January 2026

• Depart the U.S.

Overnight: Flight

• Welcome to Jerusalem!
• Each group will meet their tour educator at the airport and enjoy a boxed meal. We will celebrate our arrival with the shehecheyanu (Hebrew for a Jewish blessing for gratitude), acknowledging how fortunate and excited we are to have arrived at this moment.
• Check in to the hotel, and get ready for Shabbat.
• We will light Shabbat candles and experience a Kabbalat Shabbat (Welcome to Shabbat) service together with your new friends overlooking the Old City.
• Enjoy a delicious Shabbat Dinner with other HMI groups.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Jerusalem

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• The Five-Legged Table: Reflections on the Jewish Family: This session will provide a thought-provoking framework for the trip and for understanding the foundational aspects of Jewish identity and community.
• Kiddush (celebratory meal for Shabbat) lunch to follow.
• Four Quarters, Three Religions, One City: Set off for a walking tour through the Old City of Jerusalem. We will explore the various quarters to witness diverse communities, their history, and holiness.
• Honeymoon Israel Conversation #1 “The Individual”: During our journey, there will be four Honeymoon Israel Conversations—dedicated time for the group to process our experience, explore big questions, and build a sense of community. This will be followed by a memorable Havdalah (separation ritual to differentiate the week from Shabbat) ceremony to end Shabbat together.
• Dinner on own and evening at leisure. Refer to HMI’s Restaurant Guide for recommendations.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Jerusalem

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Optional: Israel 101 with tour educators.
• We’ll hear from Amit Segal, an Israeli journalist and television personality. He serves as chief political analyst for Israel’s leading news outlet, Channel 12 News, and the country’s most-read newspaper, Israel Hayom. Segal also anchors Israel’s highly-watched “Meet the Press” show on Channel 12.
• We’ll return to the Old City for lunch on your own and time to explore the shuk (market), a lively maze of shops filled with spices, crafts, and keepsakes that tell the story of this ancient city.
• In the afternoon, we’ll hear from Nivine Sandouka, the Regional Director of the Alliance for Middle East Peace. Nivine is an expert in the fields of program development, management, peace building, gender issues, and political affairs. She will speak on Palestinian identity and narrative, as well as her experiences as a coexistence leader. 
• Dinner on your own, with some optional activities after (challah baking, pub crawl, or free time) 

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Jerusalem

• • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Our morning will be spent at Yad Vashem, Israel’s national Holocaust museum and memorial. Here, we’ll honor the memory of the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust (Shoah in Hebrew) and reflect on how this history shapes the Jewish story — and the world — today.
  • Lunch on your own at Mahane Yehuda Market — Jerusalem’s famous shuk (market), now also a hub of lively cafés and hidden eateries.
  • We will hear from Yotam Polizer, CEO of IsraAID. Yotam has an extensive background in international development and humanitarian aid. He currently leads a team of 300+ activists in 14 countries, including a large-scale operation in war-torn Ukraine.
  • We will meet for Honeymoon Israel Conversation #2 “The Couple” at the hotel.
  • Dinner on your own and evening at leisure.

• Breakfast at the hotel. 
• As Low as It Goes: We’ll leave Jerusalem and journey down to the Dead Sea Basin — 1,412 feet below sea level — the lowest place on earth. As we drive, we’ll take in the breathtaking beauty of Israel’s desert landscapes.
• We’ll ascend Masada by cable car to explore its extraordinary views and powerful history. Masada, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the final stronghold of Jewish rebels against Roman forces around 74 CE, during the Second Temple period. Together, we’ll reflect on its lasting symbolism in Jewish and Israeli identity.
• Muddy Good Fun: We’ll “swim” (really, float effortlessly!) in the Dead Sea, whose salty waters and mineral-rich mud are famous for their healing properties. Cover yourself in mud — a joyful, time-honored tradition — and feel the magic for yourself. We’ll also enjoy a buffet lunch by the water.
• Drive up north and check into the hotel. Dinner will be provided at the hotel.
• Got Questions? Throughout the week, you may have gathered new thoughts, wonderings, or questions about Judaism, Israel, or identity. This is a warm, open space to bring them all. Our Jewish Educator will guide an honest, inclusive group conversation at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Ein Gev

• Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
• As we head north, our groups will take two paths: half of the group will work on a volunteer project, and the other half will take a tour of Tzfat (also known as Safed or Zefat), the city with the highest elevation in the Sea of Galilee. Groups will swap on the next day!
  Our volunteers will join our partners at Yahel, a non-profit organization dedicated to responsible and sustainable volunteer experiences in Israel, for a day of volunteering and service learning that addresses real needs in Israel. Tikkun olam (repairing the world) is a core value in Judaism. Volunteering – working to repair the brokenness in our world – is a powerful outward expression of Jewish values. Lunch will be on your own.
• Dinner Party with other Honeymoon Israel cohorts

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight: Ein Gev

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• The groups that volunteered yesterday will be touring Tzfat today, and the groups that toured yesterday will be volunteering today!
• Druze lunch in Daliyat Al-Karmel in Haifa. We will also hear from a speaker from the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force on Israeli Arab Issues).
• We’ll head to Tel Aviv — Israel’s vibrant, coastal city, where tradition meets modern energy. Check into the hotel.
• Take some time to explore on your own or relax before we gather for a Honeymoon Israel Conversation at the hotel.
• Dinner on your own and evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Tel Aviv

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• We will hear from Ashagar Araro, an Ethiopian-Israeli woman who came to Israel as a baby during Operation Solomon. Ashager will share her family’s story and give us a window into the perspectives, challenges, and vibrant culture of the Ethiopian Jewish community in Israel.
• After that, we will visit the ANU Museum – the Museum of the Jewish People.
• Next, we’ll drop you off at the shuk (market) so you can enjoy some lunch. Wander through the vibrant Carmel Market, the pedestrian craft market of Nachalat Binyamin, and trendy Sheinkin Street, and discover the melting pot of influences that shape Tel Aviv’s unique vibe.
• Enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
• As the evening approaches, we’ll come together for Shabbat Candle Lighting and Kabbalat Shabbat (the welcome to Shabbat), marking the transition into a time of rest and reflection.
• We’ll gather for a Shabbat Dinner at the hotel with the other HMI groups, sharing a beautiful meal to celebrate the beginning of Shabbat.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight: Tel Aviv

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• In the morning, we will hear from Gili Roman. Gili will share the stories of his family members from October 7, their captivity, and the advocacy movement for the return of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
• After that, we will have a conversation with our Israeli Mifgash couples, as part of a special HMI panel.
• Next, we’ll head to a tour of the ancient city of Jaffa, one of the world’s oldest ports. From its vantage point overlooking the Mediterranean, we’ll reflect on Jaffa’s rich legacy before enjoying free time and lunch on your own at the famous Flea Market — don’t forget to haggle for a bargain!
• Afterward, we’ll immerse ourselves in the unique Shabbat atmosphere of Tel Aviv and enjoy lunch on our own. As many locals head to the beaches and coffee shops to unwind after the work week, we’ll enjoy the lively yet peaceful ambiance that Shabbat brings to this vibrant city.
• Late check-out from the hotel.
• We’ll then come together for our final Honeymoon Israel Conversation, followed by a memorable Havdalah service overlooking the beach and marking our transition back home.
• Dinner at the hotel (for groups flying home tonight).
• Transfer to the Ben Gurion airport and check in for your return flight! 

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight: Flight