Israel Journey Plus

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.

Israel Journey Plus is a 4-week program that includes a week-long adventure and service learning component. Spend the first half of this "bonus week" at Gadna, the IDF's basic training-style program for high school teens from abroad. The second half of the week is a community-based service project. Both programs are campus-based and are designed to open a window on a unique aspect of Israeli society that you may otherwise not experience. On Israel Journey Plus, these enrichment experiences are integrated within the overall group program.

PART 1 / Gadna - Basic Training Simulation

The first half of the week is spent participating in Gadna. Organized by the Israel Defense Forces and located on a specialized army educational base, Gadna is a basic training style experience for high school teens from abroad. Since every Israeli teen is required to serve in the Israeli army, Gadna offers a window for Jewish teens from around the world to see what this uniquely Israeli experience is like. To be clear, the Gadna program is not political or militaristic in nature. The experience is about learning new skills, hiking in the outdoors, and simulating what life is like on a real Israeli army base. Gadna is a challenging and character building life experience that you can look back on with a definite sense of accomplishment.

PART 2 / The Community Service Experience

The last three and a half days of the extension are devoted to community service. In some cases, the service may be focused on a single project, and in other cases it may be a series of different service projects each day. Activities may include preparation and delivery of meals for the hungry, volunteering at a domestic abuse center, building wheelchairs and crutches for disabled and elderly Israelis, bringing the gift of company and song to children at Hadassah Hospital, working with disadvantaged children to learn English, and working with the Jewish National Fund to restore Israel's forests. Depart Israel with a sense that you not only visited, but gave something back as well.

Check out the sample 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 / Gadna & Community Service
Taste the uniquely Israeli experience of basic training through the Gadna program, organized by the Israeli Defense Forces and located on a specialized army educational base. Learn new skills and challenge yourself mentally and physically during this character-building course. Then, spend time giving back to those who need the most help within Israeli society. Activities may include preparation and delivery of meals for the hungry, building wheelchairs and crutches for disabled and elderly Israelis, working with disadvantaged children or helping the Jewish National Fund maintain Israel's natural environment.

WEEK #4 / 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.

Program Package

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

Trip Links

• Program Itinerary
• Pre-Trip Prep 2011
• Why Israel, Why Now?
• Safety & Security
• Register Now for Israel Journey Plus

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...

• Eco-Quest Costa Rica + Israel Journey Plus
• Ambassador to Bulgaria + Israel Journey Plus (recommended pairing)