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Frequently Asked Questions
 
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FAQ Categories:    Who We Are  |  The Registration Process  |  The Trip Itself
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Questions About Who We Are
What is Taglit-Birthright Israel?
What is Mayanot?
What is this program?
Why is this trip free?
Who is paying for it?
What kind of people go on this trip?
Is this a religious trip?
Who will staff a Taglit-Birthright Israel: Mayanot program?
How safe is the trip?
 
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Questions About The Registration Process
How do I know if I am eligible for this trip?
Do I have to be a student?
How do I apply?
Does Taglit-Birthright Israel: Mayanot have specialty trips?
How will I know if I’m accepted?
What are the departure dates?
Where do the trips depart from?
Does Taglit-Birthright Israel pay for my domestic airfare to the gateway city?
What if I don’t have $250 for a deposit?
What is the $250 deposit used for?
What are the cancellation dates?
What if I don’t have a passport?
Can my friends join me on the trip?
Can I get college credits?
Can I contact some alumni?
What if I am unable to go last minute?
 
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Questions About The Trip Itself
What does the free trip include?
How many people in each group?
Do I need to speak Hebrew?
Can I meet the group in Israel?
What will accommodations be like on the program?
Will laundry services be available on the program?
What will meals be like on the program?
Is the food kosher?
Is there time for visiting with friends and relatives?
Do I need health insurance?
What do I bring with me?
How should I pack?
How will I receive my airline tickets?
How much spending money should I bring?
How will I change currency?
Can I extend my stay?
Do I have to participate in every scheduled activity?
How can family and friends back at home get in touch with me?
Will I have to commit to anything upon my return?
Who can I contact for further questions?
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Who we are
What is Taglit-Birthright Israel?
Taglit-Birthright Israel provides the gift of first time, peer group, educational trips to Israel for Jewish young adults ages 18 to 26. Taglit-Birthright Israel operates on a belief that it is every Jewish person's birthright to visit Israel. To date, 165,000 young adults from 51 countries have traveled to Israel for the first time on Taglit-Birthright Israel trips.

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What is Mayanot?
As one of Taglit-Birthright Israel’s largest providers, Mayanot provides unforgettable adventurous Israel experiences to thousands of students and young adults. Participants of Taglit-Birthright Israel: MAYANOT love our trips because our groups include young Israelis as well as participants from diverse backgrounds and experiences. We believe that makes for a much richer experience, and our alumni agree. Our Israeli guides are the top in the industry, and we spare no expense to deliver the best that Israel has to offer. Mayanot offers multiple departure dates and cities, diverse trip mates, great Israeli staff, the chance to hang out with other Mayanot groups from all over the world, excellent customer service in North America and Israel and a vast network of exciting alumni programming.

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What is the program?
The Taglit-Birthright Israel: MAYANOT trip is an adventurous and educational ten day tour of Israel. It includes extensive touring of Israel, interactive discussions, recreational activities and much more! To see some of the trip highlights click here.

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Why is this trip free?
The trip is free because Taglit-Birthright Israel: MAYANOT believes that a visit to your homeland is your birthright. Taglit-Birthright Israel's founders created this program to send thousands of young Jewish adults from all over the world to Israel as a gift in order to diminish the growing division between Israel and Jewish communities around the world; to strengthen the sense of solidarity among world Jewry; and to strengthen participants' personal Jewish identity and connection to the Jewish people.

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Who is paying for it?
Taglit-Birthright Israel is a unique partnership between the people of Israel through their government, local Jewish communities (North American Jewish Federations through the United Jewish Communities, Keren Hayesod, and The Jewish Agency for Israel), and the birthright israel Foundation, generously supported by the following Jewish philanthropic partners: S. Daniel Abraham, The Abramson Family Foundation, Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson, The AVI CHAI Foundation, The Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies, Edgar M. Bronfman, Circle of Service Foundation, Susie and Michael Gelman, Richard and Rhoda Goldman Foundation, David and Ruth Gottesman, The Harold Grinspoon Foundation, Hadassah - The Women's Zionist Organization of America, Susan and Roger Hertog, Ronald S. Lauder, The Marcus Foundation- Bernie Marcus, Jane and Daniel Och, The Samberg Family Foundation, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, Judy and Michael Steinhardt, The Wasserman Foundation, Leslie and Abigail Wexner and The Wexner Foundation, Karen and Gary Winnick in North America; Marc Rich in Europe.

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What kind of people are going to be on the trip?
If you are coming with a group then you will travel with students from your campus or city. Otherwise, you will travel with other young Jews from your country. While in Israel you may meet with some of the many Mayanot groups that come from the United States, Canada, Australia, Former Soviet Union, Latin America and Europe. In addition, every Taglit-Birthright Israel: MAYANOT group includes a group of young Israelis, often soldiers in the Israeli army. You will have chance to make many new friends with other Jewish young adults from all over! Most Mayanot participants are not religious and come from all different Jewish backgrounds.

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Is this a religious trip?
All Jews*, regardless of background, affiliation or practice, are welcome on Taglit-Birthright Israel: MAYANOT’s program. The program provides opportunities for participants to celebrate Jewish life together, though all organized religious activities are optional. In order to be as inclusive as possible, kosher food will be served at all tour-sponsored activities and no travel will be take place on the Jewish Sabbath. *Please see our eligibility page for Taglit-Birthright Israel’s definition of Jewish.

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Who will staff the Taglit-Birthright Israel: MAYANOT program?
Staff will be comprised of Jewish community professionals from North America and Israel, all of whom will have been specially trained to ensure the highest quality experience in Israel.

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How safe is the trip?
Let us assure you that the safety and security of our participants is our number one priority. Taglit-Birthright Israel: MAYANOT would never take on this endeavor if we felt we were unable to adequately provide an absolutely safe and secure trip. We take whatever precautions are necessary, no matter the cost, to ensure the safety of our participants at all times. For more details of our safety precautions please visit our safety page.

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The Registration Process
How do I know if I am eligible for this gift?
This gift is available to those who are Jewish, ages 18 through 26, who have not been on a peer educational Israel trip before. For complete eligibility guidelines please visit our eligibility page.

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Do I have to be a student to get the free trip?
No. The gift is available to Jewish young adults ages of 18 through 26.

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How do I apply?
In order to be considered for a trip the following simple steps must be taken as soon as possible after registration begins for a respective session:

Step 1: Apply online here and complete the 5 part application.
Step 2: Submit a fully refundable $250 USD or $300 CAD deposit.
Step 3: Submit the required forms.

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Does Taglit-Birthright Israel: MAYANOT have specialty trips?
See our specialty trips page for a list of all trips.

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How will I know if I am accepted?
Mayanot will contact you via email as to whether or not you are accepted to the program. Please be sure to check your email periodically. If your email address that you put on your application has changed please contact us at birthright@mayanotisrael.com and let us know your new address. Since we will communicate with you primarily by email, please add birthright@mayanotisrael.com to your e-mail address book, spam software whitelist, or mail system whitelist to ensure that you receive important updates from us.

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What are the departure dates for the trips?
Please see the dates page.

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Where do the trips depart from?
New York/New Jersey, Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago and Toronto.

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Does Taglit-Birthright Israel pay for my domestic airfare to the gateway city?
Participants are responsible for getting to the gateway city on their own.

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What if I don’t have $250 for a deposit?
Then borrow it. We are unable to accept any applications that are not accompanied by a deposit. Remember, deposits are fully refundable and will be returned very shortly after the trip is over.

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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. If you should need to cancel your trip please be sure to do so before the cancellation deadline to avoid forfeiture of your deposit.

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What are the cancellation deadlines?

These are the deadlines by when you must cancel, if you must, and avoid forfeiting your deposit. The exact deadlines can be found here.

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What if I don't have a passport?
Get one fast! All participants must have valid travel documents (passport, Green Card, visa, etc.) in order to participate on a Taglit-Birthright Israel: MAYANOT program. Passports must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the last day of your trip. For more information please visit our passport and travel documents page.

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Can my friends join me on the trip?
Sure! Refer your friends to sign up and submit a deposit as soon as possible and we will try and keep you in the same group. You can refer your friends here.

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Can I get college credits for the trip?
Yes! Please see our credits page for more details.

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Can I contact some of your alumni to see how they liked it?
Yes. Please visit our testimonial page for alumni comments and contact information.

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What if I am unable to go at the last minute?
Please notify our office at 1-888-MAYANOT or 212-980-3414 or birthright@mayanotisrael.com immediately. Refunds of your $250 deposit can not be guaranteed.

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About The Trip Itself
What does the free trip include?
Taglit-Birthright Israel: MAYANOT trips include roundtrip airfare (from designated cities), accommodations at quality hotels, luxurious bus transportation, almost all meals, and ten days of adventurous and educational programming. You will only need to bring spending money for some lunches, snacks and souvenirs.

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How many people are in each group?
There will be 40 participants (around half guys and half girls), 4 staff, 8 to 10 Israelis, an armed guard, a medic and a bus driver totaling approximately 55 people per group.


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Do I need to speak Hebrew?
NO. But by the end of your trip you may be able to carry short conversations in Hebrew!

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Can I meet the group in Israel?
Sorry but all participants must depart with the group from the gateway airport.

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What will accommodations be like on the program?
Accommodations will be triple-occupancy in quality hotels and guest houses. We will try to accommodate roommate requests upon acceptance to the program. To see some of the hotels that Taglit-Birthright Israel: MAYANOT participants stay at please see our hotel page.

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Will laundry services be available on the program?
Although some of the hotels may offer laundry services it is very inconvenient. Try and pack enough clothing for ten days.

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What will the meals be like on the program?
Most meals on the program will be included and will include buffet Israeli breakfasts, falafel, pizza and boxed lunches and sit-down dinners in restaurants. Participants should plan on paying for a few of their own meals.

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Is the food Kosher?
Yes. All food on the trip is Kosher.

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Will there be time on the program to visit my friends and relatives in Israel?
There is a limited amount of free time built into the program's itinerary and you can invite visitors to your hotel during those times. If you would like to have extended visits with your family or friends we suggest you extend your trip.

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Do I need health insurance?
All participants must be covered by insurance. Even if you have insurance, you are strongly encouraged to purchase travel insurance as soon as you are confirmed on a trip. This will ensure sure that any medical expenses, flight cancellation/interruption, baggage loss/damage, and much more will be covered. Travel insurance can be purchased at www.mayanotisrael.com/insurance.

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What do I bring with me?
Please see our suggested packing list.

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How should I pack?
Please see your airline’s website for exact baggage size and weight restrictions and see our suggested packing list.

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How will I receive my airline tickets?
Participants will receive their tickets at the airport near the airline check in counter from Mayanot staff.

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How much spending money should I bring?
We suggest bringing approximately $150 to $200 USD in cash. If you do not have a credit card, you may want to bring a little more. Almost all stores in Israel accept credit cards. Do not rely on ATM machines as they can be difficult to find. Travelers Checks are also difficult to cash so we do not recommend bringing them. Please bring $50 USD, in addition to your spending money, which will be used as gratuity for your amazing Israeli staff.

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How will I change currency?
There will be places in Israel to change US and Canadian dollars into Shekels (Israeli currency).

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Can I extend my stay in Israel?
Sure! For a nominal fee most Taglit-Birthright Israel plane tickets can be extended either in advance of the trip or while in Israel. Please see our flight extensions page for more details.

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Do I have to participate in every scheduled activity?
Yes, unless you receive special permission from your group leader.

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How can family members and friends back at home get in touch with me?
Mayanot strongly encourages all participants to rent a cell phone for your Taglit-Birthright Israel: MAYANOT trip. Besides for emergencies this will be the only way family and friends will be able to reach you while you are on the trip.

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Will I have to commit to anything upon my return?
No – but you are invited to participate in the many exiting post-birthright opportunities and programs that Mayanot offers!

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Are there any programs available if I choose to extend my stay?
Please see our post trip options page for a list of exciting options including a trip to Eilat.

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Who can I contact if I have additional questions?
You can contact the Mayanot office at 1-888-MAYANOT or 212-980-3414 or birthright@mayanotisrael.com or by AIM to MayanotBRI.

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