This 2-week Israel trip combines both touring and volunteering into an unforgettable adventure that will connect you to the land of Israel for life.
Come on this trip and you’ll get to travel throughout central Israel, visiting key sites in Judea, Samaria, and Jerusalem. Instead of just hopping on and off the bus like most tours, you’ll be able to make a difference in each place through volunteer projects like planting trees, helping on farms, or participating in archaeological digs.
Along the way, you’ll meet some of Israel’s most incredible pioneers, hear from dynamic speakers, and forge friendships with your fellow trip members.
The Heartland Experience is different from our other volunteer trips; it includes a pre-planned itinerary, more touring, and several nights in a hotel.
All ages are welcome to come on this trip.
The Heartland Experience trip includes lodging at our volunteer base for 11 nights and hotel lodging in Jerusalem for 3 nights.
arrive in Israel on November 27, 2023
airport pick-up is at 6:00 PM
depart Israel on December 10, 2023
airport drop-off is at 8:00 PM
Coming as a family? Every 4th person age 13 and over is free! (applies to immediate family members only)
I would highly recommend going on the Heartland Experience trip with HaYovel. It wasn’t just a tour. It was much more than I expected, getting to participate in so many different types of work. All of the HaYovel group was a joy to be around and they went the extra mile and made me feel like I was part of their family. We also met many of the local people and the hospitality from each one was amazing. If you want to see the Bible come to life and see where most of it happened, this is the trip to take. You will never be the same afterwards.
I can’t say enough amazing things about the Heartland Experience trip with HaYovel! For 2 weeks we were treated to the most breathtaking sights in the Biblical heartland and the warmest hospitality from the HaYovel team. We experienced the true culture by meeting some of the Jewish people and got to work together with them on their farms and in their vineyards. This is not just a typical tour – this is a once in a lifetime experience that combines the opportunity to both serve the Jewish people and to go on exciting tour days in Israel.
I recommend the Heartland Experience to anyone who has ever considered taking a tour to Israel. It is an opportunity of a lifetime and it is the best way to gain perspective of the miracles of redemption God is performing. Each participant takes active, powerful, faithful steps to work and be a part of this Kingdom of Israel redemption in our generation. It is such a blessing to serve and be the salt and light with our prayers, hands, and feet in the Heartland! It is transformational!
As a solo traveler and first-time visitor, I found this to be a most elegant way to experience Israel. The volunteer work imparts a sense of meaning, and friendships develop easily in pursuit of common goals. We saw a rich variety of historic and sacred places, and met many locals who expressed their passion and dedication to this beautiful land. I left feeling I had seen it for real, and having a tiny part in making the desert bloom. Grateful to the HaYovel team for sharing this place with us.
Choose your favorite trip and click “apply”. Follow the instructions to submit your application.
It will take approximately 30 to 45 minutes to fill out your application and will require a photocopy of your passport and a $200 non-refundable processing fee (this amount will be deducted from your trip cost).
Once you submit your application and pay your processing fee, someone from our staff team will reach out to you and schedule a phone call. On this call, you’ll have the opportunity to get answers to any questions you may have and we’ll give you additional details about what to expect and what you should bring with you.
After you talk with one of our staff members, we’ll let you know how and when to book your flight to Israel. It’s very important that you DO NOT BOOK YOUR FLIGHT until you receive a go-ahead from our staff team. We have a specific airport pick-up and drop-off time that you need to keep in mind when booking your flight.
Between when you submit your application and the day you arrive in Israel, we’ll send you all the information you need to be prepared, pack everything you need, and be ready for a life-changing Israel experience you will remember forever.
We’ll meet you at the airport!
The Mount of Blessing, also known as Mt. Gerizim, is a mountain situated in central Israel (2,890 feet above sea level). This mountain is specifically mentioned in the Bible as the place where, upon first entering the Promised Land after the Exodus, the nation of Israel performed the ceremony of blessings, as they had been instructed by Moses.
There is a modern-day Jewish community on top of the mountain with a population of about 3,000. Just outside of the Jewish community, HaYovel maintains a base of operations and housing for volunteers, surrounded by acres of lush vineyards.
an aerial view of HaYovel’s base of operations, located on top of Mt. Gerizim
Elon Moreh, also known as Har Kabir or the Oaks of Moreh, is a mountain located in central Israel with breathtaking views in all directions. This place is specifically mentioned in the Bible as the place where Abraham first settled when he came to the land of Israel. In Genesis 12, Elon Moreh is listed as the location where God audibly spoke to Abraham and promised the land of Israel would belong to his descendants forever.
There is a modern-day Jewish community on the slopes of the mountain (population of about 2,000). The peak of the mountain is unsettled and remains a quiet nature reserve with walking paths and stone overlooks. Elon Moreh is approximately a 20-minute drive from HaYovel’s base of operations. We usually take every volunteer group or tour on an early-morning trip to this beautiful place to enjoy breakfast, hot coffee, and stunning views as the sun comes up.
the morning sunrise as seen from the peak of Elon Moreh
Mt. Ebal, also known as the Mount of Cursing, is a mountain in central Israel that lies just to the north of Mt. Gerizim (the Mount of Blessing), separated by narrow valley. These two mountains are famously known as the location where the Israelites first stopped when they returned to the land after the Exodus. It was here that they performed the ceremony of blessings and curses as Moses had commanded them.
Contrary to the idea that the name lends, Mt. Ebal is not a cursed mountain. It’s actually quite beautiful and a great place to visit! Unlike its neighboring mountains, Mt. Ebal is entirely uninhabited except for a small military base. On the north side of the mountain lies the famous archaeological site of Joshua’s Altar. This amazing site is rarely found on any Israel tour itinerary, but has both great biblical significance as well as solid historical proof that the Jewish nation of Israel has called this land home longer than any other people group on the planet.
the Mt. of Blessing (left) and the Mt. of Cursing (right) as seen from the east
the site of Joshua’s Altar that was discovered by archaeologists in 1980
Aaron Lipkin is a famous Israeli tour guide and founder of Lipkin Tours, a tour agency that specializes in taking people to important biblical sites throughout Judea and Samaria that are omitted from most Israel tours. Aaron has also filmed and produced several virtual Israel tours that are available on DVD.
You’ll get to meet Aaron on this Heartland Experience trip and enjoy one of his informative tours when we go to Mt. Ebal and the site where Joshua’s altar was recently discovered by archaeologists.
Era Rappaport was one of the first pioneers to return to the mountains of central Israel and resettle this key part of the Jewish people’s homeland.
Era helped found the modern-day settlement of Shiloh (built in the same location as the ancient Jewish town of Shiloh), and has served in many capacities including mayor, security guard, and tour guide. Today, Era is a grandfather to more than 30 grandchildren and cultivates grapes, blueberries and other fruit in the Shiloh valley. During our volunteer trips, HaYovel helps Era with planting and pruning his grapevines and he always has amazing stories and profound insights to share!
The Biblical Highway (also known as the Road of the Patriarchs) is an ancient north–south route traversing the land of Israel that has been in use for over 4,000 years. It follows the watershed ridgeline of the Samarian and Judean Mountains. It runs from Megiddo and Hazor south to Beersheba, intersecting the cities of Shechem, Bethel, Jerusalem, Ephrath, and Hebron along the way. The name comes from the detailed accounts given in the Bible of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob traveling along this route.
Today, Israel’s modern-day Highway 60 follows the same ancient route with only occasional diversions. The highway winds through beautiful, rocky hill country brimming with stories and artifacts from history. At various points, you can pull off to the side of the road and discover ancient mile marker stones still standing and way stations with ritual baths that date back more than 2,000 years.
an aerial view of Israel’s Highway 60 that was built on top of the ancient Road of the Patriarchs