Yuval Yisrael’s mission is to make the Israel experience an integral part of the individual’s Jewish journey. Our program allows participants to intimately connect with Israeli society and culture by creating an immersive Jewish experience that speaks to participants of diverse backgrounds. Powered by Ramah Israel and USY, Yuval Yisrael benefits from over six decades of experience designing and running exceptional, safe, and meaningful Israel programs with a focus on building egalitarian Jewish communities. Approaching Israel as a dynamic arena in which various expressions of Judaism intersect, participants engage in both intellectual and experiential exploration of Jewish tradition. Yuval Yisrael encourages the development of a personal understanding of one’s Jewishness and an individually meaningful relationship with Israel and the Jewish people.
This year is a year like no other. Considering the tragic events of this year, Yuval Yisrael will be focussing on two areas. Firstly, we will be striving to instill a spirit of togetherness with Israel. Through volunteer work and meeting Israelis, Yuval Israel participants will feel like they are part of this historic year in Israel. Secondly, we will look to help participants build up their own inner strength and resilience so they can stand up to the challenges facing Jewish youth at this time. These aims will be achieved through service-learning projects, joint participation with Israeli teens, and specially designed workshops and activities.
Eastern Europe Experience Add On: June 26- July 7
Price: $5,800
Yuval Yisrael: July 8- July 31
Price: $7,800, with RootOne voucher $4,800*
All Jewish teens who are current 10th, 11th or 12th graders, regardless of prior Ramah, USY, or Jewish educational experience, who are looking for a journey of a lifetime filled with fun, community, Zionist and Jewish values, and Jewish experiences and living! Yuval Yisrael offers many opportunities for teens to customize the program to fit their interests.
✈️ International Flight from NYC
🚌 Land Transportation
🏨 Accommodations
🥙 Kosher Meals & Snacks
🎫 Programming & Entry Fees
🧺 Laundry Services
The itinerary in Israel is designed to take participants through their own journey of discovery in Israel enabling them to find their own personal connection to the country. The first chapter of the program, based in Jerusalem, focuses on the Jewish past in the land. The second chapter of the program focuses on the beauty of the land itself in the Galil and the Negev. The final chapter gives a deep dive into contemporary Israeli society and culture, in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Therefore by the end of Epic Israel each participant can work for themselves which is their personal connection to the land. Is it through the richness of the Jewish past in Israel, the magnificence of the land, or the beautiful and complicated tapestry that makes up Israeli society and culture? Or is it all three?
Please note, this is subject to change due to extenuating circumstances.
Before our Israel journey, choose to join us to explore Eastern Europe for 12 days criss-crossing through Berlin, Prague, and Poland. Walk in the footsteps of those who came before you with a tour of Jewish Eastern Europe, from the shtetls to important Holocaust sites. Through this experience, we carry on the memory of those we lost, while actively renewing and returning Jewish voices to the communities we visit.
This Eastern European Experience leads seamlessly into the Yuval Yisrael trip to create the ultimate summer experience.
What does the program include?
Who are the Eastern Europe Experience Educators?
The staff for the Eastern Europe Experience includes experienced and knowledgeable mechanchim (tour educators) as well as madrichim (counselors) who are trained for the physical and emotional aspects of this trip. These trained professionals are with the group from their arrival in Berlin through their arrival in Israel.
Yuval Yisrael provides full room and board throughout the trip and three kosher meals a day. Participants will stay in either quad or double rooms. Throughout the program, participants will stay in a variety of accommodations including hotels, kibbutzim, host homes, and the Agron Guest House.
Laundry services will be available once in the middle of the program. Participants should pack clothes for 10-11 days.
We cannot guarantee that there will always be Wifi available throughout the program. If you plan to bring a smart device, we recommend that you either purchase a cell phone plan or SIM card. If you do not intend to purchase a local plan, please review procedures to prevent data roaming in Israel as it can lead to very high costs.
Yuval Yisrael will make every effort to provide options to those who require special diets. Vegetarian/vegan and gluten-free options are provided at every meal for participants who sign up for them. Please provide this information in your medical forms.
Yuval Yisrael is not a nut-free environment, however, we request that participants refrain from eating any food with nuts in closed areas including on the buses, in the dormitories, and in the moadonim (common rooms).
We believe every teen deserves the opportunity to participate in USY summer travel regardless of financial restrictions. Please visit our Ways to Save page to learn about various venues for scholarship, including through USY.
As in years past, USY is once again applying for funding from RootOne LLC., an organization aimed at helping teens travel to and experience Israel. RootOne may help offset costs for eligible trip participants only. USY is actively applying for our RootOne grant, and we encourage you to take part today! Learn more at RootOne.org and be in touch with us directly with any questions. (Note, Vouchers are subject to participant eligibility and are not guaranteed. USY’s prior RootOne funding is no guarantee of future funding.) * Not available for graduating seniors or students of orthodox day schools.
Check out Plant Your Way – an innovative program that will help you save money for a trip to Israel and, at the same time, raise money for the greening of Israel.
All passports must be valid for six months following your return flight. Obtaining a new passport can take weeks, or sometimes months. Please check your passports now and apply for a new one if necessary to ensure your ability to participate in Yuval Yisrael.
Yuval Yisrael is a Ramah and USY program. The Ramah Camping Movement is the camping arm of the Conservative movement and USY is the youth movement for United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. We offer an egalitarian, Shabbat observant, joyful and spirited Jewish community. This program is for Jewish teens looking for a program with an egalitarian Jewish framework that is Shabbat observant.
All participants are fully covered for medical care, including doctors’ visits, medications, x-rays, and hospitalization. This coverage extends from the time of arrival in Israel until the end of the program, but does not cover diseases, illnesses, or medical problems resulting from pre-existing conditions, pregnancy, or self-inflicted injuries. In addition, we will be purchasing a Coronavirus add-on that covers COVID-19 testing (provided pending approval of the Ministry of Health) and all medical treatments, doctors’ visits, medications and hospitalizations as a result of COVID-19 infection. Yuval Yisrael staff will ensure that all students receive the medical treatment recommended or prescribed by our health care professionals. Our Mirpa’ah (infirmary) is open 24/7 and is staffed by a paramedic and support staff. A doctor comes to our base for visits, as needed. Counselors accompany students to all medical appointments or tests.
The medical coverage does not include dental, orthodontic, optical, or psychological care. However, Yuval Yisrael staff will facilitate such appointments, if needed, at the participant’s expense. We recommend a complete dental check-up before departure for Israel.
Families are highly encouraged, but not required, to sign up for travel insurance to plan for the unexpected. More information on this option can be available here.
The mental health of our participants is extremely important to us. All of our participants will have access to a camper care professional throughout the entirety of the program as needed. This professional will work with each participant and their family before Yuval Yisrael to ensure that their mental health needs will be cared for and met on the program. All applications will be screened by the Yuval Yisrael staff.
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