2023 Israel Study Tour: Day #13

Tel Aviv: City of Independence, City of Innovation

It was a packed day. Despite news of protests and momentous political events happening inside the country, the students witnessed the different sides of Tel Aviv: ancient, historical, and modern. 

Our first stop was the Israel Support Center for the Disabled, an organization devoted to giving disabled individuals access to athletic training and facilities. They learned about Israel's leading efforts to train disabled athletes, heard the story of a top disabled table tennis player, and had a blast playing wheelchair basketball. 

For lunch, the students sampled hummus and shakshuka near the Hamalabiya Flea Market in downtown Tel Aviv. 

The afternoon featured a tour of historical Jaffa, where the students learned more about the ancient city and how it grew into the modern Tel Aviv. Next, the students visited the Shimon Peres Center for Peace and Innovation. The students learned more about the life of Shimon Peres and his crucial role in Israeli politics; they also experienced some of the scientific and technological innovations that have made Tel Aviv a startup hub. 

The final event of the day was a visit to downtown Tel Aviv and the Independence Trail to learn more about the evolution of Tel Aviv and some of the major events leading to the formation of Israel. 

We continue our exploration of Tel Aviv tomorrow.