December 2026

4pm Program Start

• Welcome to modern Tel Aviv! Each day will have a theme that helps us explore parts of Judaism and Israel. The theme for our first day is Hebrew, an ancient language that has been revived to shape Israel’s identity. Language is a window to a culture and a people and our time in Israel will help us understand it better.
• We’ll meet at 4pm at the hotel for drinks and bites, as well as an opening program to welcome you warmly to Israel and the HMI journey.

Overnight: Tel Aviv

• Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading to the beach for a morning with Ha’Gal Sheli, an organization that uses the power of the sea to build confidence, resilience, and connection. You’ll have the chance to take part in classic Israeli beach activities like surfing, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), beach volleyball, and matkot.

• Return to the hotel to refresh before enjoying free time to explore Shuk HaCarmel and the nearby Nachalat Binyamin Craft Market. Wander through colorful market stalls, browse handmade goods from local artisans, and grab lunch on your own at one of the many cafés or street food vendors.

• In the afternoon, we’ll visit ANU – Museum of the Jewish People, an interactive museum that explores the story of the Jewish people across time and around the world. Through engaging exhibits, ANU celebrates the diversity of Jewish identities, cultures, and communities.

• After the museum, we’ll hear from a speaker who will share the story of the Ethiopian Jewish community and their remarkable journey to Israel, offering insight into one of the many vibrant communities that make up Israeli society today.

• We’ll then gather for HMI Conversation #1, our first opportunity to reflect on the day’s experiences, ask big questions, and begin building community together.

• Dinner is on your own this evening, giving you the chance to explore Tel Aviv’s incredible food scene at your own pace.

  Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Tel Aviv

• Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before traveling south with our partners at Yahel for a meaningful day of volunteering in the communities surrounding Gaza, known as the Otef. Together, we’ll contribute to local recovery efforts while connecting with the people and places most deeply impacted by the events of October 7. This experience offers an opportunity to put Jewish values into action through service, solidarity, and shared responsibility.

• We’ll also visit the Nova Festival Memorial Site in Re’im to honor the lives lost during the October 7 attacks and learn about their lasting impact on the region. Following our visit, we’ll gather for a facilitated processing session, creating space to reflect on the experience together.

• After returning to Tel Aviv, you’ll have dinner on your own before heading out to experience the city’s vibrant nightlife. Our evening tour will introduce you to the energy, culture, and social scene that make Tel Aviv one of the most dynamic cities in the world.

• Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Tel Aviv

• Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out and making our way to Jerusalem.

• Our first stop is the Tower of David Museum, where we’ll explore the history of Jerusalem through an engaging museum experience. We’ll also hear from a panel of two speakers who will share different perspectives on the city, offering insight into its rich history, diverse communities, and the complexity of life in Jerusalem today.

• Next, you’ll have free time for lunch on your own in the Old City, with the opportunity to explore its winding streets and choose from a variety of local restaurants and cafés.

• In the afternoon, we’ll take a guided tour of Jerusalem’s Old City, visiting its historic quarters and experiencing the places that hold deep significance for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

• Later, we’ll gather for HMI Conversation #2, creating space to reflect on the day’s experiences, engage with one another, and continue building community.

• Dinner is on your own this evening.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Jerusalem

• Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before beginning the day at Mount Herzl, Israel’s national cemetery and memorial site. Here, we’ll learn about the individuals whose lives and leadership helped shape the State of Israel while reflecting on themes of remembrance, sacrifice, and national identity.

• We’ll then visit Yad Vashem, Israel’s national Holocaust memorial and museum. Through its exhibits and memorial spaces, we’ll honor the memory of the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust and consider how this history continues to shape Jewish life and identity today.

• Following our visit, we’ll gather for a facilitated processing session to reflect together on the experiences and emotions of the morning.

• Afterward, enjoy lunch on your own and free time at Mahane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem’s vibrant shuk, where you can sample local favorites, browse the market stalls, and soak in the city’s lively atmosphere.

• As evening approaches, we’ll welcome Shabbat together with Kabbalat Shabbat, marking the beginning of Judaism’s weekly day of rest and renewal.

• Before dinner, join us for Ask the Rabbi, an open and welcoming conversation with our Jewish Educator. Whether you’ve been wondering about Judaism, Israel, traditions, or anything you’ve experienced throughout the week, this is a chance to ask questions, share reflections, and learn together.

We’ll end the day by gathering for a festive Shabbat dinner, celebrating the start of Shabbat as a community.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Jerusalem

• Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before joining Avraham Infeld for a meaningful session on The Five-Legged Table, his framework for understanding the different elements that shape Jewish identity, belonging, and connection. This conversation will invite us to reflect on the many ways people experience Jewish life and community.

• Afterward, we’ll enjoy a picnic in Gan Sacher (Sacher Park) with Sortir, creating space to process the session, share reflections, and connect with one another.

• In the afternoon, choose between two immersive experiences: a visit to the Israel Museum, where you can explore the history, art, and culture of Israel, or a MEJDI dual narratives tour, offering an opportunity to engage with multiple perspectives and stories connected to Israel and the region.

• We’ll come back together for Havdalah, marking the end of Shabbat and welcoming the new week as a community.

• Dinner is on your own this evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Jerusalem

• Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading out for the day.

• Our first stop will be the Dead Sea and Ein Gedi, where we’ll experience the unique beauty of Israel’s desert landscape and the lowest place on earth. Take in the dramatic scenery and the natural wonders of this incredible region before continuing north.

• We’ll stop in Beit She’an for lunch on your own, with time to grab a bite and explore this historic area.

• After lunch, we’ll continue north for an Israeli Arab Task Force (IATF) experience, where we’ll hear from members of the IATF Speaker Fellows cohort. These diverse young leaders bring perspectives from fields including journalism, higher education, arts and culture, civil society, economic development, and high-tech, sharing their experiences, communities, and visions for the future.

• After arriving at our hotel and settling in, we’ll gather for dinner together at the hotel.

• The evening continues with a boat ride featuring music, dancing, and a DJ, offering a chance to relax, celebrate, and connect with the group in a fun setting.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight: Northern Israel

• Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before traveling to Tzfat (Safed), a mystical city nestled in the Galilee mountains and a historic center of Jewish spirituality, Kabbalah, and artistic expression. During our tour, we’ll explore the city’s winding alleyways, historic sites, and vibrant creative community while reflecting on the many layers of Jewish life and tradition found throughout Israel.

• After the tour, enjoy lunch on your own and take time to explore Tzfat at your own pace.

• We’ll then gather for HMI Conversation #3, our final opportunity to reflect on our shared experiences, revisit the questions and connections that emerged throughout the trip, and look ahead to continuing our communities at home.

• We’ll conclude our time together with a closing dinner at a local winery, celebrating the memories, relationships, and insights built throughout our journey.

• After dinner, we’ll transfer to the airport for our return flight home.

Meals: Breakfast