Thank you for indicating an interest in joining the Board of Rabbis and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia on an Emergency Solidarity Mission to Israel. Join other rabbis in the Jewish Greater Philadelphia community as you experience firsthand the emergent needs as well as receive on the ground debriefs of the current situation.
Participants commit to using the knowledge and experiences gained from the Emergency Solidarity Mission to Israel to work with the Jewish Federation and serve as vocal Israel supporters and ambassadors within their congregations, organizations and out in the community.
This is by invitation only.
Itinerary Details
- Engage in dialogue with leaders of the Masorti Movement and MARAM.
- Meet with peer rabbinical leaders who are providing spiritual guidance during this time of crisis.
- Have dinner with families of kidnapped individuals.
- Receive a geopolitical briefing with a military reporter.
- Visit an IDF base and hear firsthand accounts from soldiers.
- Mitzvah opportunity to help those impacted by the war.
- Visit a resilience center to learn about coping with trauma and meet with families who were evacuated from their homes
- Visit our partnership regions of Netivot and Sdot Negev to witness the impact of October 7 and the work of the NGOs, including Dror Israel, that Greater Philadelphia supports in the region.
- Meet with the Mayor of Sdot Negev Regional Council and other leadership.
- Receive a media briefing by a prominent Arab-Israeli journalist
*aspects of the itinerary are subject to change due to the war in Israel.
MISSION details
DATES
January 22-25, 2024 (this does not include travel time)
*The Mission will begin in Israel at 4:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel in Tel Aviv on January 22 and conclude with dinner on January 25.
PRICE (LAND ONLY, THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE FLIGHTS)*
- $2,000 – congregational rabbi
- $1,000 – non-congregational rabbi
The cost reflects a $1,500 subsidy, provided by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. Non-congregational rabbis receive an additional $1,000 subsidy, provided by the Board of Rabbis. Please know that this subsidy was not made through our emergency response campaign.
*subject to change
This includes:
- Single room accommodations
- Meals
- All entrance and processing fees
- Full-time security presence
- Bus
- Tour Guide
ACCOMODATIONS
- Sheraton, Tel Aviv
*subject to change
CANCELLATION POLICY
- This mission is non-refundable.
- Cancellations must be submitted in writing by emailing Erica N. Miller at erica.miller@jewishphilly.org and Doreen Bason at dbason@jewishphilly.org.
- In the event of cancellation of the Mission due to unforeseen circumstances, fees paid towards registration and prepaid other fees will be refunded to the extent we receive refunds from our vendors and suppliers.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Each participant is responsible for making their own flight arrangements. We recommend that you make your flight arrangements through our flight concierge service, Luis Sole with Frosch Travel at luis.sole@frosch.com.
Please know that programming begins at 4:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel in Tel Aviv.
COVID-19 UPDATE
Please know that we are closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and are working with our partners in Israel to ensure your safety. Your health and the health of others is our top priority. Proof of full vaccination (FDA or EMA approved vaccines) is required. Please visit the Israel’s Ministry of Health website, the CDC website and the U.S. Department of State website for their latest travel policies and alerts.
U.S. TRAVEL UPDATES TO ISRAEL
Please visit the U.S. travel advisory website by clicking here for the most up to date information.
- Check the most recent Alerts at the Embassy website for the latest information on travel in all of these areas.
- Maintain a high degree of situational awareness and exercise caution at all times, especially at checkpoints and other areas with a significant presence of security forces.
- Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
- Follow the instructions of security and emergency response officials.
- Beware of and report suspicious activities, including unattended items, to local police.
- Learn the location of the nearest bomb shelter or other hardened shelter. Download the Home Front Command Red Alert application for mobile devices to receive real time alerts for rocket attacks.
- Obtain comprehensive travel medical insurance that includes medical evacuation prior to travel. Most travel insurance packages do not cover mental health related illnesses/care.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
- Review the Country Security Report for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist
INSURANCE
We strongly recommend that participants review their insurance coverages to ensure there is no war exclusion.
Trip insurance is not required, but we strongly encourage mission participants to purchase the level of travel insurance they feel comfortable will provide them with travel peace of mind.
In accordance with the recommendations of the Director General of the Ministry of Health of the State of Israel, please know that you are required to have a health insurance policy with coverage for the treatment abroad of the COVID-19 virus. Travelers are required to have a health insurance policy with coverage for the treatment abroad of the COVID-19 virus. Any coverage that goes beyond that is at the choice of the participant. Please visit the Israel’s Ministry of Health website, the CDC website and the U.S. Department of State website for their latest travel policies.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Erica N. Miller, Missions Manager, at erica.miller@jewishphilly.org or 215.832.0629.