8 AM - Depart hotel
LEKET RISHON LEZION
9 AM - A Time to Glean: Pick your way to a better world as we join the volunteer organization Leket Israel for a hands-on Tikkun Olam opportunity. We'll harvest fruit and vegetables that will be donated to the needy.
SECURITY TOUR
11:30 AM - Iron Dome Tour with Ari Shachar (TBD)
LUNCH
1:15 PM - Lunch at campus.
BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV
2:30 PM - A University in the Desert: Continue to the Ben Gurion University campus and meet with faculty and students. After that, visit CyberSpark – The Israeli Cyber Innovation Arena. A partnership between Ben Gurion University, the city of Be’er Sheva, KUD Ltd., and Gav Yam Negev, CyberSpark provides state-of-the-art laboratory and office space and potential for growth. Visit hi-tech accelerators.
TRAVEL TIME
Depart for the hotel for check-in.
DINNER
Dinner at Jem's.
OVERNIGHT
Leonardo Negev, Beer Sheba -
Day 4 - Thursday, October 19th, 2023
BREAKFAST
8 AM - Breakfast at the hotel followed by check-out.
TRAVEL TIME
8:45 AM - Meet your tour educator in the hotel lobby and depart to Masada Visitor Center.
MASADA NATIONAL PARK
10 AM - The Last Stand: Joined and guided by high school students from Arad, climb via 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 (circa 74 CE). We'll learn about Masada's importance as a symbol of Jewish defense and discuss its influence on modern Israel.
ARAD
12 PM - Depart for Arad.
LUNCH
1 PM - Lunch with Partnership representative Mayor Nissan Ben Hamo and a short video about Arad
2 PM - A short performance by the Milgaim from the Conservatory in the new hall at the Community Center2:30 PM - Drive to the Arad reception center
2:45 PM - A visit to the Arad reception center and a joint activity together with the residents
3:45 PM - Drive to the Shita Brewery
4 PM - Tasting tour at Shita Brewery
5 PM - Drive to Mitzpoor Moab
5:15 PM - Observation and a brief explanation of the birdwatcher and a shared photo
5:30 PM - Depart Arad and drive to Kfar Hanokdim
PARTNERSHIP GALA
6:00 PM- Gala Dinner and Party at Kfar Hanokdim Bedouin Resort. Enjoy Middle Eastern food, Musicians form Arad, Drum circle, Yatir winery tasting, and dancing.
DRIVE TO JERUSALEM
9 PM - Depart for Jerusalem and check-in at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT
David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem -
Day 5 - Friday, October 20th, 2023
DAVID CITADEL
Breakfast at the hotel.
DR. RACHEL KORAZIM
8:30 AM - The Holocaust and Contemporary Israeli Society: Dr. Rachel Korazim will examine how Yad Vashem reflects the Israeli understanding of the Shoah. In particular, we’ll explore the radically different ways in which secular Zionist and ultra-Orthodox leaders understood the causes and meaning of the Holocaust. Dr. Korazim is a renowned educator and expert on Israel and the Holocaust.
YAD VASHEM9:45 AM - Meet your tour educator and depart for 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.
MACHANE YEHUDA MARKET
1 PM - Experience the sights, smells, and tastes of Jerusalem while walking through the Mahane Yehuda open-air market, with lunch (not included in the package).
FREE TIME
Enjoy free time for shopping and prepare for Shabbat.
KABBALAT SHABBAT
5:44 PM - Meet your tour educator and depart Kabbalat Shabbat Service at a local synagogue.
SHABBAT DINNER
8 PM - Come together at a community for a Private Shabbat Dinner at a special location, inviting lone soldiers and students from the Delaware community.
OVERNIGHT
David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem -
Day 6 - Saturday, October 21st, 2023
DAVID CITADEL
Breakfast at the hotel.TOWER OF DAVID
10 AM - A First Look at the Holy City: Over the centuries, many have been moved and awed by their first sight of Jerusalem. We'll climb to the top of the Tower of David for a stunning overview of the city.
JAFFA GATE
11 AM - Enter the Old City through the Jaffa Gate, one of the most beautiful and important gates among the gates of the Ottoman city wall from the 16th century.
THE JEWISH QUARTER
Take a walking tour through Jerusalem’s Old City and the Jewish Quarter and experience the center of Jewish life, history, and holiness.
THE CARDO-OLD CITY JERUSALEM
Continue to the Cardo, the main street of Roman-controlled Jerusalem and its spectacular Byzantine-era columns.
THE BROAD WALL
Stand by King Hezekiah's Broad Wall, a massive wall built to protect Jerusalem from invasion 2,700 years ago.WESTERN WALL
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.
LUNCH
1 PM - Enjoy Shabbat lunch at the Spanish House. Return to the hotel and enjoy and afternoon at leisure.
OPTIONAL: ISRAEL MUSEUM
3:00 pm Optional Activity: Meet your tour educator in the hotel lobby and depart to explore the 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 (a 30 minute walk from the hotel, possible for taxis on own account).HAVDALLAH
6:34 PM - 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.
TOWER OF DAVID
7 PM - *Lights! Action! Jerusalem! Watch the Night Spectacular at the Tower of David Museum. The walls of the Citadel serve as the stage for this cinematic celebration of sight and sound depicting the story of Jerusalem.DINNER
8:15 PM - Enjoy dinner on own.
OVERNIGHT
David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem -
Day 7 - Sunday, October 22nd, 2023
BREAKFAST
Breakfast at the hotel.
MORNING SPEAKER
8:30 AM - Creating a Common Memory of Israel & the Diaspora: Enjoy a dialogue at the hotel with Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman from the Hartman Institute.9:45 AM - Depart hotel.
KNESSET
10:30 AM - Take a VIP tour of the Knesset (Israel’s Parliament) and meet with a Knesset member to discuss current political issues. (TBD)MOUNT HERZEL
Sacrifice and the State: Visit the newly-opened National Military Cemetery Memorial where the names and dates of every fallen soldier and victim of terror in Israel are engraved on over 23,000 separate bricks. Join together in a Kaddish ceremony marking the anniversary of the deaths of soldiers who fell on this day in history.LUNCH
12:30 PM - Lunch on own.JDC VISIT
2:00 PM - Visit a JAFI or JDC project in Jerusalem, or visit the National Institutions House, and walk into the Emergency Room (TBD).
LATE CHECK OUT
3:30 PM - Return to the hotel for a late check-out.
DINNER
6:15 PM - Meet your tour educator in the hotel lobby and depart for a one-of-a-kind farewell dinner at the Patio of Beit Shmuel.AVRAHAM INFELD
The Five Legged Table & Jewish Identity: Meet with renowned Jewish educator Avraham Infeld for a riveting discussion on Jewish identity and the passions for Jewish life.
BEN GURION AIRPORT
Transfer to the Ben Gurion International Airport and check into your flight back home.