Go to Israel for FREE!  If you are Jewish, between the ages of 18-26, and have never been on an organized peer trip you could be eligible!

Want to travel with friends from your school and make new ones? And meet students from across the country?  Hillel's Explore Israel Campus Trip is the program for you.

Highlights include:

• A jeep ride on the Golan Heights
• Visiting the Western Wall, and exploring the tunnels underneath
• Floating in the Dead Sea
• Sunrise on Masada
• An archaeological dig
• Hiking in a gorgeous nature preserve with a refreshing waterfall at the end
• A night in a Bedouin tent
• A chance to meet your Israeli peers
• Swimming in the Mediterranean Sea at sunset

Registration for the Winter 2009 trip begins at 9 a.m. on September 9th and will close a few weeks later. Don't miss out on this chance of a lifetime - register early! Go to www.freeisraeltrip.org for more information, or email sheila@nchillel.org.

Please note: We expect a lot of applicants for our Winter trip.  Please put your $250 refundable deposit in ASAP.  If needed, we will pick applicants based on the date the deposit was put in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need in order to apply?

Is it safe to go?

How do I get a new passport or renew my old one?

How do I know if I am eligible?

Why do I have to put a deposit?

Does my deposit guarantee me a spot?

What are the dates of the trip?

What are the additional expenses of the trip?

How do I stay in Israel beyond the end of the trip?

What do I need in order to complete my application?

Register online at www.freeisraeltrip.org. You will need your passport number and it expiration date and a valid Mastercard, Visa, or American Express credit card for your $250 deposit. If your passport expires before December, 2009, you will need to get it renewed. You will also need to know your medical and emergency information. Make sure to select “Explore Israel: Campus Trip” on the application and to designate the school that you attend. If yours is not listed, select “Other” and write in the name of your school and your campus address.

Is it safe to go?

We are committed to providing a safe and celebratory experience for all of our trips. In cooperation with Taglit-birthright israel's international office, the Israeli government (through the Ministry of Education and security services) and our tour partners, Hillel monitors the situation in Israel on a daily basis. If ever we believed we could not provide an experience that is BOTH safe AND celebratory, we would postpone the trip.

Precautions taken for this trip are very extensive. Even though there are never guarantees when it comes to safety, in Israel or anywhere, we believe that, with these steps, we can ensure a successful and safe Israel experience. Nearly 20,000 people have journeyed with Hillel to Israel during the last six years, and they can tell you first hand about the security, the quality and the fun of our trips. We encourage you to ask them for yourself. For more information on Hillel's Safety and Security measures, click here.

How do I get a new passport or renew my old one?

For info on applying for a passport for the first time, click here.

For info on renewing your passport, click here.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you will need a travel visa from the Israeli Consulate. Please contact Geoff or Sheila for more information.

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How do I know if I am eligible?

If you have never traveled with a peer group (e.g., USY, study abroad, class trip), you are still eligible. Those who participated on March of the Living are eligible if you spent five days or fewer in Israel. If you have lived in Israel, but left before age 12, you will need to provide official documentation such as immigration papers, a report card for school in the U.S. or something similar. Students who are in the process of conversion are not eligible until they have completed their conversion.

Why do I have to put a deposit?

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. You may expect your refund about a month after the trip is complete. If you withdraw after the posted deadline, you will lose your deposit. Additionally, the deposits are used to help Hillel allocate seat numbers, so be sure to get yours in with your application!

Does my deposit guarantee me a spot?

Please note that spaces are limited on the trip and your registration does not guarantee acceptance or participation. To help assure we have enough spaces, please submit your deposit (by credit card only) at the time of your application. Deposits are fully refundable following completion of the trip, withdrawal before the posted deadline, or if you are waitlisted and not accepted.

What are the dates of the trip?

Hillel has very little control over selecting the actual flights. We expect our dates to be between December 19th, 2009 and January 8th, 2010.  We will know dates in late October and will notify all applicants then.  Once the dates have been released, participants can confirm their status or withdraw from the trip.

What are the additional expenses of the trip?

While students pay a refundable $250 deposit, their airfare from the departure city, hotel, and most meals are covered by birthright israel.  Participants are responsible for: travel to the departure city, one meal a day and approximately $80 for tips (for bus driver and tour guide).

How do I stay in Israel beyond the end of the trip?

After you are approved and ticketed for the trip, you can extend your stay through Gil Travel, Hillel’s agency in Israel. There will be a link on your application to their website once your flight information has been confirmed.

For any other questions, please contact Sheila@nchillel.org, and check out Hillel's FAQ.