Welcome to Israel! Start your journey with an opening ceremony at Tel Yafo overlooking ancient Jaffa, linking you into the chain of tradition of pilgrims throughout history who arrived through this port city. Spend three days trekking through the Negev desert just as our ancestors did. Swim in Eilat’s Coral Beach and snorkel in the cool water of the Red Sea. Take in countless breathtaking views and observe extraordinary wildlife. Explore the history, spirituality and magic of the ancient city of Jerusalem. Visit the Kotel (the Western Wall), enjoy a water-hike through an ancient underground aqueduct, and shop in Jerusalem’s vibrant open-air market.

The Judean desert is home to many of Israel’s most iconic experiences – camel rides, sleepouts in a Bedouin tent, and the ancient desert fortress of Masada overlooking the Dead Sea. Climb Masada in time for the stunning sunrise over the mountains of Jordan. Follow it up with a float in the Dead Sea, cover yourself with the famous black mud, and cool off in the refreshing waterfalls of Ein Gedi. Travel north to the Galilee region, where much of our modern ideas about Judaism took root, and where we share deep connections with our Christian and Muslim cousins.

Spend the second half of the week participating in your “Chavaya” intensive. Before leaving for Israel, you’ll select one of these exciting 4-day in-depth experiences (see “Your Choice” tab). Pursue your own interests while in Israel and make new friends from other Yallah! Israel groups at the same time.

Spend the second half of the week participating in your “Chavaya” intensive. Before leaving for Israel, you’ll select one of these exciting 4-day in-depth experiences (see “Your Choice” tab). Pursue your own interests while in Israel and make new friends from other Yallah! Israel groups at the same time.

Wander the mystical city of Tzfat, high up in the mountains of Israel. Explore the ancient alleyways and centuries-old synagogues, as you discover the origins of Kabbalah and Tikkun Olam. Get closer to Israel’s natural beauty in the Arbel Nature Reserve. Your Israeli peers will join the group for a week – a short but sweet opportunity to make lifelong friendships. Sit atop the Golan Heights while examining the important beginnings of the dream of a Jewish state in Eretz Israel. Return to Jerusalem and begin to connect our ancient past to our recent past and our recent past to today.

We will start our journey connecting to each other and to the vibrant Jewish community in Budapest. We will explore the history, culture, and breathtaking sights of Budapest as we cross the chain bridge, take in the views on a river cruise of the Danube and learn about the history of the city, its Jewish cultures and the story of Theodor Herzl.  

After spending Shabbat with the progressive Jewish community, we will step out of the urban environment and cross the border to Slovakia. In the Slovak Paradise National Park, we’ll hike Suchá Belá Gorge with its wooden ladders and waterfalls. we’ll try out the water slides at Tatralandia, Slovakia's largest water park and go rafting in the water of the Dunajec River Gorge at Pieniny National Park. 

On our second week, we will be learning about the variety of vibrant Jewish communities that flourished until the Holocaust. We will meet the Jewish communities of the present and will bear witness to the story of the Jewish people during the Holocaust.  
The visit to Poland will include sites like Schindler’s Factory, Auschwitz, Birkenau and Theresienstadt and also offer the time and place to decompress and connect to the nature and people of Poland of the 21st century.   

On the last week of the trip, we will head west to the beautiful cities of Prague and Berlin. In Prague we will walk through the medieval streets of the old town, cross the Charles Bridge with its views of the Vltava River and visit the Prague Castle. We will immerse ourselves in centuries of Jewish life at the historic Jewish Quarter, home to the Old-New Synagogue, the oldest active synagogue in Europe and at the modern Reform Temple, we will meet with Rabbi David Maxa and hear about his vision for the future of progressive Judaism in Europe.  

As we journey toward Berlin, we’ll pass through Saxon Switzerland National Park, with its dramatic sandstone cliffs and the iconic Bastei Bridge, a perfect spot to reflect on the breathtaking beauty of nature and prepare for the last few days of our trip.  

We will conclude our trip in Berlin, reflecting on the winds of change represented in the different highlights of the city between the East Side Gallery and the Berlin Wall and the sites of memory promising not to forget the Holocaust and the commitment to shared humanity. At Berlin we will also spend our last Shabbat bonding with each other, sharing laughter, song and prayer and celebrating Shabbat with Netzer teens from the Berlin area.