June 28-July 22, 2027 | Israel
Optional Poland Add-On: June 20-28, 2027
USY Pilgrimage: Yuval Yisrael invites teens to experience Israel through its history, land, people, and Jewish life – and to discover what their own connection to Israel can look like today.
This isn’t an advocacy trip. It’s not a checklist of tourist sites. And it’s definitely not a random soup of experiences. Instead, Yuval Yisrael is an intentionally curated journey designed to help you ask big questions, build meaningful connections, and investigate why Israel is so important to the Jewish people.
Israel isn’t just a place to visit. It’s a place to question, explore, learn, pray, laugh, connect, and figure out what it means to you.
Come find your connection. Come find your people. Come on USY Pilgrimage: Yuval Yisrael.
Yuval Yisrael Path
THE PAST: Where did we come from?
Begin in Jerusalem, walking through thousands of years of Jewish history and experiencing the places that have shaped our people. From the Kotel, Masada, archaeological sites, and meaningful tefillah to hiking through ancient water tunnels, you’ll encounter Israel’s past in ways that bring history to life.
THE LAND: What does it mean to be connected to this place?
From the Galil in the North to the Negev in the South, we’ll experience the land itself: hiking, rafting, swimming, exploring, and traveling all the way to the Red Sea. You’ll see how geography, agriculture, innovation, and everyday life have shaped the modern State of Israel.
THE PEOPLE: Why does Israel matter to the Jewish people?
In Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Kibbutz Ketura in the Arava Desert, and throughout the journey, we’ll dig into Israeli society, culture, politics, and street life. We’ll meet people and experience the many ways Israelis live Jewish life today.
By the end, you won’t have every answer. But you’ll have a deeper understanding of why Israel matters to you – and why it matters to the Jewish people.
There is no experiencing Israel today without acknowledging October 7 and everything that has happened since.
We’ll explore how Israel has changed, how Israeli society is responding, and how the events of the past several years have affected Jewish life.
You’ll have space to ask hard questions, encounter different perspectives, and make sense of your own relationship with Israel. In addition, we will volunteer to help people who still need our support after this terrible war.
This isn’t an advocacy trip. You don’t have to arrive with a particular opinion about Israel. You will leave with a deeper understanding of the country, its people, and your own Jewish connection to it.
Every part of USY Pilgrimage: Yuval Yisrael is intentional.
We’re not simply moving from one attraction to the next. The experiences, conversations, learning, tefillah, hiking, community-building, and time together are designed to build on one another.
And that’s uniquely USY.
Community.
You’ll spend several weeks building a real community with your fellow USYers, one where everyone has a place.
Tefillah.
Prayer isn’t an add-on. Jewish spiritual life is part of how we experience Israel, from the Kotel to Shabbat and everything in between.
Ruach.
Sing loudly. Dance. Laugh until you’re exhausted. Bring the energy that makes USY feel like USY.
Learning.
Ask questions. Study together. Wrestle with complicated ideas. Learn from educators, Israelis, and each other.
Youth Leadership.
USY is a youth-driven, peer-led movement. Before the trip even begins, participants will have opportunities to help shape the experience through a pre-trip leadership committee. And throughout Pilgrimage, you’ll have opportunities to step up, lead, and make the trip your own.
This is a critical moment in your life.
You’re getting ready for college, new communities, new independence, and a whole new chapter. USY Pilgrimage: Yuval Yisrael gives you the opportunity to think about what being Jewish means to you and what kind of Jewish life you want to build.
You’ll return home with memories, friendships, stories, and experiences that stay with you long after the trip ends.
And you’ll be prepared to carry your Jewish identity with you into whatever comes next.
All lodging and accommodationsDaily meals (kosher)International round trip flight to IsraelAll programming feesSpending moneyTravel insuranceOptional excursions
Go Deeper: Poland Add-On Path
Journey through the Jewish history of Poland.
Add a week in Poland before heading to Israel to explore the rich Jewish culture that once flourished across Eastern Europe and understand the history that shaped the Jewish world today.
Together, we’ll learn about Jewish life and culture in Poland, encounter the history of the Holocaust, and explore what remains, what was lost, and how Jewish communities are rebuilding.
Then, we’ll travel together to Israel on June 28 and begin the next chapter of the journey.
All lodging and accommodationsDaily meals (kosher)Group transportationUSY staff supervisionSpending moneyTravel insuranceOptional excursions 
See how Jewish teens across North America come together through travel, friendship, leadership, and unforgettable shared experiences.
Don’t just take our word for it. Hear from the teens
who found their second family and the parents who
trust us with their journey.
The convention was an incredible weekend. From Sloach and Shacharit Live, to Havdallah and singing around a campfire, everyone was filled with ruach and excitement for Shabbat and for USY. We made connections with other teens from across the region, and explored what it means to grow into Jewish identities, building meaningful relationships to last for years to come. Congratulations to our new Regional Executive Board, who were installed Sunday morning, and to Arvot for winning HUSY Comp!
Ruchot was an amazing experience. I had the best time. Not only did I make new friends, but I really felt I was able to express my Jewish values, with others who had the same. It felt very similar to camp, everyone clicked instantly, and there was an amazing Jewish aspect of it. Not only that, but it was an amazing opportunity to learn about speech writing, and speaking with important people for the future. I really learned a lot and had the best time overall!
It was cool. I got to see a lot of people I usually don’t see. That was fun. What I like about USY it really connects me with other Jews in my area and I usually don’t get that in my community especially people who are more observant.
The main thing I love about USY is its grounding in Judaism. Whenever I am at convention I feel like everyone is very focused on providing a good Jewish experience and learning experience for everyone else which I found very enjoyable.
The Chidush trip had a huge impact on me, and gave me a new perspective on Israel. With all thats been going on in the world and in the media, it was so eye opening to be present in the holy land and understand more about what life is like there. Our programs were also so thoughtful. Amongst all the fun I had and new friends I made, I took home lots of new knowledge about Israel and Judaism which I learned from the amazing activities and programs we had. I had the best time and I’m so grateful to have been able to go.
