updated 12/14/2021
For Taglit: Birthright Israel's latest FAQ updates regarding COVID-19, please click here.
On this page, you will find our frequently asked questions regarding the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and general questions regarding a Hillel: Birthright Israel experience.
COVID-19 FAQ:
*All Covid-19 related FAQ are subject to change*
What are the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for entry to Israel?
Israel has made it mandatory for all travelers to have a COVID-19 booster shot if their initial vaccination (second shot for Moderna or Pfizer, or one dose of J&J) was more than six months ago. If your initial vaccination was more than six months ago, you will need to obtain a booster vaccine. Please keep in mind that a booster shot is only valid for entry into Israel if it was received 7 days prior to your arrival (Pfizer) or 14 days prior to your arrival (Moderna). You must be fully vaccinated within 180 days of your last scheduled day in Israel.
How is Birthright Israel making its health and safety decisions?
We are working closely with Israel’s Ministry of Health and will maintain the highest level of precautions once trips resume and adjust whenever necessary. For more information please visit https://il.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/.
I started an application but never finished… now what?
If you wish to travel in summer 2022, we highly recommend that you complete your application to get a head start on the process as soon as possible. We anticipate high demand and trips fill up fast - be sure to go in and update your application at freeisraeltrip.org/go.
How will my trip be different from a regular trip due to COVID-19?
As it always has been for the last 21 years of operation, the safety and well-being of our participants and staff is our highest priority and foremost concern. Most of the flights to Israel will be direct, your Birthright Israel group will have fewer participants, you will spend more time outdoors, visit sites that abide by the high standards of Israel’s Ministry of Health, wear a facemask in public and keep 6 feet / 2 meters from others outside your group when possible.
What should I do if my winter Birthright trip has been cancelled?
To select a later trip date or move your trip to a future season, please login to your application. Your deposit will be available for you to carry over to another round or be refunded. If you confirmed and paid for an extension on your upcoming trip, you will be refunded by Gil Travel. There is no need to contact Gil Travel directly, they will begin processing refunds within the next few days.
Other than that, we can assure you that we will take all necessary measures to ensure a safe, fun and enjoyable Birthright Israel experience.
Israel has made it mandatory for all travelers to have a COVID-19 booster shot if their initial vaccination (second shot for Moderna or Pfizer, or one dose of J&J) was more than six months ago. If your initial vaccination was more than six months ago, you will need to obtain a booster vaccine. Please keep in mind that a booster shot is only valid for entry into Israel if it was received 7 days prior to your arrival (Pfizer) or 14 days prior to your arrival (Moderna). You must be fully vaccinated within 180 days of your last scheduled day in Israel.
How is Birthright Israel making its health and safety decisions?
We are working closely with Israel’s Ministry of Health and will maintain the highest level of precautions once trips resume and adjust whenever necessary. For more information please visit https://il.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/.
I started an application but never finished… now what?
If you wish to travel in summer 2022, we highly recommend that you complete your application to get a head start on the process as soon as possible. We anticipate high demand and trips fill up fast - be sure to go in and update your application at freeisraeltrip.org/go.
How will my trip be different from a regular trip due to COVID-19?
As it always has been for the last 21 years of operation, the safety and well-being of our participants and staff is our highest priority and foremost concern. Most of the flights to Israel will be direct, your Birthright Israel group will have fewer participants, you will spend more time outdoors, visit sites that abide by the high standards of Israel’s Ministry of Health, wear a facemask in public and keep 6 feet / 2 meters from others outside your group when possible.
What should I do if my winter Birthright trip has been cancelled?
To select a later trip date or move your trip to a future season, please login to your application. Your deposit will be available for you to carry over to another round or be refunded. If you confirmed and paid for an extension on your upcoming trip, you will be refunded by Gil Travel. There is no need to contact Gil Travel directly, they will begin processing refunds within the next few days.
Other than that, we can assure you that we will take all necessary measures to ensure a safe, fun and enjoyable Birthright Israel experience.
GENERAL FAQ:
Thank you for your interest in a Birthright Israel: Hillel Trip!
Q: When do you have trips departing?
A: We will have multiple trips departing almost every week during the months of May - July for summer trips and December - January for winter trips. Trips will depart from New York, Philadelphia, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, Washington and Los Angeles. If you are traveling with your campus, please be in touch with them about your trip dates.
Q: What if I am only available for a certain date?
A: In part two of the application there is a section where you can fill in with your available date options. The more dates you say you are available for, the better your chances are of getting on one of those trips.
Q: What if the flight is not departing from my hometown?
A: You are responsible for finding and paying for any domestic travel. You should NOT book any domestic travel until you are confirmed for a trip by receiving an email from us AND seeing the flight information in part 2 of your application.
Q: Questions about the deposit?
A: The refundable $250 deposit is submitted directly to Birthright Israel in the online application. The deposit can only be submitted once the online application is complete, and Birthright Israel will refund the deposit following the trip, if you are waitlisted, or if you withdraw from the trip prior to the refund deadline for accepted participants. Additionally, a non-refundable $10 deposit fee will be charged when the deposit is submitted. Can't make it this winter but want to travel with us summer/winter? You can transfer your deposit for up to TWO seasons in the future. If you are requesting a deposit refund please email Israel@hillel.org. After your refund has been requested it may take up to two weeks to be posted back on your account. For other deposit issues from the United States, please send an email to information@birthrightisrael.com with the word DEPOSIT in the subject line and explain what the issue is.
Q: How much is Birthright Israel?
A: Besides the $250 refundable deposit and $10 processing fee, the travel accommodations are free of cost thanks to generous donors. We suggest bringing about $200-$500 USD on the trip to cover the following:
- Money to cover 1 meal a day (usually around $10 USD)
- Suggested $100 tip for Tour Educator, Bus Driver and Guard
- Spending money for gifts, souvenirs and more.
Q: I want to travel with a friend or sibling on their campus Hillel trip. What should I do?
A: You should complete the Birthright Israel application, mark Hillel as your trip organizer, and pay the deposit. Once that is completed you will be sent an automated email asking you, among other things, to fill in part 2 of the application. In Part 2 you are able to request travel buddies.
Q: I tried requesting a friend in part 2 but there name did not automatically appear when I typed it into the space?
A: If your travel buddies have registered with Hillel then their name will automatically fill in. If their name does not automatically fill in, then below that there is a space for you to provide us with your friend’s name and email so we can be in touch with them to register with Hillel and hopefully get you on a trip together.
Q: The application says that I am missing information but when I check everything is there. What’s going on?
A: There is a lag time of 24 hours between you inputting information in your online application and the missing information section being updated. Please check again in 24 hours, and if it is still not updated, please let us know by e-mailing Israel@hillel.org .
Q: I do not have a passport yet. Can I still complete the application?
A: Please complete the application, and add in your passport information as soon as you have one. Please also note: The name on your application MUST MATCH the name on your passport exactly! Please also remember that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your scheduled departure date from Israel. Please also remember that the passport process takes a few weeks to please make sure to renew or get a passport as soon as possible.
Q: What if I want to extend my trip?
A: Check out our "Extend" page for more information.
In case of an AFTER HOURS emergency on a Birthright Israel trip, please call (202)-503-4091.
