National Young Leadership Summer Trip to Israel
July 1 - July 10, 2012

Resources

Draft Itinerary (Subject to Change) | Eilat Extension with Optional Tour to Petra | Postcard | 2011 Video | NextGenJews Facebook Page | @NextGenJews Twitter | Suggested Packing List | Suggested Reading List

About the Trip

What is this trip all about?
Join us for an incredible summer experience in Israel that’s way more than skin deep. It’s a trip of a lifetime and a trip with a purpose. Don’t just see Israel through the window of a bus -- experience Israel as you kayak the headwaters of the Jordan River, climb Masada before dawn, and meet with members of the IDF. Plus, get an insider’s look at how Federation, the most effective Jewish community-building organization on the planet, unites and cares for Jews in Israel and around the world. Fall head over heels in love with Israel this summer.

Who attends this trip?
The National Young Leadership Summer Trip to Israel will include hundreds of young professionals, ages 22-45. 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, etc. There is no typical participant – all are unique and welcome!

What are the dates of this year’s NYL Summer Trip to Israel?
The National Young Leadership Summer Trip to Israel will take place from July 1 - July 10, 2012.

Please note: The trip cost is land-only; you are responsible for booking your flights to and from Israel. The program begins Monday late afternoon, July 2nd and ends the evening of Monday, July 9th (you will have a hotel room the night of July 9th). We recommend you book a late flight on July 10th so you can relax and enjoy some free time on your last day in Israel. Keep in mind that there will be no late check out at the Dan Jerusalem on July 10th. 


Registration

Click here to register!

Please check this website regularly to read updates about registration, availability, the trip program and more details.

What are the registration fees for the NYL Summer Trip to Israel?
Pricing for the trip, exclusive of airfare**, is as follows. The trip cost is $2,690. This cost is per person for double occupancy. If you would prefer your own room, there is an additional $880 single-supplement fee (for a total of $3,570). The trip 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 or 212.284.6669. Please mention the NYL Summer Trip to Israel to get the best flight dates and times.

**When you register for this trip 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 Trip to Israel cancellation policy?
Land and Group Air (see group flights below)
*Participants cancelling their participation by March 28th will get a full refund
*Participants cancelling their participation between March 29th – May 20th will be subject to $250.00 penalty
*Participants cancelling their participation between May 21st – June 24th will be subject to $2,000 penalty.
*Participants cancelling after June 24th will not be refunded.

Land Only
*Participants cancelling their participation by May 13th will get a full refund
*Participants cancelling their participation between May 14th - June 1st will be subject to a $500 penalty
*Participants cancelling their participation between June 2nd - June 24th will be subject to a $1000 penalty
*Participants cancelling after June 24th will not be refunded.

What are the hotels for this year’s NYL Summer Trip to Israel?
The hotels are the Hilton Tel Aviv, a Kibbutz Guest House in the North (to be specified soon), Isrotel Dead Sea, and the Dan Jerusalem Hotel. When you register for this trip you are automatically booked in a hotel.

July 2nd-July 3rd
Hilton Tel Aviv
Independence Park | Tel Aviv, Israel 63405
Phone: 972.3.520.2222 | Fax: 972.3.527.2711

July 4th   
Kibbutz Guesthouses in the North (to be specified soon)

July 5th
Isrotel Dead Sea
Mobile Post Dead Sea | Ein Bokek, Israel 86980
Phone: 972.8.668.9666 | Fax: 972.8.652.0301

July 6th-9th (staying over the night of the 9th into the 10th) 
Leonardo Plaza Hotel Jerusalem
47 King George St, 97200 Jerusalem
Phone: 972.2.629.8666 | Fax: 972.2.623.1667

How do I register for a hotel pre- or post-Trip?
The online NYL Summer Trip to Israel reservation form will ask if you require a hotel room before or after the trip. 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 Trip 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 trip, but I do not have a roommate at the time I register for this trip?
If you wish to share a hotel room for the NYL Summer Trip 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 trip?
Yes; A deposit of $1000.00 will be deducted from your credit card upon registration.

Final payment will be deducted from your credit card on or about May 21st.

How do I book my flight?
If you have any questions following the completion of your Trip registration (which will include a travel question about assistance with flights), please call Gil Travel’s New York office at 212.284.6668 or you can email Marilyn Bardo or Francois Naggar; you may, of course, use any travel agent of your choosing.

Gil Travel has blocked seats on the following group flights at the cost of $1,628.00 (subject to change until ticketed):

Continental #84 Jul. 1   NEWARK-TEL AVIV      Departs 355PM/Arrives 925AM (Jul. 2)
Continental #85 Jul. 10 TEL AVIV – NEWARK   Departs 1125AM/Arrives 435PM


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

Trip Extensions
For those who wish to create pre/post trip extensions, we will provide you with contact information to our Kenes conference agents shortly and they will be able to assist you with this. In addition, Kenes, will be setting up a Petra extension following the Israel trip (note, this is NOT a JFNA sponsored trip, it is planned by Kenes).


Minimum Gift Requirement for the NYL Summer Trip 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 trip is the fair market value of the trip, 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 Trip to Israel Team

I have additional questions about the NYL Summer Trip to Israel. Who should I contact?
For all questions, please contact Lee Levin at 212.284.6707, or Stacy Walter at 818.386.6970, x.226.