Get ready to spend next summer in the best place on earth - Israel - with the best trip to get you there - Young Judaea Gesher!
Our program itinerary is subject to change as we monitor the evolving security situation in Israel. The safety and security of our participants continues to be our top priority on Gesher, and all scheduled activities follow the updating national safety guidelines for all educational programs in Israel.
*Linked Here is our Summer 2024 schedule for you to see the awesome Summer our participants just had!*
Day 1 | Tuesday Welcome to Israel!
Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport and meet your new friends!
Drive to KibbutzKetura for our first check in and a quick orientation
Join in fun activities and icebreakers before turning in for the night
Day 2 | Wednesday Kibbutz Ketura
Get to know the rest of the group with some fun opening activities
Tour behind the scenes at Kibbutz Ketura followed by a sunset hike in the Arava Valley
Relax with a BBQ and then singing around the bonfire under the desert stars
Day 3| Thursday Exploring the Arava
Explore the desert landscape by hiking in the Eilat Mountains
Visit Kibbutz Yotvata and enjoy an ice cream tasting with fresh flavors made there!
Snorkel the Red Sea in Eilat and see incredible aquatic life before relaxing on the beach
Day 4 | Friday Drive to Jerusalem
Show off your best gymnastics as you conquer the incredible sand dunes of Kasui
Check out the beautiful and unique natural environment at MitzpeRamon
Arrive in Jerusalem to welcome in Shabbat together
Day 5 | Saturday Shabbat in the Holy City
Enjoy relaxing and pluralist Shabbat services in Jerusalem
Engage in dialogue with your peers on a variety of topics, play games and rest
Close out Shabbat with songs, Havdallah, and rikud (Israeli dancing)!
Day 6 | Sunday The City of David
Go underground into the Western Wall tunnels and get up close with history
Visit the Western Wall and wander the ancient and lively Jewish Quarter
Head out for a free evening on Ben Yehuda Street
Day 7 | Monday History of Modern Jerusalem
Walk through the historical sites of modern Jerusalem to learn about the city's founding
Tour the colorful Mahane Yehuda market and enjoy delicious local lunch
Israel Update with Neil Lazarus discussing the geopolitics of the region
Day 8 | Tuesday Yad Vashem & Mt. Herzl
Engage with history and the Holocaust at Yad Vashem
Honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice at Har Herzl National Cemetery
Enjoy an evening out at Jerusalem's First Station
Day 9 | Wednesday Visiting Sderot
Talk to local community leaders in Sderot and listen to their stories of resilience
Camel ride through the beautiful desert landscape
End the night together with a bonfire under the stars
Day 10 | Thursday Masada & The Dead Sea
Greet the sunrise after an early morning hike to the top of Masada
Cover yourself in mud and float with your friends in the Dead Sea
Reflect as a group with activities looking back on the first half of the trip
Day 11 | Friday Fun on the Kineret
Choose from a range of invigorating water sports and challenges on Lake Kineret
Hike the Madras Trail and enjoy Israel's lush greenery, streams, and pools
Rest up and welcome in Shabbat with pluralist tefilah (services) and dinner
Day 12 | Saturday Shabbat on the Kineret
Optional Shabbat morning pluralist services
Engage in dialogue with your peers on a variety of topics, play games and rest
Close the week with singing and dancing following Havdallah
Day 13 | Sunday Exploring Haifa
Take in the beautiful views and greenery hiking through Mt. Carmel
Marvel at the beautiful Bahai Gardens in Haifa while exploring different faiths
Meet with and get to know local Israeli Arab teens to learn about their experiences
Day 14 | Monday The Carmel Region
Harness up to do some rappelling down the Carmel Mountains
Visit Crusader ruins in Ancient Akko on the shore of the Mediterranean
Spend the evening with Israel's Druze community and learn about their culture
Day 15 | Tuesday Camping in the Carmel
Set up camp and then start the day with a hike through Mt. Arbel
Explore the natural landscape by rafting through it on kayaks
Relax and play games at the campsite with your friends
Day 16 | Drive to Tel Aviv
Go swimming in the natural pools at Gan HaShlosha Park
Tour the ancient port of Old Jaffa and hunt some bargains in the hip flea market
Get to know the hi-tech scene in Tel Aviv and visit an Israeli Start Up
Day 17 | Thursday Tel Aviv after October 7th
See how local artists tell the stories of October 7th on a street art tour of South Tel Aviv
Visit Hostage Square and meet with local volunteer organizations
Volunteer packaging food and toiletries for displaced families in need
Day 18 | Friday Beach Day
Check out the art for sale at Nachalat Binyamin and pick up snacks at the Carmel Market
Relax on the beach with your friends and see what Friday in Tel Aviv is all about!
Bring in Shabbat together and reflect on the last weekend of the trip
Day 19 | Saturday Shabbat in Tel Aviv
Enjoy relaxing and pluralist Shabbat services in Tel Aviv
Take a walk through Tel Aviv and spend the day hanging out with friends
Celebrate Havdallah on the beach with dancing and singing to start a new week
Day 20 | Sunday L'hitraot!
Reflect on your incredible journey with closing activities
Enjoy lunch together and spend time hanging out before getting ready to depart
Time to return to the US! It's not goodbye - it's just l'hitraot (see you)!
Your Summer is on Gesher!
Ready to spend your summer in Israel? So are we! Get in touch now.
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