Israel Pilgrimage
Spend your summer with USY for a complete introduction to the land of Israel. You'll be
exposed to the history and contemporary realities of Judaism and Israel. Climb the fortress of
Masada, explore the stalactite caves of Netifim, swim in the waters of the Kinneret, pray at the
Kotel, and drink tea in a Bedouin tent on the sands of the Negev desert. You'll experience these
sights and sounds with new friends who share your love of the Jewish homeland.
From north to south, east to west
Your group will travel the country in its own air-conditioned motor coach, staying
in hotels and youth hostels, dormitory style bases, field schools and kibbutz
guesthouses. Two weeks are spent in Jerusalem, allowing it to become your second
home.
The other two weeks include travel up north and down south. You'll have a chance
to go rappelling and participate in an archaeological dig.
Each co-ed group will include 40-45 USYers, led by five to seven mature professional
staff members: a group leader, North American counselors, an Israeli counselor
and an Israeli medic. The group leaders and staff are qualified advisors, youth
directors, teachers, and rabbis of the Conservative Movement. The support staff
in Israel includes a faculty of knowledgeable lecturers, talented tour guides,
and other USY personnel. The staff members participate in an intensive training
seminar in the United States and are also responsible for preparing educational
material that is used over the course of the summer.
USY also offers additional Israel programs.
After visiting Europe, you'll complete the summer in Israel, where you'll have
a full Israel Pilgrimage experience.
The name behind it all
United Synagogue Youth (USY), under the auspices of The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism,
sponsors Israel Pilgrimage in cooperation with the Jewish Agency, Youth and Hechalutz Department.
Leaving on a jetplane
The price includes round trip flights from New York to Israel, room and board, an approved
Israeli medical plan, sightseeing tours with professional guides, gratuities and admission fees.
(Personal expenses and extra personal baggage are additional.) Payments can be made by cash,
check, MasterCard, Visa, and Discover.
Scholarships are offered by the USY regions (through the Tikun Olam Tzedakah program), local
congregations and affiliated programs for deserving USYers. For further information on these and
other scholarship programs, contact your synagogue or regional USY
director.
What about security?
Since 1956, USY has operated Israel programs for Jewish youth from North America. Although an
enriching and exciting Israel experience is certainly our mission, the safety and well being of
our participants has always been, and continues to be, our highest priority. Matters of security
always take precedence over all other concerns.
All of our programs are adapted as the situation requires, in a manner to assure the safety of
all participants. This includes the routes, accommodations and security measures taken. We have
decades of experience operating programs in normal and abnormal times and our safety record is
proven. We are equipped to make any necessary changes throughout the programs. The supervision on
all our programs is intense and diligent. We have always scrupulously avoided unsafe places and venues.
 Click here for more information...
What's a summer in Israel with USY like?
You can browse through the daily written and photo updates from the summer of
2009 to see!. (Note: schedule subject to change.)
Also, check out Pilgrims' Stories in the
Ani Zocher ("I Remember") section, and read about some of
the memorable experiences that USYers have had on USY Israel programs!
NEW!!! Check out the list of reasons to
go to Israel on USY Israel Pilgrimage this summer.
ALSO!!! Check out how to convince your
parents to let you go to Israel on USY Israel Pilgrimage this summer.
Need scholarship help?
Browse through the Israel Scholarship Database to see if there's
anything you can apply for.
Want more information?
You can request more information about USY Summer
Programs, and we will send it you!
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