National Young Leadership Summer Mission to Israel
Sunday, June 27 - Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Mission Blog will launch on Monday

About the Mission | Registration | Minimum Gift Requirement | Contact Staff
FAQ | Updated Itinerary | Suggested Packing List | Suggested Reading List
Eilat Extension with Petra Option | First eCard | Second eCard | Chair Bios

About the Mission

What is this mission all about?
Why do we call this a mission instead of a trip? Because it has a purpose: to get beneath the surface. Don’t just see Israel through the windows of a bus; experience Israel as you climb Masada before dawn, ride ATVs near the border, get a security briefing on an army base, and meet with young Israelis who are working for social change. You’ll get an insider’s look at the most fascinating country in the world as you explore Israel from the North to the Negev, getting to know its spirit, people, geography and history. Your Israeli peers and leaders from the political, cultural and business worlds will introduce you to their country in a new way. And as you deepen your connection with Israel and its people, you’ll develop a personal understanding of how Federation, the most effective Jewish fund-raising and community-building organization, unites and cares for Jews in Israel and all over the world.

Who attends this mission?
The National Young Leadership Summer Mission to Israel will include hundreds of young professionals, ages 25-45. We expect a very diverse group – people from all across North America, from many backgrounds, involved in a myriad of professions and volunteer activities, married and single, with and without children, and of all sexual orientations. There is no typical participant – all are unique and welcome!

What are the dates of this year’s NYL Summer Mission to Israel?
The National Young Leadership Summer Mission to Israel will take place from June 27-July 6, 2010. The group flight will depart New York on Sunday, June 27th and will arrive in Israel on Monday, June 28th. The group flight will depart Israel late in the evening on Tuesday, July 6th and arrive in New York on Wednesday, July 7th.

Please note: The mission cost is land-only; you are responsible for booking your flights to and from Israel. The program begins Monday at 5:30 pm and ends with breakfast on July 6th. We recommend you book a late flight on July 6th or the 1:00 am flight on July 7th so you can relax and enjoy some free time on your last day in Israel.

What are the hotels for this year’s NYL Summer Mission to Israel?
The hotels are the Hilton Tel Aviv, Isrotel Dead Sea, and the Inbal Jerusalem Hotel. When you register for this mission you are automatically booked in a hotel. 

June 28th-July 1st
Hilton Tel Aviv
Independence Park | Tel Aviv, Israel 63405
Phone: 972.3.520.2222 | Fax: 972.3.527.2711

July 1st-2nd
Isrotel Dead Sea
Mobile Post Dead Sea | Ein Bokek, Israel 86980
Phone: 972.8.668.9666 | Fax: 972.8.652.0301

July 2nd-6th
Inbal Jerusalem Hotel
Liberty Bell Park | 3 Jabotinsky Street | Jerusalem, Israel 92145
Phone: 972.2.675.6666 | Fax: 972.2.675.6777 | Email: hotel@inbalhotel.com

How can I find out about programming scheduled for the NYL Summer Mission to Israel?
Click here to see the most up-to-date program highlights for the NYL Summer Mission to Israel. Many aspects of the program are not yet finalized, so please check back periodically to check for programming updates.


Registration

How do I register?
Click here to register.

Please check the registration website and FAQ page regularly to read updates about availability, the mission program and more details.

What are the registration fees for the NYL Summer Mission to Israel?
Pricing for the mission, exclusive of airfare**, is as follows. The mission registration fee is $2,550 for the first 200 participants, which includes a $350 national subsidy. This cost is per person for double occupancy. If you would prefer your own room, there is an additional $950 single-supplement fee. The mission registration fee will cover all program costs, buses, transfers, most meals, etc. This does NOT include airfare. 

Please contact your local Jewish federation for more information about local subsidies.

**For information about flights please contact Gil Travel directly at 212.284.6668. Please mention the NYL Summer Mission to Israel to get the best flight dates and times.  

**When you register for this mission you are NOT automatically booked on a flight, please make sure you note on the registration that you require assistance with flights. In addition, if you plan to book your own flights you must note this on the registration site so that we know when to expect your arrival in Israel.

What is the NYL Summer Mission to Israel cancellation policy?
As of April 1st - $500
As of May 3rd - $750
As of June 2nd - $1,000

How do I register for a hotel pre- or post-mission?
The online NYL Summer Mission to Israel reservation form will ask if you require a hotel room before or after the mission. You will be able to enter those dates on the website.

What if I plan to share a room? Do we both have to reserve a room?
If you wish to share a hotel room for the NYL Summer Mission to Israel, you will be asked to name your roommate, and each person should indicate the name of the roommate at the time of registration.**  

**Please note that if one roommate cancels, the remaining person will be charged for a single-person room. The Jewish Federations of North America will not assign roommates. Please contact your local Federation professional for help in finding roommates.

What if I plan to share a room on this mission, but I do not have a roommate at the time I register for this mission?
If you wish to share a hotel room for the NYL Summer Mission to Israel, you should contact your local Jewish Federation Young Leadership professional about assisting to find you a roommate.  The Jewish Federations of North America is not responsible in arranging roommates. 

Will I be charged a deposit when I register for this mission?
Yes; the deposit is required to complete registration and the fee is $500.

How do I book my flight?
Gil Travel is available to handle your air travel needs. Please call their New York office at 212.284.6668 or email Francois Naggar; you may, of course, use any travel agent of your choosing.

How will I get to and from Ben-Gurion Airport?
Airport transfers will be provided for NYL Summer Mission participants for those traveling on the group flights. Otherwise, transfers from and to the airport are available by taxi or shuttle.


Minimum Gift Requirement for the NYL Summer Mission to Israel

Commitment
All participants will be asked to contribute to Jewish social services at home, in Israel and around the world by making a suggested voluntary minimum gift of $500 to the annual campaign of your local Jewish federation. Pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, the amount of payments that may be claimed as a charitable contribution are reduced by the fair market value of benefits deemed to have been received by the contributor. The cost of the mission is the fair market value of the mission, and, as a general rule, is not deductible as a charitable gift. In addition, as a general rule, the value of any subsidy received represents a benefit, which must be subtracted from the amount of payments made by the donor in determining the allowable charitable deduction. The Jewish Federations of North America does not render tax or legal advice; this statement of general principles should be reviewed with your own tax preparer.


Contact the NYL Summer Mission to Israel Staff

I have additional questions about the NYL Summer Mission to Israel. Who should I contact?
For all questions, please contact Dani Weinstein at 212.284.6586, Bobby Nooromid at 212.284.6732, or SummerMission2010@JewishFederations.org.