Over the course of ten days, the delegation toured the country – from the Galilee and Golan, through Jerusalem and the Gaza Envelope, to the Negev and Arava. The participants were exposed to the diverse landscapes of Israel, its human and social tapestry and the complex Israeli reality, through visits to educational institutions, encounters with local educators, in depth lectures, geopolitical tours and experiential activities. Simultaneously, they became deeply familiar with educational environmental and communal projects of KKL-JNF, many of which were in full cooperation with JNF Australia.
The journey began with an emotional ceremony at the Shuni Field and Forest Center, in which each participant planted a tree on behalf of their school – A symbolic gesture for the beginning of a long-term educational process. Later in the day, the group visited the Jordan River Village, a youth village for children who are dealing with severe illnesses and disabilities, where they were introduced to the educational activities that strengthen ties between teenagers from the diaspora and Israel.
In northern Israel, the educators toured Safed, the Golan Heights and Hula Lake, combining spirit, history, nature and environmental education. Ariella Gabbay, a teacher from Belview Hill School, Sydney, had one day shared an insight that even those who have already visited Israel in the past "always discover something new here" – an insight that emerged repeatedly throughout the seminar.
The stay in Jerusalem constituted a key point in the journey. The participants had visited the main heritage sites of the city, fully experienced an Israeli Sabbath, and engaged in the meaning of Jerusalem as a spiritual, historical and educational center. Jenny Glazer, of St. Ives School, Sydney (originally in English), described the experience in one of the encounters, whereby "Jerusalem is not just seen with your eyes – but with your heart".
Later, the group traveled to the Gaza Envelope and Negev region, where it was exposed to the challenges of life and education in a complex security reality. Encounters with educators, community leaders and students emphasized civil resilience and commitment to education, even under challenging conditions. Rabbi Yossi Friedman, of Mount Sinai College and Maroubra Synagogue, Sydney (originally in English), noted in one of the discussions that the values being taught here – of responsibility, commitment and perseverance – are relevant not only to soldiers, but also to educators and their students.
The journey continued to the Arava, where the participants encountered groundbreaking agricultural and educational initiatives, and were exposed to Israel's capabilities to transform the desert into in the area of growth, innovation and values education. The seminar concluded on the final day in central Israel, after a visit to Masada, the Ayalon Institute and local education institutions, and accompanied by a reflective process that dealt with the implementation of the acquired tools and insights in the education systems in Australia.
At the end of the 10-day seminar, the participants returned to their communities with a deeper understanding of Israeli society, a personal and significant connection to Israel, and a rich educational toolbox for their future educational work.