Jeffrey Donenfeld

Tag: israel outdoors

Staffing an Adventure Trek with Israel Outdoors – Round 2

Israel Outdoors Blog
Recently I had the opportunity to staff a cultural tour and adventure trek with Birthright/Taglit tour operator Israel Outdoors (Part of Authentic Israel) – their popular “Israel Quest” itinerary. This was my second time working with Israel Outdoors, and they’ve been consistently great to work with – fantastic trips, fantastic staffers, and fantastic participants! Here’s my first time working with them. I worked as one of two field staff members, and managed day-to-day group logistics and planning as well as conducted daily educational seminars and discussions. Israel Outdoors also covered the trip on their own blog.

A few photos and video from the most recent trip:

Group pic! Israel Outdoors Bus 288

The triangular memorial at the Gadot Overlook, Golan Heights, Israel.

Hiking in the beautiful mountains in the Golan Heights, Israel. Despite the hot climate, there were plenty of marshes, springs, and swimming holes.

Cooling off in one of the swimming holes along the Yehudiya Canyon Trail, Golan Heights, Israel. This is one of many beautiful swimming holes in the area, flanked by hexagon-shaped basalt columns.

Cooling off in one of the swimming holes along the Yehudiya Canyon Trail, Golan Heights, Israel. This is one of many beautiful swimming holes in the area, flanked by hexagon-shaped basalt columns.

Light streaming through the stained glass windows inside the Abuhav Synagogue, Tzfat, Israel. Wikipedia: The Abuhav Synagogue is a 15th-century synagogue in Safed, Israel, named after 15th-century Spanish rabbi and kabbalist, Isaac Abuhav. Its design is said to be based upon kabbalistic teachings.

We meet and greet our soldier companions!

Crowds at the Mahane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem

Every hebrew beer imaginable, available at the Mahane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem

A moment of reflection at the Kotel, Old City, Jerusalem.

Construction looms closeby the holocaust memorial, Yad Vashem.

Graves at Mt. Hertzl Cemetery.

Sunrise burns through early morning clouds over the Dead Sea, as seen from Mt. Massada.

Balls of salt wash ashore at the Dead Sea.

Hiking witin half a mile of the Egyptian border in Eilat, Israel. The desert blooms brilliantly after each rare rain.

Dust and sand accompany a soul-cleansing hike through the southern Israeli desert.

Beautiful swimming in the Red Sea.

Desert flowers color the landscape in the Negev Desert.

Waterfalls are a rare treat in the desert canyons of Southern Israel.

Thanks to Ezra Siegel for creating this awesome video of the trip!

Program Itinerary:

Sunday, November 9 – Departure
Depart JFK Int’l Airport at 5:55 PM
Arrive at the airport four hours early

Monday, November 10 – Arrival & The North
Landing at Ben Gurion Airport at 3:00 PM
Meet Israeli Staff
Depart for The North
Program Introductions & Ice Breakers
Overnight: Kibbutz Gonen, Golan Heights / Tel: 972-4-695-5286

Tuesday, November 11 – The North
Gadot Lookout & Memorial
Nahal Zavitan – Canyon Hike in the Golan
Mount Bental – View of the Golan Heights Depart for Netanya
Hamei Tveria – Relax in natural hot springs
Cultural Activity
Overnight: Kibbutz Gonen, Golan Heights / Tel: 972-4-695-5286

Wednesday, November 12 – The North & Tel Aviv
Tzfat – Birthplace of Jewish Mysticism
Depart for Tel Aviv
Group Night Out
Prepare for Mifgash
Overnight: Blue Bay Hotel, Netanya / Tel: 972-9-860-0123

Thursday, November 13 – Tel Aviv & Jerusalem
Welcome & Ice Breakers with Israeli Peers
Rabin Square – Memorial to Yitzhak Rabin
Independence Hall – Declaration of The Modern State of Israel
Shenkin Street
Depart for Jerusalem
Haas Promenade – Panoramic View of Jerusalem
Group Activity
Overnight: Maale Hachamisha Hotel, Jerusalem / Tel: 972-2-533-1331

Friday, November 14 – Jerusalem
Jewish Quarter – Old City Walking Tour
The Kotel – Reflections at the Western Wall
Mahane Yehuda – Colorful Jerusalem Marketplace
Prepare for Shabbat
Start of Shabbat – Candle Lighting Ceremony
Festive Shabbat Dinner
Group Activity
Oneg Shabbat – Celebrating Shabbat
Overnight: Maale Hachamisha Hotel, Jerusalem / Tel: 972-2-533-1331

Saturday, November 15 – Shabbat
Shabbat Programming
Prepare for Yad Vashem
Havdallah Ceremony – Conclusion of Shabbat
Political Seminar with Neil Lazarus– The Situation Today in Israel
Overnight: Maale Hachamisha Hotel, Jerusalem / Tel: 972-2-533-1331

Sunday, November 16 – Jerusalem & The Negev
Yad Vashem – Holocaust Memorial & Museum
Har Herzl –National Memorial
Depart for The Negev
Mifgash Activity with Israeli Peers
Overnight: Inbar Hotel, Arad / Tel: 972-8-997-3303

Monday, November 17 – The Negev & Eilat
Ascend Masada – Via the Roman Ramp
Masada – Ancient Mountaintop Fortress
Descend Masada – Via the Snake Path
Dead Sea – Floating at Ein Bokek Beach
Wrap Up & Depart with Israelis
Depart for Eilat
Group Night Out
Overnight: Astral Coral Hotel, Eilat / Tel: 972-8-638-8888

Tuesday, November 18 – Eilat & The Negev
Mount Tzfahot – Canyon Hike
Snorkeling in the Red Sea
Depart for the Bedouin Tent
Enjoy Traditional Bedouin Dinner and Hospitality
Overnight: Chan Shayarot, Bedouin Tent, Negev Desert / Tel: 972-8-653-5777

Wednesday, November 19 – The Negev & Tel Aviv
Camel trekking – Travel the Negev Desert in Style!
Ein Ovdat – Canyon Hike
Sde Boker – Desert Outpost & Grave of Ben Gurion
Depart for Tel Aviv
Jaffa – Ancient Seaport & Artist Colony
Israel Pathways – Learn More about Opportunities in Israel
Closing Dinner & Wrap-up Session
Depart for Airport

Thursday, November 20 – Departure & Arrival
Depart Ben Gurion Airport at 1:20 AM
Arrive at JFK Int’l Airport at 1:05 PM

https://instagram.com/p/vkxHF7uNxr/

2014-11-26
Shooting Photos for Israel Outdoors

While guiding in Israel for Israel Outdoors, I had the opportunity to take a bunch of marketing photos for upcoming product promotions and trips. Israel Outdoors recently published a small selection of my photos. Thanks Israel Outdoors, great working with you!

Israel Outdoors participant alumn Jeffrey Donenfeld, recently came back from his first time staffing an Israel Outdoors Bike trip. Oh how we love keeping it in the Israel Outdoors family! When he is not staffing trips to Israel, Jeffrey […]

2014-07-15
Trekking Across Israel as Staff for Israel Outdoors
Over the past two weeks, I had the opportunity to work as a staff guide for Israel Outdoors during the Israel By Bike cultural trek, part of Taglit Birthright Israel. Years ago, I actually participated as a guest in this exact same trip, and it was an exciting honor to now have the opportunity to lead it. Israel Outdoors calls this itinerary “Israel By Bike“, but it’s a lot more than just that. Overall, staffing this trip was an incredible experience. I had two co-leaders, and a group of about 40 participants 18-22 years old. The group was great, and I sincerely enjoyed meeting everybody, and the opportunity to contribute my enthusiasm and views on the region as we traveled through the entire country.

During the trip, I took about 1400 photos, and edited down to a small set. View the full set on Flickr, as well as on my Instagram feed. I shot on my iPhone 5, and Sony RX-100ii cameras, allowing me to both post photos throughout the day, and shoot in raw for later editing. The full set is displayed here, and I’ll also be publishing a series of theme-specific posts in coming weeks.

Photos, Full Screen

Daily Itinerary

Day 1
- Arrival at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport
- Meet Israeli guide and group intros at Haas Promanade
- Transfer to Jerusalem
- Checkin to Hotel Accommodations -Jerusalem Gold Hotel
Day 2
- Visit to Davidson Center, Jerusalem
- Tour of Old City Jerusalem Jewish Quarter
- Visit to Kotel, reflection at Western Wall
- Explore Mahane Yehuda market and lunch
- Afternoon relaxation on Ben Yehuda Street
- Overnight at Jerusalem Gold Hotel
Day 3
- Travel North
- Scenic stop at Steia Maris Lookout and education about the Bahai Faith and Bahai Gardens
- Visit to Arbel and Lunch
- Checkin to hotel Savyonei Hagalil
- Preparation for Shabbat and festive Shabbat Dinner
Day 4
- Shabbat learning opportunities
- Hike to lookout point
- Havdallah Ceremony and cultural activity
- Overnight at Savyonei Hagalil
Day 5
- Hike up Mt. Meiron
- Cultural tour of Tzfat, including dip in Mikve
- Return to Hotel
Day 6
- Visit to Banias and lunch
- Rafting the Jordan River and relaxing on the water
- Camping in desert near Masada
Day 7
- Early morning wakeup in desert
- Sunrise ascent of Mt. Masada
- Breakfast at Masada Visitors Center
- Floating in the Dead Sea
- Camel Trekking with Bedouin
- Sleeping at Negev Bedouin Camp and Campfire
Day 8
- Biking at Nahal ZIn
- Visit to Sde Boker
- Shvil Hasalat
- Dinner at Blue Bay Hotel
Day 9
- Drive to Tel Aviv
- Visit Rabin Square
- Visit Independence Hall
- Swim at Tel Aviv beach
- Wrap up session and departure
A selection of photos taken during the trip – many were posted on Instagram during the trip.

Initial assembly of the group at JFK Airport – this was our initial meetup, and the first time my co-staffer Allie and I made group introductions.

Let’s jet!
https://instagram.com/p/oMfw8puNzU/

We connected through Zurich, Switzerland

Zurich Airport – great piece of architecture
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jamfan2/14471771451/in/set-72157645237763596

Ice Breakers at the Old City, Jerusalem

Tour of the Old City’s Jewish Quarter
https://instagram.com/p/oQMZwPON7R/

Visit to the Kotel
https://instagram.com/p/oQdGVzuN6z/
https://instagram.com/p/oQdQP7ON66/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jamfan2/14473847972/in/set-72157645237763596

Meeting our Israeli Soldiers
https://instagram.com/p/oSrVWKuN_d/

Mt. Hertzel and Yad Vashem – very heavy
https://instagram.com/p/oTJ3pKON6E/
https://instagram.com/p/oTNccJON-K/

Architecture of Yad Vashem

Driving North
https://instagram.com/p/oVDIsmuNyG/

Bahai Gardens
https://instagram.com/p/oVRuNDuN8z/

Hiking Mr. Meron

Shabbat
https://instagram.com/p/oY4v5kuN1_/

Hiking on Shabbat

Exploring Tzfat
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jamfan2/14475170545/in/set-72157645237763596
https://instagram.com/p/oa92LfON9z/

Candles in Tzfat

More exploring
https://instagram.com/p/odBccTuN8l/
https://instagram.com/p/odnktTuN1n/

The trip’s first bike trip
https://instagram.com/p/odn1NPuN2C/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jamfan2/14288544619/in/set-72157645237763596

Sunrise hiking up Mt. Masda
https://instagram.com/p/oe3aj3uN0h/

https://instagram.com/p/ofBVe3ONz2/

Swimming in the Dead Sea

Camel Riding and Desert Living with the Bedouin
https://instagram.com/p/ogPcXUuN6_/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jamfan2/14288594478/in/set-72157645237763596
https://instagram.com/p/ogaOMYuN9g/
https://instagram.com/p/ogfU4kuN4l/
https://instagram.com/p/oh4BatuNzt/

Second Biking Trip

Exploring the Market in Tel Aviv
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jamfan2/14473996594/in/set-72157645237763596

Final Sunset
2014-06-21
Next Week I’ll Be Guiding An Adventure Across Israel
Coming up starting on May 19th, 2014 I’ll be guiding a ten day adventure across Israel with Birthright Israel and Israel Outdoors. During the trip, I’ll be working with two other expert staff members – Allison Bell and Asher Drimmer, traveling with a group of 40 guests. Years ago, I actually participated as a guest in this exact same trip, and it’s an exciting honor to now have the opportunity to lead it. Israel Outdoors calls this itinerary “Israel By Bike“, but it’s a lot more than just that. We’ll be biking, hiking, swimming, sightseeing, and relaxing all throughout Israel, experience as much as the country has to offer. In addition to the many activities and locations we’ll be discovering, we’ll also be developing our own personal relationships with both the land and the people of Israel. During our trip, we’ll be joined by a few members of the Israeli Defense Force, to learn firsthand what their lives are like living in Israel and serving in the military – a unique opportunity to make deep connections.

Here’s a quick outline of what we’ll be up to during our ten day itinerary:
- Meet and greet at Tel Aviv’s Caesarea – The beachside amphitheater
- Traditional vibes while staying at a Kibbutz Guest House in the Galilee
- Exploring the mystical city of Tzfat
- Biking along the winding banks of the Jordan River
- Rafting the upper Jordan River
- Ascend the Golan Heights
- Hike down the lush Nahal El Al Canyon on the Golan
- Winetasting at the Golan Heights Winery
- Exploring the Jordan Valley
- Tour of the Old City’s legendary Jewish Quarter
- Personally experiencing The Western Wall
- Shopping at the Mahane Yehuda market
- A group night out on Jerusalem’s Ben Yehuda pedestrian mall
- Secluded stay at the Dead Sea Hotel
- Sunrise ascent to Masada via the Snake Path
- Hike to the desert waterfalls at Ein Gedi
- Bike along the chalky desert trails of Mount Sodom
- Floating time along the beaches of the Dead Sea
- Camel trekking and traditional Bedouin hafla dinner feast
- Explore Nahalat Binyamin artists market and street festival
- Bike the Burma Road trail in the Jerusalem foothills
- Crawl through the archeological caves at Hirbet Midras
- Walking tour of historic Jaffa on the Mediterranean shores
- …. and much much more.
We’ll be able to squeeze all of this into a quick ten day timespan with a bit of crafy planning, a dedicated transportation and security team, and our expert and experienced Israeli liasion. Israel Outdoors has been running this trip for years, and they’re the absolute best in the business – a pleasure to work with them.

Next up in preparing for the trip now that the itierary is set, everybody’s airline tickets have been locked in, and everything is in motion is to pack! Shortly I’ll be posting my quick packing list of what I’m brining with me on the adventure. I’ll be traveling ultralight, and ultraversatile to adapt to the variety of situations we’ll encounter while traveling. Stay tuned!

Interested in your own adventure in Israel and the Middle East?

Get in touch with me and I’ll help you make it happen!

One former traveler’s home videos from Summer 2013:
2014-05-10
Discovering Israel with Birthright

In December 2006, I traveled to Israel with Israel Outdoors on a Birthright-sponsored trip. A few pics from my journey:

2007-01-02