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Register for the Trip | Itinerary | Sample Packing List | FAQs | Pricing 

 

“ISRAEL! A dream come true to see this place and learn about our God in the Holy Land! Leaving feeling humbled, challenged, in awe, and so grateful.” —Sarah, Passages Alumna

 

Through a nine-day pilgrimage to the Holy Land and post-trip education and engagement opportunities, Passages strengthens the faith of Christian students, connects them to Israel, and prepares them for a life of Christ-centered leadership.

We believe that a trip to Israel is a rite of passage for every young Christian. There is no substitute for walking the land where Jesus walked and traversing the paths of the patriarchs, kings, prophets and the first disciples. 

The origins of both ancient Biblical faith and of a present-day nation—rich with culture, diversity, beauty, and challenges—are in Israel. The land and the people of Israel have a story to tell. By coming to Israel, students make Israel’s story part of their own.

 
*Deposit deadline is March 1st and deadline to register and pay remaining balance is April 3rd.

Register Today

 

Click here for FAQs

The Program

Every Passages trip allows students to touch the geographical roots of their Christian faith and come face-to-face with the modern-day nation of Israel. 

We’ve designed our itinerary to accomplish the three goals of our organization. 

First, to give participants a life-changing experience that strengthens their Christian faith and identity.

Second, to introduce them to the complex cultural and political tapestry of modern Israel.

Third, to develop strong leadership abilities in the next generation of Christian leaders, in the hopes of building bridges of understanding and friendship between Jewish and Christian communities. 

As a result, the faith identity of students is strengthened. They gain the ability to speak about both their Christian faith and Israel in an informed manner. And they have opportunities to build upon their experiences for years to come through post-trip community engagement.

Participants hear from Israeli, Palestinian, Jewish, and Arab speakers who help them understand the Israeli culture, government and economy, geopolitical and security issues surrounding Israel.

Our program has four phases:

  1. Pre-Trip
  2. The Trip 
  3. The Passages Capstone
  4. The Passages Leaders Network

LEARN MORE HERE

 

REGISTER TODAY

*Registration is open from September 15— April 3, 2023.
*Deposit deadline is March 1st and deadline to register and pay remaining balance is April 3rd.

“Forever in awe of this land and what it has taught me. Experiencing the land I read about in the Bible will forever change how I read the Bible. Words cannot express how grateful I am for my time in Israel!” —Addie, Passages Alumna

 

 

The Trip

Day 1

Welcome to Israel

Land at the Ben Gurion Airport. Meet your guide. Attend the Passages opening dinner and orientation, where travelers will meet one another and hear about what they will experience over the next nine days.

Day 2

Ministry of Jesus

Visit the excavations of the synagogue of Magdala, Mary Magdalene’s hometown. Continue to Tabgha and the Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter (John 21) before a cruise on the Sea of Galilee. After lunch, visit the Mt. of Beatitudes and Capernaum—the headquarters of Jesus’s movement and his home during his Galilean ministry. Finish the day with a visit to Yardenit to learn about Jesus’ baptism.

Day 3

Hometown of Jesus

Start the day with an adventure rafting on the Jordan River! Next, head north to Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus, where you’ll stop at Mt. Precipice, a breathtaking overlook of the Jezreel Valley. You’ll also explore the mystery of the incarnation at Mary’s Well and the Basilica of Annunciation, the largest church in the Middle East. The day ends visiting with Israeli teenage peers. 

Day 4

Yad Vashem

Tour Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial and museum in Jerusalem in the morning, and enjoy a fun community service project in the afternoon. That evening, gather with the rest of the buses for worship night.

Day 5

Patriarchs, Kings & Prophets

Visit the Southern Steps of the Temple Mount and the site where Jesus overturned the money changers’ tables (Matthew 21). See the ancient City of David and explore the ancient water system in Hezekiah’s Tunnel. Welcome the Sabbath at the Western Wall before enjoying a traditional Shabbat dinner with a Jewish family.

Day 6

New Covenant

Walk down the Palm Sunday Road on the Mt. of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane. Stop at the Pools of Bethesda and St. Anne’s church. Then, walk along the Via Dolorosa to the Christian Quarter and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus, before ending with a devotional at the Garden Tomb. Finish the day hearing from a local Christian.

Day 7

The Desert

Take the cable car to the top of Masada, an ancient fortress in the Judean Desert, before swimming in the Dead Sea. Explore the Ein Gedi nature preserve, the sight where David and his men took shelter when fleeing from King Saul (1 Samuel 23-24). Finish the day with a camel ride and Bedouin camping experience.

Day 8

Neighbors South

Enjoy a biblical archaeology experience by digging at Beit Guvrin before visiting Valley of Elah, the site of David and Goliath’s battle. Visit Sderot to learn more about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and life in modern Israel before finishing the day with a speaker on the issues.

Day 9

A Modern State

Enjoy your last day near the Mediterranean coast by exploring Independence Trail in Tel Aviv and visiting with the Ethiopian community. Participate in a tree planting celebration together before enjoying a final debrief and Passages closing dinner before your flight home.

*This itinerary is a sample overview of what you’ll likely experience on the Passages for High School trip. The specifics are subject to change.

Pricing

The Passages program costs approximately $5,000. But thanks to generous donors who provide scholarships to EVERY student, Passages participants can travel at a subsidized rate: $2,980. Here’s what we include in that price:

  • International flights
  • Hotel accommodations
  • Transportation
  • Entry fees to all sites
  • Tickets and other activities
  • Guest speakers
  • All meals
  • Health and travel insurance
  • Tip for tour guide and bus driver

Please note: for the Summer 2023 season, our price per student is $2,980. However, for the Winter 2023-24 season, the price is increasing to $3,450, because we will begin including domestic travel at that time. This will save your group the time and effort of coordinating their own domestic flights. Please reach out to  with any questions.

 

Trip Dates

June 18-28, 2023 and after Christmas, Winter 2023

Our high school groups will be traveling to Israel June 18-28, 2023.

For more information, or if you are interested in partnering with Passages to bring a group of high school students, please contact breylyn@passagesisrael.org. We are able to work with partners on the dates that work best for their groups.

 

*Registration is open from September 15— April 3, 2023.
*Deposit deadline is March 1st and deadline to register and pay remaining balance is April 3rd.
REGISTER TODAY
 

 

What our students say…

“It was incredible to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and to see the rich history that is interwoven throughout this land. So grateful to have had the opportunity to share this experience with such a solid group of people as well!” —Lewis, Passages Alumnus

Our Story

 

Register Today

*Registration is open from September 15— April 3, 2023.
*Deposit deadline is March 1st and deadline to register and pay remaining balance is April 3rd.

FAQs

  • What does the full Passages program involve?
    • The Passages program includes four phases. 
    • Phase 1 is Pre-Trip: students are prepared for their travel to Israel through logistical and educational guidance and resources.
    • Phase 2 is the Trip: students encounter Israel for nine days! For more information on the trip, click HERE to see the sample trip itinerary.
  • What is the price per student?

    The full program, including the trip, costs $2980 per student, which includes international airfare. The trip costs over $5000, but the lower price is made possible because of our generous donors who believe in your students and want to make their experience in Israel possible.

  • What’s covered in the program cost?
    • International airfare
    • Entry fees to all sites
    • Hotel accommodations
    • Transportation throughout Israel
    • Minimal health insurance
    • Tour guide
    • Most meals 
  • How can I take my high school students to Israel with Passages?

    Passages only takes students enrolled with partner institutions at this time; therefore, if you are interested in bringing Passages to your high school, please contact Breylyn Henry (breylyn@passagesisrael.org) or Dr. Luke Bray (lukeb@passagesisrael.org).

  • What are the qualifications for the program?

    Eligible applicants must be Christian high school students, enrolled with a high school partner institution.

  • Will students travel with their own school or with other schools?
    Students will travel with their own school. This is subject to change once we make this program available for high school independent applicants (high school students who apply separately from a partner institution). 
  • Is it safe to travel to Israel?
    The safety and security of all who participate in our program is paramount. We provide each bus with an armed medic/guard. In addition, our tour operator is in touch with the authorities on a continual basis should a situation arise within the country and the itinerary need to be changed accordingly.
  • What are Passages’ theological and political views?
    • Our community is ecumenical and non-partisan, uniting diverse religious and political perspectives through our common Christian faith. Passages does not promote a particular political party. We believe Israel is a modern-day miracle and positive presence in the region and in the world. We acknowledge and respect the dignity of all people from every political, religious, and ethnic background. Our program engages the perspectives of the diverse people that call the region home.
    • Passages does not require a specific Christian theological perspective. Our program intentionally works to create an ecumenical dialogue, uniting Christians through their experience in the Holy Land.

     

  • Is a Passages trip fair and balanced as it relates to the Israel-Palestinian conflict?
    We believe Israel is a modern-day miracle and a force for good both in the region and in the world. We also believe in the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, alongside the Jewish State. The ancient and modern history influencing the identity narratives of the many people groups living in the region are complex. Our approach to issues related to this complex reality is not to prescribe solutions that disregard that complexity or the people who are affected by it on a daily basis. Instead, we strive to elevate the perspectives of people who call the region home.
  • Is this trip different from Passages trips for college students?
    Yes, this trip includes more recreational activities. The lectures will also be shorter than on college trips.
  • What are the Covid-19 restrictions and policies like in Israel?
    For the health and safety of all participants, we ask that all take a COVID test prior to departure. Israel no longer requires all tourists entering the country to be fully vaccinated. If you test positive while in Israel, you may be required to quarantine for up to 6 days.
  • Is there a packing list?
    Yes, please click HERE to view our packing list. It is not exhaustive, so be sure to think through your students’ needs and preferences while traveling.
  • Who are the chaperones? Can a parent be a chaperone?
    High school faculty members at this time.
  • What is the refund/cancellation policy?
    If Passages cancels the trip for any reason, students will receive a full refund of their registration fees (all refunds do not include the processing fee paid at registration). If you would like to cancel your trip, please contact trips@passagesisrael.org and refer to our Cancellation Policy for more information.

    •  

Please contact breylyn@passagesisrael.org for further questions.

Register Today

*Registration is open from September 15—April 3, 2023
*Deposit deadline is March 1st and deadline to register and pay remaining balance is April 3rd.