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It’s never been more important to stand with Israel!

 

 

Tuesday, June 18 - Saturday, June 22


The United Jewish Federation of Tidewater is leading a trip to Israel which aims to witness, experience, feel, and show solidarity, as well as to gain a better understanding of how our Annual and Emergency Campaign Funds are helping and what additional support we can offer.

 

During our 4-day trip, we will:

  • Visit sites most impacted by the events of October 7th.
  • Hear from affected families, including those who lost loved ones, those displaced by ongoing threats from Gaza and the North, and those whose businesses have suffered.
  • Engage in discussions with high-level officials regarding the ongoing challenges facing Israel and how we can address them.
  • Volunteer on farms, IDF bases, or other locations, providing additional assistance typically offered by activated IDF reservists defending the country.
  • Listen to subject matter experts on the geopolitics of the region.
  • Come together as a community with our family in Israel to show solidarity and support.

 

This mission is not just an opportunity; it is a call to action. 

 

 

LAND ONLY Pricing Includes:

  • Lodging during the mission (based on double occupancy)
  • All meals included 
  • Transportation around Israel
  • English-speaking guide
  • Enhanced security 
  • Does not include airfare or tips for Israel mission staff

Number of Participants / Cost Per

10 / $4000

15 / $3500

20 / $3200

25 / $3000
 

Pre- and Post trip extensions are available for additional cost.

Itinerary

Itinerary is subject to change as the situation in Israel is very fluid.

 

 

 

Download Application & Release Forms

Itinerary 

This is a tentative itinerary and subject to change.

Last updated 4/3/24

Tuesday, June 18

Welcome back to Israel! Thank you for coming!

Check in at hotel

Overnight
David Intercontinental, Tel Aviv

DAY 1 • Wednesday, June 19 – Solidarity visits – South

8:00am
Depart Tel Aviv and drive south.

10:00am
Visit Otef Aza – based on IDF regulation and permission – observe the colossal destruction, meet with residents who stayed to handle the agriculture, businesses and first responders.
Visit Kibbutz Be'eri—which was decimated in the October 7 Hamas attack.
Stop on the way and observe the horrific visual remaining of 1200 burned vehicles of Oct 7th events.

12:30pm
Lunch with Soldiers (Security Officers) from units that are out from Gaza for a short break. (Based on IDF security permitting.)

2:30 pm
The rave that turned into a frenzied massacre. See the devastation left behind by Hamas in the wake of the Nova Festival massacre.

4:00pm
JAFI youth Future at Sderot

6:00 pm
Meeting and dinner with the youth at Kfar Silver

Overnight
David Intercontinental, Tel Aviv

DAY 2 • Thursday, June 20

Breakfast at the hotel and check out.

9:00 am
Morning session with Director Tali Levanon Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC)

10:00 am
Is there a place we can call home? Meet the people of Netiv Haasara / Zikim currently living in Maale Hahmisha
Meet with evacuees and hear heroism testimonies from Oct 7th.
Happening with evacuees' children.

Lunch at Mahale Hamisha
Or
Activity with JDC and evacuees in Tel Aviv area
Lunch at Shalva, hear their challenges during the war.

Visit to Share Zedek Medical Center - meet with wounded soldiers and hear the Center CEO Prof. Ofer Merin briefing about the war response efforts at the hospital, and his role in the three leading Israeli medical professionals committee with a sensitive task of determining the death of hostages held in Gaza.

Meet with family of fallen soldier at Mt. Herzl

Shehecheyanu at the new National Library of Israel

Check in the hotel

Overnight
Jerusalem

DAY 3 • Friday, June 21

Meaningful Jerusalem

Breakfast in the hotel restaurant.

Private address by Stephanie Hallet, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy in Israel at the new national library

Visit Yad Vashem (chose either first timers or repeaters tour) end with ceremony at Hall of remembrance.

Free time and lunch on own at Macheneh Yehuda Merket

Check-in at hotel, time to rest and freshen-up before Shabbat.

Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel

Private Shabbat Dinner at the hotel with guest(s).

Overnight
Jerusalem

DAY 4 • Saturday, June 21

Shabbat at the City of Gold

Breakfast in the hotel and morning at leisure with alternative activities based on numbers.

Guided walking tour of the Old City - see its most prominent sites and get a glimpse into the delicate fabric of 4,000-year history, culture, and life of Jerusalem.

Free time and lunch on own

Pre Havdalah session with Prof. Gil Troy, a distinguished Scholar in North American History at McGill University currently living in Jerusalem, Gil Troy is an award-winning American presidential historian and a leading Zionist activist. He has contributed to discussions about Jewish identity, particularly in the context of diaspora Jewish communities and their connections to Israel. Since October 7, Troy has been dedicating his knowledge and efforts to putting current events in historical perspective and showcasing a clear analysis of the situation.

Special activity with evacuees (peers/families), currently residing in Jerusalem.

Havdalah Session together with evacuees (TBA)

Farewell dinner with Brothers and Sisters for Israel

Head to airport for return flights or hotel for those extending.

This will be a physically and emotionally rigorous journey. You can expect long, but fulfilling days, meeting those impacted directly by the events of October 7.

 

Let this be the year that you travel to Israel and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those who most need our  support.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER FOR THE ISRAEL SOLIDARITY MISSION:
 

Contact Amy Zelenka, Chief Development Officer, at AZelenka@UJFT.org or (757) 965-6139.