2016 JFNA LGBTQ Mission to Itinerary at a Glance

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Festive opening dinner with invited guest Reuven Rivlin, President of the State of Israel

Overnight: Jerusalem

Friday, May 27, 2016

Visit various Jerusalem sites and learn about LGBTQ life in Jerusalem

Enjoy lunch on your own in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City, followed by guided walking tours of the Jewish Quarter, Cardo and the Broad Wall

Say Kaddish in memory of Shira Banki z”l at the location where Shira was brutally murdered during the 2015 Jerusalem Pride parade and hear from Sara Weil, Jerusalem marathon runner and witness to the attacks

Experience Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel, followed by Shabbat dinner at Blaustein Hall with leadership of the Jerusalem Open House and other activists involved in the LGBTQ community in Israel

Celebrate with a performance from leading Israeli accapella group, Kippa Live

Overnight: Jerusalem

Saturday, May 28, 2016

Optional Shabbat activities include: Attend Shabbat Services at local Synagogues and Minyanim, Travel to Masada & the Dead Sea or Enjoy a walking tour in Jerusalem

Havdalah at the Tower of David Museum

Dance the night away at a private concert by leading Israeli popstar, Ivri Lider, at the Tower of David Museum

Overnight: Jerusalem

*Itinerary is tentative and subject to change

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Various Jerusalem activities in the morning including Yad Vashem, tours of the Israel Museum, visits to the Machane Yehuda Market and tours of the security barrier with Colonel Dani Tirza

Depart for the north and visit projects of JFNA partner organizations: the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Jewish Agency for Israel and World ORT

Dinner event in the evening with IDF Soldiers and Officers at HaGoshrim

Overnight: Kibbutz HaGoshrim/Kfar Blum Guest House

Monday, May 30, 2016

Group Security Briefing at Breakfast

Enjoy activities in the North such as a tour of the Bezalet Brewery, a visit to the De Karina Chocolate Factory and a trip to the Golan Heights Winery

Travel from the North to with stops to see additional JDC, JAFI & World ORT programs

Dinner on own and free night in Tel Aviv

Overnight: Tel Aviv

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Enjoy program options in Tel Aviv including, for example, a guided tour of the Levinsky Street Shuk, a visit with a top-tier Israeli contemporary artist in their studios, participating in a Mayumana Drumming Workshop, touring Bauhaus Architecture and conversing with Israel dance, music and theater performers

*Itinerary is tentative and subject to change

Tuesday, May 31, 2016 (cont)

Breakout discussions on two out of five thought provoking topics:

Growth of the Religious LGBTQ Community - How does Israel build on the remarkable progress of the past 25 years? What are the key issues confronting the community today? We will meet with the current leaders of Israel's leading LGBT organizations, such as The Aguda and Jerusalem Open House, as well as some of the most prominent leaders who have worked for decades on behalf of the community.

Transgender Issues in Israel-There are LGBT leaders and factions in most of Israel's major political parties, from Likud to Meretz. We will meet with leaders from different parties and gain an understanding of their varied perspectives as well as the difference LGBT people are making in Israel's political system at all levels.

Key Opportunities and Challenges for Israel’s LGBTQ Community-LGBT voices are having an impact on Israeli arts, culture and media, in areas including film, television, radio, and comedy, and their work and visibility is changing the society. We will meet with several of the leading cultural icons of the community.

LGBTQ Activism across Israel’s Political Spectrum-The last decade has seen an enormous growth in LGBT visibility and activism in Israel's orthodox Jewish communities. We will meet with a number of leaders who are at the forefront of this groundbreaking change.

LGBTQ Voices in Israeli Culture and Media-The "T" in LGBT is no longer invisible in Israel and this past year's Tel Aviv Pride Celebration carried the theme of "Transgender Visibility". We will meet with the key activists that are leading this community forward.

Dinner reception with LGBTQ business, political, cultural and entertainment figures in Tel Aviv

Overnight: Tel Aviv

*Itinerary is tentative and subject to change

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Enjoy two of seven track programs

Options include: the Israeli-Gaza Conflict, Israel & the Threat of International Terrorism, Israeli Cuisine, Israel and the Arts, Tel Aviv Architecture, Tel Aviv Graffiti and Street Art, and Start up Nation and Coming out in Israel through the Lens of LGBTQ Youth

Panel Discussion with Israeli LGBTQ youth

Overnight: Tel Aviv

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Tour some of Tel Aviv’s famous sites such as Independence Hall, the Rabin Center and the Palmach Museum

Do some last minute souvenir shopping

Festive Farewell Dinner marking the official end of our mission

Off to Tel Aviv Pride!

*Itinerary is tentative and subject to change