The following questions and answers are designed to help you. If you have questions not answered here please write to us at schools@israelexperts.com or call us at 1-800-218-9851

• Why take a school trip to Israel?
• Is an Israel program appropriate for all schools?
• What is the correct age for participation in such a school program?
• How does a school educational program differ from the usual Israel experience?
• How long should a program be?
• How IsraelExperts will help prepare your school for its Israel experience?
• What is a "mifgash"?
• What sort of community service can we encorporate into the program?
• Do you provide full insurance coverage?
• How can we track our kids when they are in Israel?

Why take a school trip to Israel?

Jews of all ages have testified that an Israel experience is life transforming. This experience can be equally transforming for your Jewish school itself, when specifically constructed and implemented for and by your school.

Participants discover the power of the Land of Israel as it works its magic on their developing Jewish identity.

• They walk in the footsteps of our forebearers
• Texts studied in school suddenly come to life
• The Hebrew language of the classroom takes on a new dynamic character
• Motivation for continued learning naturally increases
• Shabbat and holidays celebrated in the total environment of Israel make a powerful statement
• Israeli peers sharing such an experience help to create everlasting bonds of friendship that build Jewish connections
• School community is developed as students and staff share emotional and learning moments together

The students expand their Jewish knowledge and experiential base and form new connections to the Land, People and Torah of Israel.

Is an Israel program appropriate for all schools?

Absolutely!
Jewish community day schools, religious movement day schools, synagogue Hebrew schools and religious schools, confirmation classes and community sponsored joint school programs will find that such an experience has an enormous impact on students, staff and the school itself.

What is the correct age for participation in such a school program?

Most schools have found that the best ages for such a program are at 7-8th grade level; confirmation class; or during 10-11th grade. In any case a program must be constructed to meet the needs of the particular age group and its background.

How does a school educational program differ from the usual Israel experience?

A well constructed school program takes a number of factors into account:

• The curriculum of your school itself and the necessity of integrating this experience into the larger educational framework
• The pre-program preparation and the follow up carried on in the home school aids in the development of motivation and enthusiasm and their integration into your home school
• The design of the program is dictated by the age range and interest of the participants and the skills of the home school staff who join the program

IsraelExperts provides the skilled and well-trained staff capable of teaching, guiding and implementing this program. Curriculum designers define and highlight the Jewish identity-forming elements that are potential in an Israel experience.

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How long should a program be?

Every school has its own calendar. Whether you chose to set up a two-week winter or spring break trip, or a longer educational experience during the summer months, IsraelExperts will develop the appropriate program for your school.

How IsraelExperts will help prepare your school for its Israel experience?

A quality Israel school program must include appropriate preparation prior to such an experience. IsraelExperts has a variety of options for preparing student participants for their upcoming experience.

• Curriculum design: IsraelExperts has prepared a curriculum for the teaching of Israel specifically designed for the Israel experience. In addition, the curriculum development team of our staff will work with schools on the formation of a curriculum designed for the special needs of a specific school. Our staff will work directly with your staff to design the curriculum most appropriate for your school, the specific classes and age groups
• Program planning: A member of IsraelExperts curriculum team will be available to visit your school in order to meet with teaching staff and administrators to work together in defining needs and in pre-program planning
• Teacher training: IsraelExperts is organizing a "fam" familiarization tour for select staff from participating schools in order to provide staffs an advance view of the participants' Israel curriculum

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What is a "mifgash"?

A "Migash" is an encounter. Israeli peers sharing such an experience as a school trip help to create everlasting bonds of friendship that build Jewish connections. School community is developed as students and staff share emotional and learning moments together. The students expand their Jewish knowledge and experiential base and form new connections to the Land, People and Torah of Israel. IsraelExperts works with most of the partnered communities through the vehicle of Partnership 2000. Specifically, IsraelExperts has worked extensively with the Yokneam/Meggido youth in mifgashim with the St. Louis community. This program can be incorporated into the flow of the curriculum or as an additional module during the program. The Israeli peers from Yokneam/Meggido may join for a Shabbat or for a longer duration. Should you be interested, IsraelExperts can facilitate discussion with the partners to consider home hospitality options.

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What sort of community service can we encorporate into the program?

IsraelExperts works closely with Yad Lekashish, a selection of charities and various community centers and community projects throughout the country. Through our close relationships we can develop and implement the appropriate community service program that meets your needs.

Do you provide full insurance coverage?

IsraelExperts carries insurance policies, liability, third party and employers, according to the highest standards of the Israel travel industry. We are willing to provide you with proof of insurance and medical coverage agreements. We are prepared (as we do with Taglit-Birthright Israel), to name your school as an additional insured, and indemnify the client.

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How can we stay in touch with our kids when they are in Israel?

PHONES
IsraelExperts provides the group with at least two cellular phones affording access to our office and staff 24 hours a day. In addition to this we can arrange preferrential rates for cellphone rental for all of our groups.
WEBSITE
IsraelExperts has a system for regular updates for all of our groups, through our IsraelExperts.com website. Your school name will appear on our opening page, allowing for on-line daily updates for parents, family and schoolmates. We upload pictures (at your discretion) on a daily basis. The participants write the daily "blogs" for the site, keeping family and friends abreast as to the program details.
ISRAEL OFFICE
IsraelExperts is based in Israel and is staffed with exceptional administrators and educators who are veteran Israel Experience professionals. IsraelExperts offices in Israel are accessible by toll-free lines from North America, providing 24 hour a day, year round support and communication with participants, staff and family members.

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