Journey through Israel as a community on an itinerary designed for first-time travelers and returners alike. This Shaarei Tikvah trip brings families, teens, and adults together to experience Israel side by side, strengthening relationships and creating shared memories that last long after we return home.
We’ll explore the essential sites every first-time visitor should see, while also offering meaningful new ways to experience Israel for those who have been before. From the sweeping landscapes of the Judean Desert and the Galilee mountains to Israel’s rugged Mediterranean coast, we’ll connect deeply to the land, our Jewish history, and one another.
Along the way, we’ll immerse ourselves in modern Israeli culture and celebrate Shabbat in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. With thoughtfully designed programming and optional activities - there’s something for everyone! Traveling with our synagogue makes this journey truly special – rooted in community, shared values, and the power of experiencing Israel together.
The double-occupancy cost for our trip is $5,475, with child room-sharing discounts available. For program questions, contact Rachel Mann. For travel and registration questions, contact Authentic Israel at register@authenticisrael.com.
PROGRAM ITINERARY
The following is our projected itinerary, subject to reasonable change based on availability and local considerations
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2026
Depart from the United States for Israel on your self-booked overnight flight
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2026
- Arrive at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport – VIP airport greeting and transfer to our Jerusalem hotel are included for all arriving today between 6:00am-4:30pm
- 9:30am: Meeting Time #1
- Visit Yad L'Kashish – Lifeline for the Elderly
- Volunteer for the hungry of Israel at Pantry Packer
- 3:00pm: Meeting Time #2
- Panoramic introduction to Jerusalem from the Haas Promenade
- Evening: Get oriented over a welcome dinner at Joy Restaurant in the Mamilla Complex
OVERNIGHT: ORIENT, JERUSALEM
Meals Included: Dinner
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2026
- Enter the Old City via Zion Gate – Explore the rooftops, alleys, and squares of the historic Jewish Quarter
- Free time for shopping and lunch in the Cardo area of the Jewish Quarter
- Reflections at the Kotel – The Western Wall — and go deep under the Old City for a tour of the Kotel Tunnels
- Afternoon options:
- Teens: City of David Excavations and Hezekiah’s water tunnel
- Adults & Kids: Go deep into the Kotel Tunnels
- Evening: Family cooking class dinner – enjoy a gourmet dinner of your own creation
OVERNIGHT: ORIENT, JERUSALEM
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026
- Docent-led tour of the Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Center
Children’s alternative (under 10): Tour of the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo - Dive into the sensory experience of Mahane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem's bustling shuk, filled with spices, fresh produce, and local delicacies
- Discover the story of early Jerusalem “Beyond the Walls" at Montefiore's Windmill and the First Station Market as the city prepares for Shabbat
- Return to the hotel to freshen up and prepare for Shabbat
- Option to attend Kabbalat Shabbat at a local shul or the Western Wall
- Evening: Enjoy a festive Shabbat dinner as a community at our hotel
OVERNIGHT: ORIENT, JERUSALEM
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2026
All touring today is on foot
- Morning: Option to attend local services or explore Jerusalem on your own
- Shabbat lunch is included at our hotel
- Afternoon Option: Return to the Old City for a tour of the Christian Quarter and Arab Shuk (bazaar)
- Meet with an Arab Jerusalemite at the Feel Beit center for coexistence
- Evening: Free night out and dinner on your own in Jerusalem
OVERNIGHT: ORIENT, JERUSALEM
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026
An alternative option is available today that includes a chocoate making workshop at Galita and the Dig-for-a-Day workshop at Beit Guvrin National Park, including a visit to the Bell Caves
- Visit Moshav Netiv HaAsara along the border with Gaza to hear a personal testimony from October 7th and experience the community's resilience
- Break for lunch on your own in Sderot and visit the Gaza frontier lookout
- View the Tekuma “car grave” and make a somber visit to the Nova Music Festival memorial
- Arrive at Kfar Hanokdim – Camel riding journey, feast on traditional Bedouin-style cuisine, and a scorpion safari night walk in the desert
OVERNIGHT: KFAR HANOKDIM, JUDEAN DESERT (Private Cabins)
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2026
- Wake early to ascend Masada via the Roman Ramp route, arriving at dawn
- Explore and recount the story of Masada – Herod's desert mountaintop fortress and the bastion of an ancient Jewish rebellion
- Descend Masada via the cable cars and break for breakfast at IYHA Masada
- Experience the wonder of effortless floating on the Dead Sea at Ein Bokek Beach (lunch on own)
- Stop at the lush desert oasis of Ein Gedi, where David hid from King Saul – hike among waterfalls and spot wild ibex in their natural habitat
- Travel northwards to the Galilee via the Jordan River Valley, part of the vast Syrian-African Rift
- Check-in and dinner at our country hotel overlooking the Sea of Galilee
OVERNIGHT: KIBBUTZ LAVI (HADAR ROOMS), GALILEE
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2026
- Ancient Tsfat – Explore the historic center of Jewish mysticism in the Galilee highlands
- Free time for shopping in the Tsfat artists' colony and lunch on your own
- Ascend the Golan Heights, and explore this strategic region on a historical and geo-political off-road jeep trek
- View Israel’s neighbors and navigate former IDF bunkers at the summit of Mount Ben-Tal, a dormant volcano in the northeast corner of the Golan
- Travel to Ein Kinya village – Explore Druze culture over a traditional dinner
OVERNIGHT: KIBBUTZ LAVI (HADAR ROOMS), GALILEE
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2026
- Check out of the hotel and travel to toward Tel Aviv
- Arrive to Tel Aviv and explore the ancient port city of Jaffa
- Lunch at the iconic Dr. Shakshuka Restaurant
- Free time to browse the Jaffa Flea Market
- Visit the site of Hostage Square – the heart of the movement to Bring Them Home
- The rest of the afternoon and evening is free to enjoy Tel Aviv on your own
OVERNIGHT: CARLTON, TEL AVIV
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2026
- Morning: Volunteer at the Jaffa Institute for the underserved of Tel Aviv
- Street art walking tour in Tel Aviv’s Florentine neighborhood
- Break for lunch on your own at the Carmel Market
- View the site of Independence Hall and Tel Aviv’s historic Rothschild Boulevard
- Guru Zuzu – Celebrate the joy of being together in the heart of Tel Aviv
- Celebrate the end of our journey together over dinner at Goshen Restaurant
- Evening: A transfer is provided to Ben Gurion Airport for travelers on overnight flights
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Airport Transfer
An airport greeting and a private transfer to our arrival hotel is complimentary for those arriving at Ben Gurion Airport between 7:00am and 4:30pm on the first day of the program - Deluxe Hotels
Centrally located hotels per the itinerary - Guide and Program Leader
A licensed Israeli guide accompanies the group on 24 x 7 basis - Touring Bus
A luxury private air-conditioned touring bus with a dedicated Israeli driver
Saturdays are a walking tour day without a bus - Breakfast Daily + Select Meals
Includes tax/gratuities at restaurant meals - All Programming
Site entrance fees and all touring experiences noted in the itinerary - All Applicable Taxes
Additional 18% VAT (tax) applies for Israeli passport-holders at group hotels
Contact us to make arrangements if relevant
NOT INCLUDED:
- Flights to/from Israel
- Local medical insurance (optional)
Get peace of mind with a local health insurance policy and receive medical care without any co-pays, deductibles or paperwork
LEARN MORE - Travel insurance (optional)
Insure your investment and plan for the unexpected with a travel protection plan
LEARN MORE
- Meals not marked as included
- Hotel incidentals
TRAVELING TO AND FROM ISRAEL
Travelers are responsible for booking their own travel to and from Israel, and we expect to designate a community flight for those wishing to travel together. Airport transfers will be provided for anyone arriving to Ben Gurion Airport between 7:00am and 4:30pm on August 19. At the end of the program, travelers will be escorted back to Ben Gurion Airport in time for overnight flights departing on the evening of August 30 or the early AM of August 31 (departing no later than 1:00am).
Travelers wishing to arrive early or stay later will be accommodated at the group hotels by special request, based on the group hotel rate.
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PROGRAM COSTS
LAND PACKAGE: $4,175/person
- Based on double hotel room occupancy
- Single hotel room supplement: $1,550/person
- Discount for children 13+ sharing a room with two adults: $650/person
- Discount for one or two children 12 and under sharing a room with two adults: $900/person
Contact us to confirm the cost of specific family rooming arrangements
ENROLLMENT
- To reserve your place, a $300/person deposit is due with your registration and is fully refundable until March 15, 2026.
- A late fee of $100/person will apply to travelers who register after March 15, 2026.
- The balance of payment is due by June 1, 2026, after which all payments are non-refundable.
Exceptions are considered on a case-by-case basis at Authentic Israel's discretion - Cancellation must be made in writing to Authentic Israel. We encourage you to obtain travel insurance
- The program may be paid for by check or credit card. However, if you wish to pay by credit card, a 3.5% processing fee applies (credit card fees are not refundable).
- Pricing is subject to a minimum of 25 confirmed travelers as of March 2, 2026, and we encourage you not to book any flights until the program is fully confirmed.
Program payments are considered fully refundable if the minimum group size is not reached by this date