# I'm going to Israel! For free!! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 18, 2004, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-israel-for-free/245693 "2004-05-18T01:50:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![av8rmike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@av8rmike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/av8rmike)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-israel-for-free/245693/1 "2004-05-18T01:50:19Z")
> [@](#): > > Welcome to the birthright israel family! You are joining over 11,000 participants this summer and over 60,000 alumni from around the world who have also been recipients of the birthright israel gift – that is over 70,000 over the last five years! The gift of the 10-day trip is being provided by our partners: the people of Israel through the Government of Israel, North American Jewish Federations through the United Jewish Communities (UJC), and leading private philanthropists. Please take a few minutes to learn more about our partners, especially your local Jewish Federation, which is your gateway to community involvement, continued learning and leadership opportunities. > > We are very excited to have you along this Spring/Summer and want to help you get ready for your trip. On our website, [www.birthrightisrael.com](http://www.birthrightisrael.com) you will find suggested packing lists, a Virtual Tour of Israel and some travel Hebrew lessons to get you started. I have to say, I’m really nervous about this. I haven’t even told my mom yet, and believe me, I’m not looking forward to that conversation! But I’m also excited. I’m 26 now, which as some of you may know, is the cut-off age for this tour. This is, for all intents and purposes, my last chance to go to Israel, at least for free. So, besides our esteemed **Kyla** , who lived there for a while, and **Alessan** and **Noone Special** , who live there now, who else has been there? What can people tell me about the experience? ---
**Author:** ![OneYogini](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b9e5f3/32.png) [@OneYogini](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneYogini)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-israel-for-free/245693/2 "2004-05-18T02:04:40Z")
[highjack - sorry] Dammit, I just did this in another thread and I apologize, really. Someone else posted they are going to Afganistan and I thought THAT was amazing…but Israel - - wow!! I’m not only impressed but jealous! What an amazing opportunity!! As I said to the other poster, please be sure to come back and share your experience!! Please! 😃 Congratulations and safe journey. [end highjack] ---
**Author:** ![Anita\_Vacation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Anita\_Vacation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anita_Vacation)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-israel-for-free/245693/3 "2004-05-18T10:55:12Z")
My heart is filled with joy for you. Mazel tov! ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-israel-for-free/245693/4 "2004-05-18T11:36:03Z")
Dude be careful! Have fun and take lots of pictures! ---
**Author:** ![av8rmike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@av8rmike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/av8rmike)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-israel-for-free/245693/5 "2004-05-18T12:01:58Z")
Forgot to mention… the trip leaves mid-June (the 13th, maybe), and is 10 days long. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-israel-for-free/245693/6 "2004-05-18T12:04:38Z")
Wow, another MAD takes his temporary leave of us… Be safe. And congrats for getting to go! Almost makes me wish I were Jewish AND under 26. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-israel-for-free/245693/7 "2004-05-18T12:36:06Z")
I’m so very excited for you, Mike! Like Anita said. Mazel tov! ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-israel-for-free/245693/8 "2004-05-18T12:53:08Z")
Mazel tov on getting into the Birthright program, and nsiya tovah! (Have a good trip!) I’ve been to Israel twice - 1982 and 1993. (Statistically, I ought to go again this year.) It’s a very informal country, though modest dress is appropriate in all religious sites. There’s ancient history at every step. The Bible is your best tour book for Israel. Your guides will do their best to keep the trip safe. So enjoy your time there. Take lots of pictures and spend lots of money! (hijack) I do the thousand post happy dance! (/hijack) ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-israel-for-free/245693/9 "2004-05-18T12:56:58Z")
Sounds like an amazing trip - but do be very careful! ---
**Author:** ![moi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@moi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moi)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-israel-for-free/245693/10 "2004-05-18T15:05:33Z")
Congratulations, Mike. I hope you have a mahvelous time, and I can’t wait to hear about your tirp upon your return. Get packin’! ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-israel-for-free/245693/11 "2004-05-18T16:28:20Z")
Mazel Tov on getting to go on this trip! I was also a recipient of the Jewish Federation’s generosity in the form of a 10 year, interest free loan so that I could spend 6 weeks in Israel in the summer of 1979. It was a spectacular experience. I’d be happy to share anything I can recall, but it would probably be more beneficial if you could say what your itinerary is (it wouldn’t do much good to gush on and on about how amazing the pre-dawn climb up Masada is if you’re not going to get to do that). Also, the geography of Israel has changed a LOT since I was there (the Sinai was still occupied territory at the time, so we got to spend a week camping along the Red Sea, all the way to the tip of the peninsula and then up to Mt. Sinai). Jerusalem was my favorite, though. To be able to see the Temple’s Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock and the Gardens of Gethsemane really brought it all into perspective.