Highlights

life under fire on israel's borders

• Tour Sderot and meet with local residents who live in the shadow of Hamas.
• Hear a security briefing as you look out over the Gaza border.
• Visit Kibbutz Yad Mordechai and meet with wounded IDF veterans at Beit Halochem.
• Hear high-level briefings from the top analysts.
• Interact with IDF combat troops in the field. 
• Be inspired by the unsung heroes—the farmers, first-responders, battle veterans, educators, activists, and entrepreneurs.

rome and the talmud

• Explore a two-thousand-year-old Roman hippodrome in Caesarea where Rabbi Akiva was martyred for studying Torah.
• Pray at the resting places of great sages of the Talmud in the ancient hillside cemetery of Meron, and learn about their challenges, triumphs, and the far-reaching impact of their teachings.

spirituality, art, and mystical judaism

• Encounter the progenitors of kabbalah, Rabbi Shimon bar Yocha'i (author of the Zohar) and Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (the "Arizal").
• Discover Torah secrets and guided meditations with a modern-day kabbalist.
• Mingle with artists and artisans—scribes, glassblowers, winemakers, and cheesemakers—who live and work in the mystical city of Safed, and learn how their work is inspired by Jewish mysticism.
• Learn Chassidic thought and philosophy in the mystical city of Safed.

unearth biblical artifacts

• Visit the national campus for the archeology of Israel, and learn the science of archaeology.
• Take part in a real-life archaeological excavation as you sift through rubble from the Temple Mount at Emek Tsurim.

in the footsteps of our biblical ancestors

• Explore King Solomon’s and the Israelite kings’ palaces and stables at Megiddo and Solomon’s gate, and the ruins of biblical Gezer.
• Experience King David’s palace and the remains of the main street of biblical Jerusalem.
• Wade through Hezekiah’s tunnel.
• See the original Shiloh Pool and Gihon Spring where kings were anointed.
• Visit the Cave of Machpelah, Rachel’s Tomb, and biblical Hebron.
• Study Mishnah in the ancient synagogue of Zippori.
• Visit the birthplace of Samson in Tzorah, and trace his descent into the Sorek Valley.
• Learn “Chana’s Prayer” in biblical Shilo where the Tabernacle stood.

israeli technologies are changing our world

• Discover new and innovative technologies emerging out of Israel’s “Silicon Wadi” that are enabling paraplegics to walk, nonverbal people to talk, and the visually impaired to see.
• Meet business people and scientists who are developing breakthrough agricultural solutions to solve world hunger and bring clean drinking water to developing nations, and witness the latest aviation and military technologies already in use to protect nations.
• Witness how “blue and white” advanced biotech is feeding millions around the globe at Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu.
• Visit Mobileye, a company whose ground-breaking technology is being used to save countless lives on the road and is paving the way for autonomous vehicles.
• Learn to appreciate your sight at Dialogue in the Dark.

pristine natural beauty

• Ride a cable car to the exquisite sea caves of Rosh Hanikra.
• Take in the scenic views of the panoramic Carmel mountain range and the Judean Desert.
• Float on the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth.
• Stroll in the vineyards of the Elah Valley.
• Experience the vast expanse of the Negev from Nahal Zin.
• Discover the beautiful desert oasis in Ein Gedi.
• See forests, waterfalls, and flowering fields in the Galilee.
• Walk along the gorgeous Mediterranean coastline.

modern israel's founding fathers

• Discover the neighborhood of Neve Tzedek, and encounter the towering personalities who helped shape the character of the country.
• Tour the Knesset and hear from top Israeli politicians and lawmakers about Israel’s challenges and achievements.
• Meet with local residents of a mixed Jewish-Arab city.
• Meet with chief rabbis, government ministers, Knesset members, and well-known personalities.

miracles at war

• Pay tribute to war heroes at the military cemetery and hear their stories.
• Tour the underground bullet factory at Machon Ayalon, and hear the dramatic story of the battle for the Latrun Heights.
• Explore pre-1948 Jerusalem.
• Encounter the site of the battle that paved the way to liberating Jerusalem.
• Ascend the Mount of Olives where Motta Gur gave the famous order to enter the Old City, and trace the path of the paratroopers to the Western Wall.
• Tour the battle sites of Israel’s War of Independence.

agriculture of biblical times

• Meet with religious farmers to learn about Jewish agriculture and laws pertaining to the land.
• Discover the fruits and trees indigenous to Israel.
• Practice biblical milling techniques as you thresh, sift, winnow, and mill flour with a watermill on an ancient threshing floor.
• Visit an olive press and learn how technology has improved the production of olive oil since times of old.

song and prayer

• Discover remnants of the Holy Temple in the Southern Excavations, Davidson Center, and Western Wall Tunnels.
• Study the Temple’s architecture and furniture from realistically scaled models at the Temple Institute.
• Experience Shabbat services at the Western Wall and Jerusalem’s historic synagogues.
• Enjoy inspiring lectures, sermons, prayers, and Shabbat meals with top scholars.
• Dance to the beat of Chasidic musicians.

cuisine and culture

• Visit Morad, where exotic liqueurs are produced.
• Visit the Shvil Izim goat farm, and taste their delicious cheeses.
• Tour the historic Carmel and award-winning Barkan wineries for a tutored wine tasting.
• Sample an array of gourmet cuisine from Israel’s finest chefs.
• Taste fresh produce, baked goods, and ethnic dishes at the colorful Carmel Market in Tel Aviv.
• Sample award-winning wines in the Judean Hills.