Ramah Mishpacha Solidarity & Service Trips to Israel

Please note that all itineraries are subject to change based on speaker availability, volunteer placements, and security restrictions. 

Day 1: To Nourish Those Who Need Nourishment

Participants should plan on arriving at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) no later than 10 am. Our staff will meet participants in the arrivals hall. 

From the airport we head into Tel Aviv for our first volunteer stop, cooking fresh meals to be delivered to IDF soldiers, their families struggling at home without them, families displaced from their homes and hospital patients in recovery. After some free time for lunch on own we will have a chance to meet with members of a kibbutz from the south who have reluctantly relocated to Tel Aviv, before continuing on to Jerusalem to check into the hotel.

We will meet for a short orientation and a summary of the day, and the rest of the evening is free time for dinner (we can recommend small restaurants that need our support). This is also a good opportunity to meet up with family/friends.

Day 2: To Till and To Tend

Following tefillot (optional) and breakfast, we will start our day volunteering in the fields of a moshav or kibbutz. The agricultural sector has been hit hard by the war, not only due to damaged fields but mostly because the field workers have left, and the entire country has been volunteering to help save this season’s crop. We will be picking or packaging fruits/vegetables or helping tend the fields or setting up equipment, and participants should prepare for a few hours of physically demanding labor. 

From there we will be traveling to Tel Aviv for some free time for lunch on own, followed by visiting the Hostages Families Forum HQ to hear more about their efforts to bring the hostages homes. Afterwards we will spend time at Kikar Hachatufim, the “Hostages Square” outside the Tel Aviv Art Museum. This large public square has been set up as a gathering place for families of hostages and draws hundreds of visitors daily. We will have the opportunity to walk around and observe the various art installations, daven minchah (optional) and possibly speak with members of some of the families, to give our support.

We then return to Jerusalem and after free time for dinner (we can recommend small restaurants that need our support), we will gather together to sum up the day and hear from a speaker.

Day 3: To Build and Restore

Following tefillot (optional) and breakfast, we will be traveling South to visit the Western Negev (AKA the “Gaza Envelope”) to see for ourselves what the region is going through. We will start by visiting the site of the Nova Festival, now a moving memorial to those who lost their lives or were taken hostage. From there we continue to one of the ‘development towns’ in the region (Sderot, Netivot and Ofakim) to meet with local residents, hear their stories and show our support. After some free time for lunch on own we will volunteer at a local civilian aid initiative.

In the evening we hope to visit an army base to help prepare and serve a BBQ dinner and spend time speaking with the soldiers. Afterwards we will return to the hotel and the rest of the evening is free.

Day 4: To Share Chizuk and Receive Chizuk

Following breakfast and check out, we will daven together at Azarat Yisrael (the egalitarian section of the Western Wall) before heading to Mount Herzl National Cemetery, where we will visit the newest graves and hear stories of our fallen heroes. After some free time for lunch on own we will hear from a speaker and then volunteer assembling food donation packages at a local civilian aid initiative, before having a summary session to reflect on our shared experiences over the last few days.

In the evening we will enjoy a closing dinner together at a local restaurant, before departing for Ben Gurion Airport in time for late evening flights.

Please note that all itineraries are subject to change based on speaker availability, volunteer placements, and security restrictions. 

Day 1—Thursday: To Nourish Those Who Need Nourishment

Participants should plan on arriving at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) no later than 11 am. Our staff will meet participants in the arrivals hall. 

The entire country has been working hard to ensure that soldiers serving on the frontline are taken care of and nourished. At our first volunteer stop, a short distance from the airport, we will get to work making sandwiches and preparing food for our chayalim. In the afternoon, we will continue on to Jerusalem for an opening ceremony and time to reflect. 

After free time for dinner (we will recommend small restaurants that need our support), we will gather together for our evening program and speaker. 

Day 2—Friday: To Till and To Tend

Following tefillot (optional) and breakfast, we will depart for a morning in the fields. The agricultural communities have been decimated and the entire country has been volunteering to help save this fall’s crops. We will be picking and packaging vegetables, and participants should prepare for a physically demanding morning. We’ll return to Jerusalem in the afternoon, in time for a stop at Machaneh Yehudah. 

Together we will bring in a beautiful Shabbat with tefillot and dinner, followed by an evening program.

Day 3—Shabbat in Jerusalem

Over Shabbat, we will have the opportunity to visit local synagogues and meet with displaced families from southern Israel who are now living in Jerusalem. After free time for dinner (we will recommend small restaurants that need our support), we will gather together for our evening program and speaker. 

Day 4—Sunday: To Build and Restore 

Following tefillot (optional) and breakfast, we will be traveling to the South and volunteering at Rahat, a Bedouin city, and Ofakim, a neighboring Jewish city. In addition to painting homes and repairing playgrounds, we will have the opportunity to meet with residents and hear about the opening days of the war. With IDF permission, we will be visiting an army base and spending time speaking with soldiers. 

After free time for dinner (we will recommend small restaurants that need our support), we will gather together for our evening program and speaker. 

Day 5—Monday: To Share Chizuk and Receive Chizuk

Following tefillot at the Kotel, breakfast, and check out, we will head to Har Herzl, where we will visit the newest graves and hear stories of our fallen heroes. In the afternoon we will volunteer at sites across Jerusalem and then head to Tel Aviv to spend time at Kikar Hahatufim, the Hostages Square outside of the Tel Aviv Art Museum. The square has been set up as a gathering place for families of hostages and draws hundreds of visitors daily. We will have the opportunity to sing, daven, speak with families, and observe the dozens of art installations, including the Empty Shabbat Table.

Following a closing dinner together, we will depart for Ben Gurion Airport in time for late evening flights

Please note that all itineraries are subject to change based on speaker availability, volunteer placements, and security restrictions. 

Day 1—Tuesday : Bruchim habaim!

The program will start in the hotel in the late afternoon

Orientation

Opening Ceremony

Speaker TBD

Day 2 —Wednesday: To Build and Restore 

Following tefillot (optional) and breakfast, we will be traveling to the South and volunteering at Rahat, a Bedouin city, and Ofakim, a neighboring Jewish city. In addition to painting homes or repairing playgrounds, we will have the opportunity to meet with residents and hear about the opening days of the war. With IDF permission, we will be visiting an army base and spending time speaking with soldiers. 

After free time for dinner (we will recommend small restaurants that need our support), we will gather together for our evening program and speaker.

Day 3—Thursday: To Till and To Tend

Following tefillot (optional) and breakfast, we will depart for a day in the fields. The agricultural communities have been decimated and the entire country has been volunteering to help save the crops. We will be picking and packaging fruit or vegetables, and participants should prepare for a physically demanding day. 

In the afternoon we will be traveling to Tel Aviv and spending time at Kikar Hahatufim, the Hostages Square outside of the Tel Aviv Art Museum. The square has been set up as a gathering place for families of hostages and draws hundreds of visitors daily. We will have the opportunity to sing, daven, speak with families, and observe the dozens of art installations, including the Empty Shabbat Table. We will also be volunteering in Tel Aviv at a center that coordinates the distribution of supplies needed by displaced families. 

After free time for dinner, we will gather together for our evening program and speaker. 

Day 4 —Friday: To Share Chizuk and Receive Chizuk

Following tefillot at the Kotel and breakfast, we will head to Har Herzl, where we will stop at the area of the newest graves and hear stories of our fallen heroes.

We will then volunteer at a food packing facility in Jerusalem, OR have the opportunity to give back in the most tangible way possible – by donating blood at the MDA center.

There will then be time for a stop at Machaneh Yehudah Shuk. 

Together we will bring in a beautiful Shabbat with tefillot and dinner, followed by an evening program.

Day 5—Shabbat in Maaleh Hahamisha

Over Shabbat, we will have the opportunity to create a wonderful Shabbat together and meet with displaced families from southern Israel who are now living there. After free time for dinner (we will recommend small restaurants that need our support), we will gather together for our evening program and speaker. 

Day 6—Sunday: Lehitraot! 

Following tefillot (optional) and breakfast, we will end with a closing ceremony together.