Frequently Asked Questions

Given the current situation in Israel, is this trip still happening? If I decide not to go, can I get a refund at any time?

Yes, the trip is still planned. While all Birthright trips through July have been canceled, August trips remain scheduled. Birthright and Yael Adventures continue to monitor the situation closely, following guidance from local authorities to ensure participant safety. Currently, you may register and cancel for a full refund up until August 11.

I SEE REGISTRATION IS CLOSED, CAN I STILL APPLY?

Yes. While we filled all the spots on our group flights (thank you to the 100+ people who registered!). Registration remains open and you may apply, pay in full, and if we are able to accommodate you, we will. Basically, we filled all the seats on our group flights, but we can request more seats from the airline if there is availability. Of course, you will be refunded if we can’t book your flight (or you can get there on your own and join the program for just $50!)

I was on a previous Birthright trip to Israel, am I still eligible?

Yes. If you’ve been on a previous Birthright trip, gap-year, Yeshiva, or other organized trip to Israel, you are still eligible for this trip.

I was on a previous Birthright trip to Israel, will this be the same?

No. Your standard Birthright experience was a 10-day trip to multiple tourist sites and cities throughout Israel. This is a volunteer trip to Israel.  We spend four half-days volunteering throughout Israel.  Some of our volunteer experiences may be directly related to supporting the communities directly impacted by the October 7th attacks. Evenings will be free on your own.

What is the cost of THE trip?

We have several separate group flights organized for this experience. Below are the costs. These costs include flight + accommodations.

What does the price include?

  • Roundtrip group flights

  • Partial food subsidy of $100 for the week

  • Housing in a prime location in Tel Aviv with safe rooms (double or triple occupancy per room). Expect it to be a hostel!

    • Single room upgrades available for an additional $100 per night​

  • All arrangements for volunteering each day for about 4-6 hours per day

  • Organized transportation to volunteer sites each day

  • Comprehensive health insurance. For anyone with preexisting conditions we recommend additional insurance and they should email Julie@goyael.com

  • Engaging educational and social programs

  • Opportunities to meet and connect with local Israelis around Israel

  • Dedicated support staff for the entire duration of the trip

I don’t live in any of the above cities, can I still join?

Yes. All participants interested from anywhere in Europe, must join the group flight from Paris. All participants from the USA, must join the group flights from NYC or Los Angeles.  You you can email us here and we are happy to get you to Israel from anywhere else in the world. If you wish to get to Israel on your own without a group flight, the program fee is only $50.

I’d prefer to get to Israel on my own using points, or to pay for my own flight OR VISITING ISRAEL ANYWAY.  Can I still join the trip in Israel and not join any of the group flights?

Yes.  If Birthright is not booking the flight for you, you can still join the program and only pay $50. Please arrive by 12:00pm/noon/1200 on 25-August and you may schedule a return flight anytime on 1-September.

Am i guaranteed to be accepted if i apply?

Due to the overwhelming response, we may not be able to accept everyone that applies.

I am only half-Jewish. Am I eligible for this trip?

Yes. Birthright requires you to have one Jewish parent to be eligible for this volunteer trip. 

I am a convert to Judaism, am I eligible for this trip?

Yes. You must have completed your conversion in order to be eligible.

I am Jewish, but I am married/PARTNERED to someone who is not Jewish. Can they join me on this trip?

Yes. Non-Jewish married spouses of eligible Jewish applicants may join!

I WAS BORN IN Israel and live in israel, may i join the trip?

Yes! We can accept a few local Israelis to join our trip as a “mifgash”. Please email us here to inquire. We can only accept a few!

I AM lgbtq and active in the israeli lgbtq community and we’d love to help your group with experiences when the volunteer day is over. who can i contact?

We’d love this! Email us here.

I am Israeli, but live abroad.  Am I eligible for this trip?

You can join as long as you have not spent more than one full year in Israel since the age of 18.

I grew up in Israel, so I am not eligible for this trip, but the person I am married to is eligible for the trip. May I still join them (we live outside of israel)?

In this case, only the eligible applicant may join the trip. If you lived in Israel more than one full year since the age of 18, you are not eligible for for this trip.

I see the trip is eligible to those ages 26-50.  Why are there age restrictions?

These are the rules of Birthright. Unfortunately, there are no exceptions to this rule.

I know Hebro is a group that produces events specifically for gay men—will other letters of the LGBTQ community actually be on the trip?

Hebro is known for curating events primarily for cisgender gay men, and that will definitely be reflected in the makeup of this trip. However, this volunteer trip is open to the entire LGBTQ community, and we wholeheartedly welcome all identities under the rainbow.  That said, we can't guarantee a balanced mix, but we encourage all to join and bring their friends.

I want to extend my trip. Is that possible?

Yes. You’ll have to arrange that on your own with Birthright's travel agency, and there will be fees attached to that. Info on this will be sent out once you are registered. Please note: You cannot arrive earlier on the ticket that is purchased for you. The only change you may make is extending your trip. You also have the option of getting to Israel on your own and paying the $50 program fee to join us in every other way (including accomdation).

I want to go…
- but Israel…
- BUT BIBI…
- BUT THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT…

Passion noted. Participation optional.