Israel Programmes, lasting four weeks, allow our participants to really see Israel and experience its diversity, history, culture and relevance to them as young British Jews.

From Tsfat to Eilat, Rosh Hanikra to Jerusalem, our participants travel the length and breadth of the country, experiencing the sights and feelings of Israel when enjoying activities such as swimming in the Kinneret, standing by the Western Wall, partying in Eilat and hiking round the beautiful waterfalls of the Galil.

FZY tours have an outstanding reputation. They are well organised and activities are extremely varied. All our tours are led by two madrichim (leaders) from Britain together with two madrichim from Israel, who must go through an extensive screening process and participate in training seminars both in Israel and in Britain.

We are delighted again to be offering 3 types of Israel Tour this summer: Derech, Shetach and Gibbush. Each Tour will give the chanichim (participants) a fantastic Israel experience, but will have slightly different focuses throughout the programme. Please see below:

Gibbush:
Gibbush is our newest track and gives chanichim (participants) a great overview of modern and ancient Israel, offering the chance to visit a wider variety of sites and places throughout the country.  Chanichim will have the opportunity to take part in a kibbutz seminar and join the Rafsodia programme.  The Rafsodia is the ultimate team building and adventure activity. Staying on the shores of the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), chanichim will spend the one day in their tours working with our experts to build a raft complete with giant sail.  The next day chanichim will board their rafts in competition as they sail across the Kinneret.  In addition to the Rafsodia, chanichim on the Gibbush track will get a deeper understanding of the kibbutz lifestyle.  For two days chanichim will have an FZY seminar that will give an insight into this unique part of Israeli society.

Chanihcim on Gibbush will enjoy a variety of experiences including climbing Masada and swimming in the Dead Sea, hiking in the North and in the desert, seeing Yad Vashem (Holocaust Memorial centre), as well as volunteering and meeting Israeli youth, chanichim on Gibbush will spend time exploring the land and gaining an understanding of the history and how the country has developed. FZY Gibbush will broaden chanichim’s understanding of the development of the State of Israel and its history. 

Derech
Derech gives FZY chanichim (participants) the opportunity to explore Israeli society from a varied and different perspective. Derech examines Israeli culture and history and provides unique insights into modern Israel.  Derech chanichim will have the chance to visit some of the minority communities in Israel such as the Druze and meet with new Ethiopian Immigrants.  The role of the Shoah (Holocaust) in forming Israeli society will be looked at through a series of programmes and a visit to Yad Vashem (Holocaust memorial Centre) in Jerusalem.  The highlight of this track is that for one week during Derech, chanichim will have the opportunity to take part in the Gadna Army Simulation programme:

Lasting for 5 days, Gadna provides Derech chanichim with a brief introduction to army life. Situated on a base designed especially for the Gadna programme, chanichim will wear army uniform, partake in physical training activities, meet Israeli soldiers and deal with some of the moral and ethical issues that face the Israeli army today.  Whilst requiring a very basic level of fitness, Gadna requires the emotional decision and commitment for chanichim to gain the most from this programme.

Instead of just observing what goes on in Israeli society, the Derech track provides the amazing chance to really understand Israeli society.  All activities on Derech will widen the experience of Israel Tour through the diversity of Israel’s communities and the way in which they operate. 

Shetach
Shetach presents the opportunity for FZY chanichim (participants) to discover Israel through hiking and outdoor educational exploration. Shetach chanichim will join in a variety of outdoor challenges including a number of three-day, two night hikes, a sea to sea hike, and a survival course in the desert where you will learn survival skills such as camouflage and building fires.  Chanichim on Shetach should be prepared to spend periods of time living and sleeping in the desert with no access to showers or toilets as well as having the unique and fun experience of outdoor living, sleeping under the stars at night and hiking throughout the day.  Chanichim on Shetach will also have the rare opportunity to visit an authentic Bedouin village as well as having a night activity at the sand dunes in the desert. Shetach is not for everyone.  Whilst on completion chanichim will feel pride and a great sense of achievement, those choosing this track will need to be prepared to do without their creature comforts for periods of time!  FZY Shetach gives chanichim an exciting challenge, while exploring the land and furthering their knowledge of Israel. 

IF YOU WANT TO SPEND YOUR SUMMER IN ISRAEL WITH A GREAT BUNCH OF PEOPLE, THERE IS NO BETTER WAY THAN AN FZY TOUR.

Price includes flights (Israel only), accommodation, tours, madrichim, food, entrance fees, local private transportation in Israel, basic medical and baggage insurance and security, all meals, board, transport from main London meeting points to the airport.

See brochure form for booking conditions. All details are subject to change.