FAQ

Jewish Nevada is Nevada’s Jewish Federation and has access to resources and partners that can make for an amazing first-class experience. Plus, traveling with Jewish Nevada is a fun way to also travel with your statewide partner synagogues: Chabad of Southern Nevada, Congregation Ner Tamid, Congregation P’nai Tikvah, Midbar Kodesh Temple, Temple Beth Sholom, Temple Sinai Las Vegas, Temple Sinai Reno, and Young Israel Aish. It is a great way to connect, not only with Israel but with people and activities in Nevada – and to continue to grow your connection and relationship with Israel upon your return. Together with our partners in Israel, we can provide you with an inside, a close personal view of life in Israel and the Middle East. Whether this is your first time, or whether you are a repeat visitor, you will see new things and meet new people – and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Yes! All of our trips are designed so that there is something new and different each time. No matter how many times you’ve been to Israel, you’ll experience something new on this mission. We’ll visit new, cutting-edge programs that help the most vulnerable populations, and you’ll have a chance to do hands-on community service. We’ll have encounters with Israelis from all walks of life, people you’d never have a chance to meet otherwise. When we visit traditional sites like Yad Vashem and the Old City, there will be options for veteran travelers to get in-depth, specialized tours. And you will be privileged to witness some of your friends and acquaintances experiencing it all for the first time. Making a Shehecheyanu (blessing for a special occasion) with a first-timer and seeing Israel through their eyes is a special experience.

Absolutely! Your first time in Israel is always special, no matter the circumstances. When you experience Israel surrounded by friends from your community, everyone will share in your excitement. On this mission, you’ll get to hit all the highlights that a typical Israel trip will include —but there’s so much more. Jewish Nevada is a one-stop-shop for Jewish life and culture. With years of experience planning trips to Israel, we are the best at making your first visit to Israel a memorable experience. Our trip is being put together by experts and is designed to give you a holistic overview of life in Israel. You will get to witness our community’s impact on life in Israel - up close and personal. We live and breathe Judaism daily with Israel at the center, and therefore can provide you with the most meaningful journey. You’ll get beneath the surface and experience Israel, with off-the-beaten-track visits, unique adventures, and a chance to meet Israelis and hear about their lives.

Traveling with a large group is a fun experience—especially when the group consists of hundreds of members of your community. You’ll have a chance to make new friends and strengthen your relationships with people you’d like to get to know better. You will get the best of both worlds, with grand opportunities to mingle with the hundreds of participants, and also a more intimate setting as you travel with the 30+ people on your bus. A large mission provides access to high-level speakers and amazing experiences. At the same time, the itinerary includes some intimate, customized visits as well.

Although the mission schedule will be packed with adventures and experiences, there is ample free time built in if you need to catch your breath, do some shopping, or meet up with Israeli friends for a meal.

A mission is a trip with a purpose. You won’t just see Israel’s sites; you’ll get to know Israel on a deeper level. You’ll see firsthand the impact of your work abroad through Jewish Nevada and meet the people whose lives have been touched by your dollars. The union of the heightened emotional state from these visits and the power of Israel creates a profound experience you will never forget. You will gain exclusive access to the people, places, and experiences that other tourists cannot.

Going to Israel is not an indication that you are in favor of government policies. One of the most compelling reasons to visit Israel is to participate in open dialogue and hear a broad range of opinions from Israelis. Israel is a country with a free press and its citizens are comfortable disagreeing with their government and with each other.

The safety and well-being of participants are our top priority during this trip. Experienced travelers know that there are no guarantees when it comes to travel or safety anywhere, we are taking all appropriate precautions to organize a safe and successful program. While Israel is in a tough neighborhood in the Middle East, life in Israel these days is vibrant. Over the years, we have perfected our skills in providing top-level programming and service, while at the same time maintaining the highest safety and security standards possible. This is how we do it: · During the initial preparation stages of any trip, we make sure that the routes and sites suggested are accessible and appropriate in terms of safety and security for tour visits. · The day before a group’s arrival, the entire trip route is vetted by relevant security personnel and our staff. · Each day throughout the trip, before departure from the hotel, our team consults Israeli security authorities to verify that the trip route is acceptable and accessible on that given day. · We are in constant contact with Israeli security and safety officials and receive daily and sometimes hourly updates about all areas of the country. · We work with security companies, all licensed by the Israeli Ministry of Justice, whose employees are all individually licensed and trained for personal protection. When recommended by security authorities, we will have an armed guard escorting the group; this is something that happens rarely and is always seen as a precaution and not a necessity. · The safety and security of our participants are our utmost concern. If for any reason, we believe that routes need to be changed, altered, or canceled, we will not hesitate to do so. Most importantly, when it comes to safety and security, we relate to participants as we would members of our family, with the same level of concern and desire to make sure that they have the best possible time while traveling through Israel.

Getting insurance can be a very good thing for travel, but you need to do your homework. Also, when thinking about insurance, there are two different things to consider: do you want travel insurance in case you need to cancel your trip, or do you need additional health insurance for coverage when you travel abroad? You might need both, and some travel policies cover both - but you need to ask and read the details...as many policies only cover one or the other and can be quite specific about eligibility. Here is a non-exhaustive list of providers should you wish to purchase additional insurance. Inclusion on this list should not be construed as an endorsement by Jewish Nevada. Allianz | 866-672-9580 Travel Guard | 800-826-4919 Travelex Insurance | 800-228-9792 Travel Insurance Services | 800-937-1387 Insure My Trip | 800-487-4722 http://www.travelinsuranceisrael.com/about.cfm www.sevencorners.com https://www.egertcohen.co.il/health/intro.asp We urge you to purchase cancellation insurance & supplemental medical coverage (which covers preexisting conditions). This is a smart way to safeguard against life's surprises. We strongly urge travelers to check international coverage through their current health insurance provider as they are responsible for any and all personal medical expenses during the trip.

While a draft itinerary is currently available for this trip, it is subject to change up until the activities take place. We will share regular itinerary updates until the week before the trip. Even then, the itinerary is subject to change based on a variety of factors, including scheduling, traffic, other opportunities, and safety considerations. Our goal is to be as accurate and prepared as possible, giving a good representation of what we will do on the program, and recognizing that flexibility is essential.

The trip is designed to accommodate travelers who keep Shabbat and/or kosher – though we expect a diverse crowd of participants, including many who don’t. All group meals on the program are certified Kosher under the Rabbanut in Israel, and all official programs are shomer Shabbat. Friday night, we will welcome Shabbat and then have a festive Shabbat dinner. During Shabbat day, in addition to information about local synagogues and walking tours, there will be options for people to chart their own course should they choose – and they can select one of our optional Shabbat options or seek advice on arranging day trips like visiting museums or just lounging by the pool.

Jewish Nevada is pleased to offer a subsidized rate to all interested participants as an investment in the future of our Jewish community. Local donors have committed to transforming Jewish engagement through missions, and are generously offering additional subsidies for early mission registrants and participants age 40 and under at the time of the mission. Funds from the Jewish Nevada Annual Campaign are not being used for the Mission.

Presently the trip and our transportation are not set up for someone traveling full-time in a wheelchair or with serious mobility issues. If you use a wheelchair or scooter full-time, please contact us immediately to discuss options before you book. While many sites in Israel are handicapped-accessible, this means they have ramps or elevators. Some still have dirt paths or uneven stone walkways. Please keep this in mind. Where possible, we will make arrangements to minimize the walking required, though if you are uncomfortable with certain elements of the program requiring walking, you can remain with the bus or at a convenient location for the tour. IF YOU HAVE ANY MOBILITY ISSUES OR CONCERNS, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO REACH OUT AND DISCUSS YOUR INDIVIDUAL SITUATION WITH OUR TEAM TO BE CLEAR ABOUT EXPECTATIONS AND WHAT OPTIONS ARE.

Should you have family and friends in Israel, we encourage you to arrange family visits during free time in the evenings in the hotels. Please don’t invite family to participate during scheduled group programs or free meals in the middle of the day.

While we do not plan on forcing anyone to do anything, every effort has been made to put together a well-balanced itinerary and holistic trip experience. It is challenging to keep track of folks who go off on their own during the program, adds an extra burden on trip staff to keep track of shifting participants, and detracts from the group dynamic we hope will develop during this trip. Other than in the case of illness or extreme circumstances, we ask and encourage all participants to remain with the group during the organized program.

· Always ask your taxi driver to turn on the meter in the city. It is the law, but they may try to negotiate a “fixed price” which will almost certainly be higher than the meter. · Inter-city taxi travel is based on a fixed price – no meter necessary. · There is a great app in Israel like Uber for ordering cabs: GetTaxi. · Please always carry drinking water with you – the sun can be really hot. The tap water in Israel is very clean and safe to drink! · Please wear hats and sunscreen when you are out and about. · Make sure your valuables are secure on your person as pickpockets can be an issue in crowded places (particularly in and around the Old City). Men should carry wallets in their front pockets. Purses or handbags should be carried across your shoulder and securely closed.

Visit the Israel Virtual Experience online: http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/vietoc.html General Israel travel info from Frommers: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/israel/ A great way to explore Israel in the news: http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-inside/ Israel’s history in maps: http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/AboutIsrael/Maps/Pages/Israel%20in%20Maps.aspx A good resource for exploring social and other issues facing Israel: http://makomisrael.org/