Embark on a journey for ages 18+ to Israel and beyond, an experience designed to explore, connect, and celebrate Jewish life together. Whether this is your first time experiencing Israel or a return to a place you know well, this journey offers new perspectives and meaningful moments for everyone. Travel with purpose alongside your San Diego Jewish community as you deepen bonds with your community, with Israel, and with our partner region of Sha'ar HaNegev through shared stories, meals, and moments of meaning. Discover Israel through exclusive access and insider encounters only Federation can offer, from Tel Aviv's innovation to Jerusalem's inspiration, and forge lifelong friendships with fellow San Diegans who share your passion and purpose.
Afterward, you can continue to Budapest for an optional four-night extension. This is more than a trip; it is a transformative journey of connection, community, and shared Jewish joy.
Build your experience across three components, a first-timers pre-trip, the main journey to Israel, and an optional Budapest extension.
Hover or tap each journey to explore
First Timers: three days in Jerusalem with a smaller group before the main trip. Register, then add “First Timers” in the Trip Portal.
Jewish Communal Professionals: by invitation. Contact Dana Koenig.
The Pre-Trip for first-timers is generously underwritten by the Zeff Family.
Eight days across Israel with the San Diego community, Tel Aviv, the North, Jerusalem, the Negev, and our partner region of Sha'ar HaNegev.
Four nights in Jewish Budapest after the main trip.
Whether you are still considering The Community Trip or have already registered, please join us for one of the upcoming Information Sessions. Learn more about the experience, meet our team, get your questions answered, and learn firsthand what makes this journey so special.
Eight days from Tel Aviv to the North, Jerusalem and Sha'ar HaNegev.
Travel through the trip day by day
The adventure starts the moment you land. Get a head start with an optional walking tour through Tel Aviv's colorful street art, iconic Bauhaus buildings, or the food stalls locals swear by. That evening, the whole group comes together by the Mediterranean for a festive opening dinner, with the sea breeze, great food, and the excitement of everything still ahead.
Tel Aviv moves fast, and today you get to keep up. Explore the galleries and neighborhoods that fuel its creative energy, step inside the startup scene that made Israel a global tech powerhouse, and eat your way through some of the best food in the Middle East. After a trip-wide gathering, the night is yours, whether that means a rooftop bar, a beachside stroll, or a table at the hottest new restaurant.
Head north and choose the Israel you want to discover. Float past ancient history on the Sea of Galilee, wander the artist alleys of mystical Tzfat, explore the underground secrets of Akko, or catch Haifa's mix of coexistence and innovation. Along the way, you'll see firsthand how our community's support is changing lives. Then everyone reunites for a mega event at an ancient archaeological site, a night you'll be talking about long after you're home.
There's nothing quite like arriving in Jerusalem for the first time, or the fifth. Spend the day exploring world-class museums and historic sites, then lose yourself in the sights and smells of a bustling market as the city gets ready for Shabbat. As the sun sets over the golden stone, we'll welcome Shabbat together in the Old City and celebrate over a festive dinner alongside our friends from Sha'ar HaNegev.
Jerusalem on Shabbat has a magic all its own, as the streets quiet down and the whole city slows its pace. Spend the day however feels right, from synagogue services and walking tours to a museum visit. Craving adventure? Head out for a desert hike, a bike tour, or a hands-on ceramics workshop. We'll come back together for learning and a beautiful Havdalah, then the evening is yours.
Today you choose the story you want to explore. Step inside the debates shaping Israel's democracy, meet the medical teams healing the wounds of war, cook and taste your way through Jerusalem's food scene, or discover how artists are sparking change. You can also travel south to bear witness to October 7 and meet the survivors choosing to return and rebuild. Every track offers a different window into the heart of Israel today.
Of all the days on this trip, this one may stay with you the longest. Spend a full day in Sha'ar HaNegev, our partner region, where local families open their homes to you and the bonds between our two communities come to life. Throughout the day, you'll honor those who were lost and meet the people leading the region's rebuilding. As evening falls, the whole group comes together for a Night of Hope, with a festive dinner and a Lag Ba'Omer bonfire under the stars.
Before saying goodbye, you'll get one more look at the incredible work our community helps make possible across Jerusalem. We'll gather in a peaceful park to share stories and reflect on a week that will stay with you for years. Then we raise a glass at a memorable farewell dinner before heading to the airport, or onward to Budapest for the next chapter of the journey.
Itinerary subject to change.
Volunteer leaders who help build community on every bus.
Bus Captain ChairKira Finkenberg
Continue your adventure with four unforgettable nights in Budapest!
When your time in Israel comes to an end, your journey doesn't have to. Complete your travels in one of Europe's most vibrant Jewish cities.
Magnificent synagogues, the historic Jewish Quarter, and powerful memorials tell a story of resilience, remembrance, and renewal. Meet members of Hungary's thriving Jewish community, share meals and meaningful conversations, celebrate Shabbat together, and experience the city from the Danube to Castle Hill.
Along the way you'll discover Budapest's rich Jewish past, live its dynamic present, and forge incredible connections with fellow San Diegans and the global Jewish community. From inspiring encounters to lasting memories, this optional extension offers the perfect closing chapter to The Community Trip 2027.
View Full Itinerary →Our 2023 CommUNITY Trip created lasting community bonds. This journey offers curated experiences and exclusive access unavailable to independent travelers, meaningful moments together, and strengthened connections back home in San Diego.
Adults 18 and up in the San Diego Jewish community, first-timers, return visitors, and prior 2023 participants are all welcome. We welcome participants of all abilities; please note the trip includes full days and a significant amount of walking, often on uneven ground, as is typical for travel in Israel. Contact us with any accessibility questions.
Approximately 250 participants on the core trip, traveling in 6–7 buses of about 35 people each. Every bus has a dedicated Israeli guide, security personnel, Federation staff, and a volunteer Bus Captain.
You can request a specific bus; a bus request form will be available later in registration. To express interest in becoming a Bus Captain, contact Dana Koenig at (858) 221-5110.
A thoughtfully structured, primarily guided experience with access unavailable to independent travelers. You will spend most of your time with your assigned bus community, fostering strong connections. Interest-based track selection shapes certain experiences. Free time is limited by design, with rest and recharge opportunities built in.
Yes, a full day in our partner region of Sha'ar HaNegev with local residents, a firsthand view of Federation's post-October 7 support, and additional opportunities to meet Israeli leaders and community members nationwide.
Pre-Trip: A deeper introduction to Jerusalem before joining the Tel Aviv group, Old City ramparts walk, Western Wall Tunnels and excavations, time at the Western Wall, Yad Vashem, Mount Herzl, and Mahane Yehuda Market, focused on Israel's historical and foundational narrative.
Budapest Extension: Jewish history and contemporary community, the Dohány, Frankel, and Rumbach Street Synagogues; meetings with local Jewish leaders; Shabbat services; a Havdalah Danube River cruise; memorial visits; and optional cultural experiences, led by a local Jewish guide.
First Timers Pre-Trip pricing: three unhurried days in Jerusalem with a smaller group before the main trip meets in Tel Aviv. $1,199 per person, double occupancy; +$400 single supplement. The Pre-Trip for first-timers is generously underwritten by the Zeff Family. Register for The Community Trip, then add “First Timers” in the Trip Portal. The Jewish Communal Professionals Pre-Trip is by invitation; contact Dana Koenig.
Budapest Extension, May 26–30, 2027 (4 nights): open to Community Trip participants only.
Yes. You are welcome to travel independently before or after, as long as you are present for the official program start and end. Pre-trip and Budapest extension options are also available.
Core trip cost: $5,400 per person (double occupancy). Single room supplement: $1,800 additional.
Payment plan:
Registering now? Payment 1 has passed, so the $500 deposit and Payment 1 are both due when you register.
Subsidy availability exists for Jewish professionals and a limited number of young adults on the Budapest extension.
No minimum gift to the Federation annual campaign is required. The trip is open to everyone with no obligations, though participants are invited to make a personally meaningful contribution at their comfort level.
Participants book their own flights (not included in the trip cost). Recommended LAX flights will be shared about 11 months before travel. An optional charter bus from San Diego to LAX is available (limited space), and group airport transfers are arranged for recommended flight arrivals. Participants on alternative flights are responsible for their own U.S. and Israeli airport transportation.
We recommend waiting to book flights until you have decided on pre- and post-trip extensions, as they affect your dates. The Budapest flight is included in the extension cost.
We strongly recommend supplemental, comprehensive coverage. Coverage needs vary, so select a provider and policy that match your circumstances. Note that Israel travel cancellation coverage may be limited, but policies often cover medical emergencies, evacuation, flight delays and cancellations, and lost luggage. Many providers require purchase within 10–30 days of your initial booking for certain benefits; insurance premiums are non-reimbursable.
All changes to the Community Trip or Budapest extension must be submitted through our change request form.
Participants are grouped by bus within hotels. Hotel assignments are made after bus placements.
Yes. Room upgrades at the Kempinski are available for the Budapest Extension, priced per room, per night:
Double or single occupancy is available with pricing adjustments. Participants without a confirmed roommate can request matching assistance; if a roommate is not confirmed by the deadline, the $1,800 single supplement applies.
All group meals are kosher, and free time offers access to kosher dining throughout Israel. Dietary accommodations are available with advance notice. Shabbat includes built-in free time for service attendance, with optional activities available for those who prefer flexible engagement.
Safety is our top priority. Each bus has a trained security professional, and a Jewish Federations of North America Security Director travels with the group. We maintain constant communication with Israeli security authorities and government partners for real-time monitoring and adjustments.
For registration questions: Hailey Pryce-Shidler, Manager, Events & Special Initiatives, (858) 737-7136.
For programmatic questions: Dana Koenig, Director of Global Experiences, (858) 221-5110.
Hold your place with a $500 deposit and travel to Israel with fellow San Diegans, May 18–25, 2027.
Hailey Pryce-Shidler
Manager, Events & Special Initiatives · Registration
