DIVERSE ISRAEL

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OVERVIEW

Make friends with Israeli teens and young adults who also identify as LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and in interfaith groups living in Israel. Celebrate Pride at the Tel Aviv Pride Parade and spend a week living with host families in Netanya.

DESTINATION: Israel

TRAVEL DATES

Jun 4 - Jun 25, 2023 Closed

current grades CURRENT GRADES: 9-11

COMMUNITY SERVICE: ~6 Hours

DURATION: 22 Days

RootOne

This program is eligible for a $3,000 RootOne voucher. Find additional voucher details and requirements here.

Group shot, arm in arm, standing in circle

Group shot, teens smiling overlooking water

Teens playing in the water, seaside shot

Group shot, teens standing in water with scuba gear

Long shot, group of teens smiling in fromt of structure

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Accommodations (hotel, kibbutz & desert tent)
All meals
All programming
Private transportation
Security escort & monitoring
Medical insurance
Laundry service
Gratuity for program staff

EXPLORE MORE

Enrollment & Registration

Photos from Israel Journey

Why Israel, Why Now

Health & Wellness

Safety & Security

Scholarship Opportunities

Travel Insurance

DETAILS

Looking for something beyond a "typical" Israel trip? This NEW teen trip will invite participants to learn more about themselves while connecting with others who share intersectional Jewish (or Jew-ish) identities. Specially designed with Queer, BIPOC, and interfaith teens in mind, this trip will celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride month—Israeli style—connect with Ethiopian Jewish communities, and build friendships with teens from different faith and cultural backgrounds. This trip is running in partnership with the ish Festival and is only available for members of the Cincinnati community.

Diverse Israel is possible thanks to BBYO’s partnership with ish, a Cincinnati-based community engagement organization centering Jewish arts and cultural traditions as a platform for connecting artists with communities to create new experiences, inspiring pride in Jewish and intersectional identity, and fostering appreciation of Cincinnati history and Jewish peoplehood. Whether Jewish, Jew-ish, (or just here for the matzah!), ish brings people together in artistic and cultural exploration, and through that exploration, builds understanding.

UNIQUE TO THIS TRIP: Teens who attend will be spending a week with a host family in Israel. This opportunity allows teens to learn from and live in the daily life of an Israeli

CINCY JOURNEYS GRANT BBYO Passport is an approved trip provider for this generous gift that helps subsidize teen trips to Israel thanks to the partnership between Cincinnati's Jewish Foundation and Jewish Federation. The Foundation is pleased to fund an unlimited number of grants, with award amounts up to $8,000 per high school student. Learn more and see if you quality for the Cincy Journeys Grant.

ITINERARY

We have provided the following sample itinerary to give you a better feel for this experience. The actual program will vary. A confirmed itinerary is distributed no later than two weeks prior to the start of the program.

DAY 1 | DEPARTURE FLIGHT
Meet your staff and teens at the airport before traveling together to Israel on an overnight flight. Once we land, your trip officially begins! We’ll break the ice with some fun and engaging activities so that you get to know everyone in the group. To learn more about how we organize travel to and from the program, click here.

DAY 2–7 | JERUSALEM + TEL AVIV
Welcome to Israel! Our journey begins in Jerusalem. We’ll gather at the Haas Promenade—overlooking the unique topography of the city—for a Shehecheyanu blessing, which is a Jewish prayer said to celebrate special occasions. Walk along the ramparts of the Old City walls from Jaffa Gate to Zion Gate, explore the ancient squares and rooftops of the Jewish Quarter, then reflect on your time in Jerusalem at the Kotel, also known as the Western Wall. Splash through Hezekiah’s underground aqueduct deep beneath the city.

We’ll spend a day exploring Jerusalem, visiting places like the Maale Film School, Art Shelter Gallery, Mahane Yehuda Market, and Shalva. The Maaleh School of Film and Television is situated in the heart of Jerusalem. It is a boutique film school devoted to exploring the intersection of Judaism and modern life. Art Shelter Gallery is heralded as one of the only social art galleries to operate in an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem. Mahane Yehuda Market—also referred to as “The Shuk”—is one of Israel’s most popular marketplaces. Shalva is a non-profit that supports and empowers individuals with disabilities.

Tel Aviv Pride has become one of Israel’s largest events. Visitors from all over the country and world come together to celebrate. Immerse yourself in the energy of the Tel Aviv Pride Parade—which attracts more than 250,000 annual attendees—and enjoy a beach party afterwards. Then, we’ll head north to Western Galilee. The group will spend their first Shabbat in the Holy Land relaxing in Neve Shalom. We’ll take a walking tour of the village and spend an evening in an Israeli dance class.

DAY 8–14 | HOST FAMILIES
It’s time to meet your host family! Unique to this program, teens who attend will be spending a week with a host family in Israel. This opportunity allows teens to learn from and live in the daily life of an Israeli.

Travel back to Tel Aviv and tour Jaffa, an ancient Israeli seaport that borders the Mediterranean. There, you’ll browse the colorful Jaffa Flea Market and barter for your favorite souvenirs. Then, take a walking tour of Tel Aviv’s neighborhoods to see graffiti artwork painted all around the city. We’ll spend a morning talking about social justice in Israel as we continue our tour through Tel Aviv and enjoy a traditional Ethiopian meal while learning about the cultural and historical experience of Ethiopian-Israelis. The group will also explore the Jaffa Institute, an innovative charity dedicated to combating poverty in one of Israel's most diverse communities. Stop by the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, which develops and implements unique and cutting-edge programs in Innovation, Sports, Cultivation of Leadership and Entrepreneurship, Health, Business, and Environment.

Volunteer with Leket Israel, The National Food Bank. This organization is the leading food rescue organization in Israel, serving 175,000+ people in need each week. Visit Netiv HaAsara on the frontier of Gaza to learn how this community has adapted to its surroundings while maintaining a hopeful outlook for peace.

Go horseback riding on the Mediterranean Sea’s beautiful beaches. Make a quick stop to explore the ancient city of Caesarea. Stand on the city’s large Roman amphitheater and walk by the historic port of this Mediterranean coastal town. Send your senses into overdrive at Blackout, an extraordinary and unforgettable culinary experience.

Take a nature walk and get to know the land of Israel. Then, encounter with Druze culture and share a traditional meal in the Golan village. We’ll wrap up time with our host family before heading off to the kibbutz.

DAY 15–17 | KIBBUTZ
Spend part of your week on a kibbutz, which are communal settlements in Israel. While staying on the kibbutz, we’ll participate in a service-learning program to better understand what life living on a kibbutz is like and how the community works together.

Take a walking tour of the mystical Tsfat—the historic center of Judaism’s Kabbalah movement and Jewish life during the exile period—to see awe-inspiring works by Kabbalistic artists in the artists’ colony and hear their story about how the movement inspires their designs.

DAY 18–21 | JERUSALEM
Spend a day exploring Haifa and explore the beauty of the Bahai Temple Gardens on Mount Carmel, then return to Jerusalem for an activity with the global interfaith youth movement, Kids4Peace.

Pay your respects at Yad Vashem, The World Holocaust Remembrance Center. Return to Mahane Yehuda Market and shop for your favorite snacks and Israeli food like a pro. Mazel tov! You’ve seen everything that Israel has to offer. Now it’s time to enjoy one final Kabbalat Shabbat with your ISH family, or mishpachah, at the Kotel. Gather with the group next to the Western Wall, sing together, and reflect on the amazing trip experience you had.

Our time may be coming to an end in Israel, but we’ll always have each other. Head to Gan Sacher, the largest public park in the center of Jerusalem, for a closing session with a speaker. Afterwards, we’ll make our way to the airport for an overnight flight back to the U.S.

DAY 22 | RETURN FLIGHT
It’s never goodbye, just see you later. Give your friends one last hug and part ways once your flight arrives at the airport. While your summer trip with us is over, the memories you’ve made will last a lifetime!

FAQs

Our most frequently asked questions about this program are answered below. Additional program-wide FAQs are also available. Still need something? We’re here to help! Contact us.

What are the rules for Israeli citizens or children of Israeli citizens?
If either of your parents is an Israeli citizen, or if you have ever lived in Israel, it is your responsibility to make sure your status with the Israeli Defense Forces is worked out and clear. Moreover, you may still have obligations to the State of Israel that must be resolved prior to your trip, even if you do not have an Israeli passport. These matters must be taken care of before you arrive in Israel.

Note: If you hold an Israeli passport, you must enter Israel with your Israeli passport.

If you do not take care of these matters prior to your trip, you may be obligated to stay in Israel by the State of Israel until resolution. If this applies to you, you will be solely responsible for your own situation and any costs involved. Again, we highly recommend you be extremely cautious about these matters and contact one of the regional Israeli consulate offices if you have any questions.

How will my teen travel to the program?
BBYO requires all North American participants to fly on the group supervised flight for this program. Flight costs are not included in the program’s land cost. BBYO will purchase a ticket for each traveler and charge the family directly. The flight cost for programs with supervised flight options will be announced, along with the flight details for all programs, in the spring. The supervised flight for this program will depart from the New York City area, typically Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) or John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Learn more about flying to the program.

Where will my teen be sleeping?
Many of the accommodations we stay at are kibbutz-based guest houses that are located in Israel’s countryside and provide space for exploration within a secure environment. We use conventional hotels in Jerusalem and occasionally in other cities. All accommodations in Israel have security and we book rooms so that each teen has their own sleeping accommodation in rooms that typically accommodate 2 to 5 teens per room.

How is the program staffed?
Each group is accompanied by a team of madrichim (counselors) and a local Israeli guide. They are also joined by an armed guard and bus driver. Senior field staff also circulate between our groups for extra support. Staff names are sent out approximately 2–3 weeks prior to your departure as part of the pre-trip preparation emails. Staff are asked to make welcome calls to teens before departure. Feel free to ask them any remaining questions you may have. Learn more about our staff team.

What's the summer weather like?
The sun in Israel is strong—often stronger than teens are accustomed to—so dehydration, heatstroke, and sunburn are serious concerns, especially in a desert climate. Clothing should be lightweight and comfortable in the heat. Whenever outside for an extended period, teens will be required to have a hat, a shirt with sleeves, sunscreen, and water. The good news is the heat is mostly dry, there is very little humidity and the chance of rain in Israel during the summer is extremely low so no umbrellas are needed. Evenings in Israel tend to get chilly quickly. Because we will not always return to our accommodations to change before an evening activity, always bring a day pack with a windbreaker, long-sleeved shirt, or light sweater. Layers are key!

How do you approach security?
Since 1956, BBYO has organized teen programs in Israel with a fundamental commitment to providing a safe and meaningful experience. Our programs adhere to Israel’s comprehensive security policies and are centrally monitored by Israel’s Situation Room. Our itineraries are designed with caution in mind and our policies are calibrated to local conditions. Finally, each group is accompanied by trained staff and a licensed guard accompanies all touring-based activities. Learn more about our organization’s approach to safety and security as well as more specific details about our Israel policies.

What's the typical group size?
Group size varies depending on the date of the program. Our average group size ranges between 20-45 teens. In some cases, multiple groups will travel on a similar path, although each group has its own dedicated staff, guide, and guard.

What's the food like?
Expect to eat Middle Eastern and Mediterranean foods such as falafel, hummus, schnitzel, shakshouka, borekas, and much more. When traveling, your teen may encounter new foods that will not be to their liking, so we ask teens to be flexible and have snacks and other alternatives on hand just in case.

As a travel-based program, our meals take a variety of forms and may include hotel buffets, restaurants, catered meals, and allowance funds for participants to purchase a meal on their own. All food provided by BBYO Passport experiences in Israel is kosher. When a meal is served in a public buffet format (e.g. hotel breakfast), we will always ensure that there are vegetarian, pescatarian, or dairy options available and we will not restrict teens from eating the food of their choice.

Some meals may be provided via a cash allowance where teens will be given money to purchase the food of their choice, called a pizur meal. Such meals are typically arranged in an area where there are multiple restaurant options and teens can choose the food of their liking. When time is limited for meal choice, staff may choose to facilitate meal orders on behalf of teens using their allowance funds.

Participants with special dietary needs (i.e. lactose intolerance, gluten-free, kosher, etc.) should review our dietary restrictions commitment document and contact us in advance to be sure we can accommodate your needs during the program.

Will I need a visa?
If you travel with an American, Canadian, or EU passport, good news! You don’t need a visa to enter Israel. If you travel with a passport from another country, you may need a visa. Contact your nearest Israeli embassy or consulate for additional details.

What are the payment and cancellation terms?
All of these details are available here: Registration Terms.

For more information, check out our general FAQs or the pre-trip preparation manual.

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