FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Yuval Yisrael provides full room and board throughout the trip and three kosher meals a day. Participants will stay in either quad or double rooms. Throughout the program, participants will stay in a variety of accommodations including hotels, kibbutzim, host homes, and the Agron Guest House.

Laundry services will be available once in the middle of the program. Participants should pack clothes for 10-11 days.

We cannot guarantee that there will always be Wifi available throughout the program. If you plan to bring a smart device, we recommend that you either purchase a cell phone plan or SIM card. If you do not intend to purchase a local plan, please review procedures to prevent data roaming in Israel as it can lead to very high costs.

Yuval Yisrael will make every effort to provide options to those who require special diets. Vegetarian/vegan and gluten-free options are provided at every meal for participants who sign up for them. Please provide this information in your medical forms.

Yuval Yisrael is not a nut-free environment, however, we request that participants refrain from eating any food with nuts in closed areas including on the buses, in the dormitories, and in the moadonim (common rooms).

Ramah Israel and USY are strongly committed to making Yuval Yisrael accessible to all participants no matter the financial barrier. Below are some options to help navigate the cost of the program. If you would like further assistance to manage the cost, please contact us.

All participants residing in North America will be eligible for a RootOne Voucher (R1V) subsidy in the amount of $3,000 this coming summer! This significant reduction to our price allows Yuval Yisrael to be more financially accessible enabling us to connect, explore and grow all together in Israel. More information regarding this subsidy to follow. By opting into this voucher, participants will be expected to participate in online Yuval Yisrael-related assignments prior to the summer.
*RootOne is seeded through the generosity of The Marcus Foundation and is powered by The Jewish Education Project. Please visit RootOne.org for more information.

Check out Plant Your Way – JNF’s innovative program that will help you save money for a trip to Israel and, at the same time, raise money for the greening of Israel.

Past TRY students will receive a $500 discount on Yuval Yisrael tuition. 

All passports must be valid for six months following your return flight. Obtaining a new passport can take weeks, or sometimes months. Please check your passports now and apply for a new one if necessary to ensure your ability to participate in Yuval Yisrael.

For those booking domestic flights at the start or end of Yuval Yisrael, leave yourself at least four hours prior to/following your international flight as a precaution. A representative of USY/Ramah will wait for participants next to the El Al check-in area in JFK. Their name and telephone number will be sent out closer to the date of departure.

Departure LY 026 EWR -TLV, July 8, 21:00 July 9, 14:25
Return LY 027 TLV – EWR, July 30, 00:30, July 30, 05:15

Packing List – Yuval Yisrael 2025
12 short-sleeved shirts
1 bath towel and 1 beach towel
2 long-sleeved shirts/sweatshirts
Prescription meds (see handbook for packing procedure)
6 pairs of shorts
Second pair of glasses, extra contacts (Bring prescriptions)
2 pairs of jeans or lightweight pants
Sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent with DEET
2 bathing suits
Electronics: plug adapters, converters, chargers, portable chargers
1 pair of sneakers (for sports/ tiyulim)
Toiletries, soap/body wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, band-aids, comb or hairbrush
12 pairs of socks
Shaving equipment (220V) if needed
1 pair of hiking boots
Any hair dryers / other personal appliances should be 220V
1 pair of “water shoes” with a back for hikes (mot Crocs or flip-flops)
Water bottles or “Camelback” (total 3-4 litres / 101 – 135 fluid ounces)
OPTIONAL – 1 pair of Shabbat shoes
2 hats with brims that cover head (no bandanas)
OPTIONAL – 1 pair of sandals with back straps (in addition to water shoes)
1 laundry bag with name
Two weeks of Shabbat attire (Friday night and Saturday) Light weight dresses/ skirts, khaki pants, button down or polo shirts, no shirts with writing)
1 school sized backpack for tiyulim (maybe personal bag for flight)
12 pairs of underwear
I hold all / bag for overnight trips
2 pairs of pyjamas
Kippot, Tefilin for all male identifying participants (required)
Flashlight / batteries
Daily Tiyul Attire: Sleeved shirt (shoulders fully covered for sun protection, closed shoes, hat, 3 l of water)

  • Yuval Yisrael highly recommends that each chanich/a either 
    • a) have a cell phone plan that provides data and/or cell service in Israel 
    • b) purchase a SIM card from Talk n’Save. Should you purchase a SIM card, you will need to ensure that your phone is unlocked by your cell provider. 

Yuval Yisrael is a Ramah and USY program, offering a kosher, egalitarian, Shabbat observant, joyful, and spirited Jewish community. For more information about our religious framework, please contact us.

All participants are fully covered for medical care, including doctors’ visits, medications, x-rays, and hospitalization. This coverage extends from the time of arrival in Israel until the end of the program, but does not cover diseases, illnesses, or medical problems resulting from pre-existing conditions, pregnancy, or self-inflicted injuries. In addition, we will be purchasing a Coronavirus add-on that covers COVID-19 testing (provided pending approval of the Ministry of Health) and all medical treatments, doctors’ visits, medications and hospitalizations as a result of COVID-19 infection. Yuval Yisrael staff will ensure that all students receive the medical treatment recommended or prescribed by our health care professionals. Our Mirpa’ah (infirmary) is open 24/7 and is staffed by a paramedic and support staff. A doctor comes to our base for visits, as needed. Counselors accompany students to all medical appointments or tests.

The medical coverage does not include dental, orthodontic, optical, or psychological care. However, Yuval Yisrael staff will facilitate such appointments, if needed, at the participant’s expense. We recommend a complete dental check-up before departure for Israel.

Families are highly encouraged, but not required, to sign up for travel insurance to plan for the unexpected. More information on this option can be available here.

The mental health of our participants is extremely important to us. All of our participants will have access to a camper care professional throughout the entirety of the program as needed. This professional will work with each participant and their family before Yuval Yisrael to ensure that their mental health needs will be cared for and met on the program. All applications will be screened by the Yuval Yisrael staff.

  • Ramah Israel and USY have earned the reputation of maintaining the highest level of safety and security for all of our trips. 
  • Yuval Yisrael strictly adheres to the security policies established by Israel’s Ministry of Education governing all field trips and activities.
    • All field trips are cleared prior to each day’s program, with the appropriate authorities (including full coordination with the Safety and Security Situation Room, Chadar Matzav, of the SPNI and Israeli police).  
    • Transportation to all programmed activities is handled by chartered buses
    • All Yuval Yisrael participants are given complete security/safety procedures and protocols.