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Spark: Solidarity
Healing, Heroes, Hanukkah, and Hope
A Boston Jewish community mission to Israel
December 22–29, 2024

Join the Greater Boston Jewish community for a six-day, six-night mission to Israel as we “Spark: Solidarity.”

This community trip will have two tracks:

  1. Adults
  2. Adults traveling with kids (middle, high school, college-age)

Buses and programming will be segmented by demographic: Track A (adults) and Track B (adults traveling with kids ages 12+).

  • Join your Boston community to show our support and solidarity with the people of Israel
  • Bear witness at sites around the Gaza Envelope and honor the heroes who dedicated their lives to saving, rebuilding, and regrowing Israel
  • Celebrate Hanukkah and Shabbat in Jerusalem
  • Hear from experts in the fields of politics, geopolitics, antisemitism, journalism, and security
  • Illuminate the lives of Israelis as we see the impact of CJP’s work and spend time volunteering to make a difference
  • Celebrate Shabbat, eat sufganiyot, and meet new friends and rekindle relationships with old friends, as together we spread our light with our brothers and sisters in Israel
  • The trip includes two nights in Tel Aviv and four nights in Jerusalem.

Receive a $350 savings when you register by October 16th. After this date, the trip cost will be $4,850. We hope you'll join us for this special experience!

$4,850 per person (double occupancy) includes:

  • Two nights in Tel Aviv, David Intercontinental Hotel
  • Four nights in Jerusalem, David Citadel Hotel
  • Three dinners (opening dinner event, Hanukkah celebration, and Shabbat dinner), five lunches, daily breakfast
  • All activities, speakers, tours, and site entrance fees
  • Security guard, field coordinator, bus transportation, tour guide, and local staff
  • Snacks and water bottles throughout the trip
  • Gratuities

Price excludes airfare.

Travel:

  • Recommended nonstop flights (airport transportation will be included for those participants who fly on these EL AL flights):

EL AL:

  • Sunday, December 22, EL AL #16, depart Boston at 8:30 p.m.,
    • Arrive in Tel Aviv on Monday, December 23 at 1:20 p.m.
  • Sunday, December 29, EL AL #15, depart Tel Aviv at 1:05 a.m.
    • Arrive in Boston on Sunday, December 29 at 5:45 a.m.

For help booking airfare, please email Dianne Doucette at Atlas Travel or call at 508-488-1193.

Itinerary highlights

All events and activities are subject to change.

Sunday, December 22: Fly to Israel

Monday, December 23

  • Group gathering with performances and speakers, Hostage Square
  • Opening event in Jaffa with guest speaker, Noam Tibon, and former hostage, Aviva Siegel
  • Overnight, Tel Aviv

Tuesday, December 24

  • Visits in the Gaza Envelope
  • NOVA Festival site and Car Graveyard
  • Kibbutz Be’eri, Nir Oz, or Kfar Aza tour
  • Plant trees at Be’eri Forest
  • BBQ event with IDF soldiers
  • Evening on own, Tel Aviv

Wednesday, December 25

  • Morning geopolitical speaker, Col. Jonathan Conricus
  • Volunteer project
  • Lunch, Carmel Market
  • Visit an Iron Dome battery and hear from security expert
  • Dinner and Hanukkah event featuring heroes from October 7

Thursday, December 26

  • Morning speaker (political expert/dignitary)
  • Knesset tour and panel discussion
  • Lunch and shopping in Machane Yehuda market
  • City of David (or other Jerusalem touring)
  • Dinner and evening on own, Jerusalem

Friday, December 27

  • Morning speaker, Michal Cotler-Wunsh
  • National Library tour
  • Old City and Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel
  • Shabbat dinner and candle lighting with Lone Soldiers and evacuees

Saturday, December 28

  • Shabbat in Jerusalem
  • Optional:
    • Day on own, walking tours, and Shabbat services
    • Masada, Dead Sea, Ein Gedi
    • Israel Museum
  • Havdallah and final closing
FAQs
What are the trip dates for the CJP Solidarity Mission to Israel?

The travel dates are Sunday December 22 through Sunday, December 29, 2024. The trip begins in Tel Aviv on Monday, December 23 and ends in Jerusalem the evening of Saturday, December 28 (hotel rooms are included until the morning of December 29).


Programming begins late afternoon on Monday, December 23.

Who is invited to participate in the community Solidarity Mission?

There will be two “tracks” of participants and programming will be parallel and differentiated by demographic. Three large evening events will be held for all participants.

• Adults
• Families traveling with kids (middle school age and above)

What is the cost of the trip?

$4,850 double occupancy; additional fees will apply for for single occupancy.

What does the cost include?

The cost includes double occupancy accommodations in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, a daily buffet breakfast, three dinner events, five lunches, government- licensed English-speaking tour guides, deluxe air-conditioned buses with Wi-Fi, all programs and activities and entrance fees, on-site field coordinator and hospitality desk, snacks and waters on the bus, and tips and gratuities.

Does the cost of the trip include a contribution to CJP?

No. The cost of the trip does not include a contribution.

Is the cost of a trip tax-deductible?

No. The cost of the trip is not tax-deductible.

What is not included in the cost of the trip?

Meals “on own,” air travel to and from Israel, souvenirs, room service, laundry, gifts, or any other personal items.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance?

We highly encourage you to purchase travel insurance, especially given the ever-changing situation in Israel. These are our recommended travel companies:

How do I book airfare for the CJP Solidarity Mission to Israel?

Please book airfare on your own. We encourage you to research flight options and fares and book online or with a travel agent.

What is the cancellation policy?
  • Non-refundable deposit of $250 due at time of registration to hold your spot
  • Full payment is due by Thursday, October 17
  • Cancel between September 13–October 16 for full refund
  • Cancel between October 17–November 15 for a 50% refund
  • No refunds after Saturday, November 16
Will you be able to accommodate special dietary needs?

All snacks and meals provided will be kosher. There will be a variety of options available for meals during the trip. Please include any allergies or dietary restrictions on your registration form. During free time, participants will be responsible for ensuring any dietary restrictions/needs with the chosen local establishment.

We will be able to accommodate most dietary needs and requests. For specific information on allergies or dietary restrictions, please contact Rachel Grandberg Weinstein at rachelg@cjp.org.

Will I have Wi-Fi access?

Yes, the tour bus and hotels will be equipped with Wi-Fi.

How do I arrange pre- or post-trip plans?

Please send any pre- or post-trip requests to Rachel Grandberg Weinstein at rachelg@cjp.org.

How do I register?

Register here.