http://www.scholarshipstoisrael.com/

Meet with students from Arava College

on Friday January 11 we will meet whit stdudents from Arava
The Arava Institute is the premier environmentalteaching and research program in the Middle East,preparing future Arab and Jewish leaders to cooperatively solve the region's environmental challenges.
for more:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2007/12/09/church.intv.hawa.arava.cnn

few days ago at CNN

Arkia departures in Boston

Location is Terminal E, counters 60-65.
They will have a sign “Arkia”
Gil Travel will have a representative at the terminal.
Handling agent is Swissport.
Check in required at least 4 hours before departure
The baggage restrictions are-
Economy Class All destinations- N.America
Up to 2 pieces, weighing up to 23 kg/piece (50.6 pound)
2 checked bags (pieces); provided that the sum of the 3 dimensions shall not exceed 62 inches (158 cm.) for one of the bags (piece), and provided further that the overall dimensions of the 2 pieces shall not exceed 107 inches (273 cm.)

BOSTON FLIGHT DEPARTURE TIME

we will depart Boston, Terminal E at 1pm and arrive in Israel at 8:05am. This is two hours later than the 11am originally schedule departure. All participants should arrive at Logan International Airport no later than 9am.

Packing List

Packing List

Your suitcase:

• Easily identifiable (luggage tags, colorful, etc.)

• Weighs no more than 50 pounds

• ID on inside and outside

• Suitcase, preferably not a travel backpack (for stacking under the bus)

• Checked at El Al (do NOT check through to Israel on your flight to NY)

• Contains your toiletries (do NOT try to take them on the plane)

• Wheels recommended

• Something you can comfortably carry up one flight of stairs by yourself

Your carry-on:

• 22x24x9 inches in dimensions (backpack works best)

• For stuff you’ll need during the day: camera, sweatshirt, iPod, etc.

• Copy of your passport (signed)

• Always a clean t-shirt, underwear, pair of socks, windbreaker/poncho

• Prescription medications, glasses

• Passport

• Any electronics (iPods, cameras, phones, etc), including chargers and cords. Valuables, including cash, should never be put into checked luggage.

General tips:

• It can be rainy, snowy and as cold as 40°F in Israel during the winter

• This may be the only time in your life you’re not judged by your clothes (pack lightly but warmly!)

• Women: Avoid carrying a purse. Carry a wallet in your front pocket or deep at the bottom of your backpack.

• TSA security rules apply to international flights. That means that liquids in containers larger than 3 ounces that are not in a quart-size zip top bag (one per passenger) are not allowed.

Do NOT bring:

• Do not bring fancy stuff or anything you would care about losing

• Laptop computers (there is no wireless internet access in your hotel)

• Drugs, alcohol, anything else illegal

General clothing

4 jeans (for hiking, for going out at night)
2 sweatshirts/ Sweaters
3 long sleeve shirts
4 short sleeve shirts
1 shorts
1 bathing suit
2 button-down shirts/long skirts (for Shabbat; knee covering required at Wall)
1 nice pair pants

1 beach towel (for swimming outside of hotels)
2 plastic bags for wet clothes (more important than you would expect!)

Undergarments (bring at least 3 extra pairs)
Socks (at least one pair a day)
Light jacket/poncho/raincoat
Hiking boots (or sturdy sneakers)
Sneakers or walking shoes (traction for walking on wet stone; with straps or laces)
Pajamas

Gloves

Flip-flops or water shoes for Dead Sea only (not good to walk around in, especially in Jerusalem; plus, it’s cold!!!)

Extras

Hat/Baseball cap

Travel alarm (but we will also be waking you up each day)
Flashlight (mini-sized, for bus)
Camera/film (bring extra film, much more expensive in Israel)
Kippah/yarmulke and a talit/prayer shawl (not required, you may want to bring them)

Journal

Nalgene bottle

Airplane backpack

Passport
Calling card
Change of clothes
Deodorant
Camera
Walkman/iPod
Toothpaste/toothbrush
Magazine, books, etc.
Snacks

Electricity converter

Shabbat Attire
We recommend modest dress for religious sites - shirts with at least short sleeves for both men and women, a skirt covering the knees for women (a jacket and tie are not necessary). Please be sure your Shabbat clothes are warm.

Out on the town/daily clothing
You can wear exactly what you'd wear here, like a t-shirt/sweatshirt, jeans, and good shoes. Comfortable walking shoes are essential. FYI - the streets are paved with stone...it's challenging to wear shoes with awkward heels/soles on uneven pavement.

Toiletries
In Israel, most of the same products they sell in America are available, although they are at a substantially higher cost.

Shampoo/conditioner
Soap
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Deodorant
Lip balm
Razor
Band-aids
Tampons/pads
Sunscreen
Tylenol/Ibuprofen
Eyeglasses/contact lenses
Anti-bacterial hand lotion/Wet-Naps (really helpful)
Prescription medicine

Other
A few more suggestions that will make your trip to Israel more comfortable:

Batteries
Walkman
Journal
Tissue Packs
Sunglasses
Photocopy of your passport
Gum/candy

Tips from previous participants

“I would take some extra food from breakfast to nosh on during the day. Ziploc bags would have been helpful to keep everything contained! Also, being out in the desert at night with almost 400 other people can get noisy. If you want to sleep, bring earplugs.” – Valerie Kolko, NC Hillel

“Bring water shoes that rocks can’t get through! My feet were killing me when we body-rafted through the river.” – Jenni Sussell, SUNY Geneseo

“Let’s see...the smartest thing I packed was probably the water shoes. Especially in the Dead Sea, there can sometimes be large buildups of salt that can cut your feet. When I went as a participant a few years ago, it was so bad that people were coming out of the water with awful bloody cuts. People can probably go to like Target and get some aqua sock type things for about $4.

As far as dumbest, I would probably say too many short sleeved shirts. It can get chilly in the winter and along with that – rainy. The best thing for students is to layer – there were days up north when I had on a long sleeved shirt, fleece, down vest, and rain coat and was still a little chilly. When it’s rainy, it chills down to the bone. For females wanting to wear skirts on Shabbat, I would suggest either wearing pants or leggings underneath. Walking around outside is definitely cold, especially if it’s rainy.

Other suggestions...people ALWAYS get sick in the winter because of the lack of sleep and cooler weather. I suggest bringing Airborne and taking it every morning with breakfast (or putting one in a water bottle). I like to remind students to keep their prescriptions in their carry-on just in case. And they should bring drugs like Immodium, Tums, etc. Also, if students want to bring an extra duffel bag to bring back souvenirs, it might be a good idea – since winter clothes definitely take up more room.” – Kyley McClain, Hillel of Rochester

“Advise people not to bring blow dryers. They all blow out the surges even if you have an adapter. Everyone on our trip had theirs broken. We even blew the fuses/lights in our room.” – Rebeccah Ratner, UNC Chapel Hill

“I brought much more underwear than I ever thought I would need. I was the only person on the trip I know who didn't have re-use dirty underwear. Dumbest thing I brought were books. Every time I tried sitting down to read there was something to do or people to meet. I really wish I brought a Nalgene bottle.” – Ross Kaplan, Tulane University

“Smartest things packed: A good camera and generous memory card (I took 250 pics and some people took twice that) and a generous sized water bottle. I wish I had an mp3 player (handy for long bus-rides when everybody else is fast asleep from too much partying).” – David Leeds, Rochester Institute of Technology

“Bring paper and a pen, particularly for the Western Wall, so you can write notes and deposit them in the cracks.” – Rachel Berman, University of Arizona

Cell Phone Rental

For your security and well-being, it is recommended that all travelers participate in the IsraelPhones Cellular Network. This plan enables our group leaders to reach all participants immediately and simultaneously in all circumstances – an advantage that has proven itself countless times with other groups.

The exclusive rates we have arranged with IsraelPhones are:

Prices do not include 15.5% Sales Tax (VAT)

FREE for your scheduled trip	Cell Phone Rental
Included*	Insurance on hardware
Free	Incoming Calls
No Charge	Caller ID
$0.16/min	Calls within the mobile network and landline phones in Israel
$0.32/min	Calls to the USA and calls out of the mobile network in Israel
Free ($20 savings!)	Delivery and pickup at Ben-Gurion Airport (group arrival/departures)

*With insurance, deductible on lost/stolen phones is $100

The phones will be delivered as you board the tour bus at Ben-Gurion airport. There will also be an IsraelPhones representative to collect the phone from you at the group departure. This option saves you the cost and hassle of arranging the receipt and return of your phone - A $20 value for each participant. Should you desire to return your phone after your group departure, there is an airport return location for your service ($7.50 charge). Details regarding extension of your rental past the official group departure date will come with the rental.

To order your phone, please complete the online order form at www.israelphones.com/hilleltaglit.htm. If you have any further questions about cellular phone rentals, please email IsraelPhones at info@israelphones.com or call the IsraelPhones U.S. office at 1-866-8-ISRAEL.

itinerary

החוויה הישראלית - שירותי תיירות חינוכית בע"מ The Israel Experience – Educational Tourism Services Ltd.

משלחות ופרוייקטים Missions & Projects

November 19^th, 2007

Taglit-birthright israel: Hillel trip

Bus 718

January 8-18, 2008

Draft itinerary

Tuesday January 8 – Getting Started

Morning Arrive in Israel; welcome at airport

Drive to Jerusalem

Shehecheyanu ceremony celebrating group's arrival to Israel at Haas promenade offering spectacular panoramic view of new and old Jerusalem

Group program, orientation and light snack at Mul HaHar restaurant

Drive to Old City

Begin tour of the Jewish Quarter including the Herodian Mansions

Afternoon Box lunch in the Jewish Quarter

Visit to the Davidson Visitors center and the Southern Wall Excavations

Check in to hotel; Refresh

Dinner at hotel

Overnight Kedem Towers Hotel, Jerusalem

Wednesday January 9 - Memory and Continuity

Morning Breakfast at hotel

Visit Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum

Afternoon Lunch boxes

Conversation My Relationship with Jewish Memory

Visit Nachlaot neighborhood

Free time on Ben Yehuda Street

Evening Festive Dinner at local restaurant in Jerusalem

Overnight Kedem Towers Hotel, Jerusalem

Thursday January 10 –Experience in the sauth

Morning Breakfast at hotel

Meeting with Abraham Infeld president emeritus of Hillel

Participate in Tsedek project in Jerusalem

Afternoon Lunch box

Continue to national military cemetery on Mt Herzl and Memorial

Drive south

Go on Camel ride and learn about Bedouin culture

Evening Have a Bedouin style dinner

Conversation: Spirituality: Wrestling with G-D

Overnight Kfar Hanokdim Bedouin Tourist Camp

Friday January 11 - Masada

Morning Ascend Massada on foot via Roman ramp

Tour Massada

Descend Masada via Snake Path

Breakfast at Masada Youth Hostel

Swim in the Dead Sea Meet with students from Arava College (tentative)

Afternoon Lunch at ANA Ein-Gedi

Drive to Nachsholim

Check in at hotel; prepare for Shabbat

Evening Festive Shabbat dinner at hotel

Shabbat workshops

Oneg Shabbat

Overnight Nachsholim Hotel

Saturday January 12 – Shabbat

Morning Optional Morning prayer

Breakfast at hotel

Afternoon Lunch at hotel

Guest speaker providing update on current events in Israel David Mendelson

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Ceremony

Havdalah

Evening Drive to Zichron Ya'akov

Dinner on own on pedestrian promenade

Overnight Nachsholim Hotel

Sunday January 13 – Along the Coast - Mifgash begins

Morning Breakfast; check out of hotel

Drive to Zichron Ya'akov were 100 Jewish pioneers from Romania, members of the Hovevei Zion movement, purchased a strip of land in what was known as Zammarin.

Visit the first Alia museum

Lunch on own at Zichron Ya'akov

Drive to Atlit detainee camp that was used by the British authorities to detain Jewish illegal immigrants to Mandatory Palestine.

Afternoon Drive to Caesarea Visit the ancient port of Caesarea including new audio-visual presentation

Drive to Shfayim

Dinner at hotel

Conversation: Special and Normal

Overnight Kibbutz Shfayim Hotel

Monday January 14 – Tel Aviv

Morning Breakfast

Drive to Tel Aviv

Cultural event- Cameri theater

Afternoon Lunch box

Visit Independence Hall, where David Ben Gurion declared the establishment of the state of Israel

Visit Rabin Square where Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin was assassinated by a Jewish fanatic on November 4, 1995

Guided tour of Jaffa

Evening free time and dinner on own in Tel Aviv/ Jaffa

Overnight Kibbutz Shfayim Hotel

Tuesday January 15 –Haifa and minoritys on Carmel

Morning Breakfast; check out of hotel

Drive to Haifa

Overview from the Bahai Gardens

Drive to the Druze village of Usifiyya

hospitality and short Program on Druze community in Israel today

Afternoon Druze-style lunch

Drive to Arbel overview of Galilee

Drive to kibbutz guest house

Evening Dinner at guest house

Conversation: How I relate to Israel – How Israel relates to me

Overnight Kibbutz Ein Gev Guest House

Wednesday January 16 – The Galilee

Morning Breakfast; check out of hotel

Drive to Safed, center of Kabbala; explore the winding streets and picturesque alleys of historic sites and synagogues

Visit local art gallery in Safed; meet with artist who explains Kabbala through his art

Afternoon Lunch on own in Safed

Biking and guided tour at the Agmon ha Hula the site of the most important bird watching in the world. Which birds you see depends on the season.

Visit Teva Naot – Factory shop Kibbutz Naot Mordechai.

Evening Drive to Hamat Gader Hot Springs

BBQ dinner at Hamat Gader

Overnight Kibbutz Ein Gev Guest House

Thursday January 17 – The Golan Heights – Mifgash ends

Morning Breakfast at hotel and check out of hotel

Drive to Mitzpe Ofir, a particularly restful site, offers an impressive view of the Kineret and the Galilee.

Drive up to the Golan Heights

Drive to Mt. Bental overlooking site of decisive tank battle during '73 War

Afternoon Lunch on own en route

Visit Ramat Hagolan winery – Or meet with partnership 2000 in Afula?

Final discussion summarizing trip

Evening Festive farewell dinner at local restaurant in Afula

Drive to air port

Hotel, Kedem Towers Jerusalem Tel: 972-2-6558888 Fax: 972-2-6525521

Bedouin tent Tel: 972-8-9950097 Fax: 972-8-9957326

Hotel Nachsholim Tel: 972-4-6399533 Fax: 972-4-6397614

Hotel Shfayim Tel: 972-9-9595595 Fax: 972-9-9595555

Ein Gev Guest house Tel: 972-4-6659800 Fax: 972-4-6659818

קרית מוריה, רח' העסקן 3 , ת.ד. 92, ירושלים 91000

Kiryat Moriah, 3 Haaskan St., P.O.B. 92, Jerusalem

טלפון 02-6216474Tel , פקס 02-6216588 Fax

Email: nimrods@ jazo.org.il

IsraelPhones

Dear Taglit-Birthright Hillel Participants,

We are pleased to enclose information about the exclusive cellular phone arrangements from IsraelPhones for our upcoming birthright trips to Israel. Hillel has worked with the Israel and U.S. based cellular rental company IsraelPhones for many years. IsraelPhones has always provided Hillel travelers with excellent service throughout the country and preferred rates for all of our participants.

IsraelPhones offers excellent service, economical rates and features including:

• Repairs and Replacements With Door-to-Door Service: No need to visit a service center

• Local Customer Service: IsraelPhones provides you with toll-free local customer service numbers in the U.S. and Israel

• Free Delivery: We will deliver the rentals to your group upon arrival at Ben-Gurion airport, and collected from the participants when they depart as a group from Israel – at no extra charge (for 10 or more orders only)

The exclusive rates we have arranged with IsraelPhones are:

Prices Do Not Include 15.5% Sales Tax (VAT)

Free for Hillel trip dates	Cell phone rental/SIM card rental – For orders placed online 5 days in advance*
Included	Insurance on hardware ($100 deductible for lost/stolen phones)
Free	Incoming Calls
No Charge	Caller ID
$0.19/min	Calls within the mobile network and to landlines in Israel
$0.38/min	Calls to the USA/Canada and outside the mobile network in Israel
Free ($20 savings!)	Delivery and pickup at Ben-Gurion Airport (group arrival/departures)

* Orders placed less than 5 days in advance of your scheduled group trip, and also all travelers extending their rental beyond the scheduled program dates, will be charged a $1 per day rental fee.

The phones will be delivered as you board the tour bus at Ben-Gurion airport. There will also be an IsraelPhones representative to collect the phone from you at the group departure. This option saves you the cost and hassle of arranging the receipt and return of your phone - A $20 value for each participant. Should you desire to return your phone after your group departure, there is an airport return location for your service ($7.50 charge). Details regarding extension of your rental past the official group departure date will come with the rental.

To order your phone, please complete the online order form at www.israelphones.com/hilleltaglit.htm. To receive your assigned number 1-4 business days in advance of your trip, log on to www.israelphones.com, select "my number" and insert your confirmation number. If you have any further questions about cellular phone rentals, please email IsraelPhones at info@israelphones.com or call the IsraelPhones U.S. office at 1-866-8ISRAEL.

documentary movie

1

Dear Taglit - birthright Participant,

During December, 2007 we will begin production of a unique, hour-long documentary movie dealing with the problems and challenges facing the Jewish Diaspora and the role of Birthright in addressing them. The finished movie will be broadcast on Israel’s leading commercial television station – Channel 2.

At this time, we are searching for Taglit-birthright participants willing to allow us to document their experiences, sharing their thoughts and feelings with the camera as they prepare for the journey to Israel and, of course, during the journey, itself. We believe that taking part in the movie will add another, unique layer of enjoyment to your Birthright experience.

If you think that you have something to say about your Jewish experience and would like to talk about your feelings as you travel through Israel, we would like to hear your voice. If you’re not camera-shy and think that sharing your impressions with the movie’s viewers might be important, thought provoking, inspiring – and even fun -- then you’re the kind of person we’re looking for. Whether you classify yourself as a “believer” or a cynic, we want to know what’s on your mind.

If you’re selected to participate in the movie, we will come to your home community before you leave for Israel, documenting your story together with your family and friends – and learning about your Jewish orientation. Afterwards, we will join you during your journey through Israel in order to witness and share your experiences.

If you’re interested in taking part in this important project, please fill in the accompanying questionnaire, answering as many of the questions as you can in as much detail as you desire. Then attach a photograph of yourself and return the photograph and questionnaire to me at taglitbi@gmail.com.

Here’s hoping that this idea sparks your curiosity and that you decide you’d like to take part in our project.

With thanks,

Liat Salomon

T.H. Productions Ltc.

Tel Aviv, Israel

Questionnaire for Taglit-birthright Documentary Film Candidates

We want to know what’s on your mind, so please give time and thought to your answers. Please answer the questions in as much detail as possible and feel free to add any comments you think appropriate. Remember: we’re looking for all kinds of people – of both sexes and of all backgrounds – so please don’t give the answers you think we want to hear. The more you can reveal here about your personal beliefs and outlook, the better an opportunity we will have to get to know you. Thanks in advance.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO ATTACH A CLEAR PHOTOGRAPH AND RETURN THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRE TO:

Nira Tal at T.H. Productions Ltd

taglitbi@gmail.com

Personal Information

First Name, Last Name ________________________________

Date of arrival to Israel _____________________________

Trip organizer ________________________

Age________________________

Sex________________________

Home Address________________________________________

Current mailing address________________________________

Home Phone Number with Area Code_____________________

Cell Phone Number____________________________________

Work Phone Number (if applicable)_______________________

Email address________________________________________

Web site or blog address:_______________________________

Do you have an internet camera?_________________________

A General Introduction to You

Please write a few sentences about yourself, your student or professional status, educational history, hobbies, favorite activities, or just a special story about yourself and who you are.

Please describe your family – how many siblings you have, what your parents do for a living, anything interesting about your family history, whether both your parents are Jewish or not.

How did you find out about Taglit-birthright?

Why did you decide to take part in Taglit-birthright? What are you expecting from the Taglit-birthright experience? How do you think the trip to Israel will affect or change you, if at all?

About Your Connection to Judaism

Do you attend synagogue? If so, how often?

Do you take part or have you taken part in the past in Jewish or Zionist activities? If yes, please describe the kinds of activities and their frequency.

Have you ever attended a Jewish school – either day school or on weekends?

Are most of your friends Jewish? Does it matter to you if they are or not?

Have you ever dated or are you now dating a non-Jew?

What do you think about Judaism and its role in your life?

Do you consider Judaism a religion or a cultural experience?

What do you think about Israel and its role for the Jewish world?

How do you describe yourself: a Jewish-American or an American-Jew?

Are you proud of being Jewish or do you hide it?

Have you ever experienced anti-Semitism? If so, please explain.

Have you ever visited Israel?

How do you describe yourself? What kind of person are you?

How would your friends or family describe you?

Write a few sentences telling a story about yourself or something that happened to you (not necessarily connected to Judaism) that you think is revealing concerning your personality or character.

Comments and Additional Thoughts:

Again, thanks for investing the time and effort required to fill out this questionnaire. We hope to be contacting you in the near future in order to discuss further details regarding your participation in the Birthright documentary movie.

Please feel free to write me with any questions you may have.

Yours,

Nira Tal

taglitbi@gmail.com

T.H. Productions Ltd.

Tel Aviv, Israel

רח' מנחם בגין 14, רמת-גן 52521 טלפון. 03-7512145 פקס. 03-7512070 E-Mail: t_h@netvision.net.il

T.H. PRODUCTIONS LTD. 14 Menachem Begin st., Ramat-Gan 52521 Israel Tel. 972-3-7512145 Fax. 972-3-7512070