VOLUNTEER ISRAEL JOURNEY
BBYO STANDS WITH ISRAEL
Connection with and travel to Israel have always been part of BBYO's values, and continue to be so. Our commitment to providing a safe and enriching experience for teens remains steadfast. We will update our community as we keep in contact with our Israel trip providers and security contacts. We are hopeful for a renewed chance for even more teens to safely explore, give back, and have fun together in the Jewish homeland in Summer 2025. Express your interest here →
OVERVIEW
Extend your time in Israel by combining our Volunteer Israel and Israel Journey programs, allowing for more fun experiences and opportunities to get to know the land and its people.
DESTINATION: Israel
TRAVEL DATES
Summer 2025 program date options will be available soon!
current grades CURRENT GRADES: 9-11
COMMUNITY SERVICE: ~36 Hours
DURATION: 36 Days
PROGRAM FEES
LAND COST: $TBD
Airfare cost to and from Israel is not included in the land cost. Flight information will become available in the spring. Need-based scholarships are available.
This program is eligible for a $3,000 RootOne voucher. Find additional voucher details and requirements here.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Accommodations (hotel, kibbutz & desert tent)
- All meals
- All programming
- Private transportation
- Security escort & monitoring
- Medical insurance
- Laundry service
- Gratuity for program staff
EXPLORE MORE
DETAILS
Volunteer Israel Journey offers teens a profound journey through Israel's rich history and vibrant present while making a tangible difference through hands-on volunteer projects. From exploring ancient sites in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to supporting communities deeply affected by recent events, participants will engage with Israel's past and future. This unique program blends cultural immersion, volunteer work, and personal reflection by combining our Volunteer Israel and Israel Journey itineraries, ensuring a meaningful and unforgettable experience.
In November 2023, BBYO launched a new summer registration system that requires families to create a brand-new account, as it is not connected to any of the systems you may have previously used. Please visit bbyo.my.site.com/s/login and click Register Now to start this process. Need help setting up your account? Visit this document for step-by-step instructions.
We have provided the following sample itinerary to give you a better sense of this experience. The actual program may vary, and an itinerary will be distributed no later than two weeks before the program begins. Even after the itinerary is sent, adjustments may still be made in coordination with tour guides and the tour operator—both leading up to and during the program—based on local conditions.
DAY 1 | DEPARTURE FLIGHT
Meet your staff and teens at the airport before traveling together to Israel on an overnight flight. Once we land, your trip officially begins! We’ll break the ice with some engaging activities that sets the tone for this impactful experience so that you get to know everyone in the group. To learn more about how we organize travel to and from the program, click here.
DAY 2–6 | TEL AVIV
Welcome to Tel Aviv! We'll begin with a picnic-style lunch at a park in Tel Aviv before checking into our accommodations. Then, the group will view the “Walls of Hope” street art in Tel Aviv’s Florentin neighborhood. Walls Of Hope is a project of 38 murals painted for the hostage children that were held—or currently are being held—in Gaza. After, we'll have our first dinner together at a restaurant in Jaffa before preparing for the next few day's volunteer activities in the community.
We'll split into two volunteer projects: one group will help support the Israeli harvest at Beerotiim packing warehouse while another helps Israelis in need at Pitchon Lev, a humanitarian organization focused on breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty in Israel. Then, one group will spend an afternoon volunteering at the Jaffa Institute to support Israelis in need while another works with children who have traveled to Israel for life-saving treatment with Save a Child’s Heart. After our hard days' work, we'll return to Tel Aviv for time to unwind and possibly some beach time along the Mediterranean before indulging in gourmet Ethiopian cuisine and hearing an inspirational conversation with the female founders of the restaurant.
DAY 7–11 | JERUSALEM
Spend a morning picking cherry tomatoes. Then, express your solidarity visiting Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square and possibly meet with family members still waiting for their loved ones to return home. Hostages Square is a public plaza located in front of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. Since the October 7 attacks, families of the hostages taken during the attack have encamped in the square, due to its proximity to the Israel Defense Forces headquarters.
After our solemn visit, we'll enjoy the Nahalat Binyamin Street Festival and the Carmel Market (shuk) for lunch before departing Tel Aviv and traveling to Jerusalem. Upon arrival, we'll check into our hotel and prepare for our Shabbat together in the Jewish homeland. The trip guide will have us enter the Old City at Zion Gate and wind through the Jewish Quarter to the Kotel—or Western Wall—where teens will have time for personal reflections and an opportunity to join Kabbalat Shabbat prayers at the Kotel. Then, the group will eat Shabbat dinner in the Jewish Quarter before walking back to the accommodations.
On Saturday, we'll spend the morning relaxing with the option for Shabbat prayers and other BBYO programming before lunch at the accommodations. Then, teens will enjoy some pool time before heading to Jerusalem's Saker Park for the afternoon. If time permits, our Israeli Madrichim and teens will lead a walking tour of Jerusalem to show the group the community through their eyes. After, we'll engage in a geopolitical seminar discussion with an expert on the Middle East before dinner and Havdalah. The group will end the day by expressing themselves through a Guru Zuzu “silent rave” at Ben Yehuda Street Pedestrian Mall.
Our work continues with the group splitting into two more activities. One will have an emotional visit to Mt. Herzl National Cemetery to honor the memory of those who were lost on October 7 and its aftermath while the other prepares meals for soldiers on duty with “Our People” in Jerusalem. We'll have time for shopping at Jerusalem’s Mahane Yehuda marketplace, then continue with volunteering at Pantry Packers—supporting Israeli food security—and supporting Israel’s food security at Tachlit. Teens will spend an evening cooling off with a water activity in a park outside of Jerusalem, then eat dinner before hearing a moving testimony from an Israeli guide and survivor of the Nova Music Festival.
DAY 12–15 | NEGEV DESERT
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out and heading into our final few days of volunteer work. We'll head back to "Our People" and Mt. Herzl National Cemetery, switching groups from our previous visit so that all teens have a chance to experience both activities. Then, the group will depart Jerusalem and travel south toward the Negev Desert. We'll stop in the Bedouin community of Rahat to meet with Bedouin Israelis who heroically helped save Nova Music Festival attendees on October 7, then have lunch and check into our accommodations in the desert near Tzin Canyon overlook. Everyone will get to enjoy an evening poike pot dinner and desert outdoors experience before heading to bed.
We'll split into groups for our final two volunteer activities. One group will travel to the Gaza border frontier and visit Kibbutz Magan to meet teens who had been displaced by the October 7 attacks and are now rebuilding their lives in the Gaza border region. Together, we'll help renovate public places damaged then eat lunch at the kibbutz with Israeli teens before stopping for a solemn visit to the Nova Music Festival Memorial site. The second group will spend time preparing sandwiches for IDF soldiers at Hamal Shel Revital at Shuva Junction. We'll then travel to Sderot to gain a deeper appreciation for what it means to live along the Gaza border region and what the community experienced on October 7—including a visit to the JNF bomb shelter playground.
Both groups will stop to view the Kerem Shalom border crossing—the primary entry point of humanitarian aid to Gaza—before we drive back to accommodations for dinner and processing time.
On our last day of the Volunteer Israel itinerary, we'll have an early breakfast at the accommodations before checking out. Both groups will switch activities from the previous volunteer opportunity, feeling the impact of their work once more before we connect into the Israel Journey program. We'll head back to Tel Aviv for a final group processing session, swimming time, and a closing dinner together at Dekel Tel Aviv Country Club.
DAY 16–17 | JERUSALEM
the second half of our journey together begins in Jerusalem. We'll spend the morning hiking in the Jerusalem hills, followed by lunch at Mahane Yehuda, and then pool time at the hotel.
After breakfast the next day, we’ll say the Shehecheyanu blessing—prayer to mark joyous occasions—followed by taking in a panoramic introduction to Jerusalem at the Haas Promenade. After a few group bonding activities, we’ll re-enter the Old City’s Zion Gate and walk through the ancient squares and over rooftops of the Jewish Quarter. Teens will have free time to explore and shop before time for reflections at the Kotel. We’ll end the with a group night out on Ben Yehuda Street and free time for dinner.
DAY 18–22 | NORTHERN ISRAEL
We’ll check out once we’ve had breakfast the next day and continue to City of David Excavations—discover the foundations of Jerusalem dating back to King David's time, and then cool off in the spring-fed Hezekiah's Tunnel below Jerusalem. After, we’ll leave Jerusalem and head north to the Galilee along the Mediterranean Coast, stopping for lunch along the way. Teens will explore the Caesarea archeological complex—Herod's Roman amphitheater and grand palace on the beach. We’ll continue north, stopping to view the Sea of Galilee along the way. Then, after we arrive at the accommodations and prepare for our first Shabbat in Israel, we’ll have a Kabbalat Shabbat and dinner experience together.
On Shabbat, we’ll spend the day relaxing with staff-led Shabbat programming and activities before a group lunch, then free time at the accommodations. After dinner and Havdalah, teens will enjoy an evening group night out in the Galilee.
Spend a day at Aqua Kef—experience the thrill of Israel's floating water park on the Sea of Galilee. Visit Sindyanna of Galilee and learn about the female-led non-profit that actively promotes the concepts of “business for peace” and Fair Trade in Israel through a Za'atar making workshop. Enjoy an Ethiopian experience at the Garmachin Center in Beit Shan—drink coffee, learn Ethiopian dance, and enjoy an Ethiopian-style dinner.
Hike on Mount Gilboa and Nahal HaKibbutzim, then swim in the natural spring pools of the Sachne. We’ll drive to Haifa and check into our accommodations before having a Maccabi Tzair camp mifgash (cross-cultural encounter) in Pardes Chana. Meet with teens from BBYO’s sister movement in Israel, have dinner, and participate in a staff-led discussion at our accommodations.
Take part in a volunteer project making food for soldiers, then visit Atlit Detention Camp—learn about the challenges faced by Jews fleeing the Holocaust when they arrived on the shores of Israel during the British Mandate Era. After this, we’ll enjoy a surfing class and beach time along the Haifa coast followed by dinner at the beach.
DAY 23–26 | TEL AVIV
Teens will take a guided tour of the beautiful Bahai Temple and Gardens on Mt. Carmel in Haifa, then stop at the Ahmeddiya Mosque and meet with a local Imam (prayer-leader.) Then, we’ll head to Louis Boardwalkfor a food tour. After, the group will travel down the Mediterranean Coast to Tel Aviv. We'll revisit Hostages Family Square, where families await the return of their loved ones.
Our time in Tel Aviv is only just beginning. We’ll visit ANU, the Museum of the Jewish People at Tel Aviv University, then spend free time for lunch in the Carmel Market (shuk) and browse the Nahalat Binyamin street festival. Teens will learn about Tel Aviv’s LGBTQ culture on the Rainbow TLV Tour. We’ll return to prepare for Kabbalat Shabbat, which will be held at a local shul like Neve Tzedek Synagogue, then have dinner together. Teens will participate in Shabbat service options on Saturday, then have lunch at the accommodations before free time to enjoy Tel Aviv’s beach culture.
DAY 27–29 | CENTRAL ISRAEL
Visit Machon Ayalon and honor the bravery of the pioneers who helped establish modern Israel at this secret underground munitions facility. Then continue south, stopping for a tasting tour in Be’er Sheva and free time for lunch. Break to view the Ramon Crater—the world’s largest erosion crater! After, we’ll check into desert kibbutz accommodations in the Arava Valley and have a BBQ dinner and pool party at our accommodations.
Our next day, we’ll have an early breakfast at the accommodations. Then, we’ll stop to view the Red Sea and Israel’s border with Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Teens will participate in a conversation about how the resort city was transformed into a city of refuge for displaced communities. After we arrive in Eilat, teens will have time for guided snorkeling in the Red Sea as well as beach time and adventure water sports like banana boating. We’ll take some time for lunch before cruising on the Red Sea on a boat with waterslides.
Learn how Israel thrives in the desert and protects its ecology during a kibbutz workshop, then spend time in the pool there before we travel to the Judean Desert via the Arava Valley, shared by Israel and Jordan. Experience effortlessly floating at the Dead Sea's Ein Bokek beach—the lowest point on Earth! We’ll check into accommodations in Arad and make our way to Kfar Hanokdim encampment and embark on a camel trek, followed by a traditional Bedouin tent dinner feast and bonfire experience.
DAY 30 | MASADA
The group will have an early wakeup and pre-sunrise hike to the summit of Masada, where they’ll enjoy a tour of Herod's desert mountaintop fortress and the bastion of an ancient Jewish rebellion. After, descend Masada via the Snake Path and eat breakfast before we take a nature walk in the Ein Gedi National Park to cool off under the waterfalls. We’ll have lunch in Ein Gedi before returning to Jerusalem, checking into our accommodations, and resting from the long day. We’ll design a group t-shirt to remember the trip, then have time for friends and family to visit the group at the hotel.
DAY 31–35 | JERUSALEM
Learn about Israel's unique democratic system by taking part in a "Junior Knesset" workshop at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center. We’ll have some free time for lunch at the Jerusalem First Station Market before meeting with a member of Jerusalem’s Arab community at the Feel Beit cross-cultural center. Spend the afternoon cooling off with a game of “water tag” in a park outside of Jerusalem and then enjoy dinner at the hotel followed by a staff-led activity.
Take another emotional tour of the Mount Herzl, Israel’s National Cemetery, then experience the colorful Mahane Yehuda open-air marketplace and free time for lunch. We’ll return to our hotel and prepare for our final Shabbat in Israel. Teens will re-enter the Old City to experience a moving Kabbalat Shabbat experience at the Kotel, or Western Wall. After, enjoy a special dinner in the Old City.
Spend Saturday morning enjoying various Shabbat service options, then have lunch at the hotel. Teens will have an afternoon of free time at the park before preparing for our Yad Vashem visit the next day. We’ll have dinner and Havdalah, then a group night out to Cinema City.
Engage in a Bringing Israel Home talk with Neil Lazarus, an expert on the Middle East. Contribute to Israel’s food security volunteering at Tachlit or Pantry Packers in Jerusalem. Visit Yad Vashem—The World Holocaust Remembrance Center—before dinner at the hotel, followed by a group night out on foot.
On our final day, we’ll wake up for breakfast and check out so that we can head to Tel Aviv. We’ll have a workshop at Nalagaat center in Jaffa—a one of a kind non-profit arts and cultural center that represents a meeting place between deaf, blind, and deaf-blind individuals together with the public. Then, take a walking tour of the Jaffa Seaport and have free time for lunch at the Jaffa Flea Market. We’ll close out the day with a tree planting ceremony tour, group wrap-up conversation, and then a closing dinner celebration at Neot Kedumim Park. Return to Ben Gurion Airport for an overnight flight back to the U.S.
DAY 36 | RETURN FLIGHT
It’s never goodbye, just see you later. Give your friends one last hug and part ways once your flight arrives at the airport. While your summer trip with us is over, the memories you’ve made will last a lifetime!
Our most frequently asked questions about this program are answered below. Additional program-wide FAQs are also available. Still need something? We’re here to help! Contact us.
What are the rules for Israeli citizens or children of Israeli citizens?
If either of your parents is an Israeli citizen, or if you have ever lived in Israel, it is your responsibility to make sure your status with the Israeli Defense Forces is worked out and clear. Moreover, you may still have obligations to the State of Israel that must be resolved prior to your trip, even if you do not have an Israeli passport. These matters must be taken care of before you arrive in Israel.
Note: If you hold an Israeli passport, you must enter Israel with your Israeli passport.
If you do not take care of these matters prior to your trip, you may be obligated to stay in Israel by the State of Israel until resolution. If this applies to you, you will be solely responsible for your own situation and any costs involved. Again, we highly recommend you be extremely cautious about these matters and contact one of the regional Israeli consulate offices if you have any questions.
How will my teen travel to the program?
BBYO requires all North American participants to fly on the group supervised flight for this program. Flight costs are not included in the program’s land cost. BBYO will purchase a ticket for each traveler and charge the family directly. The flight cost for programs with supervised flight options will be announced, along with the flight details for all programs, in the spring. The supervised flight for this program will depart from the New York City area, typically Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) or John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Learn more about flying to the program.
Where will my teen be sleeping?
Many of the accommodations we stay at are kibbutz-based guest houses that are located in Israel’s countryside and provide space for exploration within a secure environment. We use conventional hotels in Jerusalem and occasionally in other cities. All accommodations in Israel have security and we book rooms so that each teen has their own sleeping accommodation in rooms that typically accommodate 2 to 5 teens per room.
How is the program staffed?
Each group is accompanied by a team of madrichim (counselors) and a local Israeli guide. They are also joined by an armed guard and bus driver. Senior field staff also circulate between our groups for extra support. Staff names are sent out approximately 2–3 weeks prior to your departure as part of the pre-trip preparation emails. Staff are asked to make welcome calls to teens before departure. Feel free to ask them any remaining questions you may have. Learn more about our staff team.
What's the summer weather like?
The sun in Israel is strong—often stronger than teens are accustomed to—so dehydration, heatstroke, and sunburn are serious concerns, especially in a desert climate. Clothing should be lightweight and comfortable in the heat. Whenever outside for an extended period, teens will be required to have a hat, a shirt with sleeves, sunscreen, and water. The good news is the heat is mostly dry, there is very little humidity and the chance of rain in Israel during the summer is extremely low so no umbrellas are needed. Evenings in Israel tend to get chilly quickly. Because we will not always return to our accommodations to change before an evening activity, always bring a day pack with a windbreaker, long-sleeved shirt, or light sweater. Layers are key!
How do you approach security?
Since 1956, BBYO has organized teen programs in Israel with a fundamental commitment to providing a safe and meaningful experience. Our programs adhere to Israel’s comprehensive security policies and are centrally monitored by Israel’s Situation Room. Our itineraries are designed with caution in mind and our policies are calibrated to local conditions. Finally, each group is accompanied by trained staff and a licensed guard accompanies all touring-based activities. Learn more about our organization’s approach to safety and security as well as more specific details about our Israel policies.
What's the typical group size?
Group size varies depending on the date of the program. Our average group size ranges between 20-45 teens. In some cases, multiple groups will travel on a similar path, although each group has its own dedicated staff, guide, and guard.
What's the food like?
Expect to eat Middle Eastern and Mediterranean foods such as falafel, hummus, schnitzel, shakshouka, borekas, and much more. When traveling, your teen may encounter new foods that will not be to their liking, so we ask teens to be flexible and have snacks and other alternatives on hand just in case.
As a travel-based program, our meals take a variety of forms and may include hotel buffets, restaurants, catered meals, and allowance funds for participants to purchase a meal on their own. All food provided by BBYO Passport experiences in Israel is kosher. When a meal is served in a public buffet format (e.g. hotel breakfast), we will always ensure that there are vegetarian, pescatarian, or dairy options available and we will not restrict teens from eating the food of their choice.
Some meals may be provided via a cash allowance where teens will be given money to purchase the food of their choice, called a pizur meal. Such meals are typically arranged in an area where there are multiple restaurant options and teens can choose the food of their liking. When time is limited for meal choice, staff may choose to facilitate meal orders on behalf of teens using their allowance funds.
Participants with special dietary needs (i.e. lactose intolerance, gluten-free, kosher, etc.) should review our dietary restrictions commitment document and contact us in advance to be sure we can accommodate your needs during the program.
Will I need a visa?
If you travel with an American, Canadian, or EU passport, good news! You don’t need a visa to enter Israel. If you travel with a passport from another country, you may need a visa. Contact your nearest Israeli embassy or consulate for additional details.
What are the payment and cancellation terms?
All of these details are available here: Registration Terms.
For more information, check out our general FAQs or the pre-trip preparation manual.
Looking to combine two experiences for an extended summer of adventure, learning, and self-discovery? BBYO makes it easy! This trip connects our Volunteer Israel program with our Israel Journey program. Check out these other trips that connect into Israel Journey:
- Ultimate Central Europe Israel
- Ultimate Mediterranean Israel
- Ultimate Western Europe Israel
- Ultimate Greece Israel
- Ultimate Iberian Israel
Learn more about our trip connections.
HIGHLIGHTS
Experience the thrill of Israel’s floating water park, Aqua Kef, on the Sea of Galilee
Volunteer with Save a Child’s Heart and work with children who have traveled to Israel for life-saving medical treatment
Sing, dance, and laugh while participating in a “silent rave” through the streets of Jerusalem
Discover powerful graffiti murals in Tel Aviv’s Florentin neighborhood, offering a unique glimpse into Israel’s vibrant and resilient art scene
Immerse yourself in the rich history and bustling culture of Jaffa—an ancient port city—while enjoying unique shopping experiences
