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 an innovative
partnership between the people of Israel through the
Government of Israel, private philanthropists through
the Birthright Israel Foundation and Jewish communities
around the world (North American Jewish Federations
through the United Jewish Communities (UJC); the Jewish
Agency for Israel; and Keren Hayesod).
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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
and student leaders from North America and Israel,
all of whom will have been specially trained to ensure
the highest quality experience in Israel. A unique
and popular component of many MAYANOT trips is the
presence of a Campus Rabbi who brings an educational
and spiritual dimension to the experience.
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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?
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 8 part application.
Step 2: Submit a fully refundable $250 USD deposit.
Step 3: Submit the required forms.
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Does Taglit-Birthright Israel: MAYANOT have specialty
trips?
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 info@mayanotisrael.com
and let us know your new address. Since we will communicate
with you primarily by email, please add info@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?
Where do the trips depart from?
Although it varies by session, in the past we have
had trips depart from New York, New Jersey, Miami,
Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and Toronto.
The exact departures cities will be posted on the
dates page during the applicable session.
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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. Taglit-Birthright Israel: MAYANOT
does not pay for any expenses related to this.
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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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How do I submit the fully-refundable deposit?
Your deposit can be submitted in section 8 of the
Taglit-Birthright Israel online application (only
after sections 1 through 6 have been completed). Taglit-Birthright
Israel requires that all participants pay their deposit
through Payoneer.
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How will the deposit be returned?
If you are accepted to the program and assigned to
a flight a Payoneer card will be issued to you and
your deposit refund will be loaded onto this card
approximately 30 days after the end of your trip.
If you have not been assigned to a flight and cancel
in writing prior to the deadline then your refund
will be issued directly back to your original method
of payment.
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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.
Please note that you can complete the Taglit-Birthright
Israel application without passport information and
fill it in at a later time.
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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?
Can I contact some of your alumni to see how
they liked it?
What if I am unable to go at the last minute?
How can I ensure that I will be on the same trip
as my family and friends?
MAYANOT makes every effort to place participants
with friends and/or family that they wish to be with.
You will be asked who you wish to travel with on the
Date Request Form.
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What are the chances of getting on a trip or
on my exact trip choice?
MAYANOT makes every effort to get applicants onto
trips. There are a number of variables that determine
how and when applicants get assigned including flight
availability, groups and the amount of applicants.
You can increase your chances of getting on a trip
significantly by completing the entire application
process (including submitting the fully-refundable
deposit and all forms) as soon as possible after registration
opens. In addition, the more flexibility you have
in terms of departure dates, the easier it makes it
for us to get you on a trip.
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How long does it take to get confirmed?
MAYANOT makes every effort to confirm applicants
as soon as possible. Most applicants will receive
confirmation approximately 4-8 weeks after registration
begins.
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When will my deposit be refunded?
Deposits are refunded as soon as possible and no
longer than 90 days after trips return.
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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, drinks, tips,
gifts 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?
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?
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?
How should I pack?
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?
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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What is the cost price when filling out the traveler's
insurance form?
What type of adapter/converter do I need to bring?
Can I leave the trip a few days early?
No - all participants must stay with the group until
they depart to the airport for the return flight home.
If you are planning on extending your stay please
keep this in mind.
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Can I change the airport I will be arriving back
to?
Can I bring a laptop?
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?
Who can I contact if I have additional questions?
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