Join Reconstructionist teens from across North America for an amazing month of exploring Israel!

Age: The No'ar Hadash Israel Experience is open to entering high school juniors.

Dates: The trip will take place July 12 - August 9, 2009.  Participants will begin with an orientation on the Aaron and Marjorie Ziegelman Campus of Camp JRF.  The group will then fly together to Israel for three-and-a-half weeks of touring the land and living the experience.  The trip will conclude with Shabbat at Camp JRF - bringing the experience of a lifetime back to the American Reconstructionist community.

Highlights: After building community together at Camp JRF, participants will travel to Israel where they will begin a month-long interactive experience of the land and the people.  Based on a civilizational approach, participants will move through history as they find ways in which Jews have lived their lives in Israel throughout the generations.  They will spend time in all parts of the country as they climb, swim, sing, hike, learn, and explore their way through the land.  Participants will have an opportunity to experience Shabbat in Jerusalem, see the sunrise over Masada, participate in tikkun olam projects with their Israeli peers, marvel at the natural wonders of the land, discuss the realities of life in contemporary Israel, and connect with Reconstructionist rabbis living and working in Israel.  They will then bring their learning back to the Reconstructionist youth community in the United States - spending Shabbat at Camp JRF so that they can share their experiences, their stories, and their excitement about this unforgettable summer. 
--- Click here to download a tentative itinerary from Summer 2008.
--- Click here to read notes and see pictures from the Summer 2007 Israel Experience.

Tour Operator: The No'ar Hadash Israel Experience is run through IsraelExperts, one of the leading educational tour companies in Israel.  The itinerary is created by Rabbi Lee Diamond, Director of Educational Program Development for IsraelExperts, in close consultation with No'ar Hadash staff.  Rabbi Diamond, who studied with Mordecai Kaplan, made aliya to Israel in 1971 and began his unique rabbinate as an Israel Educator for the Diaspora, serving as Israel director of the Alexander Muss High School in Israel, Associate Director of the Israel office of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) Israel programs, and as Rabbi of United Jewish Congregation in Hong Kong.

Safety: The safety and security of our teens is of the utmost importance.  When running any program, we take all steps necessary to keep each of our participants as safe as possible.  While in Israel, all tour groups are in constant contact with the Security Department of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI), which monitors security concerns at all times.  This provides up-to-the-minute updates on security, allowing for immediate itinerary changes as needed.  The group will be accessible by phone 24-hours-a-day and will be in frequent touch with JRF staff in the United States.

Cost: The trip cost for Summer 2009 is $6,600.  This includes airfare (New York - Israel - New York), all lodging (in youth hostels, kibbutz guest houses, and 3-star hotels), meals, ground transportation, staff (Israeli guide, medic, and counselor, as well as two No'ar Hadash staff members), entrance fees, and insurance.  Not included in this price are airfare to/from Camp JRF, travel insurance, and spending money.  In order to offset the cost of the trip, participants and families are encouraged to seek funding from their synagogues and local Federations.  As available, scholarship funds will be provided to those who need further assistance. 

Registration: Click here to download a registration form.

More Information: Please contact us at noarhadash@jrf.org