LET’S GO: ISRAEL! June 27-July 27, 2007

Everything you ever wanted to know, and other parents have already asked...

As you consider sending your child to Israel for the summer, you probably have many questions. We have compiled a list of some of the most frequently asked questions. While we did our best to provide as much information as possible, we are always available to answer any additional questions or address any concerns. At the end of the Q&A list, you will find a list of phone numbers in case something comes to mind in the months ahead.

Question: Of all places, why Israel?
Answer: Israel is that special place where everything your child has learned at home, at Jewish summer camp and in religious school finally comes to life. The Hebrew language, 4,000 years of Jewish history, the multicultural nature of the Jewish people, heroic stories from the past -- all of these are experienced in a vibrant and colorful way. Teens who visit Israel are forever transformed.

Furthermore, part of the fun is experiencing Israel with Jewish peers. Bonding with teens, many of whom your child will forever call “my friends from Israel” or “my roommates from Israel,” is more than an added bonus-- it is an integral part of the trip.

Question: Of all the teen trips to Israel, why choose this Bay Area-wide trip?
Answer: There are two main choices for teens: to travel with Let's Go: Israel! or with a national trip (USY; NFTY; Young Judaea; etc). Other than the obvious religious differences, there are number of components that the national trips are unable to provide:

Before the trip

Screening and preparation: Both the teen participant and the parent/s attend an orientation session and an interview with the leaders of the trip. The participants attend a pre-trip retreat, which spans a three-day weekend May 11-13, 2007. Only a Bay Area trip can offer an extensive pre-trip program such as our own.

During the trip
For many parents and teens, being oceans apart is not easy. We offer parents the following services:

1. A 24-hour hot line: During the trip, a 24-hour local professional is available to answer your questions and address your concerns. The contact person speaks with the trip leader in Israel as often as needed to receive updates and to find out if there are any problems that may require the parents’ involvement. S/he will also convey any concerns or questions that the parents may raise and ask for clarification.

2. Regular briefings: Local staff and senior staff in Israel send out regular e-mails and briefings to the parents about the trip’s progress. Even if your child choses not write on a regular basis, we will.

3. A direct cell phone link to the teens for after-hours communications.

After the trip
The participants form incredibly strong bonds of friendship during the trip. As the trip nears the end, they become sad at the thought of parting from their best friends. The wonderful thing about the community trip is that the returnees all live in close proximity to one another so are able to meet on a regular basis and remain a close knit community. We hold a big festive reunion for the teens every fall. Also, the Bay Area is blessed with fantastic programs for high school students in which the participants can continue their Jewish Education: Midrasha in the East Bay, Hebrew High in San Jose, and the Havurot and other high school programs in San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties.

Question: Is a trip to Israel safe?
Answer: Strict security has always been a key feature of our program in Israel and continues to be our top priority. We are going to fly on El Al Israeli Airlines, the safest airline in the world. All of our activities in Israel are carried out in compliance with the strictest possible safety requirements, in accordance with the standards set by the Ministry of Education and the Jewish Agency For Israel's (JAFI) Security Department. These bodies coordinate directly with police and security services, and relay information as needed to the group.

We are confident that we are able to provide a meaningful experience that will serve our mutual goals of strengthening Jewish identity among our participants, while maintaining the highest level of security and safety. We continue to evaluate the situation and update our security standards accordingly. If we feel, at any time in the future, that we cannot provide a safe and secure environment for your teens on this trip, we will not hesitate to cancel the trip, even on the date of departure.

Here are a few key points regarding trip safety:
§ No group will visit any part of the Palestinian areas (West Bank, Gaza Strip).

§ A Jewish Agency security team is in place 24 hours a day. Tali and the tour guide carry cellular phones and pagers at all times, and are in constant communication with our management staff and with the security team.

§ All transportation will be provided by special chartered tour buses; at no time while in Israel will any participant be using public transportation. Teens or staff who need to leave the group for any reason will travel in taxis from authorized cab companies. All travel routes and itineraries are approved in advance and re-approved on a daily basis.

§ The Jewish Agency has always provided medics and security chaperones for each group, and will continue to do so in 2007.

§ There is no unsupervised free time in our programs. During scheduled "free time" periods, participants are allowed to be on their own for a defined period of time in a defined area, within which program staff is always circulating and available. "Free time" locations will be carefully selected, for safety and fun!

§ If at any time there is a safety threat of any kind appropriate steps will be taken to assure the group’s well being -- OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. This could involve adjusting itinerary and location, or even bringing groups home early if warranted.

Question: Who staffs this trip?
Answer: The ratio of staff to participants is at least 1:10. On the bus, we will have both American and Israeli staff -- male and female -- all carefully selected for their experience and skill. Additionally, we will have a medic and a security chaperone who will both be part of the group at all times on the bus. Tali Lipschitz, Israel Trips Director will lead the trip, and will be with the group throughout the entire four weeks.

Question: What's it cost?
Answer: The cost is yet to be determined but will be in the vicinity of last year's cost of $5,835, which includes round-trip airfare from the Bay Area, all lodging, meals, tour costs, and fees. With the exception of your $100 registration fee, deposits and fees are fully refundable with no penalties until May 15th. Thereafter, $200 will be retained to cover costs.

*Final cost may be subject to modest adjustment.

Question: Is financial aid available?

Answer: Yes. Financial Aid is available and the permanent address of the participant indicates which organization you should apply to for financial assistance:

If you live in the East Bay, that is, in Alameda or Contra Costa counties, please contact Marilyn Kinch at the Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay, either by email at marilyn@jfed.org or by calling 510-839-2900 ext. 256; or you can download the East Bay financial aid form here.

If you live in the West Bay, that is, in San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma counties, please contact Janet Rothman at the San Francisco Bureau of Jewish Education, either by email at jrothman@bjesf.org or by calling 415-751-6983 ext. 107; or you can or you can download the West Bay financial aid from the Bureau’s website.

If you live outside of these areas:

Silicon Valley: Elisa Gerston, 408.357.7512 or elisa@jvalley.org

Sacramento: Michal Kohane, 916.486.0906 ext.307 or mkohane@jewishsac.org

Question: What will the group do in Israel? How does the program balance learning, touring, and fun?
Answer: The trip is divided into sections based on theme, geography, and history.

Northern Israel – After a “Shehechianu” welcoming ceremony on the shores of the Kineret (Sea of Galilee), visit the ancient Roman-Jewish city of Zippori. Kayak down the Jordan River and enjoy water sports in the lush and green Galilee. Explore the roots of Judaism’s spirituality while visiting the inspiring ancient city of Tzfat (Safed). Learn about life in the Golan Height from the people living there. Enjoy learning about and visiting non-Jewish minorities in Israel such as at the Bahai temple and enjoy great Druze hospitality. Dance the night away on a floating disco in the Sea of Galilee.

Mifgashim (building relationships) – Forge relationships with Israelis teens in our sister city regions of Kiryat Malachi/Hof -Ashkelon and the Upper Galilee. These teens will join us for parts of our trip. Rough it while hiking, navigating, rappelling, cooking and camping during our survival experience.

Participate in both an Israeli-Arab co-existence seminar on Kibbutz Eshbal and in a Peace Process seminar led by Neil Lazarus.

Visit Tel-Aviv for a day; go to Old Jaffa, Rabin Square and the house where the declaration of independence for Israel was announced.

Kibbutz Living – Experience real kibbutz life in a Kibbutz and gain new perspectives on Israeli life. We’ll visit Eilat, Israel’s southernmost city, to hike, swim, snorkel, and explore one of the world’s most enchanted seas, and to shop and hang out on the promenade.

Choose one of these four-day options in the South of Israel:
1. Gadna – Experience “army life” while in authentic IDF uniform. Get to know Israeli teens a little older than yourself, and learn how and why they serve in the Israeli Army. Always a trip high point!
2. Social Action/Community Service – Work with new children olim (immigrants) from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia in one of Israel’s many absorption centers.
Feel that you’re giving back to the community! 

Judean Desert- Hike, ride a camel and, at sunrise, climb Masada, the site of one of Jewish history’s most poignant 2,000-year-old dramas. Float in the Dead Sea -- the lowest elevation point on earth -- and enjoy Bedouin hospitality and culture.

Jerusalem*– Tour and explore the Jewish quarter, visiting the Kotel (Western Wall) -- where we will conduct our “Brit Olam” ceremony -- and its other historic, archaeological and culturally significant sites. Ride bikes and plant trees. Visit Yad Vashem and participate in a Holocaust seminar. Walk through the Knesset and the Supreme Court.

Just outside Jerusalem, take part in an archaeological dig and go caving. Recap our summer experiences and enjoy our BIG goodbye party!

*security conditions permitting

Please keep in mind that we -- and the Jewish Agency -- have been managing Israel teen trips since 1986, and providing a very safe and memorable experience for thousands of youngsters from our area. We look forward to another wonderful summer, and we thank you for choosing our program!

Application deadline: April 12, 2007!

As we get closer to the summer, we will be mailing you more information, including the specific itinerary, a list of what to bring, our mailing and fax addresses in Israel, etc. Also, once your application is in, an interview will be scheduled for each participant and at least one of his/her parents. At that time, you will have the chance to ask the trip leader any questions that you may have. On Sunday, June 10^th there will be a Trip Orientation for all of the parents in which the final logistics will be discussed and last minute questions answered.

If you have any more questions, please call or e-mail:

East Bay

Tali Lipschitz
Israel Trips Director
Israel Center

The Jewish Community Federation Of the Greater East Bay
300 Grand Avenue
Oakland, CA 94610

Phone: 510.839.2900, ext. 255
tali@jfed.org
Fax: 510.839.3996
Please visit the trip website at: www.letsgoisrael.org

West Bay
Erica Hymen, West Bay Coordinator
Let's Go: Israel!

Bureau of Jewish Education
639 14th Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94118

Phone: 415.751.6983 ext. 120
ehymen@bjesf.org
fax: 415.668.1816
www.bjesf.org