The 9th Maccabi Challenge Tour
The 9th Maccabi Challenge Tour to Israel
1th – 30th March 2009
Maccabi GB in partnership with the UJIA will be holding the 9th Challenge Tour which will take place from the 18th - 30th March 2009 in Israel. Challenge Tour is part of Maccabi GB's Social Inclusion Project for children and adults with special needs and learning disabilities.
This tour is a once in a lifetime and is an opportunity not be missed out on.
The annual Maccabi Challenge Tour is a unique experience for all participants as no other organisation offers anything as unique as this. The trip challenges the participants both physically and educationally as they learn through different activities such as trekking in the desert and riding camels; through meeting different people in Israel like the Druze, the Bedouins and Israeli soldiers and through the carers and tour guides who teach them about Israel and its history. The participants are able to choose how much they want to challenge themselves and their abilities but they generally take part in all the activities.
The group explore their Jewish identity and learn about Israel's heritage as they visit a number of different sites including the Western Wall in Jerusalem and the Hall of Independence in Tel Aviv and also take part in a Shabbat services.
Yoav Tal, Chairman of the Maccabi World Union European desk, spent an evening with the group for a Shabbat dinner. He later said, "Honestly I have to admit that I cannot find strong enough words to express our feelings after the magnificent Erev Shabbat we spent together with the challenge group at Kfar Ha'Maccabia. Both my wife Ariela and I were overwhelmed with the spirit of humanity and the standards of volunteering your family sets. These are the moments that touch and move you and make you proud to be a Maccabee."
Stuart Greenberg, Maccabi GB's Chairman notes "I have been fortunate enough to participate in a number of Maccabi events worldwide and as great as those experiences were, they do not come close to the warm glow of a Challenge Tour. Each one has been one of the greatest highlights of my life and is yet another example of Maccabi GB's work investing in the community."
To find out more about how to get involved with Maccabi Challenge, please contact the Maccabi GB office on 020 8457 2333 or email elizabeth@maccabigb.org