From Solidarity to Renewal: A Journey to Israel
February 22 – March 4, 2026
(Itinerary subject to change)

Day 1: Sunday, February 22, 2026 – Welcome to Israel

Individual arrivals at Ben Gurion Airport, where the first breath of Israeli air brings that unmistakable feeling o being home.

Make your way to Tel Aviv, taking in your first glimpses of the Mediterranean and the vibrant rhythm of the city.

Check into the hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening as you settle in. Stroll the beachfront, explore the neighborhood, or simply rest.

Overnight: Tel Aviv

Day 2: Monday, February 23, 2026 – Galilee Flavors, Open Hearts & Renewed Belonging

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Begin the morning with an opening session that sets the tone for your journey and brings the group together.

Depart the hotel and begin traveling north along the coast.

Pause at the beautiful Caesarea Aqueduct to begin your journey with song, reflection, and the Shehecheyanu blessing, marking this shared beginning.

Continue to Akko for a hands-on cooking experience at Beit Elfarasha, cooking with local women who share Akko-Arab cuisine in a warm, intimate setting that connects guests with the community.

Travel to Nahariya and meet with activists from Tzedek Hevrati, a grassroots social-justice organization dedicated to strengthening vulnerable communities in Israel’s northern periphery. Hear firsthand how these local leaders are addressing economic inequality, supporting families in crisis, and building networks of mutual aid and empowerment. Their stories offer a powerful window into the resilience, creativity, and community-driven change taking place in Galil today.

Check into the hotel and come together for a private dinner, sharing reflections from the day in a warm and relaxed setting.

Gather for an evening conversation reflecting on why we came and what has changed in

Israel, opening the heart of the journey ahead.

Overnight: North

Day 3: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 – Where Borders and People Endure

Breakfast at the hotel.

Depart the hotel and drive to Tel Chai, where we will meet our drivers and take a magnificent jeep ride through Metulla as they share personal stories and insights from life along the northern border.

Continue to Julis for an unforgettable lunch at Noor Restaurant with Druze Chef Basma Hameed, followed by a powerful and inspiring conversation with community leader Nadeem Amar.

Visit the Alma Research and Education Center for an in-depth security briefing offering clear insight into the complex realities of Israel’s northern borders.

Meet Savta Jamilla and hear how this Druze woman, supported by the Israeli Tefen Industrial Park, turned her traditional village craft into an internationally recognized natural-cosmetics brand.

Enjoy a relaxing, delicious dinner together at the hotel.

Overnight: North

Day 4: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 – Past Illuminates Present in Shared Hope

Breakfast at the hotel.

Check out of the hotel and continue to Beit Shearim to explore the ancient necropolis and the tombs of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, a powerful chapter of Jewish history and leadership.

Drive to Kfar Tikva and learn about this remarkable intentional community where adults with disabilities live, work, and grow with dignity and independence.

Visit the Tulip Winery for a meaningful tour and tasting that highlights the community’s inspiring model of inclusion and shared purpose, followed by lunch overlooking the vineyards.

Travel to Kibbutz Mishmar Ha’emek to learn how the community welcomed and absorbed 500 evacuees after October 7, then continue with Lydia to Wadi Ara and the Green Line, overlooking the village of Barta’a for a deeper understanding of the region’s complex social and historical landscape.

Travel to Tel Aviv, settle into the hotel, and enjoy a relaxed evening with dinner at leisure in the city.

Overnight: Tel Aviv

Day 5: Thursday, February 26, 2026 – Headlines & Heartlines in Israel

Breakfast at the hotel.

Enjoy a lively and insightful briefing with journalist Gil Hoffman, who brings clarity, humor, and depth to Israel’s current political and security landscape.

Depart from the hotel and explore the Battae Ethiopian Heritage Center, where the stories, art, and culture of Ethiopian Israelis come to life, enjoy a traditional lunch filled with the community’s warmth, and

Engage in a heartfelt dialogue with Ihab and Ora from בוסתן בני אברהם, Orchard of Abraham’s Children, a pioneering interfaith kindergarten, as they share their remarkable partnership and the hope it inspires across their community.

Join Dr. Rachel Korazim for a deeply engaging session where her insight, warmth, and masterful storytelling bring Israeli poetry and literature to life through the voices and themes that shape the Israeli experience.

Return to the hotel and take the evening to enjoy dinner at leisure.

Overnight: Tel Aviv

Day 6: Friday, February 27, 2026 – From Ancient Roots to Shabbat Light

Breakfast at the hotel.

Depart the hotel for ANU: Museum of the Jewish People, exploring interactive exhibits, stories, and artifacts that celebrate the diversity, creativity, and enduring journey of the Jewish people.

Visit the Reuven Rubin House and Studio, where the artist’s vibrant paintings, sketches, and personal space offer an intimate look at the early spirit and emerging identity of modern Israel.

Enjoy free time wandering through the colorful Carmel Market and the lively Nachalat Binyamin Arts Fair, where local flavors, handmade crafts, and the creative energy of Tel Aviv fill every corner.

Return to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat, as we light candles, join in Kabbalat Shabbat with song and community, and share a private Shabbat dinner filled with good food, warmth, and meaningful connection.

Overnight: Tel Aviv

Day 7: Saturday, February 28, 2026 – Shabbat in Tel Aviv

Breakfast at the hotel.

Enjoy a peaceful morning at leisure or visit one of the many local synagogues to experience the unique spirit of Shabbat in Tel Aviv.

Lunch at leisure.

Take a guided walk through Neve Tzedek and the Yemenite Quarter, exploring their early homes, narrow alleys, and the stories of the pioneers, poets, and families who shaped these historic neighborhoods.

Return to the hotel.

Enjoy a Limmud session at the hotel, creating space for shared learning and reflection, then gather by the Mediterranean Sea for a beautiful Havdalah, marking the transition into the new week with song, light, and the gentle rhythm of the water and sky.

Dinner at leisure.

Overnight: Tel Aviv

Day 8: Sunday, March 1, 2026 – Stories of Strength Along Israel’s Edge

Breakfast at the hotel.

Check out and begin your day’s journey by traveling to Rahat, entering the heart of Israel’s Bedouin community, and visiting Al-Risala School to learn about the hopes, challenges, and educational aspirations of local students and their dedicated educators.

Enjoy a warm, home-cooked lunch in the Ofakim home of Osi Lankry, a beloved culinary queen whose famed Moroccan dishes, signature sfing dessert, and powerful October 7 story merge to create a meal filled with flavor, courage, and heartfelt connection.

Visit TALLIS MAN in Shuva and meet the artisans crafting tallitot along the Gaza border, hearing how creativity and faith became acts of resilience.

Visit the Sderot Lookout and the October 7 Memorial to gain a deeper understanding of the region’s reality, courage, and loss. Meet with the mayor of Sderot for a firsthand perspective on the city’s resilience, rebuilding, and hopes for the future.

Journey to Jerusalem, settle into the hotel, and enjoy dinner at leisure as you take in your first evening in this extraordinary city, wrapped in its lights, history, and unmistakable spirit.

Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 9: Monday, March 2, 2026 – Exploring the Mosaic of a City (Erev Purim)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Ride the Jerusalem Light Rail through a tapestry of neighborhoods and meet local speakers whose personal stories open a vivid window into the complexity, resilience, and everyday beauty of life in Jerusalem.

Take part in a guided tasting tour at Machane Yehuda Market, sampling flavors and hearing the stories behind the foods that define this vibrant marketplace.

Visit the Magen David Adom emergency headquarters to learn how lifesaving work happens behind the scenes through dedication, training, and rapid response.

Explore the National Library of Israel, discovering cultural treasures, rare manuscripts, and the evolving story of Jewish life and creativity.

Enjoy dinner at leisure, with endless options to savor Jerusalem’s rich blend of flavors and atmosphere.

Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 10: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 – Motion, Malts & Masterpieces (Purim)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Travel to Netiv HaLamed Heh and begin your day outside the city as you take part in a trauma-healing movement workshop at the Vertigo Eco-Art Village, where dance, creativity, and nature come together to support resilience and personal expression. Experience lunch at Vertigo, sharing a meal in this peaceful and inspiring setting.

Meet the artisans at Yvel Jewelry and the Megemeria training center, where master craftsmen create exquisite pieces and new immigrants learn the craft as a pathway to opportunity and empowerment.

Return to the hotel to prepare for Purim, embracing the festive spirit as evening approaches, then attend a Megillah reading at a local synagogue to welcome the holiday together.

Enjoy dinner at leisure, savoring the lively, festive atmosphere that fills Jerusalem on Purim night.

Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 11: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 – This Year in Shushan Purim

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Join a second Megillah reading for those who choose and then check out of the hotel as we continue our Purim day together.

Spend the morning at Yad Lakashish, an organization that empowers elderly artisans, and take part in a hands-on chesed project that nurtures dignity, creativity, and meaningful connection across generations.

Continue to celebrate Purim at the lively Adloyada parade, surrounded by music, costumes, and the joyful energy of the holiday.

Enjoy lunch at leisure and then spend free time in the Old City, visiting the Kotel and wandering through markets filled with history, color, and craftsmanship.

Meet with Fleur Hassan Nahoum, Special Envoy for Trade & Innovation for Israel’s foreign ministry, for a thoughtful briefing on diplomacy, regional partnerships, and the evolving landscape of Israel today.

Share a meaningful farewell dinner and reflection at a beautiful local restaurant before transferring to Ben Gurion Airport for your departure flight.

The Melton tour to Israel is open to adults of all ages.

While Melton oversees the educational aspects of our tours, it's important to note that we are not a travel agency. For the logistics of this trip, our travel partners in Israel will be responsible. Please note that Melton is not liable for any financial loss due to reasons beyond our control, such as health-related cancellations. We highly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation and health-related issues, within a few weeks of paying your nonrefundable deposit.

Thank you for your interest in traveling with Melton. We eagerly await the opportunity to learn and explore together with you.

The Melton Travel Team

Register online now >

Need to Know:

A non-refundable deposit of US$1,500 is due upon registration. If the trip is cancelled, the registration fee will be refunded. 

The final balance will be due by January 27, 2026. All cancellations must be submitted in writing. After January 27, 2026, there will be no refunds, nor will there be refunds for unused services. Please purchase travel insurance within 21 days of making this deposit.

Meals are included as indicated in the itinerary. Group rates are per person and a minimum of 15 fully paying participants.

A Melton educator will be with the group throughout the tour.

Activity level: Participants should be comfortable getting on and off a bus multiple times a day, as well as walking and standing during site visits. Some days may be more physically demanding than others. If a day’s activities are too challenging, our staff and educators will do their best to arrange for the traveler to stay with the driver, relax at a nearby café, or arrange for a taxi, with costs covered individually.

All gratuities are included.

Baggage: Melton shall not be held responsible for any damage to or loss of luggage/personal items. All damage/loss must be reported at the time of the incident and documented in writing by local authorities for submission to the insurance company. Regarding airline baggage allowance, different carriers have different regulations for business and coach, please check with your individual carrier about permitted number of pieces, weights, and dimensions. Melton is not responsible for fees levied by any air carrier for the transport of personal belongings of any kind.

Not included:

• Air Travel
• Travel Insurance
• Transport to/from the airport
• Tips for housekeeping
• Personal expenses

Melton Travel recommends Forbes Advisor for the most up-to-date travel insurance comparisons. Consider travel protection for:

• Trip Cancellation
• Trip Interruption
• Emergency Medical Expenses
• Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation of Remains
• Trip Delay
• Baggage & Personal Effects
• Baggage Delay
  
  

Please Note: To be eligible for the waiver of pre-existing medical condition exclusion, the protection plan must be purchased within 21 days from the time you make your initial trip deposit, the entire non-refundable amount of the trip must be insured, and you must be medically able to travel at the time the premium is paid. However, the travel protection plan itself can be purchased any time prior to departure.

Additional Information

• Airline Security Measures: Your name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket, or you may be denied boarding. If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S., you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification are required for that particular airport.
  
  
• Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, or aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times. You may also wish to visit the Transportation Security Administration website at www.tsa.gov to obtain more information on acceptable identity documentation and prohibited luggage items.
  
  
• Holidays and Museum Closures - Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or state and local holidays observed in the destinations being visited.
  
  
• Photography During Tours: We will occasionally use photographs taken by fellow guests or your trip director for promotional purposes. If you prefer your photo not used in any marketing activities, please notify us at the start of your tour.

For more information, please contact us here.

Or, call 1–646–921–0747, Ext. 4