8 Sderot Yehudit, Tel Aviv, Israel
+1-516-543-6725
gesher@youngjudaea.org

Gesher Israel Cost & FAQ

Answers to all of your important questions about Gesher,
including our partnership with RootOne.

EnrollmentFinancesGetting ReadyThe ProgramAccommodations and MealsSafety and SecurityHealth and WellnessRootOne
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Enrollment

Why Should I Register Early for Gesher Israel?

We are thrilled to be offering our teen Israel trip at an amazing cost thanks to the assistance of RootOne, which is seeded through the generosity of The Marcus Foundation, and powered by The Jewish Education Project.

RootOne vouchers are limited - apply early and save your spot on Gesher Israel!

I Don't Go to Young Judaea Camp. Can I apply?

DEFINITELY! Gesher Israel is an amazing 3.5 week Israel experience for applicants from any camp or denomination who are interested in experiencing Israel in a pluralist Jewish environment.

How Do I Apply?

Applying is easy - just visit the Gesher Israel application, put down your $500 deposit (fully refundable until February 1, 2024) and get ready for the summer of your life in Israel!

What is Included in the Cost of Gesher Israel?

Your Gesher tuition includes round-trip airfare, all accomodations, programmatic experiences, food, basic local health insurance, transportation, and entry to all parks and sites.

Should I get Traveler's Insurance?

We recommend that participants purchase whatever flight or traveler insurance will be the most beneficial in the unfortunate event they need to postpone their participation.

Are Jewish Teens Welcome From Any Denomination?

Absolutely! Our participants range from "Just Jewish" to Modern Orthodox and everything in between.

the fine print

Finances

How Much does Gesher Israel Cost?

This summer, the early bird cost of Gesher Israel is $6,950 including roundtrip airfare between New York and Israel before the application of the RootOne Travel Voucher ($3,000.)

Does Young Judaea Offer Scholarships?

Yes! We have a number of scholarship opportunities and would be happy to discuss them further when you apply.

What are the Payment Refund Deadlines?

Registering for Gesher Israel and putting down your $500 program deposit is completely risk-free until February 1, 2023. Between February 1, 2024 and April 1, 2024, withdrawing from Gesher includes a $500 administrative fee on your deposit. After April 1, 2024, the administrative fee for withdrawal from Gesher is $500 plus 50% of tuition.

Does Young Judaea Offer Payment Plans?

Young Judaea works with each and every family to figure out how to make their Israel experience possible. We establish payment plans for families on a case by case basis and urge you to be in touch early in the application process.

Why Is There a Program Fee Deposit?

In order to prepare for the logistics and programming of our trip to Israel, we need to know how many participants will be joining with ample time to get ready and make Gesher Israel the best possible experience! We ask for the $500 deposit to ensure that we can make the appropriate arrangements with the right number of participants in mind.

yalla!

Getting Ready

How Should I Pack for Gesher Israel?

We know that everyone is different when it comes to packing. We recommend each participant brings only one suitcase or rolling duffel bag, in addition to a backpack for day trips and hikes.

Do I Need a Valid Passport?

Yes, all participants need a current passport that is valid until at least February 1, 2025 in order to travel to Israel.

How Will The Gesher Israel Group Travel to Israel?

The entire Gesher Israel group will travel on two group flights from the New York area to Israel. The flights will be staffed by Young Judaea representatives and counselors to help ensure a smooth check-in and flight experience.

How Should I Pack for Gesher Israel?

We know that everyone is different when it comes to packing. We recommend each participant brings only one suitcase or rolling duffel bag, in addition to a backpack for day trips and hikes.

the main event

The Gesher Program

What is Included in the Gesher Israel Cost?

Your Gesher tuition includes round-trip airfare, all accomodations, programmatic experiences, food, basic local health insurance, transportation, and entry to all parks and sites.

What is the Level of Religious Practice on Gesher Israel?

All Young Judaea Israel experiences provide a pluralistic Jewish environment for Jewish teens of all backgrounds.

What is Staff Supervision Like on Gesher Israel?

Our participants enjoy ample staff supervision, with roughly 1 adult counselor per 10 participants. The Gesher Israel flight is also fully staffed by counselors.

Who Are The Gesher Israel Staff?

All of the food provided by the program - whether catered or in a hotel, hostel, or restaurant as part of the official program itinerary - is certified Kosher.

How Do Participants Observe Shabbat?

Experiencing Shabbat in Israel is one of the most special opportunities on Gesher Israel. On Friday nights and Saturday mornings, pluralistic prayer is included and offered to all participants, and if possible, groups may join services at local synagogues.

While Gesher Israel is a "Shabbat-friendly" program (no program-provided transportation or activities which would cause participants to break Shabbat), participants are allowed to observe Shabbat in their own way during free time, provided it is mindful of other's preferred observance.

Are Jewish Teens Welcome From Any Denomination?

Absolutely! One of our core pillars as a movement is the concept and practice of "pluralism," which

the main event

Accomodations and Meals

Is the Food on Gesher Israel Kosher?

All of the food provided by the program - whether catered or in a hotel, hostel, or restaurant as part of the official program itinerary - is certified Kosher.

Can You Accomodate My Dietary Restriction?

Nearly all of the food provided by Gesher Israel is through catering companies, hostels and accomodations, and restaurants, and as such, Young Judaea cannot commit to verifying the ingredients and preparation of all meals. We have extensive experience in working to help participants navigate a food allergy or dietary restriction,  but we cannot take responsibility for individual food allergies or ensure that food requests will be fulfilled 100% of the time.

Where Does Gesher Israel Stay?

The Gesher Israel group stays at well-regarded hotels and youth hostels and kibbutz guesthouses who generally accommodate traveling youth groups.

How Is Prescription Medication Handled?

While traveling with Young Judaea, participants are responsible for their own prescribed medication, which must be brought in its original packaging with the participant's name on the original label.

yalla!

Safety and Security

What Security Precautions Does Young Judaea Take?

Proper safety and security planning starts long before our group even arrives in Israel. Our carefully-created itinerary avoids areas of concern, and is created by our veteran staff, including long-time Israeli tour guides, who have extensive experience planning trips for youth groups. And while we plan for most situations, we will modify our itinerary as needed  with caution in mind—being careful to avoid areas of potentially heightened concern and always traveling with discretion. If necessary, we modify itineraries and/or policies in the interest of safety.

What is the Best Way to Bring Spending Money?

A VISA/Debit card is the most efficient and convenient method for spending money while on the trip. While ATM machines are not always as accessible to participants, VISA/Debit cards can be charged just like a regular credit card. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Israel (Visa much more readily).

To prevent theft or the loss of money, we recommend that each teen bring a minimal amount of cash with them. We also recommend that students wear a money belt when traveling to and from Israel.

Who Are the

All American citizens are required to exit and enter the United States on a valid American passport. American citizens must have at least six months' validity left on their American passports in order to enter Israel. Participants who are also Israeli citizens must enter and exit Israel on a valid Israeli passport.

Can I use My Cell Phone in Israel?

Many American cell phone companies offer the option to use your cell phone abroad for an additional daily or weekly fee. You can also choose to purchase a SIM card from an Israeli cell phone provider to be used while in Israel, which requires that a participant's phone is unlocked. Our enrollment staff will be in touch with participants prior to departure with more information about cell phone plan options in Israel.

staying healthy

Health and Wellness

Local Health Insurance

All Gesher Israel participants are enrolled in basic local health insurance while on the program, which covers them in the unlikely event of an emergency medical situation, or for a doctor's visit for things like colds, mild injuries, and more. It also covers prescription medication to treat minor illness or injury. Full details are provided upon enrollment.

Doctor's Visits

Participants who are not feeling well will be taken to visit the doctor at their request or if their symptoms warrant treatment by a medical professional. Staff will accompany them to ensure a successful visit.

our partners

RootOne

More detailed information about RootOne Israel Travel Vouchers
- including eligibility, grant-related obligations, and more -
can be found by visiting the RootOne website

What is RootOne?

Seeded by a generous gift from The Marcus Foundation and powered by The Jewish Education Project, RootOne provides major subsidies for trip participants (called RootOne Vouchers), invests in elevating trip curricula and experiences, and works with its partners to create deeper pre- and post-trip engagement opportunities to help strengthen participants’ Jewish identities and connections to Israel before they begin college.
Additional information about RootOne Vouchers can be found on their website.

How Do I Apply for the RootOne Israel Travel Voucher?

It’s easy to apply for your Israel travel voucher! First, you’ll register for Young Judaea Gesher Israel. Then, our team will be in touch with next steps for completing your voucher application directly with RootOne. Please note that Young Judaea will only share information about the voucher application once you have successfully registered for Gesher Israel.

I've Already Used a RootOne Voucher. Am I Still Eligible?

No. If you have have already received and used a RootOne Israel travel voucher previously, you are not eligible to apply again.

What are RootOne's Israel Travel Voucher Eligibility Rules?

Eligibility rules are determined by RootOne and you may visit their website for more information. In order to receive a RootOne Voucher, an individual must be a current 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade student in the U.S. or Canada, and may not currently attend an Orthodox Jewish Day School. Voucher eligibility is not connected to financial need or merit. If you have previously received a RootOne voucher, you are not eligible to apply again.

What Obligations are Associated with the RootOne Voucher?

RootOne Voucher recipients agree to engage in roughly 8 hours of pre-trip educational programming, as well as a post-trip confidential survey.

The pre-trip early experience learning includes topics ranging from Israeli arts and culture and Hebrew language to Zionism, Israel’s history, Arab-Israeli narratives, and more. 

What is RootOne?

RootOne is an ambitious new initiative, Seeded by a generous gift from The Marcus Foundation and powered by The Jewish Education Project, that aims to help bring tens of thousands of Jewish teens from the US to Israel on immersive summer teen trips.

Your Summer Israel Trip
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