Staying Active
Sports
Marathons
Pesach/Sukkot Break
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Great place to stay in tzfat if you need. Get Shabbos meals, great Chabad programming, and meet people from around the world that are also on the program.
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A lot of people struggle to find a place to stay over Pesach break as many programs rent out their dorm rooms. Ascent is a great place to look at if you're looking to stay in Israel. They have programming for the Pesach and chol hamoed.
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Bnei Akiva: Tochnit Nissan- For 1-2 weeks, program options include: live/work on a kibbutz, get Shabbos meals, volunteer at army bases, yam li yam, Negev Agriculture and Hiking, and more.
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This is specifically offered during the Pesach break. So you'll be with people your age if you do this. A lot of fun to do with your friends.
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Click Here for their FB page if you wanna see what it looks like
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Carlbach Minyan- Carlebach shul is on Bar Yochai st. just near Hamaginim Square.
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This will one of the greatest Kabbalat Shabbats you'll ever be a part of- don't miss it when you're in Tzfat.
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Reach out to Ascent or Carlbach Minyan page for minyan times here
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Har Arbel- Great hike for Pesach, go to the starting point here or else the bus will take to the top of the mountain (no fun)
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Poland Trips- yeshivas do the coordinating and arranging for the Poland Trips at basically every place. If your program does not offer Poland trips, here are ones to consider:
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Rosh Hanikra-The tour is awesome and only like 10-15$
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The Temple Mount Sifting Project- Sift through seemingly ordinary dirt to find artifacts from the times of the Beit Hamikdash
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Yam li Yam- Do NOT miss this. See More
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Zichron Yaakov Botanical Gardens- amazing views, open on shabbos as well to walk around
Shabbos
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Shabbat.com is one of the reasons many people come to keep and love Shabbos. Hundreds of families in Israel offer to host you for a shabbos totally free. The hosts are are lovely and the food has been told to be delicious. This is a great avenue to really explore the land and experience different frum styles of celebrating Shabbos. Highly recommend.
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Shabbat Chayei Sara in Chevron
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Sign up for meals in the Chabad Tent are about 2 weeks before parshat Chayei Sara.
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Around 24,000 Jews come together to celebrate the Avot at Maharat Machpela. One of the few times Jews have full access to the entire complex.
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Most people find a place to stay in Kiryat Arbah or set up tents right by the Mahaart Machpela
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If you stay in Kiryat Arbah, make sure you have someone who'll walk you to the Cave, this is not the time or place to get lost.
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Jeff Seidel's service, see here
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Awesome guy, his website is great too. You can go to his office and can often find him at the Kotel if you're in dire need of a place to go for Shabbos.
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The Old City
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Birchat Kohanim at the Kotel during Sukkot
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Chanukkah in the Old City- its a whole festival with light shows and jelly doughnuts
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Old City Rooftops- A hidden gem.
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Go past Midreshet Harova until you see a stairway leading up to seemingly nowhere on your right.
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Walking around the Old City at night listening to the Harry Potter soundtrack is unreal
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The Rova Murph Challenge: The Rova park has a small hill next to the basketball court. Sprint up and down the hill 50 times, either doing 15-20 burpees every ten times you've run up and down the hill, or 25 push-ups and squats for every 10. 30-45 second breaks after whichever you choose. The guy on the front cover of the Guys Site page did this.
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Yom Haaztmaut and Yom Yerushalayem- go near/to the Old City
Year-round
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Cinema City- Jerusalem movie theater, great chill
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Mehadrin Restaurants in Israel
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Kashrut is not simple in Israel- just because the restaurant name is in Hebrew does not mean it's Kosher. The discussion of reliable hechsherim (certifications) is beyond the scope of this page. Basically though, every restaurant "must a have an up-to-date kashrut certificate with an original stamp from the Rabbanut (the Kosher certification organization)." Most places will put their Kashrut letter on the front window or next to the wall menu in the restaurant.
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For more on this subject, read this article
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Visited here with my yeshiva for a chesed trip- a wonderful organization that helps people with Special Needs. If you have the time you can volunteer.
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Tachana Rishona (The First Station)- go at night
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Really cool lighting and artwork, oftentimes have events/shows/bands there for free.
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See their Calendar Events Here.
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Seasonal
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Har Herzl on Yom Hazikaron (for non-Kohanim)
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Poland Trips- yeshivas do the coordinating and arranging for the Poland Trips at basically every place. If your program does not offer Poland trips, here are ones to consider:
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The Temple Mount Sifting Project- Sift through seemingly ordinary dirt to find artifacts from the times of the Beit Hamikdash
Other
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Har Herzl on Yom Hazicharon (for non-Kohens)
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1 Second Everyday- easily make an epic montage video of your year
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Meron on Lag Baomer- chances are your yeshiva will take you. But if not, it's a must-see experience (doing it at night will be more crowded, and it's plenty crowded as it is).
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Moovit App for getting around Israel
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Rabbimap- Find Kevarim of Tzaddikim near you
Planning Ahead
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Aliyah- never say never... unless it's breaking one of the 3 oaths (Kesubos 111a), then maybe hold off for a little.
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Joining the IDF:
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Lev Hatorah American Hezder Yeshiva- Yeshiva/Army Service
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Lone Soldier Program- "A 'lone soldier' is a soldier in the IDF with no family in Israel to support him or her: a new immigrant, a volunteer from abroad, an orphan, or an individual from a broken home." There are several programs out there, but you should get in touch with someone to guide you through this progress if you're interested.
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In-Year Resources
From staying at Hostels in Tzfat, Yam Li Yam Directions, to figuring out what to do with your Saturday nights once it gets cold out- here are some resources to optimize your year.
Disclaimer: Please check if the group/event you're interested in is still in function before showing up.