Israel 614: Columbus Community Mission
• Discover personal and collective connections with the land, people and State of Israel
• See the impact of your generosity at projects supported by JewishColumbus.
Israel614: Columbus Community Mission Host Committee
Steve Schottenstein, Chair
Josh & Jessa Barkan, Rick & Terri Barnett, Jonathan & Lori Ann Feibel,
Sarah & Robert Ferrin, Tod & Cheri Friedman, Rabbi Lenette Goldman,
Rabbi Avi Goldstein, Terri & Steve Meldrum, Rhonda Schottenstein,
Liz & Andy Shafran, Julie Tilson Stanley & Matt Stanley,
Rabbi Josh Warshawsky, Phil & Julie Weinerman
Depart the United States on overnight flight to Tel Aviv
- Arrive at Ben Gurion airport.
- Mission arrival ceremony at the Jaffa Overlook
- Welcome dinner at the hotel
- Optional evening walks to Rothschild Blvd., Neve Zedek, the Tachana and Old Jaffa.
- Visit Reim Park, site of the October 7 Nova Festival, including testimony by a survivor and a Mission Memorial Ceremony, with time for personal exploration.
- Visit Communities attacked on October 7, to hear personal testimonies of survivors
- All groups gather at Kibbutz Karmia for lunch at partnership program.
- Afternoon will be dedicated to exploring Rebuilding Efforts in the Western Negev, with each bus going to a different location of renewal and hope.
- Anu Museum of the Jewish People
- Tel Aviv Museum (Hostage) Square
- Market Tour with tasting
Option 1
- Visit the Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Center
- First Timers – Guided visit through the Avenue of the Righteous Among the Nations, the Holocaust History Musuem and the Children’s Memorial
- Returnees – Special visit to the Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Center Archives
Option 2
- Visit the Jerusalem artists’ neighborhood of Ein Kerem, for an opportunity to explore the Jewish ethnic and artistic diversity of the neighborhood through home and studio visits.
Option 3
- Nature Hike in the Judean Hills.
Option 4
- Visit the Old City of Jerusalem, for a guided walk through Mount Zion and the Jewish Quarter, or a guided visit through the newly renovated Museum of the History of Jerusalem at Jaffa Gate.
Option 5
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- Visit and participate at various benevolent organizations such as Leket, United Hatzalah, Magen David Adom and Yad Sarah
Shabbat Candle Lighting and Kabbalat Shabbat at Kotel, led by community clergy.
Shabbat Dinner overlooking the Kotel.
- Optional Shabbat services.
- Optional Morning Walks
- Optional Afternoon Walking Tours
- Group Havdallah at Yemin Moshe overlooking the Old City.
Tracks
- Arts, Food and Culture: The Mosaic of Our Senses
- Sustainability of Body, Mind and Land: Hiking, Thinking and Hands-On Activities
- Knowing the Past to Create the Future
- The Realities of Israel: A Glimpse Under the Surface
- Tikun Olam – Social Justice: Repairing the World, One Act at a Time
- The Israel Museum and Dead Sea Scrolls
- The Dead Sea and Masada
- Audience with President Yitzhak Herzog at Beit Hanasi/The President’s Residence.
- Special VIP visit to the new National Library.
- Late Check-Out from hotel.
- Farewell celebration.
- Following mission conclusion, group transfer to Ben Gurion Airport provided.
- Arrive in Columbus
“Next Year in Jerusalem!”
Program is subject to change, pending confirmations.
The actual cost of this mission is $5,690 per person.
—
JewishColumbus and The Diamond Family Foundation generously provided more than $500,000 in funding, making this trip available to participants at a highly reduced rate.
- The heavily discounted Under 40 rate of $2,100 is available to the first 25 registrants. These spots are almost sold out.
- The above price includes all land costs and a ONE-WAY chartered flight from Columbus to Israel on a 787 El Al Airlines aircraft.
- Seat upgrades on the El Al chartered flight are SOLD OUT. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, contact Senior Development and Events Director, Rachel Gleitman, [email protected]
- The price DOES NOT include return airfare, which the participant must arrange independently.
- Click on the Flights tab for RETURN Flight options for consideration.
- Every participant will be requested to make a meaningful gift to the JewishColumbus 2026 and 2027 Community Campaigns.
HOTELS:
3 Nights, Tel Aviv, David Intercontinental Hotel
3 Nights, Jerusalem, Inbal Hotel, with late-check-out on November 3
LAND PRICE INCLUDES:
- One main cabin seat on ONE-WAY chartered El Al Airlines flight from Columbus to Tel Aviv (Upgrades available, contact Rachel Gleitman).
- Assistance upon arrival to TLV for group flight; buses will bring all those departing Israel on November 3 to TLV after the closing dinner.
- Group Transfer of those on chartered flight upon arrival into Ben Gurion Airport and to Ben Gurion Airport for departure on November 3.
- Bus Staff to include: tour educator, field coordinator and security guard per bus.
- Private luxury air-conditioned bus transportation throughout trip.
- Hotel Accommodations as noted above.
- Site admissions fees and programming costs as noted on the itinerary.
- Tips for tour educator, field coordinator, bus driver and security guards.
- Meals:
- Breakfast daily
- 2 Lunches
- 4 Dinners
- Mission materials, Trip provider & Israel 614 swag.
- Water and snacks provided on bus daily.
NOT INCLUDED IN PACKAGE:
- Porterage at hotels
- Meals on own, optional meals and out of pocket expenses
- Travel and Medical Insurance
- Return Flight from Tel Aviv
PAYMENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
$500 Deposit per participant Upon Registration
25% of Total Payment Due March 15, 2025, upon receipt of invoice
50 % of Total Payment Due June 15, 2025, upon receipt of invoice
Full Payment Due August 31, 2025, upon receipt of invoice
Cancel By:
March 15, 2025 Full Refund
June 15, 2025 75% refund of Total Paid
August 31, 2025 50 % refund of Total Paid
October 1, 2025 25% refund of Total Paid
Cancel After October 1, 2025 – No Refund
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Rachel Gleitman, JewishColumbus Senior Development and Events Director, at 614-559-3211 or [email protected]
Rabbi Misha Zinkow, Makor Educational Journeys liaison, [email protected], 833-GoMakor (833-466-2567)
TRAVEL INSURANCE INFORMATION:
We urge you to check with your provider about your medical coverage while traveling oversees, and to purchase medical insurance & supplemental medical coverage if necessary (which covers pre-existing conditions).
We also urge you to purchase trip cancellation insurance. This is a smart way to safeguard against life’s uncertainties.
We have made arrangements with SMS-Travel Insurance Center (Israel) of Omaha, Nebraska. SMS has over 25 years of experience as worldwide insurance brokers and can help you choose the policy that best meets your needs. Yonah Engel is our contact person. See contact information below.
Please note:
- most insurance policies require purchase within 21 days of your first payment in order to receive maximum coverage (pre-existing conditions, bankruptcy insurance, etc).
- even if you do not yet know the final trip cost (e.g. flights), write down the amount you do know – and then at a later date, the insurance premium can be amended.
- trip dates are for the entire period away from home
- trip costs are all pre-paid expenses (e.g. airfare + land costs)
● The Mission Package price includes land costs and a ONE-WAY ticket on a CHARTERED El Al Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Flight from Columbus to Tel Aviv. The flight cost CANNOT be separate from the package cost. To secure the charter, we were required to commit to the complete sale of the plane. Therefore, WE CANNOT provide credit to participants who might want to travel to Israel separately from the group. ● Seat upgrades on the El Al chartered flight are SOLD OUT. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, contact Senior Development and Events Director, Rachel Gleitman, [email protected] ● For RETURN travel, we will provide a suggested trip back for those returning at the end of the mission, or you can book any flight that is convenient for you. All flights from Tel Aviv to Columbus have at least one-stop and a transfer of planes. Additional details will be provided as we approach the mission departure.
Israel 614: Columbus Community Mission FAQs
How can I learn more details about the mission?
To learn more, join an information session hosted by jewishColumbus. Click here for dates and to register.
Additionally, each congregation will plan information sessions. Dates will be made available as they are scheduled.
How many participants do you expect on the trip?
We plan on traveling with more than 250 members of the Columbus Jewish community. We expect between six and seven buses, and to fill an El Al 787-9 Dreamliner airplane.
Who is eligible for this mission?
To attend this mission trip, you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Have a valid passport with an expiration date at least six months AFTER our return date
- For Israeli Passport Holders: Please verify your military exemption status before arriving.
- Reside in the Greater Columbus, Ohio
JewishColumbus may, on a case-by-case basis, consider exceptions to the above requirements.
Security Concerns
Your security is our highest priority on this mission. Each bus will have an enhanced security officer and our itinerary will reflect the safest journey for us all. During planning and while on the ground we will closely monitor ongoing security situations, and will remain in direct contact with Israeli security services and the Jewish Federations of North America security team.
How will Kashrut and Shabbat be observed on the trip?
All food served will be Kosher, including Rabbanut Mehadrin certified meal options.
The hotel is walking distance from the Western Wall Plaza, where we will share a communal Shabbat dinner overlooking the Kotel. Many synagogue options are within walking distance as well.
Shabbat day includes optional walking groups to synagogues and walking tours around the city. Programming on Shabbat day is optional, and you are invited to observe according to your practice.
Do I need an international plan on my mobile device?
We strongly encourage you to inquire with your mobile provider if they offer an international package. Many cellular plans include Israel among their international data options, and you might already have this included in your plan. Israel runs on WhatsApp, and you may want to call / text using WhatsApp while in Israel to avoid cellular charges.
May I extend my trip?
Yes! We ask that you begin the mission with the group departing from Columbus on the chartered flight. The cost of the flight to Israel is included in the mission cost and cannot be separated out. Return travel is individually booked and you may extend your trip after its conclusion.
Will there be any free time on the mission for me to connect with friends/family in Israel?
We have built in free time during the trip, which can be used for visiting friends and family, or simply enjoying other parts of Israel. Many evenings will be free, and Shabbat day is free as well (options for walking tours and synagogue groups will be provided). We ask for your commitment to take part in all scheduled components of the program and invite you to extend your trip if you want more time in Israel to explore and visit.
What if I have additional questions?
Please contact Rachel Gleitman, Senior Development and Events Director at 614-559-3211 or [email protected]
(For general FAQ’s about travel to Israel, there is an FAQ tab on the Makor Educational Journeys Home Page, here: makorjourneys.com)