BBYO Passport: A BBYO Travel Experience

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March of the Living
Beyond: Gap Year

Israel Journey

DATES: June 18 - July 8 | June 25 - July 15 | July 2 - July 22 | July 9 - July 29 | July 16 - August 5

LENGTH: 21 Days

GRADES: Current 9th-12th

COST: $4,950 (Includes flights from NYC)

EXPERIENCE: Israel

COMMUNITY SERVICE: 8 Hours

REGISTER NOW

June 18 - July 8, 2013 | 2 SPACES OR FEWER
June 25 - July 15, 2013 | WAITLIST ONLY
July 2 - July 22, 2013 | WAITLIST ONLY
July 9 - July 29, 2013 | WAITLIST ONLY
July 16 - August 5, 2013 | 5 SPACES OR FEWER

Israel Journey is BBYO Passport’s most popular Israel experience. Journey from the Galilee in the north to the tropical Red Sea in the south. Experience a Shabbat in Jerusalem, watch the sunrise from the top of Masada, and tap into the innovative spirit of Tel Aviv. Israel Journey is a well-balanced opportunity to explore the history, natural beauty, and modern culture of the Jewish Homeland.

About the Experience

Join teens from around the world on a once-in-a-lifetime summer in Israel. Israel Journey is a three-week cross-country experience – from the Golan Heights in the north to the tropical Red Sea in the far south…and everything in between. Along the way, we walk in the footsteps of Jewish history, experience the vibrancy of modern Israeli culture, and connect with Israel’s colorful society.

The program includes visits to all of Israel’s most important sites – ancient Jerusalem, contemporary Tel Aviv, the Galilee, the Negev Desert. the Dead Sea and the heights of Masada. We also make time to experience Israel’s off-the-beaten-path charm -- enjoying a bonfire on the beach, taking part in an active archeological dig, sampling unique Middle Eastern cuisine, and participating in the re-birth of Israel by planting a tree in a new forest.

The Israel Journey experience is more than just a tour. It is also about discovering the meaning of contemporary Zionism, exploring our Jewish identity from an Israeli point of view, delving into the intricacies of Middle Eastern politics, and connecting to our Jewish soul through a series of meaningful community service and spiritual experiences. Join us on the journey.

Trip Highlights

Check out the sample itinerary for a fuller picture of what this experience is about...

Explore the tunnels, rooftops & alleys of Jerusalem's Old City
Float in the Dead Sea and climb the Masada desert fortress at sunrise
Dig at an active archeological excavation
Snorkel in the tropical Red Sea and raft down the Jordan River
Learn first-hand about contemporary Israeli politics
Experience the culture and color of ultra-cool Tel Aviv
Connect with fellow Israeli teens
Spend a meaningful Shabbat in Jerusalem
Trek the desert by camel and experience a Bedouin tent bonfire feast
Hands-on service projects such as harvesting for the hungry and meeting recent Ethiopian immigrants

Itinerary Snapshot

Check out the program itinerary for a fuller picture of what this experience is about...

WEEK #1 / Jerusalem & Mediterranean Coast
Land at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel and begin the ascent to Jerusalem where we will spend the first part of the week walking the Old City and exploring the history of our ancestors. From Jerusalem we head up the Mediterranean Coast to the Western Galilee where we spend our first Shabbat on the beach.

WEEK #2 / Galilee, Golan Heights & Tel Aviv
Travel eastwards through the Galilee as we learn about the mystics of ancient Safed (Tsfat), take in the beauty of the Golan Heights, learn about kibbutz life, and explore the greenest and most water-filled region of Israel. We close out week two with a visit to Tel Aviv, Israel's cultural capital and one of the world's most trendy cities.

WEEK #3 / Eilat, Negev Desert & Jerusalem
Head due south to Eilat, Israel's southernmost tip where we snorkel in the tropical Red Sea and learn about Israel's unique desert ecology. Continue on for a sunrise hike to Masada followed by an unforgettable float in the Dead Sea. The trip concludes by returning to where we started in Jerusalem with a somber visit to Yad Vashem followed by a moving Shabbat experience at the Western Wall.

What's Included & More

Program Package

Round-trip flights from NYC
Accommodations (hotels, kibbutz lodging, and Bedouin tent!)
All meals (kosher)
Activities & entrance fees
Deluxe motorcoach
Dynamic staff team
Security escort & monitoring
Medical insurance (excludes pre-existing conditions)
Laundry Service

Trip Links

Program Itinerary
Pre-Trip Prep 2012
Why Israel, Why Now?
Safety & Security
Register Now

Connections & Extensions

7-Day Israel Extension

Keep the memories going by extending the core Israel Journey program for a fourth week. We call it Israel Journey Plus. The first half of the week is an elective where teens can choose from a "Sea-to-Sea Hike" from the Mediterranean Sea to the Sea of Galilee or a “Culture & Innovation Tour" based in the Tel Aviv area. The second half of the week is a community service experience. The 7-day Israel extension is a great compliment to the traditional touring and is designed to shed light on unique aspects of Israeli society. Learn More: Israel Journey Plus

Connecting Two Experiences

Sign-on for a full summer of eye-opening multi-continent travel. This experience can be connected seamlessly with the following worldwide BBYO Passport programs. Make the most of the summer. Explore your options...