For families and the community. Registration for this trip is currently closed. A wait list is available.
Trip Dates: Monday, June 26–Thursday, July 6, 2023
Wait List Pricing and FAQs
Let us take you to your second home!
Join the six Bay Area JCCs for the journey of a lifetime as we celebrate Israel's 75th anniversary. Whether you are traveling alone, with a partner or with your family we invite you to discover and experience this incredible country. The program has been developed to give you the opportunity to be a part of the wider Bay Area community and also to 
experience program tracks according to your interests. Our time together will be devoted not only to getting to know this land, but also to having many personal encounters that will tie us to its unique communities. We will spend time with our own families and be welcomed as part of the larger Israeli family as well.
Following an introduction to each day for the whole group we will offer parallel tracks according to interest groups. The tracks will give you an opportunity to delve more deeply into your subject of choice. The number of tracks offered will be dependent on the size of the group.
Examples of our tracks are:
Family Fun:
- Explore Tel Aviv on a scavenger hunt and experience the world-renowned 'Dialogue in the Dark' exhibit at the Holon Children's Museum
- Kayak on the Jordan River, ride camels through the Judean desert and laugh in Jerusalem's Old City on an acting tour
- Experience ancient Israel's secrets at Kfar Kedem, reconstructing life at the time of the Mishnah in hands-on workshops in wool making, sheep herding and bread baking
History and Archaeology:
- Touch the past and uncover layers of history on an archaeological tour of Jerusalem's Old City and marvel at the mosaics at the ruins of Tzippori, the seat of Jewish leadership in antiquity
- Visit the Trumpledor cemetery to hear the voices of Tel Aviv's Zionist founders, as well as those of contemporary leaders in Israel's Knesset
- Explore the military history and borders of Israel by jeep in the Golan Heights, and climb the legendary fortress of Masada
Arts and Culture:
Experience vitality, inspiration and the energy of the music and percussion ensemble Mayumana at their active workshop in Jaffa- Meet top Israeli fashion designer Sharon Tal at the revived Maskit fashion house, the icon of Israeli fashion
- Read the writing on the walls of Tel Aviv's Florentine neighborhood on a colorful and sassy graffiti tour
- Hear about the evolvement of modern Israeli art from rising artists at the Tel Aviv Art Museum
- Discover the Old City of Jerusalem through the lens of a camera in the framework of a photography workshop
Culinary Arts:
- Taste the splendors of Tel Aviv's and Jerusalem's markets on culinary tours led by Israel's top chefs
- Wine and dine in a variety of different restaurants and wineries
- Participate in a hands-on culinary workshop and learn to make authentic Israeli dishes
Contemporary Voices and Israel in the 21st Century:
- Engage in dialogue with a wide array of hi-tech entrepreneurs building the "Start-Up Nation" and bridging Israeli society
- Meet with members of a kibbutz to understand how pioneering ideals have evolved
- Receive an insider's update about current issues on Israel's agenda
- Be inspired by social justice initiatives in Israel and have an opportunity to volunteer
Shabbat:
- Celebrate Shabbat as a community
- Engage in Jewish learning
- Experience Jerusalem's pastoral quiet on a neighborhood walking tour
Trip Chairs: Rachael and David Rosenberg
Trip Dates: Monday, June 26–Thursday, July 6, 2023
For more information, contact: Luba Palant | (650) 223-8656 | [email protected]
We offer need-based scholarship support for families with children to help with the trip's land cost. If you are interested in applying, please reach out to Luba Palant at [email protected].
Scholarships for the J-BA'IT: Bay Area Israel Trip are made possible by a generous grant from the Israel Experience Scholarship Fund at the Jewish Community Federation & Endowment Fund. We are grateful for their support.
This trip is presented in partnership with Peninsula Jewish Community Center, Addison-Penzak JCC Los Gatos, JCCSF, JCC East Bay and the Osher Marin JCC.
