accessible travel · inclusive travel ·

Discover Inclusive Travel to Israel with Mayever

Discover Inclusive Travel to Israel with Mayever

As Mayever builds itineraries for family, group, camp, and school trips to Israel, several people have asked us: Can you accommodate travelers with special needs?

The answer is absolutely.

At Mayever, we believe that travel is a transformative experience, one that fosters growth, connection, and discovery—for everyone. That’s why we're spotlighting an underserved part of the Israel travel industry—but one that Mayever prioritizes as part of our suite of offerings to help families with members who have special needs experience the magic of the Jewish homeland. 

Our mission is to ensure that every family can explore Israel, discover their heritage, and create lasting memories together.
 

WHY MAYEVER?
 

  • Inclusive Travel for All: Mayever is proud to offer meaningful and immersive travel experiences including those families that may not have had their needs prioritized in the past to discover Israel.
  • Tailored Support: Our clinical staff will work closely with your family on a case-by-case basis to understand your particular needs. Through this process, we will establish a “goodness of fit” to ensure a successful and enriching experience for everyone involved.
  • Expert Guidance: Whether you're planning a trip for your own family or a community journey, our clinical and professional guide team will ensure this travel experience with Mayever meets your custom travel needs.
     

WHAT WE OFFER
 

  • Group/Community Tour Support: Mayever can work with a family, the Rabbi/Group leader, or the group’s travel provider (if not Mayever) to build a complementary itinerary where participants can join the group, enjoy specialized experiences, and be included within their community’s trip. By fostering an inclusive travel community, we aim to minimize gaps, build allies, and strengthen connections within and between families.
  • Family Trips: Embark on a journey designed specifically for families with special needs and while discovering Israel you will be connecting with the beauty and strength of your own shared community.
     

OUR PROCESS
 

  • Initial Consultation: Families meet with our clinical social work team to discuss needs and expectations.
  • Case-by-Case Evaluations: We carefully evaluate each family's needs to establish a “goodness of fit” for the Israel experience.
  • Ongoing Support: Our dedicated team provides guidance and support every step of the way, ensuring a seamless and successful journey.
 

OUR COMMITMENT
 

  • We are passionate about creating tailor-made touring experiences for everyone.
  • We will create opportunities for groups, communities, and families to travel together, collaborating with partners and clients to meet all needs to feel valued.
  • We believe in the power of travel to create personal growth for all.
  • We believe that together, we can discover the world, build connections, and change communities from within.
MEET OUR SPECIALISTS
Gonen Bar Lev is a Mayever Experience Maker and tour operator who focuses on inclusive travel. He is a specialist in working with individuals with special needs, dedicated to fostering connection and well-being through personalized approaches like music therapy and relaxation exercises. With over 15 years of experience, he draws inspiration from his work as a personal caregiver for Ophir, a young soldier injured in the Gaza War, whose journey toward independence and healing profoundly shaped Gonen’s belief in the transformative power of
community. 
Julie Powell, MSW, LICSW began her journey in Social Work in 1984 during a gap year in Israel, where she fell in love with the country and discovered a passion for helping others. This experience shaped her career, leading her to work in the field of disabilities, including a decade in physical rehabilitation at NYU Medical Center. When she became a parent to a child with a developmental disability, her work became deeply personal, inspiring her to dedicate her practice to supporting individuals and families navigating developmental disabilities across the lifespan. Today, her son Joshua is an independent adult, and she remains driven by her two greatest passions: empowering those living with disabilities and supporting the State of Israel.
Simcha Cohen, a Mayever co-founder, and its Chief Relationship Officer, is passionate about creating transformative travel experiences that inspire connection, growth, and community building. As an experiential educator and storyteller, Simcha believes in designing journeys that go beyond sightseeing, fostering meaningful opportunities for families—including those with special needs—to explore Israel and connect with its rich heritage. Guided by a deep belief in travel’s ability to unite and inspire, Simcha leads Mayever with heart, vision, and a dedication to serving diverse communities through unforgettable experiences.
Are you ready to explore Israel? Simply have questions? Whether you’re a family planning a trip, an organization or youth group seeking a new experience, or a rabbi yearning to include all families in your community, Mayever is here to support you. Let’s create an opportunity for connection, discovery, and growth—together.
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