Please see below for frequently asked questions about the Community Mission to Israel: Philly’s Got Israel’s Back. To return to the main Community Mission to Israel: Philly’s Got Israel’s Back page, click here.
Wednesday, April 15 – Friday, April 24, 2026 (this includes travel)
Programming will begin Thursday, April 16 at 5 p.m. Check in at the hotel will open at 3 p.m. On Thursday, April 23, our group will have a closing dinner at Tel Aviv, and there will be a transfer to Ben Guirion Airport for those flying out. If you are remaining in Israel, we can help coordinate your transportation.
- Spend 3 nights in Jerusalem at the Dan Panorama
- Spend 4 nights in Tel Aviv at the Dan Panorama
Flight Information:
Each participant is responsible for making their own flight arrangements.
We recommend that you make your flight arrangements through Luis Sole with Frosch Travel at luis.sole@frosch.com. If you do not plan to take our suggested flights, we strongly encourage flying El Al to and from Israel.
Below are the recommended flights. Please know that they are optional, not required.
NEWARK, NJ TO TEL AVIV, ISRAEL
El Al #LY26
Departing: Wednesday, April 15 at 9 p.m.
Arriving: Thursday, April 16 at 2:25 p.m.
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL TO NEWARK, NJ
El Al #LY27
Departing: Friday, April 24 at 12:30 a.m.
Arriving: Friday, April 24 at 5:15 a.m.
Yes, all international travelers to Israel will be required to have a permit or visa for entry. Travelers with passports from North America, Europe, or numerous other countries, can obtain the visa online here, using a quick and simple process.
The new visa, known as ETA-IL (Electronic Travel Authorization), is an online authorization system designed to simplify the entry process to Israel. Upon arriving in Israel, ETA-IL holders will be able to use the electronic check-in machines previously available only to Israeli citizens and residents to complete their entry process.
Applicants will usually receive a response within 72 hours. We recommend that you print out your visa confirmation to bring with you to the airport.
Please be aware that if you are flying to Israel through other countries, there are similar requirements for an ETA visa. This includes connecting flights where you do not leave the airport.
This list covers the major ETA systems in effect as of 2025:
- UK
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- The European Union (ETIAS)
- Israel
- Kenya
- South Korea
- Russia
- Seychelles
- Sri Lanka
* If you are on a connecting flight, always confirm the location you are flying through does or does not require ETA authorization.
Mission participants are asked to make a minimum contribution of $360 to the Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign.
Cost (land only):
- $5,800 – Double Occupancy
- $1,160 – Single Supplement
* This does not include a 3% credit card processing fee
This includes*:
- All accommodations
- Most meals
- All entrance and processing fees
- Guided tours
- Tips and gratuities
- Full-time security detail
- Luxury, air-conditioned coach bus (includes refreshments, water, and bathroom)
*Cost does not include airfare
*All mission participants will be expected to make a gift to the Jewish Federation’s 2026 Annual Campaign.
Thanks to a generous contribution from the Lasko foundation, there are a limited number of need-based $2,000 subsidies for those for whom it would make this trip possible. If selected, your discount will be reflected in your second payment.
Payment Policy
- A $500 non-refundable deposit is to be paid upon the participant’s registration for the Mission. Payment of this deposit will be required to secure an individual’s place and participation in the Mission.
- A payment of the remaining balance for the Mission is due by Sunday, Jan. 18. You will need to fill out a separate form that will be emailed to you to pay the remaining balance.
- Mission participants are strongly encouraged to purchase, at their expense, the level of travel insurance they feel comfortable buying.
Refund Policy
- On or before Sunday, Jan. 18: receive full reimbursement with the exception of the $500 non-refundable deposit made during registration.
- Between Monday, Jan. 19 and Sunday, March 15: receive a 50% refund with the exception of the $500 non-refundable deposit made during registration.
- On or after Monday, March 16: No refunds
- Cancellations must be submitted in writing by emailing Erica N. Miller at erica.miller@jewishphilly.org and Doreen Bason at dbason@jewishphilly.org
A $500 non-refundable deposit is to be paid upon the participant’s registration for the Mission. Payment of this deposit will be required to secure an individual’s place and participation in the Mission.
A payment of the remaining balance for the Mission is due by Sunday, Jan. 18.
For credit card payments, you will need to fill out a separate form that will be emailed to you to pay the remaining balance.
For check payments, please mail your check to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia office, using the address exactly as it appears below. Please allow up to ten (10) business days for check delivery and payment processing. Please do not make payments by check within thirty (30) days of any final payment due date.
Not using the exact address may result in your check being lost. A $50 service fee will apply for any checks returned by the bank for insufficient funds.
Memo: Missions Department – Community Mission to Israel: Philly’s Got Israel’s Back
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
C/O Missions Department
2 Commerce Square
2001 Market St – 23rd Floor
You can register for the mission by clicking here. Sign up by Sunday, Jan. 18.
Trip insurance is not required, but we strongly encourage mission participants to purchase the level of travel insurance and insurance for airfare that they feel will comfortably provide them with peace of mind when traveling.
Please consider purchasing coverage in the event that the mission is canceled for unforeseen reasons. The Jewish Federation would only cancel the mission in the event of extraordinary circumstances.
We strongly recommend that participants review their insurance coverages to ensure that there is no war exclusion.
Here are some trip insurance companies that we are aware of:
Redpoint Travel Protection: www.redpointtravelprotection.com
Allianz Travel Insurance: www.allianztravelinsurance.com
Travelex Insurance: www.travelexinsurance.com
Arch RoamRight: www.roamright.com
Covac Global: www.covacglobal.com
You will receive an email from Doreen Bason (dbason@jewishphilly.org) with a Virtru link, which we require you to use to protect your sensitive and confidential personally identifiable information (PII). The Virtru link will take you to a secure portal for you to provide the following required sensitive information for this mission:
- date of birth
- passport number
- passport issue date
- passport expiration date
- passport photo
You can also provide your global entry or trusted traveler number, if you have one.
Once you open the Virtru link, you will validate your email address. Please ensure that any sensitive information you input and upload are in the “encrypted message” and “files” section that is located beneath the text that says “all text and files below this line will be encrypted.”
There is an unencrypted section, located at the top of the form, where you can add a message to Doreen Bason, explaining that your mission documents are included in the secure section.
We ask that you do not customize any of the security settings. Once you have included all of the necessary information, click “share” to send the information to Doreen Bason. If you have any questions, please contact Doreen Bason at dbason@jewishphilly.org.
To see the Jewish Federation’s privacy policy, click here.
If registering for a double occupancy, please add the name of the person you want to room with when prompted during registration. If this is not done or the person listed does not register in time, we are unable to guarantee double occupancy. If you do not list a roommate during registration or that person does not register for the mission, you may be charged the single occupancy rate.
On Shabbat, you will have the opportunity to participate in optional programming, spend time on your own, or arrange to see family and friends.
If you’d like to spend more time with your family or friends, we highly recommend extending your time on the ground. For assistance, please contact Missions Manager Erica N. Miller at erica.miller@jewishphilly.org or 215.832.0629.
Most meals are included, except for three dinners. There will be one dinner on your own in Jerusalem and two in Tel Aviv.
In April, Israel transitions into the warm and dry spring season, offering generally pleasant weather with sunny days and cooler nights. Tel Aviv typically experiences pleasant and increasingly warm weather, with daytime highs typically ranging from 66°F to 77°F. Jerusalem tends to be cooler than Tel Aviv, with temperatures ranging from 59°F to 68°F and a higher chance of crisp evenings and early seasonal rainfall.
For travel logistics, contact Missions Manager Erica N. Miller at erica.miller@jewishphilly.org or 215.832.0629.
For more information about congregational participation in the mission, please contact Jewish Federation Sr. Chief of External Affairs Jeffrey Lasday at jlasday@jewishphilly.org or Rabbi David Glanzberg-Kranin of Beth Sholom Congregation at rdgk@bethsholomcongregation.org.