Group Travel

Travel with confidence knowing that BBYO organizes supervised group flights to and from Israel. Our staff are present at departure airports to greet teens and help them feel welcome right away, and they accompany each group throughout the journey—both on arrival and on the return trip home. To learn more about how we organize travel for our programs, click here.

Tel Aviv

Begin your journey along the Mediterranean in Tel Aviv and Jaffa, where meaningful service is paired with opportunities to experience one of Israel’s most dynamic cities. Volunteer with organizations addressing challenges such as poverty and food insecurity, and get your hands dirty during an agricultural service project supporting Israel’s farming communities. Past experiences have included volunteering with the Jaffa Institute and Leket Israel, along with social action programming that introduces teens to organizations creating change throughout Israeli society.

Explore Jaffa and South Tel Aviv, take in street art reflecting Israel’s experiences since October 7, and spend time at Hostages Square learning about the families and communities impacted by the attacks. In between service projects, enjoy the energy of the Nahalat Binyamin street festival, grab lunch at Carmel Market, experience Tel Aviv’s famous beach culture, and celebrate Shabbat together as a community.

Negev Desert

Travel south to the Negev for an opportunity to learn from and serve communities representing different parts of Israeli society. Visit communities along the Gaza border, meet Israeli teens rebuilding their lives after October 7, and hear directly from residents about resilience, recovery, and what it means to call this region home. Reflect at the Nova Music Festival memorial grounds and visit Sderot to deepen your understanding of the experiences of communities in southern Israel.

The experience extends beyond October 7 as teens engage with the diversity of Israel’s south. Volunteer alongside children and adults with disabilities, meet Bedouin teens during a cross-cultural encounter, and discover how local organizations are strengthening communities throughout the region. These experiences offer an opportunity not only to give back, but to build relationships with the people who make Israel what it is.

Jerusalem

Continue your service journey in Jerusalem, where Jewish history, modern Israeli life, and hands-on action come together. Volunteer with organizations focused on food security, agriculture, immigrant communities, and community resilience. Past projects have included sorting and packing food with Latet and Pantry Packers, service-learning with HaShomer HaChadash and Yahel, supporting Russian-speaking Jews making aliyah through Our People, and preparing meals for those serving their communities.

Experience Jerusalem beyond the volunteer projects, too. Welcome Shabbat at the Western Wall, explore the Jewish Quarter and Kotel tunnels, visit sites connected to Israel’s history, hike through the Jerusalem hills, and enjoy free time at Mahane Yehuda and the First Station. Through reflection, celebration, and service, bring together everything you’ve experienced before closing out your Stand UP Israel journey alongside your new friends.

What are the rules for Israeli citizens or children of Israeli citizens?
If either of your parents is an Israeli citizen, or if you have ever lived in Israel, it is your responsibility to make sure your status with the Israeli Defense Forces is worked out and clear. Moreover, you may still have obligations to the State of Israel that must be resolved prior to your trip, even if you do not have an Israeli passport. These matters must be taken care of before you arrive in Israel.

Note: If you hold an Israeli passport, you must enter Israel with your Israeli passport.

If you do not take care of these matters prior to your trip, you may be obligated to stay in Israel by the State of Israel until resolution. If this applies to you, you will be solely responsible for your own situation and any costs involved. Again, we highly recommend you be extremely cautious about these matters and contact one of the regional Israeli consulate offices if you have any questions.

How will my teen travel to the program?
BBYO strongly recommends all North American participants to fly on the group supervised flight for this program. Flight costs are not included in the program’s land cost. The flight cost for programs with supervised flight options will be announced, along with the flight booking details for all programs, after registration. The supervised flight for this program will depart from the New York City area, typically Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) or John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Learn more about flying to the program.

Where will my teen be sleeping?
Most of the accommodations we stay at are kibbutz-based guest houses or hotels catered to group tours. All accommodations in Israel have security and we book rooms so that each teen has their own sleeping accommodation in rooms that typically accommodate 2 to 4 teens per room.

How is the program staffed?
Each group is accompanied by a team of madrichim (counselors) and a local Israeli guide. They are also joined by an armed guard and bus driver. Senior field staff also circulate between our groups for extra support. Staff names are sent out approximately 2–3 weeks prior to your departure as part of the pre-trip preparation emails. Staff are asked to make welcome calls to teens before departure. Feel free to ask them any remaining questions you may have. Learn more about our staff team.

What's the summer weather like?
The sun in Israel is strong—often stronger than teens are accustomed to—so dehydration, heatstroke, and sunburn are serious concerns, especially in a desert climate. Clothing should be lightweight and comfortable in the heat. Whenever outside for an extended period, teens will be required to have a hat, a shirt with sleeves, sunscreen, and water. The good news is the heat is mostly dry, there is very little humidity and the chance of rain in Israel during the summer is extremely low so no umbrellas are needed. Evenings in Israel tend to get chilly quickly. Because we will not always return to our accommodations to change before an evening activity, always bring a day pack with a windbreaker, long-sleeved shirt, or light sweater. Layers are key!

How do you approach security?
Since 1956, BBYO has organized teen programs in Israel with a fundamental commitment to providing a safe and meaningful experience. Our programs adhere to Israel’s comprehensive security policies and are centrally monitored by Israel’s Situation Room. Our itineraries are designed with caution in mind and our policies are calibrated to local conditions. Finally, each group is accompanied by trained staff and a licensed guard accompanies all touring-based activities. Learn more about our organization’s approach to safety and security as well as more specific details about our Israel policies.

What's the typical group size?
Group size varies depending on the date of the program. Our average group size for Israel programs ranges between 20-45 teens. In some cases, multiple groups will travel on a similar path, although each group has its own dedicated staff, guide, and guard.

What's the food like?
Expect to eat Middle Eastern and Mediterranean foods such as falafel, hummus, schnitzel, shakshouka, borekas, and much more. When traveling, your teen may encounter new foods that will not be to their liking, so we ask teens to be flexible and have snacks and other alternatives on hand just in case.

As a travel-based program, our meals take a variety of forms and may include hotel buffets, restaurants, catered meals, and allowance funds for participants to purchase a meal on their own. All food provided by BBYO Passport experiences in Israel is kosher. When a meal is served in a public buffet format (e.g. hotel breakfast), we will always ensure that there are vegetarian, pescatarian, or dairy options available and we will not restrict teens from eating the food of their choice.

Some meals may be provided via a cash allowance where teens will be given money to purchase the food of their choice, called a pizur meal. Such meals are typically arranged in an area where there are multiple restaurant options and teens can choose the food of their liking. When time is limited for meal choice, staff may choose to facilitate meal orders on behalf of teens using their allowance funds.

Participants with special dietary needs (i.e. lactose intolerance, gluten-free, kosher, etc.) should review our dietary restrictions commitment document and contact us in advance to be sure we can accommodate your needs during the program.

Will I need a visa?
Visitors from visa-exempt countries are required to obtain an ETA-IL (Electronic Travel Authorization) to enter the state of Israel. An approved ETA-IL, indicates that you are allowed to travel to Israel. Additional information about this system can be found here: https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il/.

All travelers to Israel must have a valid visa or an ETA-IL approval before they start their journey. An Israeli citizen or a permanent resident holding a valid Israeli ID number is not required to submit an application for ETA-IL.

The following data will be required for each ETA-IL application: A passport issued by a visa exempt country, valid for the duration of your stay; A valid email address; A valid payment method for the fee payment 25 NIS.

Fee: The cost of an ETA-IL is 25 NIS (You cannot get a refund after you apply)

What are the payment and cancellation terms?
All of these details are available here: Enrollment and Registration Terms.

How do I enroll my teen if we live outside of North America?
Visit this page to find all the information you will need and express your interest.

For more information, check out our general FAQs or the pre-trip guide.