Draft Itinerary
*As of May 7, 2024. Subject to change
RECOMMENDED FLIGHT
1:30 p.m. Depart Newark Airport, El Al Flight # LY28
MONDAY, JULY 1: Arrival in Israel
6:55 a.m. Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport
Transfer to Jerusalem
Meet with evacuees and with Dena Dworin, Partnership Manager and JDC Global Resource Development. Hear about the efforts of JDC to assist the evacuees. Get a glimpse of their everyday lives, as they move forward in their home away from home. Hear about the Hibuki Doll (hug): Developed in 2006, Hibuki is JDC’s pioneering trauma therapy program for children ages 3 to 9. The process features a comforting stuffed animal companion as part of the therapeutic approach. This innovative, play-based intervention not only focuses on the child’s journey to healing, but also incorporates a vital component for parental support and guidance to navigate the trauma together with their children.
Visit United Hatzala and see the work they do around the clock, specifically on and after October 7, 2024.
Proceed to Old City for lunch in the Jewish Quarter. Visit to the Western Wall. During regular days the old city is packed with tourists but during these challenging days it looks different and many locals are joining at the Western Wall to seek comfort and pray for the return of the hostages.
Check in to your hotel.
Dinner and an Israel update briefing with Maj. (Res.) Dan Feferman.
TUESDAY, JULY 2
Breakfast at the hotel
Depart to the South
Visit Ofakim, that was severely affected by the October 7th atrocities. More than 50 people were murdered there and this was also the site of the hostage situation at Rachel Edri’s house.
Dedication of new Resilience Center
Volunteering with children in summer camps
Home Hospitality in Ofakim.
Proceed to Nir Oz – During the October 7 atrocities, Kibbutz Nir Oz was one of the Kibbutzim that was severely attacked with more than 38 elderly, adults, women, children and babies murdered and 72 people kidnapped. Today, 36 of them are still kidnapped. When looking at Kibbutz Nir Oz as a whole, 1 of every 4 Kibbutz members, was either murdered or kidnapped (TBD).
Visit the Nova site next to Kibbutz Re’im, where 364 people were murdered and 44 were kidnapped.
Proceed to Kibbutz Erez, one of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest partnerships. Meet with families and hear their stories from October 7.
Return to Jerusalem.
Dinner on own.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3
Breakfast at hotel.
Proceed to Volunteer activities for the morning, including packing food boxes for soldiers and evacuees.
Meet with injured soldiers and hear their stories.
Lunch en route.
Proceed to the ANU museum. Formerly called the diaspora museum, ANU museum is the museum that tells the story of the Jewish people. After October 7, the ANU museum created an exhibition that shares the stories of the October 7 events.
Visit Hostage Square and meet with families of the hostages.
Return to the hotel.
Dinner and discussion with Tali Levanon from Israel Trauma Coalition
THURSDAY, JULY 4
Breakfast at the hotel.
Meet with JAFI to hear about their work during the past year assisting evacuees and businesses that were affected by the October 7 events.
Volunteering activity (TBD)
Return to the hotel to freshen up before the flight. Late check-out.
Farewell dinner with MK Idan Roll (TBD).
Proceed to Ben Gurion airport for those departing tonight*
FRIDAY, JULY 5
RECOMMENDED FLIGHT
12:30 a.m. Depart Tel Aviv, El Al Flight # LY27
5:15 a.m. Arrives Newark
*Optional extension available
COST:
4 Star hotel: Dan Panorama
$3,650 per person (land only, based on double occupancy), due at registration.
$575 – Single room supplemental cost
5 Star hotel: The Inbal
$3,975 per person (land only, based on double occupancy), due at registration
$675 – Single room supplemental cost
Included
- Group airport “meet & greet” service upon arrival and departure
- Group airport transfer from final dinner to Ben Gurion airport
- 3 nights of hotel accommodations with daily breakfast & late check out
- Transportation throughout
- 4 days with a tour guide, armed security guard, Gratuities for driver and guide
- Meetings and volunteer activities
- All meals except 1 free dinner
Not Included
- International flights
- Travel or medical insurance
- Private, individual airport assistance and/or transfers