KIVUNIM believes that the future leadership of the Jewish people must become better informed and more comfortable with the broader world in which we live. Ironically, studying about and traveling into the Jewish Diaspora requires an in-depth encounter with the histories and cultures of the peoples of the world. Our program weaves knowledge about the Jewish people’s international roots with a deeper appreciation of culture and tradition across the globe - elements that have actually formed contemporary Jewish identity.
KIVUNIM often begins its travel program in Greece at the Parthenon working our way up through Chalkida, the capital of the island of Euboea, the historic Oracle at Delphi, the massive monoliths of Meteora, the charming old Jewish quarter of Ioannina and Veria and finally the magnificent port city of Thessaloniki in northern Greece... and then on to Tirana, Albania and then to Sofia and Plovdiv, Bulgaria. While exploring the cultures, politics and histories of these countries, KIVUNIM begins a year-long examination of majority/minority, God and gods, language and longevity, nation and nationalism and a massive dose of art, culture and “big ideas.”
In the winter they travel to India visiting Jaipur, Agra, Delhi, Varanasi, Mumbai, Alibaug, and either Cochin or Dharamshala. In the Spring they are off to Morocco including Casablanca, Essaouira, Fes, Meknes, Rabat, Marrakesh, Telouet, Taroudant, Arazane, Quarzazat, Errashadiya, Erfoud and Merzouga for the Great Sahara (and points in-between). Students will also assist in the reconstruction of a 500 year old adobe synagogue during their stay. From Morocco they cross the Mediterranean by ferry to Spain journeying to Granada, Sevilla, Cordoba, Toledo and Madrid. From there to Belmonte, Trancoso, Porto and Lisbon in Portugal; The final travel of the year includes Berlin, Prague and Budapest in Central Europe and ends in Venice, Italy with a 4 day summative seminar,
Each trip is intensive, with a program on-the-ground prepared by experienced historians and travelers and geared to maximizing our 14-21 day periods to the maximum. In addition to obvious and important tourist sites, KIVUNIM arranges for unique and special experiences with fascinating artists, journalists, academics, poets, religious leaders and government officials in each country that we visit. It is through the human encounter that we learn the most about ourselves and the "other."