Mah Nishtana HaVacation HaZeh?

What makes the JCC-led Community Israel Trip different from all other tours? For us, figuring out the answer to that question was the key to unlocking our decision to not only join the trip, but to chair it as well.

We’ve been to Israel before—the last time, three years ago, with all three of our elementary-age kids. And while we were all itching for a return trip, we were wary of the thought of a multi-family, multi-generational cohort locking us into a rigid schedule without flexibility to explore on our own.

Other questions jumped to mind:  What if the hotels are awful?  Do I really want to climb Masada—again? What if I want to finally explore Yad VaShem, but my kids are still mostly Children’s Museum material? Can we squeeze in that Bar Mitzvah our friends are planning that week?

And perhaps the biggest questions of all: If the trip is too programmed, will we feel rushed? If not, and we just play it by ear, will we get locked out of all the good stuff? With two adults and three kids, how would we avoid the pitfalls of a “one-size-fits-all” itinerary, and instead achieve that rarest and most precious of family vacations: the “something for everyone” experience?

Fortunately, Luba Palant and the dedicated planning team at the Oshman Family JCC have put together an amazing itinerary. Actually, several itineraries.

By combining insights into unique experiences—daily activity choices for people of all ages—with a world-class network of in-country contacts and regional travel professionals, the team has created a flexible itinerary supporting several different daily “themes.”

Daily options include culinary, history, politics and culture, providing each traveler his or her own customized Israel experience. Fully vetted madrichim will be available to take kids on separate day trips, yet there is still plenty of family time (beaches, anyone?) built in to the schedule. The only hard part will be deciding which activities to partake of each day!

L’Shana HaZeh B’Yirushalayim! This year in Jerusalem…and Tel Aviv…and the Galilee…

The Tachners, this year’s trip chairs, invite you to share in this amazing community experience and be part of launching a new community tradition. To learn more about the trip, visit our website or reach out to Luba Palant.  Scholarships are available.