Bulletin #1: 2015 Summer Handbook
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Bulletin #1: 2015 Summer Handbook Important information for participants and parents about the Union for Reform Judaism’s Mitzvah Corps Israel program, sponsored in partnership with the URJ’s NFTY in Israel program Please read carefully and save for your reference. Refer back to this guide when making pre-trip preparations and during the trip. You will receive Bulletin #2 and Bulletin #3 by email in the spring. Packing list may be found on page 10. Contact Us North American Staff Finance Staff Israel Staff Mitzvah Corps and NFTY in Israel NFTY in Israel NFTY in Israel 46 Bowen Road 13 King David Street 633 3rd Avenue, 7th Floor Warwick, NY 10990 Jerusalem, Israel 94101 New York, NY 10017 Phone: (845) 987-6300 Phone: 011 (972) 2-624-6195 Mitzvah Corps Contact: ext. 6354 ext. 101 (212) 650-4071 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] [email protected] Fax: (845) 986-7185 Fax: 011 (972) 2-624-1295 NFTY in Israel Contact: (212) 452-6517 [email protected] Fax: (212) 650-4016 About Mitzvah Corps Israel Bulletins Bulletin #1: This Document This document is Bulletin #1, which contains nearly all the information you will need for making preparations before your Israel summer program, as well as information for parents during the summer. However, this bulletin does not contain information about trip dates or instructions for making domestic travel arrangements (which you should not do until you receive Bulletin #2). Bulletin #2: Spring Email You will receive Bulletin #2 by email only, around the first week of April. At this time, the airlines will have confirmed our flight dates, so we are able to share our definite dates and flight times with you. We will also include instructions for making domestic travel arrangements, as well as your group roster, information about renting a cell phone while in Israel, and the details of our pre-summer conference call. Bulletin #3: Pre-Trip Email You will receive Bulletin #3 by email only, approximately three to four weeks before your trip’s departure date. In addition to reiterating the most pertinent information from the previous two bulletins, it will include your daily itinerary, information about your staff and Mitzvah Corps Israel’s supervision in general, dates and times when your friends and family in Israel will be able to visit your group, and the details of our social media connections throughout the summer. Final Email You will receive a Final Email around a week before your departure with important reminders for the day of travel, including who will serve as your flight chaperone. This email will also include the contact sheet for parents to contact our summer staff if the need arises (we recommend printing and hanging it on your refrigerator). 2 Table of Contents Trip Preparation Things to Do Right Now ..................................................................................................................5 Complete Your Application ................................................................................................................... 5 Passports ............................................................................................................................................... 6 Put Your Financial Affairs in Order ........................................................................................................ 7 Travel Information .........................................................................................................................8 Domestic Travel Arrangements ............................................................................................................ 8 International Flights .............................................................................................................................. 8 What to Bring .................................................................................................................................9 Luggage ................................................................................................................................................. 9 Packing List .......................................................................................................................................... 10 Electric Current ................................................................................................................................... 11 Spending Money ................................................................................................................................. 11 While on the Trip NFTY’s Health and Safety Protocols ............................................................................................... 13 Safety and Security ............................................................................................................................. 13 Leaders, Tour Guide-Educators, Staff ................................................................................................. 14 NFTY’s Brit Kehillah – Code of Conduct .............................................................................................. 14 Cigarette Smoking ............................................................................................................................... 14 Alcohol ................................................................................................................................................ 14 Healthcare ................................................................................................................................... 15 Health and Safety ................................................................................................................................ 15 Medical Insurance on International Programs ................................................................................... 15 In Case of Illness .................................................................................................................................. 15 Medication .......................................................................................................................................... 16 Immunization Policy Summary ........................................................................................................... 17 Room and Board .......................................................................................................................... 18 Accommodations ................................................................................................................................ 18 Food .................................................................................................................................................... 18 Keeping in Touch .......................................................................................................................... 19 Cell Phones .......................................................................................................................................... 19 Other Electronics: Tablets, Laptops, Etc. ............................................................................................ 21 Mailing Letters .................................................................................................................................... 21 Packages .............................................................................................................................................. 22 Social Media: Following the Trip from Home ..................................................................................... 22 Visiting Relatives and Friends ............................................................................................................. 23 Important Contact Information .......................................................................................................... 24 3 About Mitzvah Corps and NFTY in Israel Programmatic Partnership and Integration The Union for Reform Judaism sponsors many programs for youth of all ages. As two of the URJ’s programs dedicated to serving Reform Jewish teens, Mitzvah Corps and NFTY in Israel are partnering to provide an experience that integrates Mitzvah Corps’ expertise in hands-on social justice service with NFTY in Israel’s meaningful, educational travel program. This year, Mitzvah Corps and NFTY in Israel are partnering with Shorashim, a nonprofit organization that builds relationships between Israelis and Americans, and has a long history of providing immersive volunteer opportunities in Israel. They share our values and deep commitment to meaningful programming and the highest levels of health and safety. Practically speaking, the Mitzvah Corps team in North America will handle general inquiries and questions about programmatic content. The NFTY in Israel team will handle registration, supplemental forms, international travel, program arrangements in Israel, and communication regarding preparation for the trip. Together, we have planned the itinerary, social justice modules and informal education components. At any time, you may hear directly from either the Mitzvah Corps staff or the NFTY in Israel staff. We will always provide contact information for the appropriate staff to reach in case of questions or follow-up. Peace of Mind The health, safety and security of our participants and peace of mind for their parents are our highest priority. Our leadership makes every decision regarding all aspects of our programs with great care, based on nearly six decades of experience in camping, youth