The Program
Over one unforgettable weekend, you’ll connect with peers and alumni, sharpen leadership skills, plan your trek with confidence, and share plenty of laughs (and late-night desserts). Here’s a sneak peek at what’s in store!
Weekend Highlights
Headline Keynote
The surprise is half the fun — the impact is guaranteed.
Hands-On Workshops
Roll up your sleeves in interactive workshops designed to sharpen your skills and supercharge your trek planning.
Evening Celebrations
From trivia with an open bar & desserts to a Speakeasy Party, the evenings are for magic and memories!
Next-Level Networking
Swap stories and strategies with alumni mentors and fellow Leaders from top campuses nationwide
Tentative Itinerary
(subject to change — with fun surprises along the way!)
Friday, November 14, 2025
10:00 AM – 2:30 PM | Check-In
Grab your badge, welcome kit, and coffee. Connect with fellow Leaders as the weekend kicks off.
3:00 – 5:00 PM | Welcome Reception
Meet Leaders from across the country, start new friendships, and enjoy light bites.
3:30 | Leadership Welcome Toast
Hear from itrek leadership what this weekend is all about.
4:30 PM | Kabbalat Shabbat
Join fellow participants for an optional, peer-led Shabbat prayer (davening)
5:00 – 6:00 PM | Free Time
Settle in, relax, or connect before dinner.
6:00 – 7:30 PM | Shabbat Dinner
Gather around the table for a Shabbat meal filled with delicious food, great company, and meaningful conversation.
8:00 – 10:30 PM | Trivia Night & Dessert Lounge
Grab a drink, enjoy sweet treats, and team up for a lively trivia showdown with prizes.
Saturday, November 15, 2025
7:00 – 8:00 AM | Morning Movement & Mindfulness (Optional)
Ease into the morning with a gentle vinyasa flow designed to ground, stretch, and center you for the full day ahead.
8:00 – 9:00 AM | Breakfast
Fuel up for a full day of learning and connection.
8:00 – 9:00 AM | itrek Office Hours (Optional)
Drop in with your team for dedicated support with the itrek team.
9:00 – 10:15 AM | The Trek Effect: Alumni Panel on Transformative Leadership
Hear alumni stories of growth and ripple effects from their treks.
10:30 AM – 12:15 PM | Mini Masterclasses: Recruitment Readiness
Rotate through two hands-on workshops designed to help you craft your campus narrative and recruit with confidence
12:30 – 1:30 PM | Lunch
A chance to recharge and connect with fellow Leaders.
1:45 – 3:30 PM | Workstations: Recruitment & Itinerary Building
Roll up your sleeves and get practical tools for planning your trek.
3:45 – 5:15 PM | In The Hot Seat w/ Rotem Oreg
Dive into real-life scenarios and practice handling challenging questions with peers and alumni.
5:15 – 6:30 PM | Choose Your Own Adventure
Use the quiet time to make progress on your trek planning, meet new friends, or take a walk by the lake.
5:30 PM | Havdalah (Optional)
Gather with peers for an intimate, peer-led Havdalah marking the close of Shabbat and the transition into a new week.
6:30 – 8:00 PM | Saturday Night Dinner
Delicious food, great company, and the perfect way to kick off Saturday night.
8:00 PM – 11:30 PM | Speakeasy Soirée
An unforgettable 1920s-themed evening with music, drinks, and late-night vibes.
Sunday, November 16, 2025
7:30 – 9:30 AM | Breakfast
Fuel up and get energized for our final day together.
8:00 – 9:30 AM | itrek Office Hours
Drop in with your team for dedicated support with the itrek team.
8:30 – 9:30 AM | Alumni Breakfast Panel: Fashlot & Itinerary Triumphs
Grab a coffee and a bagel, and come hear candid stories, lessons learned, and inspiration to take with you into your own Israel Trek planning.
9:45 – 11:00 AM | Between the Lines with Sarah Hurwitz: Lessons in Story, Purpose, and Leadership
We're ending the weekend on a high note. Join us for a powerful conversation with Sarah Hurwitz, former speechwriter for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Sarah will explore the art of storytelling, the courage of dialogue, and the leadership lessons behind finding your voice—on campus, on your trek, and beyond.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Closing Session
Reflect on what you’ve learned, share your biggest takeaways, and celebrate the connections and insights you’re bringing home.
12:00 PM | Departures
Say your goodbyes (for now!) and head home with new friends and fresh inspiration.
Note on Religious Observance
All meals throughout the weekend will be served Kosher style. This means no pork or shellfish will be served, and meat and dairy will not be mixed in the same dish. If you require strictly Certified Kosher meals, or if you have other dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, allergies, gluten-free, etc.), please let us know in advance so we can make the proper arrangements.
Regarding Shabbat observance, please note that some programming on Shabbat may include microphones and on-screen presentations. Personal use of technology will not be required for participation, and we will do our best to maintain a Shabbat-friendly atmosphere on Friday evening.
Shabbat sessions in which moderator will use a microphone are indicated with:
Optional peer-led moments of observance (such as Kabbalat Shabbat and Havdalah) will also be available for those who wish to join. Please let us know in advance if you would like to join, so that we can make proper arrangements.
Our goal is to create a welcoming environment that respects the diverse religious practices of all participants. We will do our best to accommodate Jewish and non-Jewish religious requirements alike — we simply ask that you notify us in advance so we can prepare with care and respect.
For questions or special requests, please email LeadershipWeekend@itrek.org