Puzzle Shorts

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About UsStart dreaming of Israel, as you've never imagined it before. We welcome you to a country bursting at the seams with many languages, distinctive cultures, and breathtaking sights. Five young adults recognized the drastic need for deeper engagement in Israel and Israel advocacy from young adults around the globe. They combined their unique talents to build Puzzle Israel, a travel company specifically for young adults who wish to explore Israel from the ground up.

Eyal LevyEyal Levy, grew up in Kamun, a village in the Lower Galilee. He served six years as a combatant officer and captain in an elite IDF unit. After, he spent ten months traveling the Silk Road through Central Asia, Nepal, China, and India, also spending time in Mongolia and New Zealand. He holds a B.A. in Economics and Philosophy from Hebrew University and loves hiking, playing soccer, horseback riding, reading and spending time with his friends.

Nikki AvershalNikki Avershal is from Philadelphia. She grew up speaking Hebrew with her Israeli father and visiting Israel often to see family. In 2009 she graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.A. in Political Science. Throughout her studies and after she worked various positions in the Jewish community in Pittsburgh. She to moved to Israel to participate in OTZMA, a yearlong volunteer program. Following this, she received her International MBA from Tel Aviv University. She loves yoga, singing and playing guitar, hiking, and reading.

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Nir MargalithNir Margalith, grew up in Yuvalim, a village in Misgav, Israel, surrounded by the magical nature of the Lower Galilee. From 2003-2006 he served in the IDF as a driver and assistant to a senior officer. Since he can remember, hikes, trips, and nature have always been important to him. He has traveled extensively independently as well as with his family and friends. Every day meeting new people, discovering new places, and trying new foods helps him to continue his journey of exploration.

Guy MaromGuy Marom, was born and raised in Koranit, Misgav. His appreciation for nature and his love of Israel stems from his grandparents, who helped build the land of Israel after escaping the Holocaust. Guy served 3 years in the IDF and after, he spent eight months traveling around New Zealand and the Far East. His travels gave him a fresh perspective on Israel and what makes his homeland so unique. He holds a B.A. in Behavioral Sciences from Bar Ilan University and loves riding horses, cooking, traveling, and music.

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Tomer ShohamTomer Shoham, was born and raised in the Galilee community, Yuvalim. From 2002 to 2008 Tomer served in various elite units of the IDF and after his release from the army he traveled throughout Australia, New Zealand and the United States. He loves to explore Israel in his 4x4 and takes every opportunity he can to travel. He lives in Jerusalem where he works for Magen David Adom after 10 years of voluntary service and is a licensed tour guide of Israel.

About The Crew

Puzzle ShortsPuzzle Shorts provides those already on long-term programs, currently traveling, or currently living in Israel with seven programs to choose from. Each program, 3-5 days in length is explorative and innovative, highlighting various regions and trails of Israel.

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Daily Program

Ramat HaGolanThe Golan Heights

Tour through the ancient city of Gamla and learn about the rich history of Jewish settlement in the Golan Heights, as we walk to one of the tallest waterfalls in the country.

Experience a place full of lush foliage, flowers and waterfalls. See the revolutionary robotic cowsheds that have changed the dairy farm industry and understand the importance of the Golan Heights to Israel as we weave through its green trails on horseback, on foot and by jeep.

Day One

• Travel from Tel Aviv to Vered H’Galil• Breakfast and opening session at Vered H’Galil horse ranch • Introduction to horseback riding activities • Horseback riding with views and explanations of the Kinneret • Travel to Avneh Eitan • Lunch • ODT activities • Break before evening activities • Dinner • Evening of music and discussions

Day Two

• Breakfast and preparing packed lunches • Trip to robotic cowshed for tour and explanation of facilities • Cheese making lesson • Travel to Gamla • Visit one of the largest waterfalls in Israel • Viewpoint overlooking vulture colony with an explanation of the vulture population at

Gamla • Tour of the Gamla ruins • Interactive activity portraying the story of Gamla • Travel to Yehudia campground• Set up camp • Outdoor cooking lesson • Dinner around the campfire • Q and A session with Army veterans of the Second Lebanon War and discussion about the

strategic importance of the Golan Heights

Day Three

• Breakfast and pack lunches for the day • Pack up camp • Jeep trip around northern boarders of the Golan Heights • Closing session at Yehudia campground

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Daily ProgramOrek Chaim Shel YisraelIsrael's life

Take a look at the foundations of a nation. Find out how land that was rendered a useless swamp, became the central grounds for extraordinary wildlife. On our tour of the Upper Galilee experience a fascinating and historical mosaic of dreamers and fighters who began building the country around the lifeline of the Jordan River.

Travel through protected nature reserves, fascinating colonies in the Galilee while walking amid lush orchards and the waterfalls that refill refreshing springs.

Day One

• Opening Session at the foot of Fort Hunin. • Observation of the region, and dip in the natural cisterns • Visit to Ha’Shomer - Hebrew Defense Organization Museum in Kfar Giladi• Overlook of the Banias Waterfalls from suspension bridge• Outdoor cooking class • Camping at Sde Nechemia next to Snir Riverbed

Day Two

• Lecture, “Creating the Hula Nature Reserve”• Bike ride through the Hula Valley• Travel to Rosh Pina, explanation of the colony in the old city and viewpoints of

surrounding areas• Lunch in a local restaurant • Free time to rest or shop in Rosh Pina art galleries • Travel to Ayelet H’shahar for paintball activities • Music evening and dinner together • Overnight accommodations at the Inn

Day Three

• ODT activities with quiz on the Six Day War at Kibbutz Gadot • Transportation from Kibbutz Gadot to the Kinneret • Kayaking to the Kinneret • Final session • ***supplementary option: Trip along the shores of the Kinneret, crossing the lake on

rafts and various water sports. Ending the final evening by the Jordan River with a visit to various holy sites in the area

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Daily ProgramYam El YamShore to shore

Follow the trails of people who once lived in caves feeding off carob trees tucked away in the highest mountain in Israel and understand why the Crusaders built their fortress on “Strong Mountain” that still stands today.

Travel through caves, lookout points and nature reserves. Wake up watching the sunrise from the tops of mountains. Traverse the entirety of a country bringing with you a few drops of water from the vast Mediterranean to shores of the Kinneret.

Day One

• Travel from Tel Aviv to Achziv Beach• Breakfast and opening remarks• Walk through banana groves to Kziv Riverbed• Break for coffee and tea • Climb up to Montfort Fortress and walking tour of the site • Hike to Tamir Spring• Break for Lunch and ODT activity• Walk to Moshav Abirim• Set up campsite• Music around the campfirew

Day Two

• Morning visit to the horse and goat farms with breakfast made from products of the Moshav

• Travel to Kziv Riverbed (near Hurfeish)• Walk to Chotam Springs• Stop for lunch• Begin Neria Riverbed trail• End the day of hiking by climbing to the top of Mt. Meron• Set up camp, outdoor cooking workshop, making dinner together

Day Three

• Wake early before sunrise with Yoga on Mt. Meron• Breakfast and travel to Bar Yochai lot• Hike Upper Amud Riverbed with a stop at the Sichvi pools• Lunch• Hike Lower Amud Riverbed to the Kinneret• Closing ceremony and final dinner together

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Daily Program

Tarbuyot H’GalilColtures of the galile

How did the son of a carpenter come to be the Savior of millions? Why did the followers of Jethro the Prophet choose to live amid the mountaintops?

Tour through the Galilee's picturesque villages and beautiful, winding mountain roads as we weave our way through impressive mosques, churches and synagogues. Uncover the ancient sacred sights, the legends and the mystery set against the beautiful sprawling landscapes of the Galilee.

Day One

• Breakfast and opening remarks• Visit to Druze village of Hurfeish• Meeting with community leaders with explanation of the community and its alliance

with Israel• Hike through Nachal Kziv• Lunch at Ein Chotam• Visit to a Druze fabric factory• Visit to a Bedouin village• Bedouin hospitality with explanation about Bedouin culture and customs• Druze/Bedouin cooking class• Evening around the campfire• Sleep in Bedouin tents

Day Two

• Wake up with a morning yoga class or hike• Stop at scenic lookout with explanation of the settlements in the Galilee and Arab

Agriculture• Breakfast• Visit to Nazareth for Muslim and Christian cultural lessons and

a look at the unique example of co-existence in the city • Church of the Annunciation• Mount Precipice• Mosque• Lunch in Nazareth• ODT Activity• Music evening • Sleep at a local hostel

Day Three

• Breakfast• Explanation of Jewish settlements in the Galilee• Horseback riding trip• Visit to Tel Yodfat• Interactive activity learning about the Great Revolt battles between Jews and

Romans • Short hike to visit at a local goat farm• Spiritual meditation workshop• Final discussion and closing remarks

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Daily ProgramAliyah L'YerushalayimThe way to Jerusalem

Find your way to Jerusalem, the city besieged by Romans, Crusaders and Arabs alike, following the historic and strategic pathways of battles from biblical times to the Six Day War.

Visit one of the most popular spots for motorcyclists and the best observation points in the center of the country. See these and other fascinating sites on the road to Jerusalem, a kaleidoscope of stories of heroism and action through forested mountains and scenic villages all while passing through modern agriculture, fertile orchards and natural streams.

Day One

• Visit to the Palmach Museum, Tel Aviv • Depart Tel Aviv on bike ride through Ha'Yarkon Park• Continue ride through Kol Forest to Fort Afek• Military activity at campground • Set up camp, make dinner around campfire and sleep

Day Two

• Breakfast • Begin jeep trip • Stop at Latrun Armored Corps Memorial for explanation of one of the toughest battles

during the War of Independence • Travel to Post 21 for explanation of the siege of Jerusalem and Burma Road• Drive from the outpost to Esta’ol, from Aviezar to Mt. Sansan• Theatrical recreation of fight scenes on Battle Hill • Camping in the Canada Forest or Ein Kobi• Outdoor cooking workshop

Day Three

• Breakfast• Begin at Amindav and walk to Hindek lookout point• Walk towards Mt. Hertzl and stop for lunch • Climb Mt. Hertzl and visit to the National Cemetery of Israel• Final session at the Knesset (House of Parliament)

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Daily ProgramBein Ha MachteshimBetween the craters

Experience the heart of the desert and uncover the secrets of the largest craters-like formations in the world. On this tour of the Negev desert we will take a glance at layers of ancient rocks, fossils, vibrant colors, strange volcanic phenomena, and stunning views while understanding how these geological marvels came to be.

We will learn the fundamentals of survival, how to cook like a desert nomad, and navigation by way of stars and moonlight.

Day One

• Breakfast and Opening Session at the entrance to the Small Makhtesh• Geological explanation of the makhteshim and their origins• Hike to the middle of the Small Makhtesh breaking in the middle for ODT activities • Climb out of the Small Makhtesh followed by more extensive explanations of desert

topography • Set up camp• Bedouin style outdoor cooking class

Day Two

• Early, before sunrise, wake up with morning yoga overlooking the Makhteshim

• Cook breakfast together and prepare lunches for the hike • Topography and navigation lessons• Hike Hatirah Riverbed from Palmach Ascent to Ein Yorqe'am• Stop for coffee and swim in the Yorqe'am waterholes • Educational session: How to set up a fire in the desert • Exploratory lesson: Finding food and water in the desert• Making dinner in the desert competition• Build campfire for musical evening

Day Three

• Breakfast• Various desert survival competitions• Teams are awarded prizes after their completion of the activities • Finishing activities and discussion with festive dinner together

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Daily ProgramFrom Timna to EilatBetween the craters

Welcome to Eilat, the southernmost city of Israel, paradise for the senses and a breathtaking experience for those looking to hike, climb, surf and sleep in the heart of the desert. Explore the copper mines of the ancient world, the isolated springs, removed dairy farms, and watch the sunrise over the Red Mountains

Day One

• Tour of desert dairy farms in Yotvata • Biking in Timna Park • Hike to the top of Mt. Timna • Authentic lunch in King Solomon Tents • Extreme activities in Timna Park • Lodging in the area• Evening of music around the desert campfire

Day Two

• Jeep tour of the Eilat Mountains• Observation of Timna Valley (where we were hiking yesterday) • Camping at Mt. Jehoram campground• Outdoor cooking class

Day Three

• Early wake up, watch the sunrise from the top of Mt. Jehoram with sunrise Yoga • Hike through Netafim Riverbed• Walk through the city of Eilat to the beach • Evening in Eilat to end the trip

Day Four (optional)

• Outdoor activities in Eilat• Water sports• Snorkeling

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CONTACT US:USA No. (215) 764-6412

Nir Margalith 972 (52) 226-1323

Nikki Avershal 972 (54) 453-1236

www . Pu z z l e I s r a e l . c om

Puzz l eIsr a e l@gma i l . com

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Contact Us:USA No. (215) 764-6412Nir Margalith 972 (52) 226-1323Nikki Avershal 972 (54) 453-1236w w w . p u z z l e i s r a e l . c o mp u z z l e i s r a e l @ g m a i l . c o m