For Summer 2026, ECJS experienced the summer city of Thessaloniki in Greece. The event began with a visit to the famous White Tower and Umbrellas Sculpture on the waterfront, before a bus tour of all the previously Jewish villas in the Exoches district and the Holocaust Memorial at the Aristotle University. Laira Sennes from Israel finished the day leading a fun ice-breaker game before all the participants enjoyed a stunning sunset rooftop dinner!

On Friday, the tour started with the historic city of Veria and its picturesque synagogue in the historic Barbouta Jewish quarter; before siteseeing at the northern Greek city of Edessa with its spectacular waterfalls.

Shabbat continued the ECJS spirit with plenty of l’chaim’s, as well as Rabbi and Rebbetzin Yossi Weiss giving presentations on reflection and improvement in life and practical skills for communication. Finally on the Sunday, the event ended with a visit to modern-day Jewish Thessaloniki, including the Monasteriotes Synagogue, the Jewish Museum and Yad Lezikaron Synagogue.

Wow! What an event for the exotic trip for 2026 visiting mainland Africa!

The event started in the seaside resort of Mombasa. Here participants visited the historic fort, enjoyed a guided walk through the charming Old Town with its rich
Swahili culture. Being at the coast, guests also got to experience a boat trip to admire colourful coral fish, sea turtles, starfish, sea urchins. Once back on land the group could not miss a visit to Bombolulu Cultural Village with traditional homesteads, local crafts and rich tribal traditions.

After Mombasa the group then visited the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. Nairobi as a city is a contrast to Mombasa, with the first stop being a visit to the Visit the famous Giraffe Centre and getting up close to feed the endangered Rothschild giraffes. One real highlight before Shabbat, was that guests got to take a guided visit through Kibera, one of Africa’s largest informal slums, to gain insight into the social and economic challenges faced by many locals including sharing a singing and dancing assembly with the main school in the community.

During Shabbat, the event was much more peaceful with traditional food and services as well as educational fun sessions and activities, led by Rebbetzin Devorah Hurwitz from Hungary. The visit to Nairobi then finished discovering how Kenya’s world-famous tea is cultivated and produced in a tea farm.

Following on from the event the participants stayed together to extend onto a safari and experience the real highlight of any trip to mainland Africa. Here for 3 days the group got to see all aspects of wild animals up close in nature, from lions enjoying meat from a recent hunt, to giraffes and elephants looking after their young children. This really made it a true trip of a lifetime!

To give a real pre-Purim fun experience, both ECJS & JEP joined together to explore the Dutch capital city of Amsterdam . The event began with a visit to the heart of the city, where the group strolled through the charming streets of the Jordaan district including the De Negen Straatjes, Begijnhof inner court, and the inconic floating flower market (Bloemenmarkt).

On Friday, the group visited the traditional Dutch villages of Zaanse Schans, Volendam and Marken with their iconic windmills, traditional green wooden houses and live demonstrations of cheese-making and clog carving.

Shabbat continued the fun Purim spirit with plenty of l’chaim’s, as well as Mrs. Devora Leah Hurwitz teaching us that we are all unapologetically human. Finally on the Sunday, the event ended with the opportunity to discover the famous Dutch Portuguese Synagogue and enjoy a boat trip on scenic Dutch canals.

For Summer 2025, ECJS visited the city of Prague, and started with a scenic walking tour through the charming old town with its cobblestone streets, Baroque architecture and Gothic Charles Bridge. On Friday, participants had an emotionally challenging day visiting the town of Terezin, facing harsh realities of ghetto life during WWII especial on the children, as well as seeing first hand the Nazi Crematorium. Shabbat brought with it a return of energy for the group, including a fun traditional Shabbat dinner as well as interesting discussions on the Golem and the future of European Jewry, led by Rabbi and Rebbetzin Yossi Weiss. The event ended on the Sunday exploring the historic Jewish Quarter in Prague, featuring the Alt-Neu Synagogue, one of Europe’s oldest active Orthodox Synagogues.

For the exotic event of 2025 both ECJS & JEP returned to Asia to visit the scenic country of Cambodia. The event began on the Wednesday evening in Siem Reap, with a visit to the local Phare Circus and Night Market. For the first tour day on Thursday the group visited the scenic Cambodian Phnom Kulen waterfalls, as well as learning about landmines at the Cambodian Land Mine museum and detection of land mines by Rats at the educational Rat Apopo institute. On Friday participants visited the Angkor Botanical Gardens, Satcha cultural pottery center, and the beautiful Kampong Khleang floating Village. During Shabbat participants learnt from Rabbi and Rebbetzin Sholom Hurwitz about how to express oneself clearer and also the ethics of natural law.

On Sunday everyone travelled to the capital city of Phnom Penh, and on the way stopped at the uniquely distinguishing Spider Market. Monday brought the group to experience a much deeper, educational day – seeing all the sites and horrors of the Cambodian Genocide. However, this sombre mood was broken by a fun sunset boat cruise along the Mekong River. The main event then ended on Tuesday with a visit to Silk Island on traditional Tuk-Tuks, to see the traditional weavers of Cambodian Silk clothing.

Following on from the event, a large number of participants continued their stay in Asia together, by visiting Shanghai as ECJS for the first time chose to visit China for an extension. Here, the group experienced the full effect of modern futuristic China in the city, as well as learning about the huge influx of Jewish immigration during World War 2 – before ending the official event with a day out exploring beautiful Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town on traditional Chinese Gondolas.

To celebrate 20 years of ECJS, for Purim exceptionally both ECJS & JEP united to explore the Moroccan city of Marrakech. The event began with a visitto the historic Medina and famous Jamaa el Fna Square, before Purim was brought in with a  Megillah reading in usual ECJS fun style! Guests then got to dress up alongside locals in a Purim costume themed party.

On Friday, the group visited the picturesque Ourika Valley, with its traditional Berber village and explored the tomb of Rabbi Shlomo Bel Hensh, a significant religious site. Shabbat continued the fun Purim spirit with plenty of l’chaim’s, as well as Mrs. Devora Leah Hurwitz teaching us that Happiness is a serious problem. Finally on the Sunday, the event ended with the opportunity to discover the historic Mellah, the old Jewish quarter, and visit its beautiful synagogue alongside the grandeur of the Bahia Palace, with its exquisite architecture and lush courtyards.

The event began with a tour to the southern tip of the Attica Peninsula to the scenic Cape Sounio before returning to the hotel to light the traditional Chanukah Candles and share a meaningful Shabbat together. On Shabbat morning during the Synagogue service, the group were lucky to share a Bar Mitzvah boy’s first Torah reading and special moment – as well as equally here stories and ask questions to Israeli soldiers about their recent time defending Israel in the War against Hamas.

On Sunday, participants got to see the Athenian city sites, including the famous Changing of the Guards ceremony at the Greek Parliament, before visiting on Monday a picturesque coastal town in the Peloponnese – Nafplio with its charming
medieval architecture and rich history.

On Tuesday the group joined in for Chanukah lighting and to enjoy tasty donuts, at the Athens main Synagogue alongside the Chief Rabbi of Athens, Rabbi Gabriel Negrin. Some of the participants even got the honor of lighting the symbolic Greek Menorah outside the Synagogue in the home of the Chanukah story! The final evening of the event was then celebrated with the famous annual New Year’s Eve Black Tie ball, before guests got to enjoy a late morning Brunch and their flights home to their home cities.

For 2024 ECJS & JEP decided to hold a life changing trip to the tropical island of Sri Lanka. The event began on the Wednesday with a boat ride through the island and a visit to the historic Galle Fort. On Thursday, participants got to have fun with white-water rafting on the Kitulgala river enjoy stunning views of the island.  For Friday, the tour explored the capital city of Colombo before guests relaxed over Shabbat in the hotel and learning from Rebbetzin Dvora Leah Hurwitz about whether all people are created equal or not!

On Sunday everyone got up early to participate in a unique and fun jeep safari. Here they saw elephants, monkeys and other wildlife in their natural environment. For Monday, the program involved visiting a traditional Ceylon tea factory and plantation – one of the most famous products found in Sri Lanka. Finally on Tuesday, before returning home, the group got to explore the city of Kandy and experience real Sri Lankan local culture.

The event began with a visit up the scenic Vitosha Mountain with its stunning views of Bulgarian countryside, before a tour of the city of Sofia. On Friday, the group visited Plovdiv with its historic Jewish heritage. On Saturday night everyone together with the local residents, to participate in a Purim costume themed party. For Sunday, to end the trip, participants got to hear the Megillah in the historic grand Sofia Synagogue and then eat the traditional Purim feast meal.

The event began with a tour out of the city to Elsinore and Kronberg castle – the famous home of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. On Friday, the group visited the Danish Jewish museum and learnt the history of the Danish Jewish community and its connection to the Danish Crown, before enjoying a relaxing Shabbat in sunny Copenhagen. After Shabbat, guests were delighted to hear the stories from Danish Holocaust survivors and their families, to learn in real life how the Holocaust impacted local Danish Jews.  On Sunday, participants got to first visit the Synagogue in Krystalgade and Chabad House, before discovering historic Copenhagen – Rosenborg Castle, Amalienborg Palace, little mermaid statue, Nyhavn and the charming historic center. The event then ended after Sunday evening’s annual highlight – bringing in together the New Year 2024 with our traditional annual Black Tie Ball.