Community Israel Trip

LAND & THE SPIRIT

Our Community Journey to our Holy Land

We're so thrilled you're here. This is more than a trip - it’s a spiritual, and emotional journey to the heart of our shared story. Together, we’ll explore Israel’s most meaningful sites, experience its vibrant holiness, and deepen our bonds as a community.

Along the way, we’ll also have the opportunity to give back through volunteer projects and spend time supporting our beloved Chayalim (IDF soldiers) - connecting not only with the land, but with the people who bring it to life every day.

Below you’ll find our tentative itinerary and estimated costs. While details are still coming together, this page will give you a sense of what’s in store - moments of inspiration, connection, and joy that we’ll share together in Israel.

Warmest,
Rabbi Leibel & Nechamie

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Chabad of Reston-Herndon - Israel Trip
April 2026 - May 2026
Led by Rabbi Leibel & Nechamie Fajnland

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL - Monday, April 27 2026

• Welcome to Israel!!! Behind the scenes tour of the state of the art Marcus National Blood Services Center- the world’s first underground anti-missile blood center

• Meet with wounded IDF soldiers at the Tel Hashomer Hospital and hear their stories of bravery both in the battlefield and in rehabilitation

• Packed lunch - included

• Discover the magnificent port city of Caesarea including the Roman Theater, Hippodrome, Palace of King Herod & more...

• Transfer to the North & check-in to your hotel - unpack, rest & relax.

• Dinner at the hotel - included

Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel - Galilee
 

DAY 2 - TZFAT & UPPER GALILEE - Tuesday, April 28 2026

• Full Israeli breakfast at the hotel

• Departure from the hotel

• Discover the Mystical City of Tzfat, including the beautiful synagogues, artists' colony, candle factory & more

• Meet with Kabbalistic artist Avraham Loewenthal in his studio

• Enjoy lunch on own in Tzfat - not included

• Volunteer project in Kiryat Shmona helping residents to rebuild

• Hear a security briefing at Kibbutz Misgav Am on the border with Lebanon & hear about life in the shadow of the Hezbollah

• Enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee with music

• Dinner in Tiberias at Decks Restaurant on the banks of the Sea of Galilee - included

• Return to the hotel

Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel - Galilee

DAY 3 - GOLAN HEIGHTS - Wednesday, April 29 2026

• Full Israeli breakfast at the hotel

• Check-out & departure

• Visit the remarkable Ancient Synagogue at Um El Kanatir that has been painstakingly rebuilt using revolutionary technological methods.

• Discover Tel Saki & hear about the incredible story of the battle here in the Yom Kippur War

• Light lunch at the award-winning Domaine Seror Winery in the Southern Golan Heights - included

• Drive southwards along the Jordan Valley

• Transport yourselves to the Days of the Bible as you visit Abraham's Tent in Genesis Land - includes camel rides, pita-baking, traditional desert hospitality & dinner

• Enjoy a spectacular lookout over Jerusalem from the Mt. of Olives

• Check-in to your hotel - unpack, rest & relax

• Evening at leisure

Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel - Jerusalem

DAY 4 - JERUSALEM - Thursday, April 30 2026

• Full Israeli breakfast at the hotel

• Departure

• We will Celebrate a Bar Mitzvah at the Western Wall that we sponsored for a child who has been orphaned in the wake of October 7th

• Explore the fascinating Western Wall Tunnels that unlock the secrets of Jerusalem's glorious past

• Walk in the footsteps of Prophets & Kings in the City of David & feel the Bible come to life. Wade through Hezekiah’s Water Tunnel dug some 2700 years ago
• Shopping time & lunch on own the historic Jewish Quarter - not included

• Volunteer at Pantry Packers packaging food for the needy

• Visit Rachel’s Tomb on the outskirts of Bethlehem

• Experience the vibe at the Machane Yehudah Outdoor Market as Jerusalem prepares for Shabbat

• Dinner on own in the market - not included

Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel - Jerusalem

DAY 5 - GUSH ETZION & HEVRON - Friday, May 1 2026

• Optional early morning Vatikin prayers at the Western Wall as the sun rises over the Holy City

• Full Israeli breakfast at the hotel with Reserve Soldiers & their spouses

• Departure

• Discover the Path of the Patriarchs in an off-road ATV adventure. 

• Experience the Biblical City of Hevron, including the Cave of Machpela, Avraham Avinu neighborhood, Bet Hadassah & more

• Lunch in the Gutnick Center - included

• Meet with local residents Rabbi Danny & Batsheva Cohen at their home in the Avraham Avinu neighborhood

• Departure for Jerusalem & prepare for Shabbat

• Candle-lighting at the hotel

• Join thousands of Jews from around the globe in joyous celebration of Shabbat at the Western Wall

• Friday night dinner & febrengen at the hotel with Lone Soldiers

Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel - Jerusalem

DAY 6 - SHABBAT IN JERUSALEM AT LEISURE - Shabbat, May 2 2026

• Breakfast at hotel

• Join morning services at the lively Mayanot Shul in Rechavia

• Enjoy lunch at our Kiddush we will sponsor for the community

• Rest & relax

• Enjoy a walking tour through the beautiful Yemin Moshe neighborhood

• Musical Havdalla

• Evening at leisure & dinner on own - not included

Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel - Jerusalem

DAY 7 - GAZA ENVELOPE - Sunday, May 3 2026

• Full Israeli breakfast at the hotel

• Departure

• Volunteer at a greenhouse in the south assisting local farmers with their crops

• Explore Sderot including a lookout over Gaza, the site of the Police Station,fortified Children's Playground & meet with local residents who will share their experiences.

• Lunch at Chabad of Sderot together with Rabbi Asher Pizem - included

• Visit the site of the Nova Music Festival in the Re'im Forest 

• View the burnt-out, bullet-ridden vehicles at the Tkuma Car Graveyard and pay respect to the memory of those who were killed on Oct. 7th.

• Host IDF Combat Troops for a BBQ at their base with music & dancing 

• Return to Jerusalem

Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel - Jerusalem

DAY 8 - JERUSALEM - Monday, May 4 2026

• Full Israeli breakfast at the hotel

• Check out & departure

• Pay tribute to the IDF heroes who are interred at the Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery

• Visit the impressive and grand new premises of the National Library of Israel which hosts the world's largest collections of Hebrew and Judaica books and is the repository of many rare and unique manuscripts, books and artifacts

• Lunch on own in Bet Shemesh - not included

• Meet with Jenn Airley whose son, Binyamin, was killed in action in Gaza

• Enjoy a farewell dinner at Regina Restaurant in the Old Train Station

• Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport & fly to the USA

 NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM!!!

Tentative Cost per person for the trip on double occupancy is calculated as follows:

- Minimum of 15 full-paying participants- $4,146

- Minimum of 20 full-paying participants- $3,795

- Minimum of 25 full-paying participants- $3,584

- Minimum of 30 full-paying participants- $3,444

- Minimum of 35 full-paying participants- $3,344

- Single Occupancy Supplement - $1,370 USD

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

Flights

Early check in or late check out at hotels, unless otherwise noted

Any sites, meals or items not mentioned above

Any additional guests at meals or sites unless otherwise noted

Tips and gratuities

NOTES

Sites & Change - The itinerary is not final and the order in which sights are listed is not necessarily the order in which we will visit them. Due to weather, traffic or other factors beyond our control, our guide might suggest minor changes.