May 2027

• Check in to the hotel and settle in.
• We’ll gather for a Shehecheyanu, the Jewish blessing traditionally said to celebrate meaningful new moments and experiences, as we officially welcome you to HMI.
• Over light bites, we’ll hear from Ashager Araro on the tapestry of the Jewish story, exploring the histories and identities that make up the Jewish people. Together, we’ll begin framing the week ahead and the many ways we can connect to Jewish life, community, and one another.
• Dinner is on your own, or take the evening to rest and recharge after your travels.

Meals: Light bites

Overnight: Tel Aviv

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• We’ll start with Israel 101 and an interactive Declaration of Independence activity, exploring the ideas, hopes, and complexities that have shaped the modern State of Israel.
• Next, we’ll explore Jaffa and Neve Tzedek, two neighborhoods that offer different windows into Tel Aviv’s history, culture, and creative spirit.
• Come hungry! We’ll experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of Shuk HaCarmel on a food tour through one of Tel Aviv’s most vibrant markets.
• In the afternoon, we’ll visit ANU, the Museum of the Jewish People, to explore the diverse stories, traditions, and identities that connect Jewish communities across generations and around the world.
• Back together, we’ll gather for HMI Conversation #1. These dedicated conversations give us space to reflect on what we’re experiencing, ask big questions, and build connections with the couples sharing this experience.
• Dinner is on your own. Enjoy an evening out in Tel Aviv or take some time to explore at your own pace.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Tel Aviv

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• We’ll visit the Nova Festival memorial site, taking time to remember those whose lives were lost on October 7, 2023, and reflect on the lasting impact of that day. Through song, poetry, and Jewish practices for honoring grief, we’ll create space to process together.
• From there, we’ll head south to volunteer with Yahel, connecting with communities in the region and learning about the people and organizations working to support them. We’ll explore what it means to show up for others and put our values into action.
• After returning to Tel Aviv, enjoy dinner on your own before heading out to experience another side of the city.
• On a nightlife tour led by a member of the LGBTQ+ community who is also a musician and graffiti artist, we’ll explore Tel Aviv’s vibrant creative scene and the people who help make it what it is.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Tel Aviv

• Breakfast at the hotel, then check out.
• As we travel to Jerusalem, we’ll welcome our Israeli mifgash couples, who will join us for shared experiences and conversations throughout the coming days. We’ll use our time on the bus to get to know one another and begin building connections.
• We’ll visit the Tower of David Museum for its DiverCity tour, exploring the many histories, identities, and perspectives that shape Jerusalem. A panel featuring speakers from different religious and cultural backgrounds will invite us to listen, learn, and consider the city through multiple lenses.
• Lunch is on your own in the Old City. Explore the market stalls, grab a bite, and take in the energy of this remarkable part of Jerusalem.
• We’ll continue with a tour of the Old City, ending at the Kotel (Western Wall), a place of deep historical and spiritual significance for many.
• After checking in to our hotel, we’ll gather for HMI Conversation #2 to reflect on the day, share perspectives, and explore the questions and connections emerging from our time together.
• Dinner is on your own.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Jerusalem

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• We’ll spend the morning at Yad Vashem, Israel’s World Holocaust Remembrance Center, honoring the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and reflecting on how this history continues to shape Jewish identity and collective memory.
• Next, we’ll visit Har Herzl, Israel’s national military cemetery and a place of remembrance. Through stories shared by our Israeli couples and Jewish mourning rituals, including the Mourner’s Kaddish, we’ll make space to reflect on loss, memory, and the lives behind the history.
• We’ll head to the shuk for lunch and some free time to explore Jerusalem at your own pace.
• As the sun begins to set, we’ll come together for Kabbalat Shabbat, welcoming the Jewish day of rest through prayer, song, and shared ritual.
• Then it’s time to gather around the table for Shabbat dinner, sharing a meal and celebrating the connections we’re building with our fellow HMI couples and Israeli friends.

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• We’ll spend time with Avraham Infeld exploring the Five-Legged Table, a framework for understanding Jewish identity that makes room for the many ways people connect to Jewish life, history, culture, and community.
• We’ll gather for Kiddush, a blessing over wine that helps us sanctify Shabbat and celebrate the day together.
• The afternoon is yours to shape. Choose from an Israel Museum tour, a MEJDI dual-narratives tour of the Old City, or free time to explore Jerusalem independently. Each option offers a different way to experience the city and its many stories.
• We’ll reconvene to reflect on the Five-Legged Table and what it means for our own lives, relationships, and communities. Then, we’ll mark the transition out of Shabbat with Havdalah (end of Shabbat ceremony) and an open, welcoming Ask the Rabbi conversation, a chance to bring your questions about Judaism and Jewish life.
• We’ll say goodbye to our Israeli mifgash couples as they head home.
• Dinner is on your own. Enjoy a final evening exploring Jerusalem with your fellow HMI couples.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Jerusalem

• Breakfast at the hotel, then we’re off to explore the remarkable landscapes of southern Israel.
• We’ll visit Masada, the ancient desert fortress overlooking the Dead Sea, and learn about the history and stories associated with this iconic site.
• Next, we’ll head to the Dead Sea, where you’ll have time to experience one of the world’s most extraordinary natural environments.
• Lunch at the Dead Sea.
• We’ll continue south through the desert landscape to Yerucham, a community with connections to your local Jewish community through its supported projects and partnerships.
• After checking in to our hotel, we’ll come together for an HMI party and dinner inspired by the joy, music, and celebration of an Israeli wedding. Get ready to eat, dance, celebrate, and enjoy being part of this growing HMI community!

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Overnight: Yerucham, southern Israel

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• We’ll spend the day in Yerucham, getting to know the people and projects supported by our local Jewish community and learning more about life in southern Israel.
• Potential experiences include a Yemenite cooking workshop, an intimate tour exploring the many people and stories of Israel with local community members, and an opportunity to learn about nearby Bedouin communities. Through these encounters, we’ll hear personal stories, discover new perspectives, and deepen our understanding of the communities that make up Israeli society.
• We’ll come together for HMI Conversation #3, making space to reflect on the week, the relationships we’ve built, and the ideas we’ll carry home.
• We’ll close our time together with dinner at a local winery, celebrating the people, conversations, and experiences that have made this week our own.
• Then it’s time to transfer to the airport and begin the journey home, taking the connections and questions of HMI with us.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Departure: Transfer to the airport