Young Professionals/Grad Students - Sample Itinerary

Come to Israel with your peers!

Marvel at a beautiful sunrise over Masada,
explore the nightlife in Tel Aviv,
swim in the Dead Sea,
sample Israeli wines at a local winery,
sleep in a Bedouin tent,
make new Israeli friends and so much more!

Once you’ve fallen in love with Israel, you’ll learn about options for coming back to Israel on a MASA sponsored long-term program by talking to current program participants.
This trip is geared for 22-26 olds from all backgrounds.

Day 1



Arrival in Israel
Travel to Jerusalem
Jerusalem's history stretches back about 5,000 years. About 2500 BC, the Canaanites inhabited the city. Later, Jerusalem became a Jebusite citadel. When DAVID captured the city (c.1000 BC), the Jebusites were absorbed into the Jewish people. David made Jerusalem the capital of his kingdom, and SOLOMON built the first Temple
If I forget you Jerusalem ...
Opening Ceremony and Shehechiyanu– Haas Promenade offers one of the most scenic, breathtaking views of Jerusalem, overlooking the Old City, the Judean Desert to the east and the new city to the west.
Check in to hotel and rest
Dinner
Program Orientation and Icebreakers Activity at the hotel

Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 2



A Day in the Old City
City of David and Hezekiah's Water Tunnels, which date back to the days in which King David chose Jerusalem as his capital, forever placing Jerusalem at the heart of Jewish life and tradition.
Inside the City of David is the area which the archaeologists denoted with the letter ''G.'' It was probably the nerve center of the ancient city for many years: the administrative, municipal, and governmental center, with the royal residence possibly nearby.
Tour of the Jewish Quarter - learn of the lives of Jews who live there today, and those that inhabited the city 200 years ago.
Walking tour of the Jewish Quarter, through the alleyways of the old city, finished at arriving to the western wall. A tour of the Western Wall Tunnels is a fascinating, unforgettable journey through time. The archaeology of the site brings to life everything from Jerusalem's glory during the time of Herod to the Jewish people's longing for Jerusalem throughout the generations.
Finally, arrive at the Kotel, also known as the Western Wall, and learn of its significance and centrality in the Jewish world.
Return to the hotel and rest
Dinner out on the town and free evening in the German Colony, one of Jerusalem's most exciting neighborhoods, filled with café's, restaurants, shops and more.

Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 3





Travel south
Dig for a Day – cave-spelunking and archeological digging at Beit Guvrin National Park
Travel south (lunch en-route)
David Ben Gurion's Desert Home – learn of the man and his special relationship with the Negev, along with his role and unique leadership in the struggle for the independence of the Jewish State and its first years.
Ein Avdat Canyon – hike deep into the region's largest oasis and spectacular canyon
Camel Rides & Bedouin Experience – meet the Bedouins, one of Israel's largest minority communities, which struggles to maintain their special desert traditions while being an integral part of Israeli, modern society.
Preparation for Masada – group activity led by staff

Overnight: Bedouin Tent

Day 4





Early morning wake up.
Climb Masada at dawn to enjoy the sunrise over the mountains and then tour the site, learning of its special story and significance; Palaces, baths, water cisterns and the most ancient synagogue in the world are all atop the mountain, sharing their story with the world…
Just a ten-minute drive from Ein Gedi is the hill known as Massada, where Jews made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom some two millennia ago. In 66 CE, a small band of Jews fled to Massada to escape the Roman Army, which had occupied Jerusalem. For the next few years, the Romans attempted to capture Massada, in order to enslave the Jews on top of the hill. Finally, in 73 CE, it became clear that the Romans would reach the top and the Jews would be captured and enslaved. Deciding that it was better to die free than to live as slaves, 960 of the 967 Jews on Massada committed suicide. For most of the last two millennia, Massada's exact location has remained a mystery. Finally, in the mid-1960's, archaeologist Yigael Yadin unearthed the ruins of the ancient fortress
Descend via the snake path
Swim in the Dead Sea – careful…the lowest place on earth is also the saltiest body of water in which no living creature survives… no dunking!
Down to about 130 feet (40 meters), the seawater comprises about 300 grams of salt per kilogram of seawater. That's about ten times the salinity of the oceans.
Ein Gedi – hike through the beautiful desert oasis, boasting waterfalls and an abundance of wildlife, not to mention the setting of some the most intriguing biblical stories dating back to David and Saul…
Travel to Jerusalem
Check into hotel and rest
Preparation for Yad Vashem

Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 5



Yad Vashem – visit the National Memorial for the Victims and Martyrs of the Holocaust.
Yad Vashem, Jerusalem, is the Jewish people's memorial to the murdered Six Million and symbolizes the ongoing confrontation with the rupture engendered by the Holocaust. Containing the world's largest repository of information on the Holocaust, Yad Vashem is a leader in Shoah education, commemoration, research and documentation.
Mt. Herzl – adjacent to Yad Vashem, are the National Military Cemetery and the Tombs of the Leaders of the Nation; learn of the story of the State of Israel through those that led the way, and those that lost their lives in the ongoing struggle for Jewish independence.
Israel's national cemetery is also Jerusalem's military cemetery, where soldiers of the past and present are buried. Mt. Hertzl is the burial place of many dignitaries and prominent figures of the Jewish people such as Theodore Hertzl, Yitzchak Rabin, Channa Sennesh and Yoni Netanyahu.
Group Tie-in Session
Machane Yehuda Market – join Jerusalemites as they prepare for Shabbat in one of the country's most colorful, bustling market; purchase goodies for Oneg Shabbat as you practice your Hebrew, and haggling skills, with the local vendors.
Prepare for Shabbat
Kabbalat Shabbat – come together as a group to welcome the Shabbat and experience the special atmosphere Jerusalem has to offer on Friday evenings.
Shabbat Dinner
Oneg Shabbat – group fun!

Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 6

Morning Services in local synagogues – take the opportunity to join locals in the nearby synagogue of your choice (different options will be given based on hotel location and availability), exploring Shabbat traditions less familiar.
Time to rest at hotel
Walking tour of Jerusalem
Havdalah – experience the traditional ceremony in the group setting in Israel!
Free Evening in Jerusalem

Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 7

Travel north
Tsfat – Tour of the old city, ancient synagogues and artist's galleries – learn the special story of this unique city and Jewish mysticism…
According to tradition, Tzefat (Safed) was founded in the year 70 of the Common Era. The city has since come to be considered one of the four holiest cities in Judaism, along with Jerusalem, Hebron, and Tiberias
Communities in the Galilee Workshop – meet with local educator to explore the delicate web of communities and cultures that make up the population of this region
Druze Hospitality – enjoy the food and learn the secrets of this special community
The Druze are a distinct religious community based mostly in the Middle East who are an offshoot of Islam and influenced by other religions and philosophies, including Greek philosophy. The Druze consider themselves theologically as "an Islamic Unist, reformatory sect", although they are not considered Muslims by most Muslims in the region. The Druze reside primarily in Lebanon, with smaller communities in Israel, Syria, and Jordan.
Check into rooms and rest
Group Tie-in Session

Overnight: Galilee region

Day 8

Kibbutz Malkiya – meet with settlers on the northern border with Lebanon and learn of their life and challenges
Mt. Bental – climb up to the Golan Heights, to one of the spectacular viewpoints offering views deep into Syria and back in history to the battles of the Golan in 1967 and 1973
Oz 77 – audio visual presentation at Kibbutz Elrom, telling the story of the Golan Heights
Hamat Gader Hot Springs – dinner and more…
Return to base
Meet with Amnon Sharon – former prisoner of war shares his story of survival

Overnight: Galilee region

Day 9





Rosh Hanikra – on the northern border with Lebanon is one of Israel's most precious natural sites – grottos formed by rock and water…
Akko – this port city offers a special peek into the historical story of the coastline, with a rich history and fascinating present
Continue south to Tel-Aviv
Check into hotel and rest
Walking tour of Jaffa – explore the old city of Jaffa, its flea market and the first neighborhoods of Tel-Aviv – that tell the story of first days of the town, and the young state.
Jaffa has always been the entry port to the ancient land of Israel and is even today, full of the traditional sights and sounds which have always characterized it: beautiful stone buildings, narrow winding alleys, the fishermen's port, the artists' quarter, cafes, restaurants and shops.
Free Evening in Tel-Aviv – explore the nightlife of the city that never stops!

Overnight: Tel-Aviv

Day 10

Ha'Palmach Museum – the museum follows the story of nine young fighters, shedding light on the overall struggle for Jewish independence.
Hall of Independence – visit the Tel-Aviv residential home that became the site of the declaration of independence, led by David Ben-Gurion on May 14th, 1948.
On Friday, May 15, 1948 David Ben Gurion proclaimed Israel's independence in the Declaration Hall. Because of the historical importance of the event the hall was restored as it was at the time with the help of witnesses and pictures. Around the declaration hall there is a permanent exhibition showing the historical background of the establishment of the State.
Israel Update – explore the current issues Israel faces today (with guest speaker)
What Next? – meet with MASA representative and other program directors to explore ways to return to Israel and/or continue involvement in U.S home communities
Final Party

Overnight: Tel-Aviv

Day 11

Program summary workshop
Program evaluation Depart for the airport