Who Comes On A Justifi Trip?

Imagine packing your bags, heading to the airport, and boarding your plane to another continent for a 7-10 day adventure. For some Justifi participants this is exciting, for others it could be intimidating! 

Thankfully, when you travel with Justifi, you're not alone. Our team has a combined 30+ years of experience traveling and running programs for Jewish students and young professionals. Plus, you will be meeting an inspired crew of like-minded friends on the ground to join you in your adventure. 

Who can you expect to meet on your program? Every group is a unique mix. Most participants join to have an incredible experience, make a meaningful impact, and enjoy a great time with fun peers. They come from different Jewish backgrounds, from non-affiliated to orthodox, and most somewhere in between. We don't judge, and we go the extra mile to make sure all are welcome (that means strictly Kosher food and Shabbat-friendly programming so observant participants can eat and engage fully, too).

Our group size is generally between 8-18 participants. We've had students in their last years of college or grad school, professionals launching their careers, established entrepreneurs looking for inspiration, and so many more. Basically, we seek quality participants from diverse backgrounds who are driven, passionate, and play well with others :)

Here's What Our Recent Alumni Are Up To:

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Bianca L: An accomplished young professional and passionate traveller, Bianca joined us first as a participant in Thailand in 2012 then returned as an assistant staff member in 2013. When she's not crushing it at Google, she's either traveling with us or putting her recently-earned PADI scuba certification to good use in some other paradise you've always dreamed of visiting.

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Micahel P: When he's not traveling with us to Thailand or Nicaragua, Michael spends his time working as a law clerk in Jersey City. He's organized numerous events for our New York based alumni (now over 150 strong and growing), including Shabbat dinners, volunteer events, and an outing to his recent performance at a Jewish Community Theatre. See his featurette on our blog here. 

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Tara K: Tara made time for her Justifi trip in between graduating college in Brooklyn and before going to seminary in Jerusalem. Quite literally, she booked her itinerary from New York - Bangkok - Tel Aviv! 

Tara was able to use her passion for art, yoga, and childhood education to create some incredible activities with the at-risk children we worked with. 

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Lior O:  Hailing from Toronto, Lior is a successful internet entrepreneur who started his online marketing consulting company while still in college (and ran his company remotely during 2 trips with us last Summer).

Lior's two Justifi trips allowed him to experience a new challenge, working alongside local non-profits in rural communities and going back to 'work' energized for the next adventure!

Inspired To Join Our Crew?

Here's the link where you can submit your application. If approved, you'll gain access to any Justifi trip we run, now or in the future, to any destination we visit.

You'll then have the chance to connect with our small-but-dedicated team of travel professionals. They can help answer any questions you have and help you join the trip that's right for you!

Where We Go & What We Do

We are a small not-for-profit Jewish organization that launched in 2009 for idealistic Jewish students and professionals who wanted not just to see the world, but make an impact while doing so. Since then, our programs have attracted thousands of applicants from around the world who have been united around the common values of curiosity, contribution, passion, and a quest for discovery.

Our programs aren't for everybody. Whether it's exploring the issue of human trafficking near the red-light district of Bangkok or rappelling down a 40-meter waterfall, our trips may push you outside your comfort zone. You'll have an incredible experience in a supportive environment of like-minded people, but expect to go on a journey - reaching in and reaching out - to change the way you look at the world and making a difference where you can.

Take a look at our destination pages. They'll give you an inside-peek at what you'll experience when you choose to travel with us. If you're inspired to experience the world, leave your meaningful impact, and make friends for life, please join us!

He Couldn't Believe His Eyes...

Two years after his Justifi trip to Thailand, Josh came back as a madrich (leader) and couldn’t believe his eyes.

When he left Tom Karen’s center in the small village of Ban Huay Sak one hour north of Chiang Rai, there was one classroom which could hold about 20 kids, an outhouse for a toilet (that means a very deep hole dug into the ground, surrounded by a small wooden hut) and a few books, toys and one 1970’s Yamaha kids keyboard for the kids to play with.  

On his return, there was a second classroom full of books and maps and educational posters, musical instruments and art supplies, there was a restroom building with three toilets and a shower, there was the foundation for a new classroom, and the walls were covered in pictures of the summer camps and weekly lessons that Tom’s center now provides.

Tom Karen himself cannot believe what has taken place in such a short time.

“Before I met Jamie and Justifi, I was just a tour guide trying to find work showing foreigners around Northern Thailand.  Now I am getting to live my dream, helping my community to get educated, running English, Chinese, math and science workshops, working to prevent the our children from getting trafficked to bars in Bangkok and neighboring countries, creating programs for the elderly and sponsoring orphans in their education through the support of monthly donations from Justifi alumni.  On top of that my wife is now on the local council representing women’s rights and I have gone back to university at 42 years of age to get a degree in English!”

People often challenge us saying ‘how much difference can a short term volunteer trip make?  Really, you can’t be doing much good for the locals.’

At which point I smile patiently, offer them a drink, and spend the next half an hour filling then in on the facts on the ground.  Having been back to Thailand year after year, and experiencing it with my own eyes, I can inform them that although one group may just come in and leave having helped the local builders (who wouldn’t have had work if we weren’t there) lay the foundations of a classroom, or having painted some chairs or taught an English class which may not feel like a big deal at the time, when taken as part of a much larger ongoing project each bucket of concrete, each new English phrase learnt, eachsmile shared between volunteer and school kid, each brick in the wall helps build a strong, stable and self-sustainable edifice which is making a huge difference in many people’s lives.

You see, a brick on its own may indeed not be much use, but when it becomes part of a wall, when one person becomes part of a team which goes back to the same villages, the same schools year after year, a significant impact is made on the lives of those who stand to benefit most, which in turns effects the lives of their children and children’s children for many years to come.

6 Reasons We Can’t Wait to Go Back to Nicaragua

Here at Justifi, we’ve run numerous successful trips to the beautiful country of Nicaragua. Our days are often filled with the perfect mix of exploring its natural beauty, diving into the rich culture and of course overwhelming loads of fun and adventure. Nearly every time our trips to Nicaragua end, we begin looking forward to the next time we can return to this unique place that we’ve quickly grown to love so much. Here are just some of the many reasons we cannot wait to head back there…

1. Conflict in Nicaragua? That's SO 1979...

Of course anytime that you decide to venture outside of your home country, safety naturally becomes a concern. Well, as far as Nicaragua goes, visitors will be pleased to find out that long gone are your parents’ days when President Regan was trying to fight the ‘Commies’ in Central America. The country now has a stable government, positive U.S. relations and on top of that, some of the friendliest people and locals you will ever meet!

2. This Country is Breathtaking...

Known as the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes where visitors are able to climb nearly 50 active and dormant volcanoes or take a dip in one of the many crater lakes, Nicaragua continues to be a country of unmatched beauty. Combine these two different sites to see along with an abundance of lush rainforests, diverse plant and wildlife and of course some incredible beaches and you’ve got a country that not only allows you to gaze upon its natural beauty but experience it up close and personal.

3. Unforgettable, Pristine Beaches...

Whether you like to dive into the breaking waves, head out on a surfboard or simply dig your toes in the warm sand while you soak up the sun, Nicaragua has proven to be a beach bum’s paradise. Over 189 miles of Pacific Coast and 279 miles of Caribbean Coast, the beaches seem to be breathtakingly endless. Not only are they great during the day, but they’re maybe even more mesmerizing once the sun starts to dip below the horizon. Get your Smartphones and cameras ready to capture some amazing pictures your friends and family back home most likely won’t even believe is real!

4. It's an Off-The-Beaten-Path Paradise for Adventure Sports...

Rappelling down a 120-foot waterfall, anyone? 

Afraid Nicaragua just isn’t able to deliver that blood-pumping thrill of a lifetime experience you’ve been craving? Well, think again because this country is filled with adventure sports that provide exactly that! Not only can visitors sled down a 2388-foot cone on top of a volcano (yes, we are serious) but you can also get the chance to rappel down waterfalls, zip-line through a forest canopy or even have a go at surfing for the first time. Nicaragua will undoubtedly not only give you an amazing adrenaline rush but it will provide unforgettable experiences you’ll be talking about for years to come.

5. Experience Some of the Oldest Spanish Colonial Cities in the Americas...

Granada is one of the oldest Spanish colonial cities in the Americas.

One of the most beautiful cities we are able to spend a great deal of time in is the city of Granada. American tourists seem to flock here for a chance to taste their incredible food and experience the tranquil nightlife the city has to offer. Most days can be spent strolling down the cobblestone roads, exploring the culture and meeting locals, taking in the beauty and of course ending the day finding the perfect spot on Calle La Calzada Street that boasts over 30 restaurants and bars. Who knows, this Spanish colonial city may just be your new favorite!

6. Fiestas Are Always Better on the Beach...

Making our mark in Nicaragua...

Remember those unforgettable beaches we talked about earlier? Well, one that you are undoubtedly going to enjoy while in Nicaragua is San Juan Del Sur. It is one of the greatest backpacker party hubs in the area where you can find fiestas being thrown right on its shores, offering a party that you will surely never forget! Get ready to meet other travelers like yourself while you simply take in and enjoy being a part of the beauty and excitement that every inch of Nicaragua seems to be overflowing with. Plus, honestly how can you go wrong with a beach fiesta? The answer is…you can’t!

If you want to join us on an upcoming trip, you can see the details here.