National Young Leadership Summer Trip to Israel
June 24 - July 2, 2013

Resources

Postcard | Draft Itinerary | 2012 Wrap-Up Video | Video from TribeFest 2012 | Facebook Event Page | NextGenJews Facebook Page | @NextGenJews Twitter | #NYLTrip | Suggested Packing List | Suggested Reading List | Email Template | Petra Extension
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. 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.

Who attends this trip? The National Young Leadership Summer Trip to Israel will include hundreds of young professionals, ages 22 to 45. We expect a 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 trip? The trip will take place from June 24 to July 2, 2013. We will be meeting the group buses at Ben Gurion International Airport at 2pm on June 24 and will drive to Haifa together. If you are booking your own flight, please be sure that it lands in Israel by 1pm on June 24 so that you can meet the rest of the group for the drive to Haifa. The closing dinner will take place on July 1 in Tel Aviv and you will have your hotel room through that evening. We encourage all participants who book their own flights to not leave on the evening of July 1 so you don't miss the closing dinner and last evening together.

REGISTRATION AND FEES

What are the registration fees for the trip? The cost of a double room is $2799 and the cost of a single room is $3849. The trip registration fee covers all program costs, buses, transfers, most meals, etc. This does not include airfare. Most Federations require a minimum gift.

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

*For information about flights, please contact Gil Travel at (212) 284-6668. Don't forget to mention the National Young Leadership 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. 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. If you book your flights after you register, please email your flight itinerary to Jason Leibowitz.

What is the cancellation policy? 

Land and Group Air (see group flights below)

• Participants cancelling by March 21 will get a full refund.
• Participants cancelling between March 22 and May 13 will be subject to a $250 penalty.
• Participants cancelling between May 14 and June 17 will be subject to a $2000 penalty.
• Participants cancelling after June 17 will not be refunded.

Land Only

• Participants cancelling by May 7 will get a full refund.
• Participants cancelling between May 8 and May 24 will be subject to a $500 penalty.
• Participants cancelling between May 25 and June 17 will be subject to a $1000 penalty.
• Participants cancelling after June 17 will not be refunded.

HOTELS AND ROOMMATES

What are the hotels for this trip? We will be staying at the Dan Carmel in Haifa, the Inbal in Jerusalem, and the Hilton in Tel Aviv. When you register for this trip you are automatically booked in a hotel.

June 24 - June 25
Dan Carmel Haifa
85-87 Hanassi Avenue, Haifa 34642
Phone: 972.4.830.3030 

June 26 - June 29  
Inbal Hotel Jerusalem
Liberty Bell Park, 3 Jabotinsky Street, Jerusalem, 92145
Phone: 972.2.675.6666

June 30 - July 2
Hilton Tel Aviv
Independence Park, Tel Aviv, 63405
Phone: 972.3.520.2222

Can I register for a hotel room pre- or post-trip? If you want us to book you a hotel in Israel either prior to or after the trip, please contact Roslyn Herscovitz at Kenes Tours. We have arranged for a special group rate at our 'unofficial' pre-trip hotel, the Hilton in Tel Aviv. We will provide a shuttle from this hotel to meet the rest of the group on June 24.

Roslyn Herscovitz, Kenes Tours
Tel:+972 3 9727583
Mobile: +972 54 6787883
Email: rherscovitz@kenes.com

Can I share a room? If you wish to share a hotel room, you will be asked to name your roommate when registering (each person should indicate the name of the roommate). Please note that if one roommate cancels, the other 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? If you wish to share a hotel room for the trip, you should contact your local Federation professional about finding a roommate. The Jewish Federations of North America is not responsible for arranging roommates. 

SECURITY ON THE ISRAEL TRIP

The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) is dedicated to giving you an Israel experience that is exciting, meaningful and memorable with an optimum degree of comfort and security.

• Itineraries are reviewed before each mission's arrival by the JFNA Director of Security and a Security Consultant in Israel. A recommendation is made as to the level of security and where a guard is necessary to accompany the trip, and forwarded to the company that supplies us with top-grade experienced guards.
• In addition, the trip itinerary is also registered with the "Tourism Authority," who also monitor in real-time what is happening on the roads and areas that are being visited.
• The JFNA Security Consultant, guards and the Tourism Authority are well connected at all times with the Police and other sources so that missions may be redirected, if necessary, at any given moment according to the information recieved.
• Buses are checked each morning before boarding and are rechecked throughout the day.

Rest assured, your peace of mind is paramount in our minds. We want you to relax and enjoy your time in Israel, concerning yourself only with how much fun you are having.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Will I be charged a deposit when I register for this trip? Yes. If you choose to pay "in two installments," a deposit of $1000 will be deducted from your credit card upon registration. Final payment, minus subsidies, will be deducted from your credit card on or about May 21. If you choose the "payment plan" option, a deposit of $500 will be deducted from your credit card upon registration. Each month a prorated rate, minus subsidies, will be deducted until on or about May 21.

How much cash should we have on hand when we arrive and are there places to change money that are convenient to where we will be going? The shekel (NIS - New Israeli Shekel) is Israel's legal tender; you can change money at the airport. Many stores and hotels will gladly accept your dollars, and may give you a discount when you pay in dollars. Bring a lot of small bills. In Israel, singles and fives are easy to change. Credit cards are widely accepted. Your bank ATM card is also accepted at many Israeli bank ATMs. You do not need to change a lot of money into shekels. American money is accepted almost everywhere. Don’t forget to call your credit card companies to tell them you are travelling to Israel and your ATM pin must be 4 digits. Right now, 1 US dollar = 3.73 NIS.

How do I book my flight? You have several options. You can call JFNA's Travel Agent, Gil Travel, at (212) 284-6668 or you can email Marilyn Bardo or Francois Naggar. You can also use a travel agent of your choosing. Gil Travel has blocked seats on the following group flights at the cost of $1799 (subject to change until ticketed):

EL AL LY#002 23JUN JFK-TLV 0700PM/1225PM
EL AL LY#001 03JUL TLV-JFK 0100AM/0540AM


How will I get to and from Ben Gurion International Airport? On June 24 all buses will be waiting for participants at Ben Gurion International Airport. Buses will leave for Haifa at 2pm. Please make sure your flight lands by 1pm so you have enough time to collect your luggage and meet the buses. We will have a representative waiting for people who arrive after Passport Control.

On July 2 airport transfers will be provided for participants traveling on the group flight that leaves at 1am on July 3. Otherwise, transfers to the airport are available by taxi or shuttle.

How do I get a phone that works in Israel? We have a partnership with IsraelPhones to provide discounted mobile phones, smart phones and SIM cards to NYL Summer Trip participants. More information about this will be emailed to all registered participants in April. For any questions until then please contact Jason Leibowitz.

Can I extend my trip? For those who wish to create pre/post trip extensions, please contact our Kenes representative Roslyn Herscovitz. She will be able to assist you with this. We are also offering an optional post-trip extension to Petra through our mission provider, Kenes. Click here for more information and to register for the Petra extension.

Minimum Gift Requirement

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

For all questions regarding this trip, please contact Jason Leibowitz at (212) 284-6768.