NCSY & JSU have teamed up this summer to offer TJJ (The Jerusalem Journey) an incredible opportunity for public school teens to explore all of the exciting sites that Israel has to offer.
During the four weeks of the program, you will travel from the Golan Heights to the shores of Eilat and everywhere in between. Swim in the Kineret, visit archeological digs, participate on incredible hikes, experience a magical Shabbat in Tzfat, visit the Kotel (the Western Wall) and float in the Dead Sea. You’ll see history come alive while learning about your Jewish heritage.
Come and see how Jewish society in Israel has evolved from the time of David, Solomon and the Temple to Herzl, Ben-Gurion and the Knesset. Come and experience The Jerusalem Journey for yourself.
The Jerusalem Journey Sample Itinerary
Day 1
JFK LY002
Flight to Israel
overnight:
Aircraft
Day 2
Arrive Ben Gurion Airport
Welcome to Israel At the Kotel!
Travel North
Dinner up north
check in to Hotel
overnight:
Hispin
Day 3
Build and race rafts on the Kinneret - group building activity
Hike Down the Arbel Cliff
Tour of ancient Tziporri - Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi and writing of the Mishna
Dinner at Hotel
Kumzits party under the stars
overnight:
Hispin
Day 4
Early wake up
Hike the famous Yehudiya Trek
Kesem Hagolan - Golan Presentation
return to Hotel
rest
Evening Tour of the ancient city of Quatsrin and the impressive shull in its center
overnight:
Hispin
Day 5
Golan Heights
water hike down the Jilabun Canyon
Lookout from the Volcanic Mount Ben Tal and Crawl through former Syrian bunker
Emek Habacha - The Golan and the Yom Kippur War
Berry Picking in the Golan
Dinner at Hotel
evening activity
overnight:
Hispin
Day 6
Hike Across Nachal Elal
Rappeling in the Golan
Preparation for Shabbbat
Shabbat Candle lighting
Kabbat Shabbat
Shabbat Meal
Oneg Shabbat
overnight:
Hispin
Day 7
Shabbat
Tfilla
Kidush
Program
Seuda - Shabbat Lunch at Hotel
rest
Afternoon program
Mincha
Seuda Shlishit
Ma'ariv and Havdala
Pizza and Movie at hotel
overnight:
Hispin
Day 8
Mount Gilboa - Ketef Shaul - tour israel with the Tana"ch, and reenact the biblical stories
Nachal Hakibutsim
Bike ride in the Gilboa
Check in
overnight:
Merkazi Hotel, Tzfat
Day 9
Tour the ancient city of Tzfat and discover the modern city with its artist colonies
Visit the new Stam Center in Tzfat, meet a scribe and together discover the
hidden world of the Hebrew letters
Take the Panoramic view from the top of Mount Meron
overnight:
Merkazi Hotel, Tzfat
Day 10
Hike Nachal Kziv to Monfort castle
Explore the Rosh Hanikra Grottoes via the Gondolas
Matsuva
Learn the stories of the IDF MIA's from the top of Me'arat Keshet
Late afternoon Tour of Acco, Tunisian Synagogue, and old seaport
overnight:
Merkazi Hotel, Tzfat
Day 11
Tour the Border with Lebanon and meet the citizens and
soldiers living and serving in Misgav Am
Kayak down the Jordan River
Nature water trail through the freezing lush water of the
Hatsbani River
overnight:
Merkazi Hotel, Tzfat
Day 12
Visit Pki'in and the cave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai
Chessed activity - run a program for underprivileged kids at Northern Absorption Center
Swim in the Kinneret
Cruise on the Kinneret
Dinner at Sheri restaurant
Pack Bags
overnight:
Merkazi Hotel, Tzfat
Day 13
Check Out
Tour of Atlit detention camp and museum - the story of the 1940's illegal immigration
Zichron Ya'akov - Visit the beautiful coastal city, its boardwalk and museums
check in and Prepare for shabbat
Candle lighting
Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel
Seuda at OU center
Oneg
overnight:
Jerusalem Gold Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 14
Tfilla
Kidush
Seuda - Shabbat Lunch at Hotel
Educational Activity
Mincha
Seuda Shlishit
Ma'ariv and Havdala
Pizza and activity
overnight:
Jerusalem Gold Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 15
Jerusalem
City of David - Rediscover Biblical Jerusalem, reveal some of the most exciting
archeological finds of the ancient world
Light and sound presentation
Enter Warrens Shaft
Walk through the Hizkiyahu Aqueduct
Visit and Pray at the Kotel - Western Wall
Underground tour of the Kotel Tunnels
Second entrance to the tunnels
Lunch in the Old City of Jerusalem, and Tour of the Old City, Shulls and Cardo
Travel to Yom NCSY
YOM NCSY
overnight:
Jerusalem Gold Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 16
Guided tour of Hall of Independence
Rabin Square - Politics in Israel
Azrieli mall and Lunch: a look into Modern day Tel Aviv
Tour of old Jaffa
overnight:
Jerusalem Gold Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 17
Tue
July 19, 2011
17th of Tamuz
12:30
Cave Crawling at the Bar Cochba Caves of Tel Goded
View the Valley of Ellah from Tel Azeka - The David and Goliath Battle
Visit Mini Israel
Dinner
Preparation for Yad Vashem
overnight:
Jerusalem Gold Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 18
Yad Vashem - Guided Tour of the Holocaust memorial Museum
Tour Mt Herzl - Nation founders and leaders section, and IDF cemetery
Break the mood with a visit to the Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem!
overnight:
Jerusalem Gold Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 19
Chessed - Save a Child's heart, Hulon. Play with kids waiting for a heart transplant
Leket Israel - Picking vegetables for Israeli Soup Kitchens
Dinner
Dialogue in the Dark - seeing life through a blind perspective
overnight:
Jerusalem Gold Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 20
Drop off at the OU Israel center - 22 keren hayesod, Jerusalem
Drop Off at Rakevet Tsafon, Tel Aviv
Day 21
Shabbat
Shabbat By families and Friends
Day 22
Pickup from Rakevet Tsafon, Tel Aviv
Pickup from OU Israel center - 22 keren hayesod, Jerusalem
Ein Gedi - climb the Judean desert mountains to discover this amazing Oasis where Kings David
and Saul confronted
Dead Sea - float in the lowest place in the world!
Masada - Tour Herods legendary mountaintop fortress and its fascinating story
Bedouin Hospitality at Chan Hashayarot
overnight:
Bedouin camp chan Hashayarot
Day 23
Join a Camel Caravan in the Negev Desert
Sde Boker - what is Zionism in 2011?
Machtesh Gadol
Merchav Am - new pioneers
Dinner in Eilat
Eilat Boardwalk
overnight:
Adi Eilat
Day 24
Boat Cruise and Snorkeling in Eilat's red sea gulf
Water Sports & Lunch
The Egyptian Border - borders in Israel
Dinner in Eilat
overnight:
Adi Eilat
Day 25
The Red Canyon - a hike through the Eilat Mountains
Tour the wetern Negev
Dinner at Hotel
overnight:
Bait Vagan, Jerusalem
Day 26
Relaxed day for shopping etc..
Banquet at OU Center
overnight:
Bait Vagan, Jerusalem
Day 27
Tour of Chevron and Cave of the Patriarchs
Gush Etzion - the never ending story of the Gush Battle, its fall and rise
Kever Rachel
Haas Promenade
Feel the pre shabbat rush and excitement at the Machne Yehuda Market place
Shabbat Candle lighting
Kabalat Shabbat
Friday Night Meal at hotel
Tish/Oneg Shabbat
overnight:
Bait Vagan, Jerusalem
Day 28
Shabbat
Tfilla
Kidush
Shabbat Meal
Educational Program
Rest
Walking Tour in the area
Mincha
Seuda shlishit
Ma'ariv and Havdala
Last night activity…
overnight:
Bait Vagan, Jerusalem
Day 29
Depart for Ben Gurion Airport
Flight LY 007 to JFK
Q: How do I apply for an NCSY Summer Program?
A: The application will be open late October, please continue to check back on our website for updates.
Q: What forms do I need to fill out before I can be accepted?
A: Acceptance decisions will not be made without a completed application, recommendation letters, and medical waivers. ** Please note, all programs require a telephone interview before an acceptance decision is made.**
Q: I have applied, now what?
A: Upon completion of your online application, you will receive a confirmation email. All NCSY Summer Programs also require a brief telephone interview as part of the application process. In the unlikely event that you do not receive a phone call to schedule your interview within three weeks of submitting your online application, kindly send an email to Summer@ncsy.org or call us at 1-888-TOUR-4-YOU.
Q: Until when can I apply for the programs?
A: All programs work under a rolling admission system which means that there is no final date to apply to the program. Once the program reaches capacity, we will stop accepting applications for that program. Most programs fill to capacity sooner rather then later so applying early is always recommended.
Q: Are scholarships available for NCSY Summer Programs?
A: Yes! The financial aid application is part of the online registration process. Scholarship decisions are based on need and are made after an applicant has been accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Please note, many outside organizations offer scholarships for summer programs. You might consider calling your local Federation, ZOA, JCC, Synagogue or local NCSY office for scholarship assistance.
Q: What forms do I need to send to NCSY before I can go on a program?
A: After being accepted, you must submit a packet of legal forms and medical forms. All forms will be sent to you in a confirmation email upon completion of the online registration process.
Q: When will I know if I have been accepted?
A: All programs will be accepting applicants on a rolling basis. You can expect to have an answer about three weeks after interviews have been conducted. If more than three weeks have passed since your interview and you have not been contacted regarding your participation, kindly send an email to Summer@ncsy.org or call us at 1-888-TOUR-4-YOU.
Q: When can I expect to receive an information packet for my program?
A: Packets will be mailed out before Passover. These packets will include packing lists, itineraries, flight information, specific program codes of conduct and other VERY IMPORTANT information. It is crucial that you read through the entire packet and mail in all appropriate forms. If you need this information prior to Passover, kindly send an email to Summer@ncsy.org or call us at 1-888-TOUR-4-YOU. Please note, most of this information will also be available on our website (http://www.NCSYsummer.com) around Passover time.
Q: Can I extend my stay in Israel?
A: Yes. To extend a ticket, you will need to contact the Summer Programs Associate assisgned to your program. He or she will give you the direct email address for our travel agent who will make the accommodations. Program Associates cannot arrange flights. Note: Any additional fees associated with the change are the responsibility of the program participant.
Q: Once the program has departed, how can I be in touch with my child?
A: For domestic programs, numbers will be provided. For the overseas programs there will be cell phone rental service required through a third party. There will also be an emergency number available. Some programs will also have access to fax machines and emails.
Q: Once the program has started, whom do I contact with problems or questions?
A: If you have a question regarding billing, flights or any other matter concerning your program, please contact the NCSY Summer Programs Associate assigned to your program at 1-888-TOUR-4-YOU. If your specific questions were not answered in the FAQs above, please feel free to call 1-888-TOUR-4-YOU, or email your inquiry to Summer@ncsy.org
If your specific questions were not answered in the FAQs above, please feel free to call 1-888-TOUR-4-YOU, or email your inquiry to.
