Questions: Do I have to be a college student? What are the dates of the trip? Can I travel with a friend on the program? How will the groups be formed? Will a deposit be required? What if I don't have a passport yet? What if I do not have medical insurance? Where do I depart from? What are the accommodations and mode of transportation in Israel? What are the eligibility requirements ? What about safety and security? Can I extend my ticket and stay in Israel
1.	Q.	Do I have to be a college student? What if I am a current high school senior?
	A.	You do NOT need to be a college student, but you must have completed high school in order to be eligible to participate in the program.
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2.	Q.	What are the dates of the trip?
	A.	Dates will be posted on our homepage as they become available.
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3.	Q.	Can I travel with a friend on the program?
	A.	Yes. You will have an opportunity to request with whom to be placed in a group, and we will do our best to accomodate your requests. Encourage your friends and family to apply ASAP - this will enhance our ability to place you in a group together. We will do our best to accommodate your requests although we can not make any guarantees.
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4.	Q.	How will the groups be formed?
	A.	Groups are formed based on age and group requests. Effort is also made to have an equal number of males and females. The groups consist of approximately 30-40 participants. Each group is accompanied by an Israeli tour guide and an American staff person.
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5.	Q.	Will a deposit be required?
	A.	All Taglit-Birthright Israel program participants will be required to pay a refundable deposit of $250 USD / $300CND . The deposit is refunded to all participants after successful completion of the program.
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6.	Q.	What if I don't have a passport yet?
	A.	Apply for a passport now! If you are not a citizen of the U.S. or Canada, you will need to apply for a visa to visit Israel.
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7.	Q.	What if I do not have medical insurance?
	A.	We have made available medical insurance to those participants who are not covered internationally. Valid medical insurance is required to travel on any Taglit-Birthright Israel trip. Click here for more info.
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8 .	Q.	Where do I depart from?
	A.	SPNI offers departures for trips from New York & Toronto . Participants must arrange travel to and from this gateway city at their own expense.
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9 .	Q.	What are the accommodations and mode of transportation in Israel?
	A.	Participants stay in hotels, kibbutzim guest houses and SPNI field schools. Transportation is by air-conditioned motorcoach.
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10 .	Q.	What are the eligibility requirements?
	A.	You are eligible for the Taglit-Birthright Israel gift if you: Are Jewish. Which means that: You are recognized as Jewish by the Jewish community or recognized as Jewish by one of the recognized denominations of Judaism. Either of your parents is Jewish and you do not actively practice another religion. Notes on age limits and previous trips: You must be at least 18 years old, but cannot be enrolled in high school at the time of your trip. If you are not yet 27 by May 1st you are considered eligible. If you are registered as a full time student in Jewish Studies programs in any institute of higher learning, you will no longer be eligible for the birthright israel gift ( This includes Jewish Teacher Training Programs, Jewish Studies programs, Rabbinic programs, Yeshivot/Seminaries, Jewish Communal Service programs, etc.) Have never been to Israel on an organized peer educational tour/program. Important Notes and exceptions: March of the Living: If you were in the March of The Living, you are still eligible but you must be 22 or older. If you were on a peer educational trip that was for 5 days or less, you ARE eligible. Maccabiah Games: If you participated in the games, you ARE eligible. If you were born in Israel or are an Israeli citizen click here Our trips are co-ed and non-denominational. Our trips are suitable for, and sensitive to, participants from all Jewish backgrounds. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
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11 .	Q.	What about safety and security?
	A.	The safety of our participants is the primary factor in our trip planning. As a Taglit-Birthright Israel organizer, we must meet the highest security standards and strict safety requirements set forth by Taglit-Birthright Israel. Our commitment to security is expressed in part by the fact that SPNI has consistently placed in the top 5% of all trip organizers on quality assurance ranking by Taglit-Birthright Israel which includes a critical safety assessment. As a leading organizer of the Taglit-Birthright Israel program, we take pride in the fact that we have provided safe and meaningful adventures in Israel for thousands of students and young professionals worldwide. Since its inception, over 10,000 North Americans decided to entrust the Israelis of SPNI to provide them a safe, secure and enjoyable Taglit-Birthright Israel experience. Another point of significance is that our entire team are Israelis. Many members of the SPNI team are native Israelis, while still others came to Israel on their own volition. Since we live here - day in, day out - we are keenly aware of the security situation. SPNI constantly reviews all security measures for Taglit-Birthright Israel trips and implements the most stringent security measures at all times throughout the program. These precautions include: Careful Itinerary Planning - Our tours do not travel to or through areas of the West Bank, Gaza or East Jerusalem. We do visit the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. 24/7 Emergency Hotline - Full online contact with the proper authorities to provide assistance as necessary. Detailed Security Orientation - Upon arrival each group is given a detailed safety and security orientation. In addition, the tour educators and counselors of each trip brief participants regularly regarding special security arrangements for particular trips or days. The orientation and briefings include guidelines for free time and general travel safety. Security Escort - An Israeli security escort accompanies every SPNI group wherever they go. Private Transportation - SPNI's trips do not use public transportation and employ only those transportation companies that have excellent safety records. National Monitoring Room - which oversees all youth and school tours, through out the country. The Army, Police and other Security Services update the Monitoring Room. GPS - Each group carries a special Global Positioning Unit so that the National Monitoring Room can locate them immediately. The unit also has an emergency assistance button, that will summon help to the place the group is located. Flexibility - We will not hesitate to change and modify the group's schedule at the slightest hint of any security or safety issue. Since its inception over 8 years ago, Taglit-Birthright Israel has brought some 145,000 participants to Israel and all returned to their respective countries, safe and sound. Again, our primary concern is the safety of participants. Please feel free to contact us if you have specific security related questions or concerns. We will be happy to personally take your call to address any questions or concerns that you may have about our trip.
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12.	Q.	Can I extend my ticket and stay in Israel
	A.	Yes you can extend your ticket and we can help you see this side of the world while you're here! For more information, click here.
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