JCC Association welcomes you to join a week-long fun-filled and eye-opening journey through Israel after the Games have concluded.

Our experience is designed for families and friends of athletes taking part in the JCC Maccabi Games in Israel, and the programming begins after the closing ceremony in Haifa. While the teen athletes are beginning their own journey, we are offering you this special opportunity to explore and enjoy the very best of Israel for yourself. Join us!

The double occupancy land cost of our program is $3,085 per traveler. Additional discounts are available for children. Sign up commitment-free to reserve your spot. For general program questions, contact Authentic Israel at register@authenticisrael.com or 202-537-6056.

PROGRAM ITINERARY

The following is our projected itinerary, subject to reasonable change based on availability and local considerations

THURSDAY, JULY 13 | MYSTICS IN THE GALILEE

  • Pick-up from Haifa in the late afternoon and travel to the Kinneret – the Sea of Galilee – and check in to our waterfront accommodations
  • Evening: Cruise on the Kinneret followed by a lakeside dinner feast at Decks Restaurant in Tiberias

OVERNIGHT: KIBBUTZ NOF GINNOSAR, SEA OF GALILEE (Deluxe Rooms)
Meals Included: Dinner

FRIDAY, JULY 14 | PERSPECTIVES FROM THE GOLAN

  • Ascend the Golan Heights, and explore this strategic region on an 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
  • Break for lunch on your own in Katzrin
  • Tour a local winery (adults) or explore the Talmudic village of Katzrin (children)
  • Depart for Jerusalem – stopping for a panoramic view at the Hass Promenade
  • Check-in, freshen up, and experience the quiet descending on Jerusalem pre-Shabbat
  • Option to attend a Kabbalat Shabbat at the Western Wall or at a local synagogue
  • Evening: Enjoy a festive Shabbat dinner as a group at our hotel

OVERNIGHT: DAN PANORAMA, JERUSALEM
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

SATURDAY, JULY 15 | SHABBAT IN JERUSALEM

All touring today is on foot 

  • Morning Option: Tour of the Old City's Christian Quarter and Arab Shuk (bazaar)
  • Lunch is on your own and can be included at the hotel by special request
  • Afternoon Option: Walking tour of Montefiore’s Windmill, Mishkenot Sheananim, and the Jerusalem First Station Market
  • Evening: Discover Jerusalem nightlife at Ben Yehuda Pedestrian Mall, the German Colony, and beyond (on own)

OVERNIGHT: DAN PANORAMA, JERUSALEM
Meals Included: Breakfast

SUNDAY, JULY 16 | THE OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM

  • Discover the foundations of Jerusalem at the City of David archaeological park and navigate the Hezekiah water tunnel, fed by a natural spring (pack water shoes, and prepare to get wet!)
  • Explore the rooftops, alleys, and ancient squares of the Jewish Quarter
  • Free time for shopping and lunch on your own in the Cardo area of the Jewish Quarter
  • Reflections at the Kotel – The Western Wall — and go deep under the Old City on the Kotel Tunnel Tour
  • Afternoon: Free time to explore Jerusalem on your own
  • Evening: Dinner at Joy Restaurant in the Mamilla Complex followed by the Tower of David Night Spectacular in the Old City

OVERNIGHT: DAN PANORAMA, JERUSALEM
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

MONDAY, JULY 17 | LOSS & RENEWAL

  • Morning: Docent-led tour of the Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Center
    Children’s alternative: Tour of the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo
  • Depart Jerusalem and travel to Beit Guvrin National Park – Pick up new skills on the Dig-for-a-Day archaeological workshop (a packed lunch is provided today)
    Less active alternative: Tour of Tel Maresha and the Bell Caves
  • Travel into the Judean Desert for a camel riding adventure + desert tent dinner feast
  • Spend a memorable night in the rustic cabins at the Kfar Hanokdim desert encampment

OVERNIGHT: KFAR HANOKDIM, JUDEAN DESERT (PRIVATE CABINS)*
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

*Alternative accommodations are offered in the nearby town of Arad as requested in advance

TUESDAY, JULY 18 | ADVENTURES IN THE JUDEAN DESERT

  • Rise early and walk up the Roman Ramp trail to the summit of Masada
  • Explore 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
  • Take a short nature walk to the desert oasis at Ein Gedi National Park and view wild ibex in their natural habitat
  • Experience the wonder of effortless floating on the Dead Sea at Kalya Beach (boxed lunch provided)
  • Drive to Tel Aviv – Israel’s cultural and financial capital
  • Check in to our hotel along the coast and enjoy a free evening in the city

OVERNIGHT: DAN PANORAMA, TEL AVIV
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

WEDNESDAY, JULY 19 | TEL AVIV – THE FIRST HEBREW CITY

  • Travel to Neot Kedumim Biblical Park to plant a tree in a JNF forest and discover the natural world of ancient Israel
  • Visit the Ayalon Institute (“the Bullet Factory”) – Learn about the story of the Haganah and the quest to create a modern Jewish State at this secret ammunition factory
    Break for lunch on your own along the way
  • Return to Tel Aviv for a tour of the ancient port city of Jaffa and then continue on to explore the early Tel Aviv neighborhood of Neve Tzedek, walk along trendy Rothschild Boulevard, and view Israel’s Independence Hall (currently closed for renovations)
  • Evening: Discover the richness of Jewish-Ethiopian culture and take part in a culinary workshop & traditional meal at the Battae Heritage Center in Tel Aviv

OVERNIGHT: DAN PANORAMA, TEL AVIV
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

THURSDAY, JULY 20 | LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

  • Morning: Beach time in Tel Aviv (optional surf lessons for an additional cost)
  • Check-out of the hotel – option to stow luggage at the hotel or on our bus
  • Return to Jaffa to learn how Israel became the “Startup Nation” at the Peres Center for Peace & Innovation in Jaffa
  • Break for a closing lunch at Tel Aviv’s iconic Dr. Shakshouka restaurant in Jaffa
  • Afternoon programming options:
    • Guide-led tour of the Levinsky Market
    • Volunteering project at the Jaffa Institute
  • Evening: Transfer from the hotel to Ben Gurion Airport for overnight flights

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

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WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • A licensed Israeli guide accompanies the group daily
    Additional support staff accompany the tour according to the size of the group
  • Travel on a luxury motorcoach daily with the exception of Shabbat
  • Accommodations per the itinerary with breakfast daily and porterage included
  • Programming and meals per the itinerary
  • Tickets to the opening ceremony of the JCC Maccabi Games
    Additional registration will be required but at no cost
  • Gratuities for program staff and at restaurant meals
  • All applicable taxes
    A 17% VAT (tax) applies for Israeli passport holders at hotels. Contact us to make arrangements

Not Included:


TRAVELING TO AND FROM ISRAEL
Travelers are responsible for booking their own travel to and from Israel. At the end of the program on July 20th, travelers will be escorted back to Ben Gurion Airport for overnight flights home from Israel. Travelers wishing to stay later will be accommodated at the group hotels by special request. Contact Authentic Israel for additional details.

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REGISTRATION

Sign up for the program by completing the online REGISTRATION FORM

WHAT IT COSTS

LAND PACKAGE: $3,985/Person

  • Base price assumes double-room hotel occupancy
  • Single-room hotel supplement: $885/person
  • Discount for children 13-18 sharing a room: -$300
    Up to three travelers per room
  • Discount for children 2-12 sharing a room: -$500
    Up to four travelers per room. To qualify for a four-person room, at least two travelers in the room must be no older than age 12.

PAYMENT & CANCELLATION TERMS

  • To reserve your place on the program, a $250/person refundable deposit is due with your registration.
  • The deposit becomes non-refundable as of March 1, 2023.
  • The program price is based on a minimum of 15 confirmed participants fully registered as of March 2, 2023, and we encourage you to avoid booking non-refundable flights until we have notified you that the program is fully confirmed. If the minimum group size is not reached, your deposit will be refunded in full.
  • The balance of payment is due by May 1, 2023, and is non-refundable as of that date.
  • Cancelation must be made in writing to Authentic Israel. We encourage you to obtain a travel protection plan prior to making the final payment (children under age 18 traveling with a covered adult are included at no additional cost).
  • Payment for the deposit may be made by check or credit card, and no credit card fees apply
  • The program may be paid for by check or credit card. However, if you wish to pay by credit card, a 3.0% processing fee applies (credit card fees are not refundable in all scenarios).
  • All posted program prices are in US Dollars

*Our travel protection plan must be issued before final payment is made. Some benefits are only available if the policy is purchased within 21 days of your initial registration.

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS