8 MAGICAL NIGHTS OF CHANUKAH

In Israel

December 4-12, 2026

Highlights

Light all eight nights Chanukah candles across Israel, from Old Jaffa to the Western Wall and the Golan Heights

Visit Tel Aviv Museum of Art, ANU – Museum of the Jewish People, National Library of Israel, Yad Vashem, and Mount Herzl

Witness the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Israel Museum

Taste your way through Carmel Market and Machane Yehuda

Wander Tel Aviv’s first neighborhoods

Participate in a culinary demo with Adeena Sussman

Enjoy a live cultural performance in Tel Aviv

Tour the Baháʼi Gardens and celebrate Haifa’s “Festival of Festivals”

Explore ancient Akko

Press olives in the Galilee

Discover mystical Safed

Marvel at the Festival of Lights at Jerusalem’s Botanical Gardens

Dates and Pricing

Cost:

Cancellation Policy:

A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 per person is due upon registration with the balance due by July 2, 2026. No refunds after July 2, 2026.

Notes:

Some activities rely on local hosts, suppliers or sites and are subject to change.
Minimum age for participation is 21.
This is not a kosher trip and there will be travel on Shabbat.

Included:

8 night accommodations (+ late check out on last day)
Private, licensed tour guide
All transportation, activities, sights, admission fees and programs as per itinerary
All meals, with exception of 2 dinners and 1 lunch per itinerary
All tips
An exclusive Temple Emanu-El Streicker Cultural Center trip photo book

Not Included:

Airfare to/from Israel
Transportation to/from airports in Israel
Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Select items noted in itinerary

Accommodations

Tel Aviv

Ink Hotel

HaGalil

Amirey Hagalil Boutique Hotel & Spa

Jerusalem

Theatron Hotel

Itinerary

Jaffa

First Chanukah candle lighting, with a view of old Jaffa

Begin with a welcome drink at 2:00 PM in hotel lobby (hotel check in at 3:00 PM)
Chanukah Cooking Workshop and Candle Lighting with Adeena Sussman: an intimate culinary experience for Chanukah with music
Tour Old Jaffa and port, where the ancient meets the hip
Sufganiyot Tasting Challenge: a fun countdown to sample and rank a variety of sufganiyot to determine the absolute best!
Candle making workshop
Shabbat Dinner at Popina (Neve Tzedek neighborhood): savor a delicious meal at this renowned local spot.
After dinner drinks (not included)

Tel Aviv

Second Chanukah candle lighting, exploring Tel Aviv

(Optional) Morning guided walk on the beach
Historical Tel Aviv walking tour: Guided walking tour of Rothschild Blvd, Neve Tzedek and Lev H’a’ir (the Heart of the City), where the roots of Tel Aviv were first planted in 1909
Artistic discovery at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art: Explore groundbreaking exhibits and modern masterpieces, led by Shirel Horwitz
Street food lunch
Chanukah Festival at Kikar Habima
Baking workshop with Avihai, our Via Sabra lead guide, at his house in Hod HaSharon with a light dinner
Late night Ice cream (not included)

Tel Aviv

Third Chanukah candle lighting, A taste of Tel Aviv: Art, Innovation and Seaside Chanukah Magic

Morning talk with a speaker (not included)
Dreidel Scavenger Hunt and Tour of ANU, the Museum of the Jewish People
Tasting tour at Carmel Market (lunch): Dive into a vibrant culinary adventure with a tasting tour through the bustling Carmel Market, sampling local flavors and hidden gems
Free Time
Dinner at Teder.fm
Cultural show/concert at Habima (two options, not included)

Haifa + Akko

Fourth Chanukah candle lighting, Northern Lights, Ancient History and Festive Flavors

Morning Journey: Head north to begin your day of exploration
Journey north
Experience Haifa’s “Holiday of Holidays Festival”
Private tour of the Baháʼi Gardens
Drive to Akko
Akko’s Hidden History and Market Delights: visit the ancient city of Akko, exploring the breathtaking Knights’ Halls, followed by a vibrant tasting tour through the local market
Drive to hotel, check and rest
Group dinner at the hotel

North (Golan Heights)

Fifth Chanukah candle lighting, North’s Nature and Farm-to-T able Flavors

Olive picking or olive oil presentation and tasting
Avtalion Olive Oil Visit and Tour: discover the ancient and modern process of olive oil production right at the end of the harvest season, with an optional opportunity for hands-on olive picking
Lunch and Knaffe Workshop at a local Druze village with a family
Jeeps tour through the Golan Heights
Winery visit and dinner

Jerusalem

Sixth Chanukah candle lighting, Northern Mysticism to Jerusalem’s Gates

Morning Journey: Begin the day heading through the north towards Jerusalem
Delve into the mystical city of Safed (Tzfat): meeting a local Hassidic family in Sefad, a center of Kabbalah, and gain an intimate understanding of local life and traditions
Journey south
Short guided tour of two Monasteries in the Judean Desert with Shai Bitner
Arrival in Jerusalem and a Shehecheyanu blessing and candle lighting at the Kotel (Western Wall)
Check into hotel
Dinner on own

Jerusalem

Seventh Chanukah candle lighting, Jerusalem’s Flavors and Festive Lights

Morning options:
- Tour of The Israel Museum, the country’s largest cultural institute, to explore both modern art and ancient artifacts, including the Dead Sea Scrolls
- Tour of the newly renovated National Library of Israel, the collective memory of Israelis of all backgrounds and the Jewish people worldwide
Machane Yehuda tasting tour: dive into the heart of Jerusalem’s culinary scene with a vibrant tasting tour through the bustling market
Lunch at Azura: enjoy a delicious and authentic lunch at this renowned local institution
Tour of Thinkers Distillery: Explore the craft of local spirits with a tour and tasting
Time to rest at the hotel
Festival of Lights at the Botanical Gardens: visit the botanical gardens for the evening, including dinner on-site and a special candle lighting ceremony

Jerusalem

Eighth Chanukah candle lighting, Jerusalem’s Memory, Heroes and Chanukah Glow

Morning options:
- Private tour of Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center
- Tour of Mount Herzl, honoring the leaders and fallen soldiers of Israel
The Ancient Streets: guided tour of the Old City, exploring its historical and spiritual quarters. Lunch on own
Chanukah at Sunset: experience the unique chanukiot tour at sunset, seeing the beautiful menorahs lit in the Old City alleys
Intimate Candle Lighting: participate in a special candle lighting ceremony with a local family in the Old City
Dinner Options:
- Conclude your day with dinner at Karma Satya restaurant
- Shabbat Dinner in a home in the Old City

Jerusalem

Jerusalem’s Art and Farewell (lehitra’ot!)

Morning Speaker
Tour of the picturesque and historic Ein Kerem neighborhood
Lunch of Jachnun and Kubana in Ein Karem
Processing Session: “Bringing Israel Back Home,” guided session to reflect on the trip
Rest of the day off with late check out
Evening: Festive Havdallah at Mishkenot Sha’ananim with a closing session
Festive Farewell Dinner
Departure to the airport (7 PM)

Spring 2026

Fall 2026

8 MAGICAL NIGHTS OF CHANUKAH

In Israel

December 4-12, 2026

Highlights

Dates and Pricing

Accommodations

Tel Aviv

HaGalil

Jerusalem

Itinerary

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