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BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL

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BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL IS MORE THAN JUST A TRIP

ITâ€™S AN UNFORGETTABLE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE Each Birthright Israel trip has a unique itinerary based on travel dates, interests, and educational elements. Though Birthright Israel offers many niche opportunities, one thing is constant: Birthright Israel is the largest educational program in the history of the Jewish people, making it an experience like no other. Using Israel as our classroom, we impart knowledge, connections, and community one participant at a time. Get to know the magic of Birthright Israel, as experienced by participants, through this sample itinerary. Look for the to better understand our educational framework and the secret to its success!

NOW BOARDING

DAY 1 Meet your trip staff, new lifelong friends, and try to get some shut-eye for the adventure ahead! Birthright Israel trip staff are crucial to the educational programming and a participantâ€™s experience both as an individual and in a group setting, making the overall impact profound. Each trip includes a three-person educational team: two volunteer staff members (madrichim) from the participantsâ€™ home country along with a qualified Israeli tour educator.

DAY 2 6,500 miles later, youâ€™re home! Travel north and see the historic Sea of Galilee. Spend the evening conversing and connecting as you are joined by your Israeli peers (Mifgashim). The Mifgash is one of the most transformative elements of Birthright Israel. In Hebrew, Mifgash means encounter, and during every trip, participants are given an opportunity to meet Israeli soldiers and Israeli young professionals as a unique way to experience the culture. Israeli participants deliver an intimate and highly personal dynamic that allows Diaspora participants to explore and understand complex issues including Israelâ€™s role in the world and the global Jewish community. Together, they have opportunities to learn from each other and build friendships that extend beyond the trip.

MADE IT TO THE HOMELAND

LET’S GET ARTSY

DAY 3 It wouldn’t be a Birthright Israel trip without a hike up one of Israel’s Northern mountains to kick off the morning. Next up is the magical, mystical and mountainous city of Tzfat, where you will be inspired by the work of Kabbalistic artists. The utilization of arts and culture through music, poetry and art give a fuller understanding of contemporary Israel.

DAY 4 Take in the magnificent views of the Golan Heights atop Mt. Bental. Head down the Banyas, enjoying the pools, waterfalls, and streams along the way. Discover the rich flavors of Israeli wine and get to know the locals who make it. Take a nap on the bus as we make our way to Jerusalem, where we will end the day discussing the complexities of the region with leading geopolitical experts. While the Birthright Israel program is apolitical, Birthright Israel believes it is educationally vital to help participants learn about and reflect upon the core issues in the region by introducing a geopolitical module into the experience. Through a geopolitical lecture led by experts in the field, we introduce and discuss openly, key issues necessary for understanding the region.

WINE NOT?

THE HOLIEST PLACE IN THE WORLD DAY 5 Hold your escaping breath as you take in an unrivaled panoramic view of Jerusalem. Travel back in time at the Southern Wall excavations. Get your pen and paper ready as we make our way to The Kotel – we promise you will never forget this moment. Where better to spend Shabbat than in the place that’s been the heartbeat of the Jewish people for over 3,000 years. Denoted as a “Place in Time,” Shabbat has always been an exalted moment, a primary legacy, and a chief value in Jewish civilization. Birthright Israel presents Shabbat as a Core Theme, seeing it as a meaningful and joyous cornerstone of the Jewish calendar and world-view. Being in Israel offers unique ways of emphasizing Shabbat within various contexts, such as community, learning, landscape, and a sense of spirituality, which many participants have not heretofore experienced.

DAY 6 Snooze or peruse Jerusalem, the choice is yours. Enjoy a traditional Shabbat meal before heading out on a relaxing stroll through Jerusalemâ€™s mesmerizing limestone alleys and blossoming parks. Into the night you go to enjoy the streets of Ben Yehuda. These blocks lay claim to some of the best shawarma, falafel, pizza, ice cream and souvenir shopping in all of Israel.

EXPLORE THE OLD CITY

REFLECT ON THE PAST DAY 7 A solemn, soulful visit to the Yad VaShem Memorial and Museum. The Holocaust (Shoah) is a defining moment in the history of the Jewish people, and each trip aims to familiarize participants with some of the central ideologies, themes, and beliefs that gave rise to it by visiting Yad VaShem or another site related to the Shoah. It is our goal to provide young Jewish adults a meaningful and well-contextualized encounter with the Shoah, its place in Jewish life, and in Israel as well as part of the broader Jewish narrative in the modern era. Visit Mt. Herzl where youâ€™ll learn about the founders, visionaries and fallen heroes that made Israel a reality. A core mission of Birthright Israel is to give participants an opportunity to understand Israelâ€™s founding vision to be a Jewish and democratic state. Mt. Herzl represents an important piece of the Jewish narrative and those who fought to preserve it. Time to head to the vast expanse of the Judean Desert for thoughtprovoking and engaging cultural discussions with your Israeli peers.

DAY 8 Climb the Roman Ramp to the top of Masada to catch a sunrise that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Tour the mountaintop fortress that became synonymous with Jewish audacity and bravery. The climb to Masada is more than just a hike. When participants reach the top and learn the history of the mountain they are standing on, they truly begin to understand the determination and cohesiveness of the Jewish people. They take in deep breaths, knowing they have personally conquered the climb, and learn how their presence in this very spot is incredible. Frolic in the refreshing waters of Ein Gedi, a literal oasis in the desert. And now the moment you’ve been waiting for the entire trip – it’s time to float in the Dead Sea and roll in exfoliating and revitalizing mineral mud. Enjoy a mouthwatering “hafla dinner” while sitting cross-legged in a Bedouin tent. Gather around the campfire for tea, stories and song.

CLIMB TO NEW HEIGHTS

SHALOM, TEL AVIV

DAY 9 Hello Tel Aviv! Cultural, business and party capital of Israel! Discuss and reflect on Israel’s ideas, values and future at Rabin Square. The afternoon is yours to explore the hustle and bustle of the White City markets, shops and busy streets. Play in the sand, work on that tan, and compete in Israel’s national beach sport: paddle ball. Stroll through the quaint Jaffa seaport, a true model of peace and co-existence. Take the night to explore one of Tel Aviv’s happening neighborhoods!

DAY 10 Visit the Israeli Innovation Center by Birthright Israel, meet with local entrepreneurs and see how it’s become the Silicon Valley of the Middle East. Israel is a prominent player in the global arena of innovation, entrepreneurship, science, and technology; however, this dimension is less familiar to young Jewish adults today. Birthright Israel believes showcasing this characteristic of the Jewish homeland is crucial to young Jews gaining a deeper understanding of Israeli society and how the country is a leader in global activism through these fields. You’ve made friends, you’ve learned a Hebrew word or two or maybe even three, you’ve grown, you’ve discovered, you’ve experienced, you’ve found yourself, you’ve reflected, and you’ll never be the same!

IT’S NOT GOODBYE IT’S LEHITRAOT

“YOU AREN’T PREPARED FOR HOW MUCH YOU’LL LEARN IN 10 DAYS.” SYDNEY GOLDBERG, 2019 ALUMNA

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BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL TRIP HOTLINE (888) 994-7723

BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL

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