Post: #26

I leave in a week and a half and am pretty excited. How far should I book ahead for a hostel/apartment in Tel Aviv? Usually when I backpack I just roll up the day of and find something but I feel like with all of the activity it might be wise to get something a little in advance.

The thing is that none of my buddies from home overlap exactly or want to commit to a full week in Tel Aviv, I'm not sure if I'll want to stay with people in my group, and I certainly won't stay in a group or 5+. I think I might just book a solo hostel room and go from there.

Post: #27

One thing I'm curious about is this: how is this all paid for? You've got all these jew kids traveling for "free" but who is paying for it?

Then I think about the aid to Israel that tax dollars support.

Clarity please.

Post: #28

Quote:One thing I'm curious about is this: how is this all paid for? You've got all these jew kids traveling for "free" but who is paying for it?

Then I think about the aid to Israel that tax dollars support.

Clarity please.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthrigh...el#Funding

Post: #29

@ Fisto- donations from Jewish Federation. Security is provided by IDF (Israeli Army). This is all privately run. Sheldon Adelson (Vegas hotel big-shot) donates something like 30-40MM/year. Back when his stock crashed 90% in 1 year, donations ceased for that year.

A lot of trips got cancelled because of lack of funding. Good financial years have lots of trips, 2008-2010 trips were much harder to come by.

Nowadays the foundation got a lot smarter and raised a lot of money from diverse sources and less focused on "big whales".

Post: #30

(04-28-2014 01:02 PM)DVY Wrote:  @ Fisto- donations from Jewish Federation. Security is provided by IDF (Israeli Army). This is all privately run. Sheldon Adelson (Vegas hotel big-shot) donates something like 30-40MM/year. Back when his stock crashed 90% in 1 year, donations ceased for that year.

A lot of trips got cancelled because of lack of funding. Good financial years have lots of trips, 2008-2010 trips were much harder to come by.

Nowadays the foundation got a lot smarter and raised a lot of money from diverse sources and less focused on "big whales".

In that case, that is awesome.

Post: #31

Saw this awhile ago and wanted to comment, so yall are better prepared than I was.

I did Birthright a few years ago. Back when I had basically no ability with girls at all, altho I could talk to them! I went on an Orthodox trip (Israel Free Spirit), so dont knock those. I cant compare it to a secular trip, but I think it was great. It is very intensive and fast paced and you will get sleep deprived, but you can nap on the buses. They allowed a night out in Tel Aviv and werent really strict about anything. They basically just said dont get into trouble or embarrass us. Its a supposedly open secret that you are to meet mates and hookup with your groupmembers or the soldiers, something my bluepill/oblivious self didnt realize at the time.

There was a girl that took a liking to me. I didnt notice it at first when she would randomly talk to me, I was like "Why are you talking to me?" She would also come up with her best friend. Later, on Shabbat, we were walking and talking (the three of us) back to the hotel, and her friend asked if I had a girlfriend. That shouldve really hit it home, but I didnt even know what to do. I look back and I dont even remember what I thought would happen. If it were now, Id probably take them both to some sidestreet for a threesome and we can catch up with the group later. So be prepared to move super quick.

DEFINITELY extend as long as you can. And there is so much more to the country than Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv is a great city, just like most European cities, albeit smaller. But spend time in Jerusalem, Haifa, Sefat, Eilat is a 3 hour bus ride from Jlem and has great resorts. There is so much more than nightlife and "seizing and lying with" girls. Learn about your history and culture. Find out if you have family there (I do). I went for about two months. People also go to Cyprus and Jordan on short trips; I didnt. A note about most Muslim countries except Turkey, Jordan, and Egypt: you cant get into them with an Israeli stamp. Someone here said they were going to meet a friend in Beirut. No you arent, hahaha. You may get lucky, but they know that a 10 day trip is Birthright, not business.

There are also lots of great programs afterwards. One of the best is Livnot, which is like birthright, but has volunteer work (park cleanups, orphanages, archaeology). Its also so much more laid back compared to Birthright. We were all amazed at how much free time we had. This is a great opportunity to meet young Jews for any reason and you can be up to 30 for it. It costs about $100/week. It is orthodox, so youll be celebrating holidays, but really, learn about your culture ffs.

There is also another program called Meor, which is like a longer birthright. its more relaxed, but still intense. And it is religious-oriented. But socializing is encouraged at all this stuff. And Masa offers a load of subsidized or free trips. Remember to give back if you ever strike it rich.

Feel free to message me about general Israel stuff, eg: places to go/see, hostel recommendations, travel tips, how to haggle, etc. I spent two months there and am going back this fall or winter.

Post: #32

I'm going June 30-July 10 and I extended the trip so I'm gonna be back in Tel-Aviv from July 25-29 before I fly back to the States (going to Turkey/EE in between). I'm down to meet up if this overlaps with anybody's dates.