Frequently Asked Questions

Thanks to Taglit-Birthright Israel, if you are a Jewish young adult, 18-26, who has never been to Israel on an organized peer-group trip, now is your chance to visit Israel for free!

Hillel's program includes travel to Israel from selected gateway cities, land accommodations at quality guest houses and hotels, most meals, and ten days of programming.

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Why would a total stranger want to finance my trip to Israel?

We're not strangers. Taglit-Birthright Israel - a partnership of philanthropists, Jewish communities and the citizens of Israel - believes in the importance of promoting Jewish peoplehood and Jewish renaissance, and is committed to providing a first, free, peer-group trip to Israel as a birthright of every Jew.

This initiative is a gift from one generation to the next.

What is the program? Will there be free time?

Hillel's program is a packed, fun-filled experience that involves extensive touring of Israel, interactive discussions, recreational activities, and time to hang out with new friends. Take a look at the trip options.

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Who will staff Hillel's program?

Each campus will be responsible for staffing its campus program. Staff will comprise local Hillel professionals, other Jewish community professionals, or university faculty/officials - all of whom will have been specially trained to ensure the highest quality experience in Israel.

Will this be a religious trip?

All Jews, regardless of background, affiliation or practice, are welcome on the program.

Hillel's program will provide opportunities for participants to celebrate Jewish life together, though you will not be required to join in organized religious activities. In order to be as inclusive as possible, kosher food will be served at all tour-sponsored activities and no travel will be required on the Jewish Sabbath.

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Will I have to commit to anything when I get back?

There is no commitment upon return. If you would like to get involved in Jewish life on campus or help recruit others for this great expreience, contact your campus Hillel.

Can I get academic credit for this program?

Credit is not offered on a national basis, though a number of individual Hillels may have arranged optional credit for the program. Contact your local Hillel for more information. You may also be able to arrange credit on an individual basis through your campus Jewish Studies department.

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Will there be time on the program to visit my friends and relatives in Israel?

Participants must participate in all program activities and will not be able to leave the group to visit with friends and family during the trip. If you would like to extend your trip to Israel you may visit with friends and family at that time.

What if I don't speak Hebrew?

Don't worry - most people on the program don't. The majority of Israelis speak English, so you will be able to get by in any situation. Our Israeli tour educators are fluent in Hebrew and English, and accompany the group for almost all of the program.

During the course of the trip, you will have the opportunity to listen to Israeli music, meet with Israelis and learn some hip Israeli slang. By the end, you may even be able to carry on a short conversation in Hebrew.

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Participation and Eligibility

Who is eligible to go on the trip?

The program is open to any Jewish person between the ages of 18-26 who has not already been to Israel on a peer-group trip and who has not lived in Israel past the age of 12.

Who else will be going on these trips?

Young adults from hundreds of campuses and communities from across the United States participate in Hillel's program. You will travel with individuals from your community, and have a great time with old and new friends.

If I apply, am I automatically accepted into the program?

Your online application is the first step in the process, after which you will be contacted by a Hillel professional for a personal interview. The interview will acquaint you with details of the program, and we expect that the majority of individuals will qualify.

Do I have to submit my application online?

Yes, all applications must be submitted online.

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What if I don't have a passport?

All participants must have valid travel documents (passport, Green Card, visa) in order to participate in Hillel's program. The process can take up to 3 months. If you don't have current travel documents, apply NOW! It is your responsibility to have your passport/travel documents by the time of departure.
Information on applying for a passport (US citizens)
Information on applying for travel documents (non-citizens)

What if I have already been to Israel?

Though this initiative is primarily targeted to those who have never been to Israel, you may still be eligible if you have never been on an organized peer-group experience in Israel. Contact your local Hillel professional to discuss your specific circumstances.

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What if I am unable to participate at the last minute, and the deadline for withdrawl has passed?

If you withdraw after the deposit refund deadline for any reason, Taglit-Birthright Israel will not allow us to refund your $250.

What will the $250 deposit be used for?

The $250 deposit is to ensure that your seat is filled on the airplane and that you participate fully in the program. If these conditions are satisfied, your deposit will be returned shortly after your return home.

You may expect your refund about a month after the trip is complete. If you withdraw after the posted deadline, you will lose your deposit.

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Travel and Logistical Arrangements

Before the Trip:

When do we get our actual tickets?

Tickets will be distributed at the airport.

How much luggage can I bring? Is there a limit to the size of my bags?

If you have a flight to your gateway city, you will need to check with your domestic carrier.

Most Airlines will allow you to check two pieces of luggage (maximum of 50 lbs. and 62 inches [L + W + H]) and carry-on one piece of luggage (maximum of 45inches [L + W + H]).

We will be traveling to several hotels around Israel throughout the trip. A good guideline – don’t bring more than you can comfortably carry up one flight of stairs on your own.

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What should I pack?

Please see our winter packing list or our summer packing list.

What if I can't leave on the assigned departure date for my school? Can I go early?

Participants need to leave for the program on their school or trip's assigned departure date. Please keep in mind that you will be required to arrange travel to and from your trip's gateway city.

What is a "gateway city"?

A gateway city is the city with the airport from which your flight to Israel will be departing. You will be responsible for the cost and arrangement of your transportation to this city.

Can I extend my stay in Israel?

All Taglit-Birthright Israel participants leaving on US departures have the option of extending their ticket to remain in Israel beyond the program (This is the case except in rare situations. In such cases, your organizer will notify you in advance of ticketing that extensions won't be possible).

The specific rules for extending your return date will depend on the airline you fly with. Since we use multiple airlines, once your flight has been ticketed we will notify you of the restrictions for trip extension for that airline.

Also, understand that our tickets are a certain class of seating. Your airline may not have available seating on the date you wish to return. In this case you will either have to settle for a different date and flight or, if offered by the airline, choose to pay a higher fee for a different class of service.

We encourage you to take advantage of being in Israel and to extend your stay after the program. We are happy to assist you with this.

Please know that once the Taglit-Birthright Israel program has concluded that you will no longer be under our supervision or responsibility of Taglit-Birthright Israel.

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During the Trip:

How do I call home?

Cell phones can be rented in Israel. Make sure to register using a bus number, so that the phone can be given to you upon arrival in Israel. Bus numbers will be available in Part 2 of the online student application with your flight information.

Are there any expenses while on the trip that I am responsible for?

The only costs to participants are a handful of meals and tips for the Israeli staff members. We recommend $60 for tips and another $75 to $100 for meals and snacks. Participants may wish to bring additional spending money.

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What if I get sick in Israel? Do I need my own health insurance?

Every participant in Hillel's program is required to have insurance coverage that will be valid during the dates of travel. You should contact your local insurance carrier for their coverage and reimbursement policies.

Hillel is committed to the physical and emotional well being of all of the participants. To achieve that goal, Hillel will provide emergency medical coverage while you are in Israel. This insurance covers emergency conditions on the ground, but will NOT cover any pre-existing medical condition, alcohol related injuries, follow-up treatment or expenses after return to the United States. Any additional costs will be the responsibility of the participant.

As part of Hillel's medical coverage, the following levels of treatment are available in the event of illness or injury:

Basic first aid is administered by a medic accompanying the group, such as dispensing bandaids, medicine for headaches, etc., much like a camp nurse.
Should the medic and group staff decide that a doctor needs to be consulted, the participant will be seen during pre-arranged doctor's hours. These doctors maintain a supply of common medications and, when necessary, prescribe additional medication. They will also refer participants to specialists, when necessary.
Should urgent medical care be required, participants will immediately be taken to an authorized clinic or to an emergency room.

Participants will be accompanied by a staff member on any visits to doctors, clinics or hospitals.

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What security measures are in place?

The safety and security of participants is our primary concern. A security orientation for issues specific to travel in Israel will be given to all participants upon arrival.

While in Israel our itineraries are reviewed by Heder Matzav (the situation room), and if there is any concern our itineraries will be changed immediately. This is the same office that reviews field trip itineraries for school children. In order to communicate with our staff, each group’s tour educator has a GPS phone, and each staff member has a cell phone. Should any participant become separated from the group, they have an emergency contact card to reach their staff. Each group has a security guard with them at all times. Our tour busses are locked at all times when participants, staff or the driver is not present and every hotel that the group visits has security at all entrances. Participants are not permitted to leave the group at any time, and “free time” is confined to certain specific areas with designated times and a group meeting place.

What if I am unable to go at the last minute?

It is your responsibility to notify Hillel as soon as you are aware that you are unable to attend.

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What happens in case of emergency?

Participants will be provided in advance with contact information for their local Hillel and the hotels in which they will be staying on the program.
Each campus has assigned a local emergency contact while participants are on the trip. Please call your campus Hillel to reach the local emergency contact.

What will accommodations and meals be like on the program?

Accommodations will be triple-occupancy in 3-4 star hotels, hostels and guest houses around the country. Towel and linen service will be provided. We will try to accommodate roommate requests upon acceptance to the program.

Most meals on the program will be included and will range from buffet breakfasts to falafel to boxed lunches to sit-down dinners. Participants should plan on paying for 5-7 of their own meals.

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Contact for More Information

Who can I contact for more information about Hillel's program?

Contact your local Hillel for more information about the program. (See Hillel's Guide to Jewish Life on Campus for contact information)

If you require additional information, contact us at Israel@hillel.org.

For more information about other Israel programs, please visit the Taglit-Birthright Israel Web site.