| 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 |
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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?
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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?
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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 |
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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?
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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?
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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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