Finding North

Journeys of discovery and inspiration for 55+

Step out of your life.
Reflect. Reorient. Return.

Finding North is a travel program of reflection and meaning making for people 55+ integrating Jewish wisdom and the power of midrash – Jewish storytelling.

Haifa and selected cities around the world serve as lens and landscape for exploration and introspection. Part summer camp, part retreat, part creative workshop.

Join 15-25 participants in an open and welcoming Jewish context.

Our programs

Encounter inspirational individuals and intriguing faith-based communities. Engage with local innovators and artists. Delve into guided text study. Experience local cuisine. Weave your personal midrash – narrate stories from within your rich life experience.

30-day Haifa classic

Georgia Peace Project

Palestinian and Jewish Change Makers

Finding North Soil and Soul

Pickleball Israel

“There was no agenda, just exploration. FN has such a strong structure that I feel completely free.”

— SHELLEY P

“I retired twice and lost my identity. Participating in Finding North made sure it didn’t happen again.”

— ALAN K

“I am so grateful for FN because I feel a door opening and I see there’s light streaming in from all directions.”

Meet the team

Rabbi Golan Ben-Chorin, Ed.D.

Spiritual Director and Finding North co-founder, Golan is a third-generation Israeli Reform spiritual leader. A lifelong educator, his focus is engaging people in Jewish living and guiding the construction of Jewish identities.

Johanna Ginsberg

Finding North’s co-founder and program director, Johanna is a journalist and attorney. Her articles have been published in Ha’aretz, The Forward, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, and New York Jewish Week, among others. Former senior writer at the New Jersey Jewish News, she is an associate attorney at Sussan, Greenwald & Wesler, where she practices education law.

Rabbi Kerry M. Olitzky, DHL

Consulting Advisor and mentor, Kerry is a leader in the development of innovative Jewish education, particularly for adults. He is the author of over 75 books and hundreds of articles and was named one of the 50 Leading Rabbis in North America by Newsweek.

Susan Shapiro, PhD Rn FAAN

Program Coordinator Susan Shapiro is our newest team member. A retired nurse, she is an alumna of both the Finding North
month-long program program in Haifa (2022), and the Georgia Peace Project (2024). Drawing from her deep understanding of the needs and concerns of participants, she excels in managing logistics and ensuring that all aspects of the program run smoothly.

Frequently asked questions

What are the physical requirements of the program?

Participants should be reasonably fit. The physical environment serves as the lens and landscape for all Finding North programs. Expect walking, occasional hiking, climbing stairs, and negotiating sometimes challenging surfaces. Short hikes are an integral part of the program and some countries, including Israel, do not have the same accommodations that we are used to in the United States.

What happens if I need to cancel?

Due to the intimate nature of our programs, no refunds will be possible once final payment is due. Until that date, a full refund, minus the deposit, will be given. We therefore encourage participants to purchase travel insurance.

Is there an exception for cancellations due to COVID-19?

If the entire program must be cancelled due to COVID-19, participants will be given a full refund.
In order to protect yourself in the event that you are personally unable to participate due to COVID-19, it is strongly recommended that you purchase travel insurance that includes coverage for COVID-19 related cancellations or expenses.

On Haifa-based trips, will there be time for touring around Israel or visiting family?

Finding North is not a tourist trip and doesn’t include visits to places like Jerusalem, Masada, Dead Sea, Tel Aviv, etc. If you are interested in these, on Haifa-based programs shorter than 30 days, we encourage you to make time for these trips before or after Finding North.
The 30-day program includes two free Shabbatot to use any way you’d like, including visiting other parts of the country. Free time begins in the late afternoon/early evening on designated Thursdays and the program resumes at 4:00 pm the following Sunday.
Dekel Tours will be happy to help you set up tours or other leisure day activities, as well as private transportation, lodging when you’re away from Haifa, and more.

What kind of studying will we be doing?

Finding North embraces the informal educational approach and celebrates the many ways people learn. The sites and environs of our location will serve as our classroom. We may find ourselves examining Jewish texts and sharing our stories in an artist colony, rummaging through our past in a flea market, examining what we choose to display in a museum, exploring our path in a forest, even searching for new perspectives from a university rooftop tower.

Will meals be provided?

Food is an integral layer of the Finding North experience. It offers insight into the cultural milieu. Please review the details of the specific Finding North program as each is unique and meals do vary.

Ready to learn more?

Inquire about Finding North