On June 24, TALMA’s 2026 Summer Fellowship begins, bringing international educators and local Israeli teachers together in 50 English classrooms across Jerusalem, Kiryat Ata, Ben Shemen Youth Village, Kseifa, and Sderot. Together, they’ll create a meaningful and joyful summer learning experience for more than 1,600 Israeli children.
Every summer in Israel comes with a few must-have items. Whether you’re teaching, traveling, volunteering, or simply exploring the country, here’s our unofficial packing list.
🔌 A Travel Adapter (and Maybe a Portable Charger)
Israel uses Type C plugs, so a travel adapter is an easy item to forget and a frustrating one to live without. A portable charger can be just as useful for long days of exploring, navigating with maps, taking photos, and staying connected on the go.
🩱 A Bathing Suit
Israel in the summer is hot. Really hot!
Between the beaches of Tel Aviv, swimming pools, natural springs, and the Dead Sea, chances are you’ll find yourself near water sooner rather than later. A bathing suit isn’t just something to pack, it’s a necessity.
🩴 Flip-Flops
One thing you’ll quickly notice about Israel? People like to keep things casual.
Flip-flops are acceptable in more places than you might expect and can easily become your everyday footwear for beach trips, quick errands, and relaxing weekends.
Just don’t forget to bring a good pair of sneakers too, you’ll thank yourself after a day of exploring.
🧴 Sunscreen, Sunglasses, and a Hat
The Israeli sun does not play around. Even on days that don’t feel especially hot, the UV can be intense. These three items can make the difference between enjoying your weekend adventure and wishing you had packed them sooner.
👕 One Modest Outfit
Israel is incredibly diverse, and during your stay you may find yourself visiting religious sites, attending a Shabbat dinner, or participating in community events.
Having one outfit that covers your shoulders and knees can be useful for those occasions.
🍽️ An Appetite
Israelis will tell you they have the best food in the Middle East, and they’re probably going to try to convince you of that within your first week.
Come prepared to enjoy great coffee shops (and don’t leave without trying Israel’s famous iced coffee), fresh hummus, shakshuka, falafel, tahini, pita straight from the bakery, and plenty of foods you’ll discover along the way. Arriving hungry might be the smartest packing decision you make.
Of course, every summer in Israel is different. But if your suitcase includes most of these essentials, you’ll be ready for sunny days, new adventures, and plenty of memorable experiences along the way.
