COUNTDOWN TO HABO DROR TOUR 2023
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Israel Tour 2023
Shalom parents,
We are very excited and happy to announce that Israel Tour (for Year 11/S4) will be going ahead on 9th – 30th July*.
DEPOSIT – £500
FULL PAYMENT – £4,299.
Suggested Kuppa (kitty) amount – £150
Full payment DEADLINE – Wednesday, 26th April 2023
Any questions, do not hesitate to contact Gideon, gideon@habodror.org.uk or our office, office@habodror.org.uk.
*dates are subject to change
View our Israel Tour Brochure below!
Tour Overview
Habonim Dror is Socialist, Zionist and a culturally Jewish Youth movement that has been educating about, and supporting the building of the State of Israel for over 90 years. As a socialist movement, we emphasise the values of equality and inclusivity on Tour. This value is established through the formation of kvutzot (groups) throughout the trip which act as a home away from home. Habonim Dror also believes strongly in the establishment and continuity of Israel and seeks to help our participants find their own Zionist identity throughout Tour.
On Tour you will travel the entire country, participating in amazing activities such as kayaking down the Jordan River, swimming in the Kinneret, sleeping in a Bedouin tent experience, and floating in the Dead Sea! You will delve deep into your Jewish heritage with a trip to the Kotel, a morning climb up Masada to see the sun rise and a visit to Yad Vashem. Don’t think we’ve forgotten Tel Aviv Beach, the markets or the water hikes either! Additionally, Tour with Habonim Dror has several unique elements. You will have the chance to meet up with Habonim Dror groups from across the world, volunteer in Israeli society, spend a weekend with just your kvutza on a kibbutz and take part in a leadership weekend.
Habonim Dror Israel Tour is run under the auspices of UJIA Israel Experience and is organised through them. Each tour group will be led by two senior madrichimot (leaders), who have undergone a specific training process and bring a wealth of experience within the movement. They will be accompanied by two Israeli madrichimot who provide a deeper understanding about Israeli culture.
Israel Tour is just the beginning of an exciting journey with Habonim Dror. Meet people from all around the country and create lifelong memories. The Journey to becoming a motivating and inspiring leader starts here…
Who is the tour for, and when?
Israel tour is for 15 and 16-year olds (English school year 11, Scottish S4).
If you are interested in finding out more details about Israel Tour, please contact our Tour Rakaz (organiser) Gideon Blankstone at gideon@habodror.org.uk.
Participant reviews
“My Israel tour with Habonim was an unforgettable experience. Tour allowed me to create life long friendships with people from different cities, as well as enabling me to develop my knowledge on the history of Israel and the Jewish people, through touring historic and scenic sights. Habonim showed me the importance of community building and how to be selfless but more significantly made me grow as an individual by realising what is important in life and to not take things for granted. My madrichim were amazing and very inspiring and so I wish to carry on with Habonim and become a leader.” Lily C, Liverpool
“I started in Habo Dror 4 years ago for one reason – to meet the people I would be going on Israel tour with in 4 years time. Best decision I made. Those 3 and a half weeks were the most surreal, breathtaking, enjoyable, and educational weeks of my life so far. There’s too many words to describe the experience. I learnt about the history and past of the holy land, learnt about my Jewish identity more, and understood what it meant to be Jewish. I’ve made so many new friends, created so many memories that will never ever be forgotten and inside jokes that’ll forever make me laugh.” Rachel M, Glasgow
“Going on tour with Habo is a decision I’ll never regret. Having been attending their summer camps for 4 previous years, I really expected the best experience in Israel – and that’s exactly what I got. The madrichim were absolutely wonderful, as were the chanichim, and I made many friends for life along the way. My Kvutzah formed an unbreakable bond as we travelled the country, sharing snacks, kuppah, and life stories together in a comfortable and friendly environment. And as for the experiences, I can safely say that we saw everything Israel had to offer in the best way possible! If given the option, I would happily go again, and highly recommend the life-changing and eye opening experience to anybody thinking of going on tour.” Josh Y, London
Reviews from parents
“Habonim provided a professional, well organised opportunity for our child to explore the land, customs, people and ways of life in Israel which will leave him with life long memories, experiences, friendships and a love for Israel. The leaders were responsible and caring, enabling the participants to feel at ease. There were plenty of pictures on Facebook and the UJIA website, and a regular and detailed blog of what the chanichim had been doing, which was emailed every few days – great for putting parents’ minds at rest”
“Our daughter came back oozing with confidence, thrilled to have new Jewish friends that will be there for life. Facebook photos were fantastic and an email each night a pleasure to read. Habonim Dror offered a professional, well organized tour.”
“A quote from my son, ‘I didn’t think I would enjoy it as much as I have. I have literally had the time of my life.’ As a parent, it doesn’t get much better than that!”
“My daughter has come back from Tour having had an amazing time, she made so many friends and just seems to have matured so much in her attitude to her Jewish identity and responsibilities to her peers. It is quite a change in such a short time. She is now looking into becoming a leader for the group. I just wanted to thank the organization so much for the opportunity afforded to her to be part of such a wonderful experience.”
“Habonim provided a professional ,well organised opportunity for our child to explore the land, customs, people and ways of life in Israel which will leave him with life long memories, experiences, friendships and a love for Israel. The leaders were responsible and caring, enabling the participants to feel at ease. Communication was spot on. There were plenty of pictures on Facebook and the UJIA website, and a regular and detailed blog of what the chanichim had been doing, which was emailed every few days -great for putting parents’ minds at rest.”
“Habonim Dror is an organisation committed not only to the Jewish Youth Movement within the UK Europe and Israel, but to act as a moral organisation in the teaching and passing on of a commitment to Zionism and self-respect from generaton to generation.”
Contact
For further questions about the programme please contact Gideon Blankstone, who is coordinating Tour, on 0208 209 2111. Alternatively please email gideon@habodror.org.uk. UJIA Israel Experience is organised by the Jewish Agency for Israel and the UJIA. Israel Tours are not ATOL protected.
