Book A ZEI Experience
Bring Zionist education to life with a ZEI Experience designed for your school, group or family. Whether בכיתה a (in the classroom) or בשטח (in the field), ZEI offers engaging opportunities to explore the ideas, stories, people, places, and debates that have shaped Zionism and the history of the Jewish people’s connection to the land of Israel for centuries.
Choose the experience (Bakita or Bashetach), educator/tour guide, and topic/tour that best fit your school, group or family and let us build a meaningful ZEI Experience together.
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ZEI in the Classroom | בכיתה
ZEI in the Classroom offers engaging, interactive learning experiences that bring Israel, Zionism, and the Jewish story to life. Through history, archaeology, Torah, culture, contemporary issues, and Zionist thought, our educators help participants explore the ideas, stories, and questions that shape our connection to Israel and the Jewish People. Groups can choose from a range of classes and workshops tailored to their interests and audience.
All class options are available for schools, youth groups or adult groups of 10 people or more and are free of charge.
Click on an educator to explore their class options:
ZEI in the field | בשטח
ZEI in the Field takes learning beyond the classroom and into the places where Jewish history, Zionism, and modern Israel come alive. Through immersive tours, archaeological and museum experiences, site visits, and hands-on encounters, participants explore the stories, places, and people that connect the Jewish past to the Israeli present. Groups can choose from a range of experiences designed to deepen their understanding of Israel and strengthen their connection to the Land and its story.
All tour options are available for everyone, including schools, groups or families. Tours booked through ZEI pay discounted entrance fees and reduced rates with our tour guides.
Click on an educator to explore their tour options:
BOOK YOUR ZEI EXPERIENCE
DANIELLE BARTA
Danielle brings Israel to life through its music, art, culture, history, and people, creating engaging and interactive experiences that invite participants to explore Israel from fresh and unexpected perspectives.
LEARN ABOUT DANIELLE’S CLASSES:
Israel: One Sip at a Time
Discover Israel one sip at a time, exploring how its wines tell the story of the land, its history, and the modern State of Israel.
Understanding Israeli Duality Through the Art of Yaacov Agam
Explore the complexities and contrasts of Israeli identity through the art and unique perspective of renowned Israeli artist Yaacov Agam.
Hatikva: A Song of Hope and Complexity
Explore the layers of hope, longing, and national identity woven into Israel’s national anthem and the story behind its enduring words.
The Jewish Soul of Israeli Pop Music
Discover how Israeli pop music reflects the evolving relationship between Jewish identity, Israeli culture, and the experience of life in Israel.
What Type of Zionist Are You?
Explore the diverse ideas and visions that have shaped Zionism and consider how different approaches to Zionism reflect different understandings of Jewish identity and Israel.
Israel: Many Stories, One Home
Explore the diverse histories, identities, and experiences that come together to shape Israeli society and the shared story of the State of Israel.
RABBI URI PILICHOWSKI
Rabbi Uri explores the Torah foundations, big ideas, and challenging questions at the heart of Israel, Zionism, and Jewish identity, bringing together classical Jewish sources and contemporary Zionist thought.
LEARN ABOUT URI’S CLASSES:
The Borders of Eretz Yisrael
Explore how Jewish sources define the borders of Eretz Yisrael and the historical and halachic debates surrounding the Land of Israel.
The Holiness of Eretz Yisrael
Discover what makes Eretz Yisrael unique in Jewish thought and how the concept of Kedushat Eretz Yisrael shapes our relationship with the land.
Is There a Mitzvah to Live in Eretz Yisrael?
Explore the Jewish sources and centuries-old debate surrounding the mitzvah of living in Eretz Yisrael and its significance in Jewish life.
Zionism & Torah
Explore the complex relationship between Zionism and Torah, examining the different Jewish perspectives on the return to the Land of Israel and the establishment of a Jewish state.
Zionism & Jewish Identity
What Is Zionism?
Explore the origins, ideas, and evolution of Zionism and discover how a movement for Jewish national self-determination transformed Jewish history.
The Birth of Zionism
Trace the emergence of modern Zionism and the historical forces, personalities, and ideas that shaped the movement.
The Goals of Zionism
Examine what Zionism set out to achieve and how its vision for Jewish national life evolved from its origins to the establishment of the State of Israel.
Zionism & Judaism
Explore the debate over whether Zionism is an expression of Judaism, a political movement, or a combination of both.
Why Should Israel Exist?
Examine the historical, national, and Jewish arguments for the existence of a Jewish state and consider what Israel represents for the Jewish people.
Jewish Rights to the Land of Israel
Explore the historical and Jewish foundations of the Jewish people’s connection to and claim to the Land of Israel.
Israel, Zionism & the Holocaust
Unpack the relationship between the Holocaust and the creation of Israel, separating historical fact from the common misconception that Israel was simply created as a response to the Holocaust.
CHARLOTTE KORCHAK
Charlotte makes the history, ideas, and complexities of Israel and Zionism clear, accessible, and relevant, giving participants the knowledge they need to understand today’s most challenging conversations. With Charlotte, you’ll explore Zionism, antisemitism, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, October 7, and effective communication about Israel.
LEARN ABOUT CHARLOTTE’S CLASSES:
Israel Education 101: Mastering the Fundamentals
Build a strong foundation for understanding Israel, Zionism, and modern antisemitism while gaining the essential tools to navigate conversations about Israel with confidence and clarity.
Understanding Israel, Zionism, and the Jewish Story
Explore the interconnected stories of Israel, Zionism, and the Jewish people, building the historical context and essential concepts needed to understand Israel’s place in the Jewish story.
Common Misconceptions About Israel and Zionism
Examine the widespread misconceptions surrounding Israel and Zionism, unpacking common claims and narratives while developing the knowledge to distinguish historical realities from misinformation.
Anti-Zionism and Modern Antisemitism
Explore the historical evolution and modern manifestations of antisemitism, including how anti-Zionism, double standards, and scapegoating can intersect with contemporary antisemitism.
Words that Work: Effective Communication and Dialogue on Israel
Learn practical tools and strategies for navigating difficult conversations about Israel, using respect, common ground, and thoughtful communication to engage across different perspectives.
The Evolution of Hamas in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Trace the evolution of Hamas, its ideology and actions, and the changing nature of Israel’s military and strategic response from Hamas’s emergence through October 7 and beyond.
October 7: Understanding the Events and Their Aftermath
Explore the events leading up to October 7, the Hamas attack and its aftermath, and how these events transformed Israeli society, policy, and the wider Jewish world.
The History, Identity, and Future of Zionism
Trace the evolution of Zionism from its origins to the present, exploring the movement’s competing visions, challenges, and enduring role in Jewish identity and Israel’s future.
ARIELLA BAT-TZION
With Ariella, Israel becomes the classroom, as archaeology, Jewish history, biblical stories, and the modern Israeli experience come alive in the very places where they unfolded. Whether exploring Jerusalem as a family, tasting your way through Mahane Yehuda, or venturing into the biblical landscape, Ariella brings hands-on discovery to every tour.
LEARN ABOUT ARIELLA’S TOURS:
Family & Children’s Tours
Magic Passport Tour
Step into Jerusalem’s story through an interactive adventure that brings history, mystery, and the city’s hidden treasures to life for the whole family.
Kings & Coins: City of David Adventure
Journey through the ancient City of David, following the footsteps of Jerusalem’s kings while discovering the stories hidden beneath the city’s streets.
Tower of David & Ramparts Walk
Climb Jerusalem’s historic walls and explore the Tower of David, uncovering centuries of history while taking in spectacular views of the Old City.
Custom Family Tours
Create a Jerusalem adventure designed around your family, combining fascinating history, hands-on experiences, and the places and stories that spark your curiosity.
Beyond the Walls: Family Edition
Discover the stories of Jerusalem beyond the Old City walls through an engaging family adventure that brings the city’s history, people, and landscapes to life.
Adult Tours
Secrets of the Jewish Quarter
Uncover the lesser-known stories of Jerusalem’s Jewish Quarter, exploring ancient ruins, historic synagogues, and the layers of Jewish life hidden within its streets.
Temple Mount Exploration
Explore one of Jerusalem’s most significant and contested sites, uncovering its layers of Jewish, Muslim, and Christian history and the stories that continue to shape it today.
City of David & Pilgrimage Road
Journey through the ancient heart of Jerusalem, following the Pilgrimage Road and exploring the archaeological discoveries that illuminate the city’s biblical past.
Mahane Yehuda Market Tasting Tour
Experience Jerusalem through its flavors as you wander through Mahane Yehuda, tasting local specialties while discovering the people, cultures, and stories behind the market.
Mahane Yehuda Nightlife Tour
See a different side of Jerusalem after dark, exploring the transformation of Mahane Yehuda from traditional market to one of the city’s most vibrant nightlife destinations.
Beyond Jerusalem
The Dead Sea & Judean Desert
Journey through the landscapes of the Dead Sea and Judean Desert, exploring ancient history, remarkable geology, and the unique environment of Israel’s lowest point.
Archaeological Excavation at Tel Maresha
Go beyond observing archaeology and take part in an active excavation at Tel Maresha, uncovering firsthand the remains and stories of life in the ancient Judean lowlands.
The Bar Kokhba Caves
Descend into the fascinating caves where Jewish rebels sought refuge during the Bar Kokhba Revolt, exploring firsthand the underground world they left behind.
Biblical Landscapes, Nature & Wineries
Experience the landscapes of the Bible through nature hikes, ancient sites, and local wineries, connecting Israel’s geography and history with the culture of the land today.
NACHLIEL SELAVAN
With Nachliel, Tanach, archaeology, Jewish history, and the Land of Israel come together. Whether exploring a museum, joining an interactive workshop, or diving into a class, Nachliel’s signature “sTOURytelling” approach transforms ancient artifacts and historical moments into engaging experiences that bring the Jewish story—and its connection to Eretz Yisrael—to life.
LEARN ABOUT NACHLIEL’S CLASSES:
In the Days of Achashverosh
Step into the world of the Persian Empire and the story of Purim, exploring the historical setting, cultures, and Jewish life behind the Megillah.
Into Darkness
Explore the destruction and rebuilding of Jerusalem through the stories of Asara B’Tevet and Chanukah, connecting historical events with the enduring Jewish memory of the city.
A Tour of Ancient Egypt
Journey through the world of ancient Egypt, exploring its people, culture, religion, and monuments while uncovering the world behind the biblical stories.
Tisha B’Av: A Tour of Four Sites
Travel through four locations connected to the destruction of Jerusalem, using history, archaeology, and Tanach to explore the events remembered on Tisha B’Av.
Meet the Persians: The Return to Zion
Explore the Persian Empire and the Jewish return to Zion, uncovering the historical world behind Purim, Ezra, Nehemiah, and the rebuilding of Jewish life in Jerusalem.
Tu Bishvat in Mesopotamia
Travel back to ancient Mesopotamia to explore the landscapes, agriculture, and cultures that provide a fascinating backdrop to the Jewish celebration of Tu Bishvat.
Hands-On Workshops
The Ancient Hebrew Alphabet
Get hands-on with the earliest forms of Hebrew writing and discover how ancient inscriptions, letters, and everyday objects reveal the story of the Hebrew language.
Make Your Own Seal
Step into the world of the ancient Near East and create your own personal seal, discovering how these small objects were used to express identity, ownership, and authority.
Hieroglyphics Workshop for Kids
Decode the fascinating world of Egyptian hieroglyphics and create your own ancient-style inscriptions while discovering how Egyptians recorded their world.
The Power of the Place
Explore Tanach through maps, geography, and hands-on learning, discovering how the physical landscape of the Land of Israel shapes biblical stories and Jewish history.
NACHLIEL SELAVAN
With Nachliel, Tanach, archaeology, Jewish history, and the Land of Israel come together. Whether exploring a museum, joining an interactive workshop, or diving into a class, Nachliel’s signature “sTOURytelling” approach transforms ancient artifacts and historical moments into engaging experiences that bring the Jewish story—and its connection to Eretz Yisrael—to life.
LEARN ABOUT NACHLIEL’S Tours:
A Culture Clash: Hellenism vs. Judaism
Explore the cultural collision at the heart of the Chanukah story, using art, archaeology, and ancient artifacts to uncover the world of the Maccabees.
Age of Empires: Assyria & Babylon
Step into the world of the great empires that shaped the biblical story, exploring Assyria, Babylon, and their encounters with the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
Leaving Egypt in the 21st Century
Explore the story of the Exodus through the lens of the modern world, connecting ancient Egypt, Jewish tradition, archaeology, and the enduring idea of freedom.
Festivals of Tishrei
Journey through the Jewish calendar from Rosh Hashana to Simchat Torah, exploring the history, traditions, and deeper stories behind the festivals of Tishrei.
The Four Kingdoms
Unpack Nebuchadnezzar’s mysterious dream and Daniel’s vision as a gateway into the four great empires that shaped Jewish history and the biblical world.
Avraham’s Journey
Follow Avraham from the ancient Near East into the land of Canaan, exploring the geography, archaeology, and cultures that bring his journey to life.
What Was Herzl’s Favorite Emoji?
Explore the world of Zionist art and archaeology, discovering how early Zionists used symbols, images, and the ancient past to imagine a modern Jewish future.
A Winter’s Tale
Explore the winter holidays of the Jewish calendar through ancient traditions, historical stories, and the changing ways Jewish communities have marked the darkest days of the year.
The Third Side of the Coin
Discover what ancient coins reveal about power, identity, religion, and economics—and learn how these tiny objects can tell surprisingly big stories.
A Magical Night in the Museum
Experience the museum after dark as ancient artifacts, biblical stories, and unexpected discoveries come together for a one-of-a-kind evening adventure.
Custom Museum Tour
Create a museum experience around your interests, connecting art, archaeology, Tanach, Jewish history, and the Land of Israel through a story-driven exploration.
Special Programs
Biblical Brewing
Raise a glass to the ancient world while exploring the history of beer, bread, and brewing in biblical times through archaeology, ancient texts, and hands-on tasting.