Interactive Exploration of Israel

Monday, Day 1
Arrival
Opening ceremony - "What these shores have seen"
Travel to Kanot Youth Village
Introduction sessions
Outline of program
Accommodations: Kanot Youth Village

Arriving in a new place is always exciting - but the excitement of arriving in Israel for a summer experience is like no other! We will spend the day familiarizing everyone with the program, the staff and the overall framework of the program, beginning with an appropriate ceremony marking the beginning of our wonderful adventure ahead.

Tuesday, Day 2
The map of Israel - group activity
Pinat Shorashim - Introductory activity/ Pita baking: relationship between Jewish texts and the Land of Israel 1
Visit Kibbutz Nachshon - making wine (that will be picked up at the end of the program) - relationship between Jewish texts and the Land of Israel 2
Group activities in Kanot
Preparation for trip to the desert

We will take this day to explore the unique geography of the Land of Israel and its eternal connection to the Jewish texts we have explored at school and in synagogue. We will also take the time to build our community - our group - that will serve as our support system and learning environment throughout the summer.

Wednesday, Day 3
Hebrew! Learning Hebrew together (session 1)
Depart for the Negev
Hike in the desert - in the footsteps of our ancestors; building a community in the desert
Campout in the desert under the stars.

This is where it all began…after having our first Hebrew lesson in the Land of Israel; we shall drive south to the Negev desert, to follow in the footsteps of our ancestors. The Jewish people achieved peoplehood as they wandered through the desert for 40 years, with the desert being the perfect setting for the crystallization of the value system and community bonding of such a unique people. Learning about their experience by having one of our own will also serve to assist us in building our community and beginning our story at the very beginning - in the wilderness.

Thursday, Day 4
Morning hike from campground to Sde Boker
Visit to Ben Gurion's tomb and home
Accommodations: Sde Boker Youth Hostel

As we walk through the desert, we will encounter the home and tomb of one of the most influential leaders in modern Jewish history - David Ben Gurion. The man who committed his life to his vision of the country and the desert within it will be a perfect example of the determination that is so crucial to the story of Israel.

Friday, Day 5
Hike in the Ramon Crater
Return to Kanot Youth Village
Prepare for Shabbat
Kabbalat Shabbat
Oneg Shabbat - group activities

Having explored the Negev and its magnificent Machtesh Ramon, all by hiking through it on our own two feet, we shall return to Kanot Youth Village, our "home away from home," to prepare for our first Shabbat in Israel!

Shabbat, Day 6
Group services
"Praying in the Land" - group seminar on the meaning of prayers and connection
to Israel in the texts
Free time and pool
Havdalah
Preparation for Jerusalem

As we take the time to rest and appreciate the significance of sharing our first Shabbat together in Israel, we will explore the meaning of some of the texts we have learned to repeat in our prayers and take the time to find the special meaning they carry when reciting them in Israel.

Sunday, Day 7
Hebrew! Learning Hebrew together (session 2)
Tel Gezer - Abraham and the first days of Jewish peoplehood
Naot Kdumim - explore biblical times in the Land
Return to Kanot
Group activity "Jerusalem through the ages"

It's time to embark on our historical journey, and nowhere better to begin than with Abraham and the first days of Jewish peoplehood. We will also visit Naot Kedumim - the biblical park that will offer us the special experience of reenacting those faraway times.

Monday, Day 8
Travel to Jerusalem
Haas Promenade
Visit City of David
Hezikiyahu's water tunnels
Group picnic at Sataf water springs
Return to Kanot
Accommodations: Kanot Youth Village

As we walk through the streets of the Old City of Jerusalem, we will continue along our historical journey through the ages - exploring the first time Jerusalem became central and important to the Jews, when King David chose Jerusalem to be his capital, building in it the City of David. By doing so, he placed Jerusalem in the center of our traditions and our hearts forever and ever… In the afternoon we will rest at the Sataf water springs in the Jerusalem hills and work together to make our group picnic lunch.

Tuesday, Day 9 Travel to Jerusalem
Tour of Old City and Jewish Quarter - First and Second Temple periods
Lunch in the Old City
Kotel
The Time Tunnel!
Dinner in Nachalat Shiva in Jerusalem
Free time in city
Return to Kanot
Accommodations: Kanot Youth Village

Returning again to Jerusalem, we continue to the days of the First Temple and then the Second Temple - the temple that was renovated by King Herod, making it one of the most impressive building achievements in all times. As we walk through alleyways of the Old City, we will learn about the lives people led when they lived in the city over two thousand years ago while we see, smell and hear the lives of those living there today! While the old Jerusalem is fascinating, the new Jerusalem is also exciting! We will spend the evening in downtown Jerusalem, enjoying the coffee shops and special atmosphere of the city.

Wednesday, Day 10
Archeological Digs - Dig for a Day!
Rest and pool time at Kanot Youth Village
Preparation for trip to Judean Desert.

How do we know everything we know about the past? We DIG! We will get on our hands and knees, crawl through the caves and actually dig as we join the archeologists exploring Jewish history in the rocks and stones of Beit Guvrin. We will also learn about the people that used these caves in the days of Bar Kochba; he led one of the most impressive rebellions in Jewish history, against the Roman Empire.

Thursday, Day 11
Depart for Judean Desert
Water hike in Ein Gedi
Swim in the Dead Sea
Accommodations: Massada Youth Hostel

Time to float! The group will leave Kanot for an overnight trip to the Judean Desert - we will begin with a beautiful hike in Ein Gedi canyons, and then float in the Dead Sea. We will spend the night under the cliffs of Massada, ready to wake up in the wee hours of the a.m. and climb Massada at the crack of dawn.

Friday, Day 12
Hike up snake path to Massada for the sunrise
Visit site
Climb down the Roman Ramp
Breakfast and camel rides at Kfar Hanokim - Bedouin tent
Return to Kanot
Kabbalat Shabbat
Oneg Shabbat - week summary: "Where were we? Where are we on the Jewish history timeline?"
Accommodations: Kanot Youth Village

Watching the sunrise from atop Massada and walking around the site will offer us the chance to continue to explore the days of the Second Temple, learning about the internal struggles the Jewish community knew then. As the story of Massada responds to the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, in 70 BCE, we will also have a chance to discuss the challenges and tragedies the Jewish people faced then and what we have learned from then to help prepare us for the challenges we face today.
Before we return to Kanot, we will stop at a Bedouin tent on the way and hop on some camels for a short camel ride through the desert. Then, we will return to Kanot and get ready to greet the Shabbat, for the second time in Israel!

Shabbat, Day 13 Group services - incorporating materials learned throughout the week into services and prayer
Rest time
Preparation for Mifgash with Kiryat Malachi teens
Accommodations: Kanot Youth Village

The day will be spent resting, praying and identifying how what we have seen and learned correlates to the texts and traditions of our Jewish lives.

Sunday, Day 14
Travel to Mifgash location
Meet with local teens - icebreakers and introductions
Independent tours of local community (lead by local teens) including visit to market to buy products for lunch
Making lunch together at local community center
Joint activity - Jewish Identity in Israel and in U.S
Goodbye to Israelis
Return to Kanot
Accommodations: Kanot Youth Village

Time to practice the Hebrew we've learned with real-life Israelis of our own age! The group will spend the day with Israeli teens, and while interacting with local youth will learn about the special relationship between Jewish youth from North America and Israel.

Monday, Day 15
Summary of Kiryat Malachi Mifgash
Hebrew! Learning Hebrew together (session 3)
Day at the beach - Nitzanim beach
Return to Kanot
Accommodations: Kanot Youth Village

After summarizing our experiences from the inter-cultural Mifgash at Kiryat Malachi, including catching up on our Hebrew, we will take some time to rest and enjoy the beach at one of Israel's most beautiful shores near Ashkelon.

Tuesday, Day 16
Travel north
Visit Tzipori - explore site and learn about the days of the Mishna
Accommodations: Ein Gev Youth Hostel on the Kinneret shore

This day will be dedicated to the days of the Mishna and the Talmud, and there is nowhere better to study this period than at the ancient city of Tzipori, in the hills of the Lower Galilee.

Wednesday, Day 17
Visit Tsafed - Old City and artists' quarter
Hike in Nachal Amud
Dinner in Tiberias
Free evening in Tiberias
Accommodations: Ein Gev Youth Hostel

Upon being expelled from Spain in 1492, many Jews came to Israel, settling in some existing towns throughout the country. One of the most unique groups settled in Tsafed, studying the Kabbalah and immersing itself in the mysticism of the Jewish tradition. We will walk the cobbled streets of the Old City and the artists' quarter and then continue down in to the Amud valley for a beautiful stroll in the lower Galilee.
From Old to New - we will have dinner in Tiberias and enjoy the bustling downtown boardwalk right on the Kinneret.

Thursday, Day 18
Ascend to the Golan Heights with jeeps
Mt. Bental - lookout to border with Syria
Hike in Nachal Gilabon (water!)
Mizpeh Gadot - lookout to Hula valley; wrapping up story of Golan Heights
Dinner and swim at Hamat Gader hot springs
Accommodations: Ein Gev Youth Hostel

The Golan Heights are a large plateau overlooking the Kinneret and the Hula valley. They are also an integral part of the story of Israel and its neighbors, as they were once part of Syria and conquered by the IDF in the Six Day War. Both in jeeps and on foot, we will follow the landscape and the history of the Golan Heights, wrapping up our day at the hot springs of Hamat Gader for a relaxing evening.

Friday, Day 19
Tour of Acco - Crusaders Halls and Old City
Rosh Hanikra - the grottos on the northern border of Israel
Mt. Arbel - afternoon hike overlooking the Kinneret
Kabbalat Shabbat
Oneg Shabbat

Acco, a mixed city that today is home to Christians, Muslims and Jews, is also a place once visited by the Crusaders, the Muslim conquerors and even Napoleon himself. We will climb down to the Crusader Halls, visit the El Jazar Mosque and roam through the bustling market of Acco. Rosh Hanikra, the grottos situated on the border of Israel with Lebanon, and Mt. Arbel are both unique opportunities for us to enjoy the natural beauties of the northern part of Israel while adding yet another piece of the puzzle that is this country.

Shabbat, Day 20
Group services
Week summary: "Where were we? Where are we on the Jewish history timeline?"
Rest
Preparation for coming week (options)

As we near the midway mark on our journey's calendar, we will use the Shabbat to catch up and focus on what we have done thus far, what we have learned and how far we have come both in our personal growth and on our Jewish historical timeline.

Sunday, Day 21
Breakup into groups: sea-to-sea hike, community projects, and archeology week
Israelis from Leyada School in Jerusalem join options for participation in the full week
Accommodations: based on options

This week is the chance for each one to choose what it is s/he wants to do most. With a choice between a sea-to-sea hike, a week of Tikun Olam in the form of community partnerships throughout the country and a week of cave spelunking and archeological digging - the group will break up, meeting up again at the end of the week to share experiences and stories! All groups will be joined by Israeli teens, making each of the options all the more exciting.

Monday, Day 22 - Thursday, Day 25
Special options week continues: sea-to-sea hike, community projects, and archeology
Accommodations: based on options

Friday, Day 26 Complete options; whole group returns to Kanot Youth Village with Israeli teens.
Kabbalat Shabbat
Oneg Shabbat
Accommodations: Kanot Youth Village

The group will reconvene at Kanot village and spend the weekend sharing stories and experiences from the past week. Joined by the Israelis that participated in each of the programs, the weekend will be the culmination of the Mifgash that took place within each of the options throughout the entire week. Special attention will be given to sharing the experience of prayer and exploring the significance of praying to each and every one of us.

Shabbat, Day 27
Group services
Mifgash activity - the meaning of prayer to me
Rest time
Festive dinner
Havdalah
Israelis depart - shalom!

Sunday, Day 28
Summary of Mifgash and special options week
Hebrew! Learning Hebrew together (session 4)
Travel to Tel Aviv
Tour of Old City of Jaffa - the story of Tel Aviv
Hall of Independence
Rabin Square
Dinner in Tel Aviv
Free time
Return to Kanot
Accommodations: Kanot Youth Village

Tel Aviv is probably the most modern and westernized city in Israel, but like any other town or hilltop in the country, it has a special story behind it…we will walk through the cobbled alleyways of Jaffa, making our way towards the new city of Tel Aviv as we learn about the days of the Second Aliya to Israel at the beginning of the century. The Hall of Independence will complete the story, then leading us to the first days of the young state and its establishment in 1948. Finally, Rabin Square will offer us an opportunity to discuss one of the most traumatic events in the history of the State of Israel, alongside the personal story of the man at its center - Yitzhak Rabin.

Monday, Day 29
Travel to Jerusalem
Visit Yad Vashem
Travel to Eilat
Kasui Sand Dunes
Arrive in Eilat
Accommodations: Eilat Youth Hostel

Yad Vashem, the country's national memorial mountain for the Holocaust, will be at the center of this day's activities. The central, transformative tragedy of the Jewish people that took place during the Second World War is commemorated in many different ways at Yad Vashem, offering us the opportunity not only to discuss the memories themselves, but also the responsibility of remembering that is part of the identity of every Jew throughout the world. Once we leave Jerusalem, we will begin making our way down to Eilat, stopping only to enjoy the sunset from the beautiful Kasui Sand Dunes.

Tuesday, Day 30
Morning hike to Mt. Tsfahot - overlooking Israel borders with Jordan and Egypt
Activity - "The borders of Israel"
Visit Kibbutz Yahel/ Ketura - pioneering in the desert; religious pluralism in Israel
Accommodations: Eilat Youth Hostel

Israel's most southern mountaintop, Mt. Tsfahot, situated right atop the city of Eilat, is the only place in Israel where one can see four countries, making the strenuous climb up there all the more worthwhile! It is also a wonderful opening to conduct a group learning session about the borders of Israel.
We will also visit Kibbutz Ketura, to meet and learn about the people that decided to make their lives in the desert.

Wednesday, Day 31
Hebrew! Learning Hebrew together (session 5)
Hike in the Red Canyon
Travel to Arad - meet with local artists - incorporating Jewish and Israeli themes into art; interactive session. Prepare artwork.
Return to Kanot
Accommodations: Kanot Youth Village

A short stroll through the Red Canyon will mark our departure from the Eilat mountains, from where we shall continue to the city of Arad located in the mountains of the Judean Desert. There, we will meet local artists who will share their studio work with us and will even give us an opportunity to join them in the creative quest of incorporating Israeli and Jewish themes into their artwork. With our creations in our palms, we will return to Kanot and settle back into our home away from home.

Thursday, Day 32
The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict - seminar at Kibbutz Metzer: discuss the challenges of history of the struggle for peace in the Middle East
Return to Kanot
Accommodations: Kanot Youth Village
Watching it on the CNN is one thing, seeing it with your eyes and learning it from the experts is quite another…we will spend the day at Kibbutz Metzer, learning the historical background and implications of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict - one of the greatest of challenges the country faces today.

Friday, Day 33 Interactive seminar -"In the footsteps of Jewish Heroes" exploring the personal lives of historical figures from different eras of Jewish history. How am I a Jewish hero?
Preparation for Shabbat
Kabbalat Shabbat
Oneg Shabbat

As Jewish history has unfolded over the past four weeks, special figures in special times have emerged and presented themselves in front of the crowd. We will take the time to learn more about the characters and their heroic traits, leading us to discuss our role in the lineage of Jewish heroism.

Shabbat, Day 34
Group services
Rest time
Havdalah

We will take the time to rest, regroup and enjoy the peaceful Shabbat we have learned to create for ourselves in our group setting at Kanot.

Sunday, Day 35
Hike in Nachal Habsor - Introduction to the western Negev
Mizpeh Beer Yaakov - overlook of Gaza strip; continuation of Israel-Palestinian conflict and the struggle for peace
Yad Mordechai - the story of the kibbutz and its role in the battles of Israel
Accommodations: Kanot Youth Village

Continuing our journey through the 20th and 21st century in Israel, we will dedicate this day to the western Negev, which has played a central role in some of Israel's most important battles for its existence.

Monday, Day 36
Seminar - kibbutz life and the story of kibbutzim in Israel at Kibbutz Gvulot
Accommodations: Kanot Youth Village

One of the world's most exciting forms of settlements was created in Israel, by Israelis. The kibbutz in Israel is like no other town or village in the world, and we will explore the history and challenges of this phenomenon at Kibbutz Gvulot.

Tuesday, Day 37
Hebrew! Learning Hebrew together (session 6)
Burma Road - Interactive tour of the road to Jerusalem; Diaspora Jewry and its relationship with Israel
Visit the site of Latrun
Accommodations: Kanot Youth Village

North Americans coming to Israel is not the first time Israeli Jews and Diaspora Jews have realized they are joined at the hip. In the very first days of the State of Israel, Diaspora Jewry played a significant role in the War of Independence, as we will learn as we follow in their footsteps along the Burma Road leading up to Jerusalem.

Wednesday, Day 38
Interactive seminar: The political map of Israel - how does this democracy work?
Travel to Jerusalem
Visit Mt. Herzl
Supreme Court
Knesset - the Israeli parliament; meet member of Knesset
Return to Kanot
Accommodations: Kanot Youth Village

Politics play a central role in every Israeli's life. We will take the time to learn about the judiciary system and the political system, visiting the Supreme Court, the Israeli parliament and actually meeting a member of the Israeli Knesset. Mt. Herzl, the burial site of many of Israel's leading figures and the national cemetery, will offer us the chance to recognize the Israeli peoplehood demonstrated by the burial place of the unknown soldier being located only strides away from the graves of the leading figures in Israeli history.

Thursday, Day 39
Visit Neve Shalom - a model of co-existence settlements in Israel
Return to the Kotel
Machane Yehudah Market - practicing Hebrew we've learned with venders in the market! Purchase products for making dinner together.
Return to Kanot
Prepare dinner together
Accommodations: Kanot Youth Village

We will return to Jerusalem - to visit the Kotel one last time and to roam through the Machane Yehudah market along with all the other Jerusalemites busy preparing for Shabbat. With the products we purchased in the market we will make our dinner together at Kanot.

Friday, Day 40
Return to Kibbutz Nachshon - pick up wine prepared at the beginning of the trip
Lunch at Moshav Tsafririm - meet the Kurdistan community of the Moshav
Return to Kanot
Time to prepare final party
Kabbalat Shabbat
Oneg Shabbat
Accommodations: Kanot Youth Village

Moments before our last Shabbat in the Land commences, we will visit Kibbutz Nachshon to pick up the wine we prepared on our first day and share a meal with a local family in a small moshav called Tsafririm nearby. We shall return to Kanot in due time to prepare our final group party, and to prepare for Shabbat.

Shabbat, Day 41
Group services
Group activity - "Taking Israel back with me" - How does one do it?
Rest time
Havdalah
Final Party!

Israel as a concept and an experience - How do we take it back with us? How do we feel the energy of Israel even after we leave it?
We will dedicate the day to exploring the ways the trip has impacted us, our personalities, our Jewish identities and our dreams and goals. We will also take the time to celebrate the friendships and relationships that have been formed in this trip's setting. Saying Lehitraot ("see you again" in Hebrew) instead of "Farewell".

Sunday, Day 42
Depart for Ben Gurion airport.
Lehitraot!

Monday, Day 43
Arrive back in LA