SUMMER 2020! 2 INSPIRATION like noother! summer willbe itinerary, this added intoour programs being the summer. With MachHachisnotjustanothertourof alumni canattestthatthey“LivedIsrael”for Israel, butanauthenticIsraelexperience.Our to planning itinerary to program development. staffing from every aspectof our touring experience, forefront ofourmission.Thisgoalguides everlasting bondwithIsraelisatthe bad. and times Helping ourparticipantsdevelopan good in years, forty-five over passion. MachHachhasledtoursofIsraeleverysummerfor individual. of diverseprogramstomatchthevariedinterestseach participants everysummer.MachHachoffersawiderange and mostpopularprogramofitskind,withover300 Israel forteenscompletingthetenthgrade.Itislargest In BneiAkiva, love of Israelis not a slogan, but a Mach HachBaAretzisBneiAkiva’ssummertourof new andinnovative have amplecampexperience. staff consistsofamixAmericansandIsraelis, allofwhom its by fine-tuned develop meaningfulconnectionswiththeparticipants. Our itinerary, own its three counselors.Staffmembersserveasrole modelsand has bus Each (Head Counselor),atourguide,logisticscoordinator and individual staff. Everybushas six staff members: a Rosh Bus character. MachHach“buses”havereunionsforyearstocome. takes on a life of its own with a distinct personality and

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the most outstanding Oneof FRIENDS FOR LIFE FOR FRIENDS 3 Mach Hach has a deeply committed and experienced At the heart of the Mach Hach experience is the most robust THE BEST ITINERARY administrative staff running and overseeing the program. Our and dynamic itinerary around. Every year we add new senior staff is “on the ground” in Israel and not running the components to make sure it remains fresh and current. The program from overseas. They are in constant contact with itinerary includes the key historical sites, amazing hikes and the groups, visit them regularly throughout the summer and pure fun. However, the Mach Hach itinerary offers so much can be contacted by parents twenty-four hours a day. more (to be detailed in the coming pages):

Throughout the year and during the summer, we engage Choose between five different Adventure Track options. We also offer two additional add-ons parents through a weekly newsletter, an active Facebook before the summer for an extended Mach Hach page and weekly videos produced by our staff. Through Program Options experience. social media, we bring parents inside the Mach Hach experience! Feel the power of over 300 Mach Hach campers joining together for these special Highlight Events events. Rabbi Dan Katz has been Director of Mach Hach BaAretz since 2012, bringing a new energy and vision to the program. Previously, he served for Give back to the people of Israel with ten years as part of the administrative team at volunteer opportunities throughout the Camp Moshava (IO). Dan has been an active country. leader in Bnei Akiva, serving in the positions of Chessed Director of Bnei Akiva of New York and Rosh TVI. Enjoy inter-bus basketball games. Michelle (Bokor) Kaplansky is the Israel Programs Administrator for Bnei Akiva and a part of the Mach Hach administration for over fifteen years. Sports During the year, she oversees the administrative needs of Yeshivat/Midreshet Torah V’Avodah, in addition to working on the preparations for Mach Gain skills and techniques to advocate for Hach. Previously, she served as Assistant Director Israel with a program designed by Stand of Camp Moshava, Wild Rose. Israel Advocacy With Us just for us.

Rabbi Shaul Feldman is the Executive Director of Bnei Akiva of the US and Canada. Rabbi Feldman has spread Bnei Akiva through building a large network of Shlichim (Israeli emissaries), founding Moshava Ba’ir day camps and creating Yeshivat and Midreshet Torah Va’avoda, an innovative year in Israel program. MEET OUR STAFF

4 5 Though it has the feel of a smaller program, Mach Hach offers the benefits of a larger one. Through various inter-bus programs, you will have the opportunity to make friends from across North America. Mach Hach combines the best of both worlds: the diversity and energy of a large program with the comfort and familiarity of a smaller one.

Opening Night Shabbat Mach Hach Banquet There is no better way to start a For one Shabbat during the The last night of the summer, summer in Israel than in the Old summer, all buses join together we bring everyone together City by the Kotel. On the first for an incredible Shabbat of for an emotional closing night, we whisk away all our unity. Imagine the ruach and program. After dinner, we campers straight to the Old City. inspiration created by 300 have some special thank yous, After dinner and introductions, friends joining for one a slideshow and cap it all off we continue on to the Kotel for energy-filled Shabbat. Special with a live concert. There is no our opening program of the guests and programs make this better way to close the summer! Shabbat a highlight of the summer together! HIGHLIGHT EVENTS summer. 6 7 All Mach Hach Adventure groups enjoy a three day specialty track chosen before the summer. The specialty tracks include: Army, Chessed, Culturefest, Negev and Yam L’Yam. Mid-summer, all Mach Hach buses split up for their specialty week and join members of the other buses who chose the same Adventure option. More detailed descriptions are avail- able on our website. Culturefest Experience all the sounds, tastes and sights that modern Israeli culture has to offer. See Israel through a totally new lens.

Negev

Army Your Mefakdim (sergeants) will give you the real feel of the IDF. Be prepared to be pushed to your limits in this Negev thrilling army experience. Connect with the beauty and splendor of the Negev desert. Bond with your friends as you learn to survive in the wilderness.

Chessed Each day focuses on a different type of Chessed: the Yam L’Yam needy, the sick, the physically and mentally Take part in one of Israel’s most popular hikes, crossing the handicapped and the elderly. Learn about yourself and width of Israel from the Kinneret to the Mediterranean give to others! Sea and culminating with a thrilling five mile bike ride. ADVENTURE WEEK

8 9 10 ADVENTURE ITINERARY Overnight: Jerusalem Basketball Bar IlanVisit Save aChild’sHeart Guvrin Caves Overnight: BedouinTent Camel Riding Hirbat Midras Stand WithUs Overnight: Jerusalem Overnight: Haifa Louis Promenade Rosh Hanikra Acco Museum Nachal Betzet AUGUST 9 AUGUST 2 JULY 26 JULY 19 JULY 12 Adventure Banquet SUNDAY Week Depart BenGurion Farewell Activities Kotel Overnight: Jerusalem Kotel Tunnels Ir David Old CityTour Aleh Volunteering Overnight: Massada Ein Gedi Dead SeaSwimming Massada Overnight: Haifa Nesher Bridge Shvetzaria Haktana Muhraka AUGUST 10 AUGUST 3 JULY 27 JULY 20 JULY 13 JULY 6 JFK/Newark/ Adventure MONDAY Depart Week LA Overnight: Jerusalem soldiers Pizza makingfor Har Hertzl Yad Vashem Overnight: Eilat Eilat Boardwalk Snorkeling Kever BenGurion Ein Ovdat Overnight: Jerusalem Opening Ceremony Kotel Arrive BenGurion Overnight: Golan Basketball Kayaks Aryeh Hashoeg Misgav Am AUGUST 11 AUGUST 4 JULY 28 JULY 21 JULY 14 JULY 7 JFK/Newark/ Adventure TUESDAY Arrive Week LA AUGUST 5 JULY 29 JULY 22 JULY 15 JULY 8 Overnight: EinTzurim Ariel SharonPark Kikar Rabin Independence Hall Start UpTour Overnight: Jerusalem Shabbat Shopping Food Packaging Ammunition Hill Overnight: Jerusalem Yotveta Water Sports Har Tzfachot Overnight: Golan Kfar Kedem-Donkeys Teverya BoatRide Teverya Swimming Har Arbel Overnight: Jerusalem Zichron Yakov Har Hatzofim Superpharm Shopping WEDNESDAY AUGUST 6 JULY 30 JULY 23 JULY 16 JULY 9 Overnight: EinTzurim Blind Museum Carmel Market Yafo Tour Leket Volunteering Overnight: Jerusalem Overnight: Jerusalem Basketball Biar MudCaves Kfar EtzionMuseum Tel Azeka Overnight: Golan Aquakef Katef Shaul Nachal Hakibbutzim Shiva Assar Tisha B’Av B’Tammuz THURSDAY Mitzpe Ramon Overnight: Shabbat Shopping Colored Sands Gush KatifMuseum Overnight: Jerusalem Overnight: Haifa Shabbat Shopping Kever Rashbi Tzfat Overnight: Golan Shabbat Shopping Um ElKantir Har Bental Nachal Gilabun AUGUST 7 JULY 31 JULY 24 JULY 17 JULY 10 Mach Hach Weekend Shabbat FRIDAY

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Sharon, MA Sharon, “It's the “It's Mitzpe Ramon Overnight: Jerusalem AUGUST 8 AUGUST 1 JULY 25 JULY 18 JULY 11 Mach Hach Shabbat in Shabbat in Shabbat in the Golan Weekend SHABBAT Shabbat Haifa Free 11 Mach Hach Leadership is an optional one week add-on to The source of Jewish wisdom is found in our the start of the summer open to all Mach Hach campers. wealth of Jewish texts. As such, we examine Campers arrive in Israel one week prior to the group flights Beit what Jewish tradition has to say on various and engage in an intensive one week program that seeks leadership-related topics. to develop the skills of budding high school leaders. Each Midrash day of the program has a different theme which begins with learning in the Beit Midrash in the morning and Through engaging activities, insightful discussion continues with hands-on learning in the afternoon. A and guest speakers, campers gain practical separate application for the program can be filled out on leadership skills to take back to their schools and our website. Hands-On communities. Led by alumni of Bnei Akiva camps Learning and chapters, participants are mentored to reach their potential. “Mach Hach strongly reinforced Perhaps best of all, spend the week with other teens who my love for Israel, share your goals and mission. Meet others from around the Am Yisrael and country who are looking to become leaders in their Torah learning. A Leadership communities and are excited to build their skill set. Leave ” with a group of peers to communicate and share ideas with Anat Rimmon Cohort following the summer. Los Angeles, CA OPTIONAL ADD-ON MACH HACH LEADERSHIP

12 13 New for Summer 2020: Mach Hach is touring Europe! Sightseeing Already been to Israel and looking for something more In addition to exploring these cities, see the exotic to tack on to your summer? Then, Mach Hach with major tourist sites. Enjoy a cruise on the the European add-on is made for you! Starting one week Danube. Get a panoramic view of Budapest before Mach Hach begins, we will explore the cities of from Fisherman’s Bastion. Take in the regal Prague, Budapest and Vienna. At the close of the beauty of Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna. week, meet the rest of Mach Hach in Cross the Charles Bridge and stroll around Israel and join the regular Mach Hach the historic Charles Square in Prague. program. Tour three European cities and still get the full Israel experience! Jewish History As a lead in to our summer in Israel, see first-hand the Jewish history in Europe in the years prior to the founding of the State of Israel. Visit Theodor Herzl’s birthplace on Dohany Street and learn about his life at the Herzl Center in Budapest. Visit a memorial for the Chatam Sofer. See the shuls of Prague. Memorialize those killed in the Holocaust at the Thereseinstadt Concentration Camp.

An Intro to Israel Through our week in Europe, you will better understand the founding of the modern Zionist movement and the work that went into creating a modern Jewish State. Upon arrival in Israel, you will fully appreciate it as the fulfillment of centuries of Jewish dreams. OPTIONAL ADD-ON MACH HACH EUROPE

14 15 14 15 Contact Us Mach Hach BaAretz Bnei Akiva of the US & Canada 520 8th Ave, 15th Floor New York, NY 10018

Phone: 212.465.9536 Fax: 212.216.9578 E-mail: [email protected]

You can find us on the web at: “Coming www.machhach.org on Mach Hach www.youtube/MachHachBA was the best decision MachHachBaAretz I ever made. It gave me friends and experiences to last a lifetime.” Elai Herzfeld Washington, DC