AHAVAT OLAM – COMMUNITY ISRAEL TRIP
A MULTIGENERATIONAL TOUR | JUNE 29–JULY 9, 2026
In 2023, we were saddened to cancel our community Israel trip. Today, I am filled with joy that we are once again preparing for Congregation Ahavat Olam’s first-ever journey to Israel — this coming summer together!
This experience will offer us a remarkable opportunity to encounter our beautiful ancestral homeland firsthand: its history, its vibrant culture, and its extraordinary achievements in innovation, art, and spirit.
Einat, Yahli, Ilahy, and I cannot wait to explore Israel with you — to walk in the footsteps of our ancestors, deepen our connection to Judaism, enjoy delicious cuisine, and create memories together that will last a lifetime.
Congregation Ahavat Olam's Community Israel Trip is an active travel experience designed for adults and families alike (most appropriate for children age 8+). Space is limited, first preference will be given to Ahavat members.
THE EXPERIENCE
This projected itinerary is subject to change based on local conditions and availability
MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2026
Travelers are encouraged to reserve tickets on a designated community flight – EL AL Airlines #16 – departing from Boston at 8:30pm
TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2026
- The designated community flight arrives to Ben Gurion Airport at 1:50pm
A VIP greeting and transfer to our hotel is included for all travelers arriving today between 6:00am-4:35pm - Shehecheyanu! Celebrate the start of our journey in the ancient port city of Jaffa, overlooking the ultra-modern Tel AvivWelcome dinner at the iconic Itzik HaGadol restaurant
OVERNIGHT: Royal Beach Hotel, Tel Aviv
Meals Included: Dinner
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2026
- Morning: Introduction to the Land of Israel, exploring the Neot Kedumim Biblical Park – Take part in the tradition of planting a tree in a JNF forest
- Free time to browse the Jaffa Flea Market and grab lunch on your own
- Explore the beauty of Hebrew graffiti art on a guided walking tour of Tel Aviv’s Florentine neighborhood
- The rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy the beaches of Tel Aviv
- Evening: Discover the richness of Jewish Ethiopian culture over dinner at Balinjera Restaurant
OVERNIGHT: Royal Beach Hotel, Tel Aviv
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026
- Check out of our hotel after breakfast
- Machon Ayalon (“The Bullet Factory”) – Learn about the history of the Hagannah and the struggle to create a modern Jewish State at this secret munitions factory
- Visit Netiv HaAsara on the border with Gaza to hear the personal testimony from October 7th and experience the community's resilience (lunch included)
- Make a somber visit to the Nova Music Festival memorial grounds and view the Tekuma car cemetery for a different perspective on the scale of the October 7th attacks
- Ascend to Jerusalem – stopping for a panoramic introduction at the Haas Promenade
- Check in to our Jerusalem hotel – free evening and dinner on your own along Ben Yehuda Street Pedestrian Mall
OVERNIGHT: Herbert Samuel Hotel, Jerusalem
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2026
- Walk the Rampart Walls surrounding the Old City – from Jaffa Gate to Zion Gate
- Enter the Old City at Zion Gate and explore the ancient alleyways, rooftops, and squares of the Jewish Quarter
- Reflections at the Kotel – The Western Wall complex – Judaism’s holiest site and explore layers of Jewish history, exploring the Kotel Tunnels
- Discover the foundations of Jerusalem at the City of David excavations
- Return to our accommodations to get refreshed before the start of Shabbat
Optional visit to the 9-11 Memorial in the forests outside of Jerusalem - Evening – Kabbalat Shabbat experience in Jerusalem (TBD) followed by dinner at our hotel
OVERNIGHT: Herbert Samuel Hotel, Jerusalem
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2026
Today’s itinerary is entirely on foot
- Free morning to attend a local minyan, relax, or explore Jerusalem on your own
- Afternoon walking tour – Return to the Old City to explore the Christian and Muslim Quarters of the Old City, including the Via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and the Arab Bazaar (Shuk)
- Late Afternoon: 4th of July ice cream party celebration!
- Mark the start of a new week with Havdallah at the Montefiore Windmill in the “new Jerusalem” neighborhood of Yemin Moshe, overlooking the Old City Walls
- Evening: Special and group night out in Jerusalem!
OVERNIGHT: Herbert Samuel Hotel, Jerusalem
Meals Included: Breakfast
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2026
- Experience the Yad VaShem World Holocaust Remembrance Center
Younger children have the option to explore the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo - Browse the Mahane Yehuda open-air marketplace and sample its many delicacies
- Photo-op at the Knesset’s National Menorah – Discover Israel's democratic system at its parliament building (grounds only)
- Herzl National Cemetery – Honor Israel's national leaders and fallen soldiers
- Camel riding + desert tent dinner feast at Eretz Breisheit encampment
OVERNIGHT: Herbert Samuel Hotel, Jerusalem
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
MONDAY, JULY 6, 2026
- Early AM – Check out of our hotel and depart for the Judean Desert (breakfast boxes)
- Ascend Masada – Tour Herod’s mountain fortress and bastion of an ancient Jewish rebellion
Option to hike up the Snake Path or take cable cars - Descend Masada via the cable cars
- Enjoy effortless Dead Sea floating with access to the Vert Resort facilities
- Short hike to the desert waterfalls of Ein Gedi – view ibex in the wild (time permitting)
- Continue to the Galilee via the Jordan Valley and check in to our country accommodations – check in and dinner at our accommodations
OVERNIGHT: Ramot Resort, Sea of Galilee
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2026
- Ancient Tsfat – Explore the historic center of Jewish mysticism in the Galilee highlands
- Meet with Kabbalistic artist, Avraham Lowenthal, in the Tsfat artists' colony
- Ascend the Golan Heights and gain new insights with a view of the region from the summit of Ben Tal
- Cool off rafting down the Jordan River
Alternative: Visit Tel Dan – one of the oldest Biblical-era archeological sites in Israel - Dinner is included at our hotel
OVERNIGHT: Ramot Resort, Sea of Galilee
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2026
- Check out of our hotel after breakfast
- Travel to Haifa for a tour of the Bahai Temple Gardens on Mount Carmel
- Ascend into the Carmel Mountains – Encounter with the Druze culture and share a traditional meal in the village of Ussafiya
- Root for Team USA, attending a competition at the 2026 Maccabiah Games
- Caesarea National Park – Tour Herod’s Roman amphitheater and grand palace on the beach
- Discover the story of Hannah Szenes at her home in Kibbutz Sdot Yam
- Return to Ben Gurion Airport in the evening
- Board an overnight international flight home or your onward destination
- Board a domestic flight from Tel Aviv to Eilat
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
OPTIONAL EILAT EXTENSION
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2026
- Evening: Arrive to Ilan Ramon Airport in Eilat
- Pick-up and transfer to our hotel in Eilat
OVERNIGHT: Herods Palace Eilat
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2026
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Free day to explore Eilat on your own
OVERNIGHT: Herods Palace Eilat
Meals Included: Breakfast
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2026
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Program Options:
- Guided day tour of Petra (add-on cost)
- Free day to explore Eilat on your own
- Option to include Shabbat dinner if requested
OVERNIGHT: Herods Palace Eilat
Meals Included: Breakfast
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2026
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Free day to explore Eilat on your own
Use of the hotel’s pool and changing room facilitates post-checkout - Evening: Transfer to Ilan Ramon Eilat Airport for flights back to Ben Gurion Airport
- Connect to onward overnight flights home departing this evening
The recommended flight is EL AL #15 departing at 1:05am on July 12 and arriving back to Boston at 5:45am that same day
Meals Included: Breakfast
PROGRAM COSTS
The program costs assume a minimum group size of 20 travelers. A discount of $550/person will apply should we reach a group size of 30+ travelers.
| Cost Per Traveler | Main Program | Main Program + Eilat Extension |
|---|---|---|
Base Cost | $4,870 | $5,670 |
| Supplement for a single room | +$1,650 | +$1,900 |
| Discount for ages 12 and under sharing a triple or quad occupancy hotel room According to hotel rules, two full-paying travelers and two travelers ages 12 and under must be present to qualify for a quad occupancy room and the associated discounts | -$650 | -$750 |
| Discount for ages 14-17 sharing a triple occupancy hotel room At least one full-paying traveler is required in the room for the discount to apply for children ages 13-17 | -$300 | -$350 |
| Petra Day Tour Option Excludes visa & border crossing fees at ~$130/person | N/A | +$225 |
WHAT'S INCLUDED
We'll provide the service so that you can focus on the experience
- An Israeli guide leads the group 24 x 7
- Deluxe motorcoach + private driver daily
No bus on Saturday in Jerusalem - Accommodations per the itinerary with porterage included
- Programming per the itinerary
- Meals per the itinerary – kosher
NOT INCLUDED
- Guide and driver gratuities (suggesed at $100-$150/person)
- International flights
- Local medical insurance and/or travel insurance
- For Israeli citizens only – value added tax (VAT) equal to 18% of hotel costs
- For non-Israeli citizens – ETA-IL Israel entry fee (~$7/person)
ENROLLMEMT TERMS
- A $250/person deposit is due with your registration and is considered non-refundable as of February 1, 2026
- The balance is due no later than April 15, 2026, after which payments are nonrefundable
- Unique exceptions are considered on a case-by-case basis
- Cancellations must be made in writing
- The program is subject to a minimum participation of 20 travelers registered by February 2, 2026 and a maximum group of 40 travelers. Travelers are encouraged to avoid booking non-refundable flights until the minimum participation is reached.
The Eilat Extension is subject to a minimum of 10 travelers - Payments may be made by check or credit/debit card, however, a 3.5% processing fee applies for credit/debit card payments (does not apply to initial $250 deposit).
NOTE: credit card fees are not refundable - Authentic Israel reserves the right to deny participation according to its sole discretion