About the San Francisco Jewish Community Israel Travel Initiative

Aimed at meeting the growing need and desire of people of all ages to travel to Israel, the Israel Center’s Travel Initiative was established in June 2006 as a resource for our community. 

We are here to help you:

• Create a centralized resource and service for the Bay Area community’s Israel travel needs
• Develop a comprehensive approach to Israel travel
• Inform and inspire individuals and groups traveling from the Bay Area to Israel
• Increase awareness and familiarity with scheduled Israel trips
• Educate Bay Area travelers about the impact their dollars make in Israel
• Increase the numbers and variety of trips offered by community agencies and synagogues
  

The Israel Center & Israel travel

The Israel Center fosters a strong relationship between Bay Area Jews and their counterparts in Israel through cultural programs and opportunities to meet and exchange ideas. One example of such a program is the Gift of Israel, a partnership savings program for your child’s teen trip to Israel. Through Israel Center programs, and Israel Travel, Bay Area Jews can learn more about Israel here at home as well as choose from a variety of programs to explore the Jewish state via study, volunteering or work in Israel. For more information and a list of upcoming programs and events, visit the Israel Center's website.

Celebrating Tel Aviv @ 100!

Check back here often to learn how you can celebrate Tel Aviv's 100th anniversary during your next trip to Israel. From exclusive events to special deals and activities, make sure to be a part of this celebratory occassion.
Read how Tel Aviv is taking over the international art scene!

The best reason to visit Israel: because it is our homeland

Travel to Israel offers you a chance to experience the history, religion, culture, democracy, technology, agriculture, music, diversity and vibrancy of the Jewish homeland. Whether you are a businessperson interested in Israel’s high-tech sector or a Jewish student seeking to reconnect with your heritage, come explore Israel with old and new friends.

Participation in an Israel program can be one of the most inspiring and powerful Jewish experiences you can have. Traveling will energize you, challenge you and provide you with new skills and enriching experiences. You’ll be transformed with a better understanding of your relationship to the past, present and future of the Jewish people.

Hundreds of thousands of young people have participated in our programs. Now is the time for you to make the Israel experience your experience!

Learn about our trips, missions, programs, and volunteer opportunities

Want to visit the Knesset in session, visit the historic sites, live on a kibbutz, study at an Israeli university or read up on Israel before you go? Whatever your reason for traveling to Israel, we can help you find the right opportunity through our community travel calendar.

We have all you’ll need to help you find the perfect locally or nationally led trip, mission, program, or volunteer opportunity. Whether you are going with a group or flying solo, we have helpful tips to prepare you.

Whenever we visit Israel, we travel up to the country’s northern region. The Upper Galil is one of Israel’s most beautiful provinces, offering an abundance of adventure travel opportunities.

We can also assist you in finding financial support to help pay for your trip.

Learn more about our Israel @ 60 Mission

The Israel Center and Business Leadership Council took 108 members of the community, from both the East and “West” Bay, on the Israel @ 60 Mission. They were exposed to all that the Israel Center's Travel Initiative has to offer. An extensive evaluation revealed that those individuals (approximately half) who had never been to Israel gained a new perspective on their Jewish identity, their role in the Jewish community, and were excited to further explore Israel. Those who had been to Israel before and already had some connection reported to have found ways to further incorporate Israel into their lives - in terms of their own businesses, personal development, and family travels plans.

The itineraries for the trip were based on the participants' choice of one of three interest-tracks: Business, Archeology and History, and Arts and Culture. Click here to see all three itineraries.

All the photos from the trip are online, and you can see videos, stories, and more by visiting the Federation's blog and clicking on the Israel category.

Don’t leave your memories behind