We are so excited that Wilshire Boulevard Temple families will now have the opportunity to participate in an annual Wilshire Boulevard Temple B’nei Mitzvah trip to Israel in lieu of, or in addition to, a service at one of our campuses.

• You are looking to find that perfect balance between depth, spirituality and fun
• You want to celebrate this special milestone and have an unforgettable experience for the whole family
• You want to share your experience with other Wilshire Boulevard Temple families who share your passion for Israel and love of travel
• You want to introduce (or reintroduce) your Bar/Bat Mitzvah child to the land and history of Israel through youth centered programming, hands-on mitzvah projects and encounters with the people that make Israel what it is
• You are ready for a transcendent experience, providing your Bar or Bat Mitzvah child with an unbreakable link to the Jewish people and Israel

The December 2020 begins Monday, December 21st, 2020, and ends on Wednesday, December 30th, 2020. The June 2021 begins on June 18, 2021 and ends on June 27, 2021.

Immediate and extended family, as well as close friends, are invited to join us on the trip to celebrate this special occasion. If you expect your group to include more than 20 participants, please contact Lisa Alpern at lalpern@wbtla.org or 424-208-8971 to discuss options.

We are partnering with ARZA World Travel, a leading Israel tour company, to create a one-of-a-kind experience for Wilshire Boulevard Temple families. They offer the highest standard of professionalism, and, with our Wilshire Boulevard Temple staff, will take care of all of our educational, security and logistical needs.

During the trip, your child will have a magical, once-in-a-lifetime group B’nei Mitzvah ceremony in Israel. Each student will read from the Torah, as well as lead part of the service. Following the ceremony, we will continue the celebration with a festive dinner and party.

Additionally, each family will work with our Rabbis and educators to lead (along with our incredible tour guide of course) part of our trip. For example, one family may be asked to lead our visit to the Old City of Jaffa, teaching about its history spanning over three millennia. We will do our best to match family interest to the part of the itinerary for which they will help guide.

How does this change my experience in Los Angeles?

Similar to having your Bar or Bat Mitzvah on one of our campuses in Los Angeles, all students having their Bar or Bat Mitzvah in Israel are required to be enrolled in one of our schools. Special exceptions can be made for relatives of Wilshire Boulevard Temple members if they are traveling with a Wilshire Boulevard Temple member and if they are enrolled in a religious school program at another congregation. Israel trip students will also need to attend their required sessions with their assigned B’nei Mitzvah instructor, in order to prepare for their service in Israel. Given the special nature of this trip, Israel trip families will participate in two learning and preparation sessions leading up to the trip, as well as one following the trip.

The land costs will be approximately $4,200 per person for our December 2020, and our June 2021, trip. Thanks to the generosity of the Goldhirsh-Yellin Foundation, all students having a Bar or Bat Mitzvah in Israel will receive an $1,800 land subsidy toward their trip to Israel.

What’s included in the package price?

All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, breakfast daily, some lunches and dinners, sightseeing, admissions, luggage handling and the services of local guides, drivers, and the tour educators are included.

Airfare, personal expenses such as laundry and room service, guide and driver gratuities.