This Safari is not currently open for application. Our hearts are with our Palestinian and Israeli brothers and sisters.
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In this inaugural partnership between Small Giants Academy and UN award winning, Palestinian Owned Mejdi Tours, we will meet some of the change makers of the start up nation who are not only shaping the future of Israel and Palestine, but pioneering global tech in the midst of deeply rooted social and spiritual conflict. Under the guidance of peace builder and author Aziz Abu Sarah and leading Small Giants Academy faculty we will hold dual narratives as we hear the perspectives and histories of both Israeli and Palestinian guides as the region looks to the future.
In deep relationship with local communities, we will travel from Tel Aviv to Cesarea, Haifa, Nazareth, Tiberius, Jericho, Ramallah and Rawabi before arriving at the ancient holy land of Jerusalem. Home to only 8.5 million people, Israel has more start ups per capita than any other country in the world. We will sit in circle with founders of tech companies which are fundamentally shifting industry thinking. We will hear the life stories of former combatants, settlers, and refugees, and taste delicious Palestinian and Israeli cuisines, while breaking bread with Jewish and Arab families in their homes. We will explore this ancient land and its deeply complex social foundation as the home of innovation shaping our future for generations to come.
Impact Safari Israel/Palestine is for humans curious about creating shifts in personal, organisational or cultural identities.
Whether you’re a public speaker, executive, community or organisational leader, artist, politician, activist, or marketing professional - engage in Impact Safari to be guided through self-exploration to mobilise into community action.
Welcome to Tel Aviv. Opening with a dual-narrative walking tour, be lead through Jaffa to explore the old city and markets of this ancient port. Continue to Neve Tzedek (Hebrew: נְוֵה צֶדֶק, lit. Abode of Justice), the first Jewish neighbourhood to be built outside the walls of ancient Jaffa. Acquaint yourself with this vibrant city that wakes up at sundown with a dip in the Mediterranean before opening night dinner with ex-prime minister of Israel, Ehud Almert.
Spend the morning hosted by our friends at Beyond Creative listening to and sharing with peace activists and storytellers. Journey to a place where ancient harbour ruins, pristine coast, and contemporary residences meet in Caesarea National Park, guided by Marine Geoarchaeologist, Dr. Beverly Goodman. Share over lunch with peace activists and entrepreneurs Gadi Kenny and Zada Haj.
Spend the morning in Haifa with entrepreneurs and peace builders, before heading to the grounds of the Baháʼí Temple and gardens. Enjoy lunch in Beit Jann with a Druze family before spending an afternoon meeting innovative tech companies in Nazareth. Wander through the old city together before dinner en route back to Haifa for the evening.
Travel to the Sea of Galilee where Jesus gave his sermon on the mount. Dive into the world of one of Israel’s leading tech-hubs for agriculture, water and sustainability. Swim in the River Jordan after visiting Israel’s first Kibbutz established in 1910 before reaching Jerusalem to explore the famous Machane Yehuda market and rest.
Wake up in the holy capital of Israel to experience Jerusalem's spiritual magnetism. Visit the Western Wall and continue through the Old City for lunch with the holder of the key to the church Dr Mustafa Abu Sway. Spend the afternoon afloat the Dead sea before sharing a Friday Shabbat dinner with a local family.
Spend the morning in Ramallah with some of the Palestinian entrepreneurs who are leading a community of innovators. Taste your way through this vibrant cultural centre for the Palestinian people. Visit the nativity church in Bethlehem and onward to the iconic Banksy museum and graffiti wall. End the day with dinner hosted at a Palestinian family’s home.
Pause for a morning of reverence at Yad Vashem, the world holocaust remembrance centre. In the afternoon, meet the artistic director of the Israel Festival for a unique window into the creative soul of Jerusalem’s vibrant dance, music and art scene.
Rise and hike to the deep desert oasis of Ein Akev for a cooling dip, then share lunch with Bendouins. We will be lead through a solar farm before resting at camp for a night under the stars in the Mitzpe Ramon region.
Converse with our final group of speakers before lunch at the Carmel markets, Tel Aviv. Stroll Rothschild boulevard and come together at the beach before a closing ceremony to honour the journey of mind, body and spirit we have shared. Finish the evening with dinner by the water.
On the final morning we will share stories over breakfast before going our own way, renewed. Some facilitators and participants will be relaxing in Tel Aviv and surrounds on the days following the program if you feel drawn to continue your journey.
Aziz Abu Sarah is a peace builder, cultural educator, entrepreneur, author and international speaker. Aziz’s educational and conflict resolution work throughout the world has earned him the titles of National Geographic Explorer and Ted Fellow.
He cofounded MEJDI Tours, originators of the Dual Narrative™ and a leader of socially conscious travel. Aziz was named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the World by the Royal Strategic Centre in Jordan.
A National Geographic Explorer and Ted Fellow, Aziz has founded and led countless global conflict resolution organisations including Bereaved Families Forum and the Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University and co-founded (with an American Israeli-Jew) the first dual narrative tour company (led by a guide from each “side”).
Read: Can Travel Be a Force for Peace? This Tour Leader Thinks So
Danny Almagor is co-founder (with his wife Berry) and the Executive Chair of Small Giants. Danny was the inaugural Social Entrepreneur in Residence at RMIT, the founder and former CEO of Engineers Without Borders Australia and is the co-founder and Chair of the Impact Investment Group. He has founded over a dozen for profit and non profit organisations including The Sociable Weaver, The Impact Club, and Beyond Creative. He has served on numerous boards, including Tom Organic, The School of Life, The Cape ecovillage, Pacific Biotechnologies, Smiling Mind, The Gross National Happiness Centre in Bhutan.
He has studied Aerospace Engineering, Business Administration and outdoor education. He loves to cook, read, rock climb, talk about philosophy, garden, travel and jump on the trampoline with his three kids. He doesn’t like to run marathons, watch horror films, drink beer, spend time on social media, or invest in anything that isn’t impact.
To secure your place or ask any questions, please email Impact Safari Producer, Anna here:
With thanks to our partners
