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About Israel

On this page you will find some general information about Israel and some specific information about our Taglit-Birthright Israel trips.

2Fast Facts
Full Name: State of Israel
Capital City: Jerusalem
Area: 20,770 sq km, 8,019 sq miles
Population: 7,428,000
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +2
Languages: Hebrew (official), Arabic (other), English (other)
Religion: Jewish, Muslim, Christian
People: Jews (76%), Muslims (16.1%), Christians (3.4%) and Druze
Currency: New Israeli Shekel ( ₪ NIS)
Electricity: 230V 50HzHz
Electric Plug: European plug with two circular metal pins
click on map to enlarge
Click here to view a really neat interactive map.

Time Difference
The time anywhere in Israel is 7 hours ahead of Eastern Time. If it is noon in New York, it is 7 PM (the same day) in Jerusalem.

Vaccinations & Health
There is no need for vaccinations or immunizations against diseases prior to visiting Israel beyond the vaccinations North Americans routinely get against childhood diseases. The health system in Israel is at least comparable in quality to that in North America or Western Europe. The water in Israel is perfectly safe to drink although many North Americans think that it tastes different than the one back home. Mineral water is relatively inexpensive and has less of a "taste" than tap water. Hint: if you’re going to buy mineral water, do so in large bottles, which cost about the same as small ones.
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Electricity
Israel works on 220v, America works on 110v. In order to use devices you need both converters and adapters. Adapters adapt the plug to fit into the Israeli socket. (Israel plugs have 2 round pins while American plugs have 2 flat plugs.) Converters convert the electricity. Most modern electronic devices (cameras, laptops…) have a built in converter so you will only need the adapter. Most hotels have special plugs for hairdryers and shavers.

Alcohol & Illegal Drugs
Consumption of alcohol is permitted but, as in many things, moderation is the rule. If alcohol begins to affect a participant's ability to participate in the program or causes some uncomfortable situations within the group, then it's gone too far. We've always trusted our participants' good judgment in this matter and, so far, we haven't had any unpleasant experiences – another advantage of traveling with older, more mature participants! As for illegal drugs, there are severe laws in Israel against their use and possession. If you are caught using or possessing illegal drugs, apart from being removed from the group immediately, you will have to deal with the Israeli police authorities. Please trust us when we tell you that the inside of an Israeli prison cell is one "Israel experience" you most definitely want to avoid!

Cameras & Filmabout
Israel is full of great places for picture-taking so don't hesitate to bring along a picture and/or video camera. Make sure to have some spare batteries, especially the small coin-shaped electronic ones which tend to be hard to find and sometimes pricey.
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Kashrut (Kosher Food)
All meals provided by the program, including the ones aboard the flights to and from Israel, are kosher under rabbinical supervision. What you decide to eat on your own free time is your business alone.

Language
All our programs are conducted in English. While exploring on your own during free time, you'll discover that many Israelis speak English quite well. If you speak any Russian or Arabic, or especially Hebrew, you'll widen the circle of people with whom you'll be able to communicate even more. When all else fails, improvised hand signs usually do the trick.

Medication
If you are taking prescription medication, bring enough for your stay in Israel as well as some extra medication in case you misplace it. Please make sure that we are fully aware of ALL prescription medicines you are taking.
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Money & Tips
How much you bring depends on your spending habits. Don't forget that you'll be expected to cover the expense of tips for the guide and driver (approx $60). Food in Israel is slightly more expensive than in North America, with a hamburger, fries and drink setting you back about US$8 in a McDonald's type of fast food establishment. Of course, prices increase as the level of what you want to eat does. Taglit-Birthright Israel provides you with 2 solid meals a day but you will need to provide for the third one (usually lunch).
Beyond that, your return airfare to Israel, accommodations, transportation within Israel, entrances to all sites, and the services of a guide and staff are all covered by the Taglit-Birthright Israel gift.

An ATM card which works overseas is the ideal way to bring money. Cash and travelers' checks are both readily exchanged for shekels at all Israeli banks. If you bring travelers' checks, you will want to bring large bills (avoid $10 and $20 checks) because a commission will be charged per check. Another reason we recommend ATM cards is that travelers’ checks and cash require arriving at a bank during their limited business hours, and then having the time to wait in line. You cannot count on either!

ATMs are prevalent throughout Israel and they are linked with the principal North American systems. Major credit cards (American Express, Diners' Club, Visa and MasterCard) are widely accepted throughout Israel. Holders of Visa or MasterCard credit cards may withdraw funds at the foreign currency counters of affiliated banks or at certain ATMs. Please ensure that you have a 4-digit PIN for use in Israel; contact your bank if you do not.

Musical Instruments
If you're musically inclined and willing to bring your musical instrument to Israel (with all of the risks involved in flying with it), by all means, feel free to do so. Guitars come in very handy around bonfires or on a beach.
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Packing
You're only going for 10 days and you'd probably like to come back from Israel with more than memories of lugging around a heavy duffel bag or suitcase, so keep it light. We recommend that you bring no more than one piece of checked luggage (if you have two, you've over packed) as well as a small backpack for the flight and day trips in Israel. A change of clothes and some essentials in your hand luggage is a good idea in case your main luggage gets misplaced for a day or two.

aboutIt is unlikely you'll have time to wash and dry clothes or send them off to a laundry during the 10-day program, so try to bring enough for your entire stay. The weather in Israel varies (see Weather below). Layers are best so you can add them or remove them as needed. There are some nature hikes and other activities such as an archaeological dig, so be sure to bring clothes that you can get dirty or even possibly damage. Evenings are much cooler so you will want warm clothes, maybe some gloves, a hat and a scarf. Bring a bathing suit or two as there will also be opportunities to hit the water.

The program includes quite a bit of walking so comfortable footwear is important. Running shoes with plenty of pairs of cotton socks works well for most people. You may want to make sure they're the type that dry fast and well because the occasional nature hike may take you places where your feet may get wet.  Note that flip-flops are NOT suitable walking shoes; they’re fine for around the hotel, but not for climbing Masada!

We will be visiting some religious sites (the Western or Wailing Wall is an example) so bring a set of "modest" clothes. For women, this means any top that covers the shoulders and tummy, and a skirt that covers the knees (a light wraparound skirt which can be put on and removed at a moment's notice is a very practical way to deal with this). For the guys, a pair of pants and anything more conservative than a tank top does the trick. Groups normally like to "dress up" somewhat for Shabbat programming and in Israel that means very casual and clean, nothing more formal than that. Guys don't forget to pack a kippah, aka  a yarmulke.

A day pack (usually a small backpack) is virtually a necessity. You will need it to carry a camera, sunscreen, money and a variety of other things. It will also be useful to carry around a water bottle. In the heat, replenishing fluids is crucial and you will be drinking water by the bottleful (not the small bottles but the liter and a half large ones) so you will want to have a practical way of carrying it around with you.

You can also view our ]]>suggested packing list]]>.
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Shabbat
Shabbat programming is planned and there is "public observance of Shabbat". This means that nothing in the program will oblige or encourage participants to violate the rules of Shabbat. What you do during non-programmed Shabbat time is your business but we would ask that you be mindful and considerate of the various levels of religious practice of individual participants.

Staff
IsraelExperts takes pride in using only Ministry of Tourism-accredited tour guides and North American group leaders with extensive Israel experience and knowledge. The staff is there to help you make the most of your experience in Israel. Feel free to pick their brains, to ask them questions, and to discuss your experience with them. The insight that you will gain from their knowledge and that the group will gain from your take on this unique experience will only make the program that much more meaningful. Beyond the educational side of the experience, feel free to raise any issue with them or with any of the support staff during the course of the trip. The sooner we know about an issue, the quicker and better we can deal with it.

Staying in Touch
Your parents and friends will likely want to stay in touch with you, as you no doubt will want to do with them. We will provide you with information about cell phone rentals which we recommend as the easiest method of staying in touch with folks.

Do not commit yourselves to precise calling schedules. One missed call and everyone back home thinks something's wrong! Rather, tell them you’ll call them when you have the opportunity and time to do so. Remind them, too, that you’ll be incredibly busy – having serious fun.

We will provide you with the phone number of the IsraelExperts office in Israel. Messages on that number will be responded to within 24 hours, usually much sooner. Please ask your parents and friends to use this number only for matters requiring immediate attention. Any less urgent matters should be handled by having you call home. We will also be giving an e-mail address where your family and friends can write; these messages will be delivered. Remind the folks back home that you won’t have your computer with you, so while you can get email messages, you won’t be able to answer them in the same way.
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Internet Access
While Israel is a leader in internet technology and with over 60% of the households with some form of internet access, they lag behind providing internet assess in hotels. This is due in part to the tourist industry which has been hurt by fluctuating currency exchange rates. So - internet access is limited. At best there are a few hotels that will have 1 or 2 stations. There are a few places in Jerusalem where wireless is available, but again it is random and scarce at best. Still, we strongly  recommend that you NOT bring a laptop along as it is something extra to carry, and keeping it safe during the day will be your own responsibility at all times. Imagine shlepping it up Masada; that will be your only choice should you insist upon bringing one! Explain to your family and friends that you’ll be incredibly busy – having serious fun. You’ll have lots to tell them once you get back to the U.S.

Valuables
Apart from essentials like cameras, leave valuables at home or you'll spend 10 days constantly checking to make sure that you still have them. If you absolutely must bring a valuable item along, don't send it in your checked luggage; take it on the plane with you.
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Free Time
The program is intense and only 10 days long. Typically, free time will consist of a couple of hours in a limited area or in the hotel. This is not only because of the intensity of the program, but also due to safety & security considerations. Instead of planning to go off with family or friends, suggest that they come and visit with you when there is free time. If you need free time to visit family and friends, you should definitely consider extending your stay in Israel.

Dietary Requirements
For those of you who have informed us of dietary restrictions, they will be passed on to the airline as well as to the hotels so that arrangements can be made to accommodate your particular needs. We can NOT guarantee that the airline will comply with our requests, so it is best to bring something to eat with you.

Itinerary
Whilst the itinerary is subject to change, the itinerary which will be sent to you by email a couple of weeks before departure will be a good reflection of your trip. Please print a copy and bring it with you. You may also want to pass this on to family members.

Ok, that's it for now - so print anything you need to bring with you and/or give to family. Should there be any last minute changes we will notify you directly to your email - so please ensure that you check the e-mail address you gave us until the day of departure!

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