In celebration of Israel’s 75th birthday, the Jewish Federations of Greater Hartford and Greater New Haven will lead a "Choose Your Own Adventure" community trip to Israel, March 9 – 16, 2023. Between 200-400 local community members are expected to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which offers five flexible tracks geared toward different topics and levels of Israel experience. 
“This trip will be a top-notch, fivestar experience,” says Lauren Hass of Orange, who is co-chairing the trip along with her husband, David, and Juanita and Isaac "Yitz" Moss of West Hartford. “We're going to stay in the best hotels, we're going to go to the best restaurants, and we're going to have access to the most incredible people.”  
What makes the trip especially unique is the breadth of experiences participants will have to choose from.  
“With five tracks to choose from, you can customize every day of your trip and someone else will make the all the arrangements for you – an opportunity that is not available very often,” explains Yitz Moss.  
The tracks include an introductory itinerary for first-time visitors, plus special itineraries focusing on geopolitics of the Middle East, arts and culture, food and wine, and technology and innovation. Travelers are free to switch tracks from one day to the next – and every itinerary provides an insider’s view of Israel with VIP access to sites and experts. 
 All participants will enjoy kosher meals and deluxe accommodations at some of Israel’s finest hotels. Upon arrival, the group will enjoy a festive welcome, highlighted by a celebratory Shabbat experience featuring optional daytime tours followed by an evening of fun.  
“We’ve been to Israel twice, and you learn something new every time,” notes David Hass. All of the site visits will tell a story of perseverance, ingenuity, and creativity that have built and developed the State of Israel. Participants will also spend time in the Connecticut partnership region of Afula-Gilboa, in the Northern District of Israel, often known as the "Capital of the Valley" due to its strategic location in the Jezreel Valley. The Jewish Federations of both Greater New Haven and Greater Hartford have partnered with 10 other Federations from our region to form SNEC: the Southern New England Consortium. Together, the consortium invests in Afula-Gilboa to improve the lives of women and children at risk. 
"Israel 2023: Choose Your Own Adventure" is open to all members of the community 10 years or older. Registration is now open. An early bird discount is available for Greater Hartford and New Haven families through June 1.  
For details, visit https://israel-adventure-2023.eventmagix.com/, or contact Robyn Teplitzky at rteplitzky@jewishnewhaven.org.