JOURNEY 01
REALITY DIMENSIONS
February 22–28, 2027
For founders, investors, AI leaders, operators, and innovators shaping what's next.
A cross-industry Journey for leaders in tech, venture capital, startups, and innovation.
REALITY
See the World Differently.
REALITY is for accomplished leaders and changemakers in their 30s and 40s who are shaping organizations, industries, communities, and culture—and who are driven to ask difficult questions, listen deeply, challenge their assumptions, and engage seriously with perspectives different from their own.
Come for the Journey. Leave with a Community.
A Journey That Changes How You See the World
Join REALITY for a transformational seven-day Journey through Israel and the region alongside an exceptional, intentionally curated cohort of leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and creators.
Meet people who will expand your world. Hear stories that challenge what you think you know. Step into conversations that resist easy answers, embrace complexity, and transform the way you see the world.
Move between history and innovation, identity and culture, conflict and community. Go beyond the headlines to encounter the people, places, and perspectives shaping Israel and the region today—up close and firsthand.
Return home with new perspectives, lasting connections, and a deeper curiosity about what’s possible.
Who It's For
- REALITY is for accomplished leaders and changemakers who are shaping what’s next—and who understand that leadership is often tested when the answers aren’t obvious.
- Our community includes people who lead organizations, build companies, create culture, shape ideas, impact communities, and drive meaningful change. They come with experience and curiosity—and a willingness to question what they know.
- Leaders today make consequential decisions in a world of conflicting narratives and few clear answers. Discernment—the ability to listen deeply, hold competing perspectives, and exercise sound judgment—has never mattered more.
- Israel brings that challenge to life. REALITY invites leaders into it—to deepen how they think, engage, and lead.
- First-time visitors to Israel, as well as those who have not visited in 10+ years, are especially aligned with the REALITY experience.
You don’t need to have all the answers.
You just need to be willing to ask better questions.
Go Beyond the Headlines
Some things can’t be understood from a distance.
REALITY takes you beyond the headlines and into firsthand conversations with the people, places, and perspectives shaping Israel and the region today. Engage directly with a wide spectrum of voices and perspectives from across Israel’s diverse society, including Jewish, Arab, and other communities, alongside Palestinian voices, gaining a nuanced, firsthand understanding of the region’s complex human mosaic.
You’ll encounter stories that challenge what you think you know. You’ll hear perspectives that may be different from your own. You’ll engage with complexity rather than sound bites.
REALITY doesn’t tell you what to think.
It invites you to see differently.
Seven Days. Countless Perspectives.
Over seven days, you’ll move between history and innovation, identity and culture, conflict and community – experiencing Israel beyond the headlines.
You’ll encounter the people and ideas shaping Israel and the region today—up close and firsthand, alongside a curated cohort of exceptional peers.
Each REALITY Journey is thoughtfully curated to create opportunities for:
PROXIMITY
Meet the people and communities shaping Israel and the region today. Hear firsthand stories from Israelis across diverse backgrounds and Palestinian communities, moving beyond headlines to explore the realities, challenges, and aspirations of the region’s people.
HONEST CONVERSATIONS
Wrestle with complex issues and competing perspectives. Ask hard questions, listen deeply, and stay in conversation when the answers aren’t simple.
REFLECTION
Turn experience into growth. Challenge your assumptions, expand your perspective, and strengthen the discernment and judgment you bring to how you lead.
CONNECTION
Build meaningful relationships with an exceptional cohort of peers—and with the people you meet along the way. Connections that deepen the experience and continue long after the Journey ends.
The Journey Doesn’t End When You Go Home.
REALITY is a journey that strengthens how you lead—and who you lead alongside.
You may come to REALITY for the experience,
But you’ll leave seeing more—and capable of more.
EXPANDED LEADERSHIP
Build confidence navigating complexity, exercising sound judgment, and leading when the answers aren’t obvious.
MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS
Form lasting friendships and professional connections with exceptional people you might never otherwise meet.
A COMMUNITY
Join a global community of leaders and changemakers who continue to learn, connect, collaborate, and inspire one another long after the Journey ends.
“I came back with a deeper commitment to holding complexity, listening longer, and showing up with empathy,
even when it’s uncomfortable. Especially when it’s uncomfortable.”
REALITY Impact 2025 Participant
Meet the People Who Will Expand Your World.
REALITY brings together an exceptional, intentionally curated community of leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, creators, and changemakers.
And your journey is only the beginning. You become part of a global REALITY community 3,400+ strong.
Our community spans industries, backgrounds, perspectives, and geographies—but members are connected by a shared curiosity and willingness to engage with complexity.
80%
of our community are C-suite leaders and co-founders.
REALITY community members include senior leaders across:
Technology, Finance, Entertainment, Sports, Media, Social Impact, Philanthropy And Beyond
But REALITY isn’t about collecting business cards. It’s about meeting people who expand your world.
People who
challenge your thinking.
inspire new ideas.
become collaborators.
Setting Impact in Motion
The impact of REALITY continues long after participants return home.
Our community brings new ideas into their work, builds new relationships, launches initiatives,
creates opportunities, and continues conversations that began on the Journey.
0
%
have brought new ideas from their REALITY Journey into their work and lives.
0
%
gained leadership skills that fueled career growth and new ventures.
0
%
returned with renewed motivation to repair the world.
0
%
have collaborated on new projects, businesses, or initiatives.
REALITY begins with seven days together.
The ideas, relationships, and possibilities continue long after.
Find Your REALITY Journey
Each REALITY Journey brings together a carefully curated cohort of leaders and changemakers around shared industries, communities, interests, and opportunities.
Find the Journey that’s right for you.
JOURNEY 02
REALITY NY CHANGEMAKERS
April 5–11, 2027
For New York leaders shaping what's next in their fields and communities.
A cross-industry Journey bringing together builders, creators, and influential voices from across NYC.
JOURNEY 03
REALITY IMPACT
June 21–27, 2027
For leaders using their ideas, influence, and platforms to create meaningful change.
A cross-industry Journey for changemakers shaping their fields, communities, and society.
JOURNEY 04
REALITY VOICES OF LA
July 12–18, 2027
For LA changemakers and storytellers shaping culture, conversation, and community.
A cross-industry Journey bringing together leaders from entertainment, sports, film, television, music, media, and beyond.
REALITY is built for people who understand that meaningful leadership requires more than certainty.
It requires curiosity.
Empathy.
Humility.
And the willingness to keep learning.
Your REALITY Journey Includes:
Curated Access & Experiences: Private conversations, site visits, briefings, and firsthand encounters with people and communities shaping Israel and the region.
An Exceptional Cohort: A thoughtfully curated group of leaders and changemakers selected to learn from—and alongside—one another.
Flight Booking and Costs: Economy Airfare to and from Israel.
Five-Star Hotel Accommodations: Thoughtfully selected accommodations throughout the Journey.
Meals at Award-Winning Restaurants: Exceptional meals and opportunities to experience the region’s culture and cuisine.
Local Transportation: A private bus throughout the Journey.
Dedicated Staff Team: Including security, concierge, tour educator, and group leader.
A Lifelong Community: A global community of REALITY leaders with opportunities to continue connecting, learning, and collaborating long after the Journey.
An experience you couldn’t create on your own.
REALITY brings together an exceptional cohort and opens doors to people, places, stories, and conversations rarely accessible to visitors. Every element is intentionally curated—from who travels alongside you to the people you meet and the experiences you share.
The majority of every REALITY Journey is subsidized, bringing the participant cost to $1,360.
Your Safety Matters.
Participant Safety guides our planning and decision making before and throughout every Journey.
Each Journey is supported by an experienced on-the-ground team and carefully monitored to ensure the highest possible standards of safety and security. REALITY and itrek are known for their cautious and responsible approach, supporting more than 28,000 participants on Journeys to Israel—including over 70 groups since October, 2023.
Every group is accompanied by dedicated professionals, including security personnel, a licensed tour educator, and members of the REALITY Team.
Our team continuously monitors conditions and adjusts itineraries as needed.
Your experience should challenge your thinking.
Not your peace of mind.
Come for the Journey,
Leave with a Community.
REALITY doesn’t end when you leave Israel.
When you return home, you become part of a community of leaders and
changemakers who continue to learn, connect, collaborate, and inspire one another.
LEARNING
Continue exploring ideas, perspectives, and conversations with your REALITY peers.
CONNECTION
Build relationships across industries, cities, and communities.
COMMUNITY
Join regional and affinity-based opportunities to connect with fellow REALITY members.
COLLABORATION
Turn new relationships and ideas into projects, businesses, initiatives, and impact.
The Journey begins in Israel. The community becomes part of your life.
REALITY is an itrek Program.
itrek is a private, U.S.-based, 501(c)(3) non-affiliated nonprofit organization and a leader in professional travel to Israel.
For more than 15 years, itrek has designed and delivered tailored Israel experiences for more than 27,000 participants.
itrek specializes in peer-led, multi-perspective experiences for business leaders, policymakers, and global changemakers.
See the World Differently.
Meet people who will expand your world. Hear stories that challenge what you think you know. Engage with perspectives different from your own. Build meaningful relationships with exceptional peers. Return home with new perspectives, deeper curiosity, and a community that continues long after the Journey ends.
Your REALITY Journey Starts Here.
REALITY Impact Grants support alumni-led initiatives worldwide
REALITY begins with a weeklong Journey in Israel. Participants go beyond the headlines and sound bites to explore and engage with the diverse people and communities shaping the society and culture of Israel and the region.
Introduce new people to the conversation:
Engage new audiences in the life, culture, and society of Israel and its diverse communities through events, Shabbat dinners, speaker sessions, experiences, and more.
Foster nuanced conversations about Israel:
Create spaces for open, thoughtful dialogue about Israel that encourages participants to explore diverse perspectives, ask questions, share ideas, and engage in meaningful conversation.
Facilitate partnerships with Israelis, Israeli-owned companies,
or Israeli NGOs representing Israel’s diverse communities:
Build meaningful connections through Israeli partnerships, featuring local businesses, inviting Israeli speakers, highlighting diverse communities, and creating opportunities to experience Israeli culture firsthand together.
Build cross-cultural connections:
Share stories, experiences, and perspectives while introducing new people to the REALITY Israel Journey and creating connections across communities and cultures through shared experiences.
To learn more and apply for an impact grant, please contact carina.romanov@itrek.org
FAQ
Can you tell me a bit more about REALITY?
REALITY is a community of influential leaders from diverse backgrounds and professional sectors who are motivated to deepen their ability to lead on complex issues. REALITY begins with a formative Journey through Israel in which participants develop a deeper understanding of Israeli society, and learn from and build connections with like-minded leaders.
What is itrek?
itrek is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to empower leaders to engage their networks in meaningful Israel experiences. Israel Treks foster an understanding and appreciation of Israel’s culture, diversity, and complex reality, which participants carry back into their own lives and leadership roles. REALITY was created in 2009 as part of Schusterman Family Philanthropies. In June 2024 REALITY became a part of itrek, one of Schusteman’s long-standing grantees.
Who goes on a REALITY Journey?
REALITY Journeys are designed for influential leaders from diverse backgrounds and industries, connected by a shared commitment to strengthening their leadership skills around complex issues. REALITY participants are committed to continuous learning, eager to expand their understanding of a complex region, and open to being challenged. REALITY participants lead with curiosity and humility, and come from a wide range of faiths, ethnicities, races, traditions, sexual orientations, gender identities, and geographic locations.
What impact does a REALITY Journey have on participants?
The impact of these Journeys is life-changing:
- 99% of REALITY participants recommend this Journey to others.
- 96% of REALITY participants report making deep, personal relationships.
- 61% of REALITY participants have collaborated on new projects, businesses, and initiatives.
- 73% of REALITY participants have implemented new ideas inspired by their REALITY Journey.
- 85% of REALITY participants report gaining leadership skills that led to career advancements or new ventures.
How much does it cost to go on a REALITY Journey and what is included in that cost?
REALITY Journeys are $1,360, including airfare, with a $500 non-refundable program fee. The experience includes five-star hotel accommodations, award-winning restaurants, and a thoughtfully designed itinerary. Highly subsidized, REALITY makes this premier experience accessible to an exceptional community of leaders.
Includes:
Local transportation
Most meals
Hotel accommodations
Site visits, briefings, tours, etc.
Staff team including security, concierge, tour educator, and group leader
Flight booking and costs
Who staffs REALITY Israel Journeys?
The group is accompanied by a professional tour educator licensed according to Israel’s logistical, security, and safety standards, along with a security professional and a member of the REALITY Team. In addition, our logistics partner,
What is the cancellation policy?
The $1,000 deposit is fully refundable up until one month before the start of your Journey. After that point, the deposit becomes non-refundable. The $500 program fee is non-refundable at any time. In exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of itrek, these policies may be adjusted.
Will there be an orientation before my Journey?
Yes, all registered participants will receive a calendar invite for a Zoom orientation call with the REALITY Team and the rest of the participants on their Journey.
How will REALITY communicate with me before my Journey begins and throughout my time in Israel?
Leading up to your Journey, we will communicate with participants via email. After the orientation call, all of the participants and the REALITY staff from your journey will be invited to a WhatsApp group, which will be the way that we will communicate throughout our time together in Israel. You’ll also have the opportunity to introduce yourself to the rest of the group before you spend the week together!
Will I receive a list of everyone who will be on my Journey?
We provide everyone with a bio book when they arrive in Israel, but this is not something we distribute in advance. However, you will have the opportunity to acquaint yourselves with the other Journey participants when you join the WhatsApp group.
Are there any pre or post-Journey requirements?
Yes. All participants are expected to attend the virtual orientation program and complete pre and post-Journey surveys by set deadlines. Additionally, participants will be expected to attend at least one follow-up post-Journey virtual training and attend a three-month and six-month virtual reunion.
Do I need any special travel documents to travel to Israel?
Beginning January 2025, all incoming travelers to Israel will require either an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL) or B/2 Tourist Visa to enter Israel. Please see this visa guide for more information. You will also need a valid passport. Please ensure your passport does not expire before 6 months from the start of your Journey in Israel. If your passport is going to expire before then, you will need to make immediate arrangements for an expedited renewed passport. Additionally, we strongly recommend purchasing travel & medical insurance.
Do I need to purchase travel insurance?
Although travel protection is not required, travel/medical coverage is highly encouraged. Please carefully review what is included in the coverage.
What are the insurance requirements to join a REALITY Journey?
REALITY strongly recommends you have comprehensive medical coverage throughout your stay in Israel, either through your existing coverage or via supplemental coverage. Coverage must include:
- Emergency medical care while in Israel
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Coverage for any pre-existing conditions
Which travel insurance does REALITY recommend?
REALITY does not endorse or specifically recommend any particular travel insurance plan or provider. There are many options available online that meet the mandatory insurance criteria.
What security measures will be in place on the Journey?
Safety is our top priority. We are closely monitoring the political and security situation in real time and are in constant communication with local authorities and security experts. REALITY and itrek take great pride in their cautious and responsible approach, with a reputation built on hosting more than 28,000 participants on Journeys to Israel in the past fifteen years, including 25 groups in 2024.
We are in regular contact with Israel’s ‘Situation Monitoring Room,’ which works closely with Israel’s security forces including the IDF, Israel Police, and local security and reservation authorities.
Considering the current security situation in Israel, how flexible is the schedule to accommodate changes in the political or security situation?
The REALITY Journey itinerary is intentionally designed with flexibility so we can respond to changing conditions if needed. We continually assess the security environment and make adjustments when needed. This may include rerouting, rescheduling, or substituting activities or locations based on the guidance we receive.
Do REALITY Journeys have security guards?
Yes. Every REALITY Journey is accompanied by professionally trained security guards who travel with the group throughout the journey.
What happens if the security situation changes while we are in Israel?
Our team continuously monitors developments throughout the Journey and is prepared to adjust plans as conditions warrant. Participants will receive clear, timely updates from the REALITY team, including any changes to the itinerary or instructions related to safety and security.
If the situation escalates before travel, will refunds be issued?
If REALITY and itrek determines a journey cannot proceed and postpones it due to the security situation in Israel, participants will receive a refund of their registration fee.
How does REALITY decide whether a Journey can proceed?
REALITY and itrek continuously assess the security environment leading up to each Journey in consultation with our security experts and local partners. Decisions take into account current conditions and the specific locations included in the itinerary. If circumstances require a change, we are prepared to adjust or postpone a Journey and will communicate any decisions with participants as promptly as possible.
What does a typical day on a REALITY Journey look like?
Days are full and intentionally varied, with a mix of site visits, conversations with local leaders and storytellers, cultural experiences, meals, travel, and time to reflect and connect with your cohort. Most days begin early and end late, so participants should expect an immersive and active experience.
What sort of physical activity can I expect?
REALITY Journeys are active and include a fair amount of walking, standing, and moving between sites. Some days may include uneven terrain or stairs. We recommend comfortable walking shoes and will provide additional guidance for specific activities before your Journey.
Will there be any free time?
Yes, although free time is limited. REALITY is an immersive experience, and most days are intentionally full with programming, meals, travel, and time with your cohort. When possible, we build in opportunities to recharge or explore on your own. Please note that any scheduled free time may change based on scheduling needs or other program adjustments.
What if I need accommodations to participate fully in the Journey?
We want participants to be able to engage as fully as possible. If you have mobility, dietary, accessibility, or other accommodation needs, please share them with our team in advance so we can understand your needs and determine how best to support you throughout the Journey.
Does REALITY present a particular point of view about Israel or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
REALITY is designed to expose participants to the complexity of Israel and the region—not to tell you what to think. Throughout the Journey, you will encounter people with different histories, identities, experiences, and points of view, including perspectives that may reinforce, challenge, or complicate your own. Questions, disagreement, and respectful debate are encouraged. Our goal is for you to leave with a wider lens and a deeper understanding of the people, history, and issues shaping the region.
Will I hear perspectives I disagree with?
Very likely—and intentionally. You are not expected to agree with every speaker or with one another. We encourage thoughtful questions, respectful disagreement, and curiosity, while giving participants space to remain grounded in their own values and convictions.
How much of the Journey focuses on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
The conflict is an important part of understanding Israel and the region, but it is not the entirety of the REALITY experience. The Journey also explores Israeli society, history, culture, identity, innovation, leadership, and the people and communities shaping the country today.
Will the Journey explore the core issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
+
Yes. Participants will explore historical and contemporary dimensions of the conflict and hear directly from people whose lives and perspectives reflect its complexity. Topics and speakers vary by Journey, but the experience is designed to provide context, introduce different perspectives, and create space for thoughtful questions and conversation.
Will the Journey visit the West Bank and include Palestinian perspectives?
When security conditions permit, REALITY Journeys include time in the West Bank and opportunities to hear directly from Palestinians about their lives, experiences, and perspectives. This portion of the Journey is led by a local Palestinian guide and includes a Palestinian security professional. As with all elements of the itinerary, plans may be adjusted based on current security conditions.
Will I have opportunities to process and reflect on what I am experiencing?
Yes. Reflection and conversation are intentional parts of the REALITY experience. Throughout the Journey, there will be opportunities to process what you are seeing and hearing, ask questions, and engage with your cohort. Participants may experience or interpret the same moments differently, and there is no expectation that everyone reaches the same conclusions.
Who can apply?
REALITY Alumni. Applications can be submitted individually or as part of a team.
What are the grant amounts?
Minimum and Maximum Requests: Applicants can request between $500 and $2,500, up to $50 per person.
How are funds issued?
Funds are provided as reimbursements upon proof of receipts/payment. You may request 50% of the funds at the start of the project and the remaining 50% upon completion. Reimbursements are processed via ACH (for U.S. applications) or PayPal. If PayPal is not available in your country, please specify this in your application.
What is the reimbursement policy?
Funds will be reimbursed only to the account of the REALITY Alum who submitted the Microgrant application. If the application was submitted as part of a team, the reimbursement will be issued to the account of the primary applicant, unless otherwise agreed upon in advance.
What is the timeline for a REALITY Microgrant?
You have 3-6 months from the project approval date to start using your grant funding, but you must use the funds by September 1st. Extensions may be discussed if needed.
Review Process: Applications are evaluated based on project goals, intended impact, alignment with at least one of the Microgrant program goals, and adherence to REALITY’s values. Applicants will be notified of the decision within 3 weeks.
What are the funding guidelines?
For general events, the typical funding guideline is up to $50 per person. This amount may vary based on the specifics of the project. For Dinner & Dialogue events, funding ranges from $25 to $40 per person, depending on the event’s location.
Can I propose my own event idea for the Microgrant?
Absolutely! You can propose your own initiative as long as it aligns with the core goals of Microgrants: introducing new people to REALITY, raising awareness about upcoming Journeys, and fostering conversations about Israel. Just be sure to include a segment where you share your own REALITY experience or invite alumni to do so.
Do I need to discuss the upcoming REALITY 2025 Journeys during the event?
Yes, part of your event should raise awareness about the upcoming REALITY Journeys. This can include sharing key details about the program and encouraging potential applicants to consider participating.
How can I refer attendees who I feel are qualified to apply for REALITY?
Once your Microgrant project is approved, you will receive a congratulatory email containing a link to the REALITY 2025 Journeys application. Please forward this link to up to three individuals who you believe would be strong candidates for an upcoming Journey.
Where can I find information about the different REALITY Journeys in 2025?
Please refer to the attached one-pager, which contains all the details about our upcoming REALITY Journeys. This document provides comprehensive information about each Journey.
Can I use the Microgrant for an event I already planned?
You may use the Microgrant for an event you already planned, as long as it meets the Microgrant requirements: introducing new people to REALITY, raising awareness about upcoming Journeys, and fostering conversations about Israel.
Will the Microgrant cover all event costs?
The Microgrant covers up to $2,500 to help fund various event expenses. However, it may not cover the entire cost of the event, so please ensure your budget aligns with the grant amount.
Can I apply for more than one Microgrant?
You may apply for a Microgrant twice per year, for two seperate initiatives. You cannot receive two microgrants for the same project within a single year.
What are the requirements after I complete the project?
After project completion, grantees are required to submit a short project reflection. REALITY will collaborate with grantees to promote the project’s impact within our network. If possible, please provide the REALITY Team with photos from your event.
What will the Microgrants NOT Cover?
- Microgrants cannot be used to fund movies, websites, or podcasts.
- Personal travel to self-organized meetings (e.g., taxi to lunch meeting)
- Salaries
-Transport or accommodation not directly connected to the grant opportunity - Direct funding of other organizations
- Services rendered to yourself, your organization, or others (e.g., paying yourself)
- Services provided by a spouse or close family member
- Legal work (e.g., legal advice, litigation)
Questions?
We’re here to help you explore whether REALITY is the right Journey for you.
Email the REALITY Team reality@itrek.org