How should I pack for Israel?

First of all, I recommend you pack light. Israel is a very casual place and you'll want to wear your most comfortable clothes and shoes during the day. In the evenings, dinners are pretty casual too! Pack nicer clothes – but nothing too fancy. 
 

What if the temperature fluctuates? I believe in the “onion model”  – bring different layers that you can peel off and modify.
 

Winter: the days can be sunny, around 20°C to 22°C, and there can be cold days with 6°C-10°C. Temperatures can drop even lower, but it's rare to see snow here, other than on Mount Hermon.
At higher elevation, in places such as Jerusalem, Safed and the Golan Heights, it is naturally colder. In any case, remember that we will be outdoors a lot, and you don't want to feel cold.
It's always a good idea to pack a light rain jacket and a travel umbrella.

Summer: In the summer it can get extremely hot, around 28°C to 38°C, and even hotter around the Dead Sea area. Yet, the evenings around Jerusalem and areas at higher elevation can be pleasantly cool. 

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Spring and fall: While being very comfortable times of year in terms of temperature, there may also be surprises such as rainy days or really hot days - as mentioned above.
 

For day trips, I recommend carrying a comfortable backpack, a hat (crucial in the summer), a large canteen or water bottle, sunglasses and sunblock (in the summer).
 

Modest clothing: A few sites require visitors to wear modest clothing, such as the Western Wall, Temple Mount, Safed and in churches, and synagogues. It is mainly women (sorry!) who need to keep their shoulders, elbows and knees covered. I recommend carrying a scarf and a skirt in your backpack to easily put on whenever necessary. For the men, there are a few places you will need to wear long pants and a shirt that covers your shoulders. 
 

Water shoes: In a few cases water shoes are recommended  – if we are walking in a water tunnel (like in the city of David ) or if you are walking into the Dead Sea and want to avoid getting cut by the salt crystals. For water hikes, bring closed-toe water shoes that are also suitable for hiking.