*Message To All Volunteers:
As part of your Medical Form please list all doctors you are currently seeing. If you are seeing a specialist (such as a cardiologist, psychiatrist, etc.) we require a separate medical form from that doctor.
Airlines require that your passport be valid until at least 6 months after your return ticket date.
Everyone must have INSURANCE that will cover him/her in Israel OR SPECIAL TRAVEL INSURANCE; AND a credit card or enough cash to pay for medical emergencies.
P
ack lightly; you must carry your own suitcase.
Bring a small bag for weekends. There are no rides from your barracks to
the gate on weekends. You are taken to the base when you arrive and back
to a central location in Tel Aviv at the end of the three week program.
VOLUNTEERS SHOULD BRING SHEETS, PILLOWS AND A TOWEL. Please carry all medicines, copies of prescriptions, clean underwear and socks and your Sar-El papers in your carry-on luggage. Getting a tetanus shot before you come is recommended. Take extra vitamins, Echinacea, Vitamin C before and during your stay. Bring your own cold/cough medicine - just in case.
Also make sure you bring a pair of closed shoes & socks (instead of just
sandals). Not all bases provide army boots and you cannot wear
sandals while you work.
Do NOT bring computers to the bases - THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE USED ON THE BASES. If you disregard this request, Sar-El is not responsible for any damage or loss.
Please Make Sure to Check Your Flight
Departure Times;
Airlines Will Not Refund a Missed Departure
Tips For Your Arrival
Volunteers who arrive on scheduled start dates will be picked up at the airport and taken to a base. Make sure you have provided complete arrival information to your representative who must forward this information to us. The meeting place at the airport is in the Arrivals Hall to the right of the fountain as you face Exit 2, next to the Swarovski jewelry counter.
Pamela Lazarus
052-821-9945
Sar-El Office:
111 Jerusalem Blvd.
Tel Aviv/Jaffa 68151
Phone/Fax: (from outside of Israel) - +972-3-526-7513
Phone/Fax: (from inside of Israel) – 03-526-7513
Beit Oded :
5 Jerusalem Blvd.
Jaffa
03-569-2848
Website Address: www.sar-el.org
Ben Gurion Airport – +972-3-972-3344 (automated answering
and information).
2. Cash Needs and Currency Exchange Issues
a. The local currency is New Israeli Shekels (NIS). You must exchange dollars for shekels. There are money exchange locations in each city and at the airport. (The airport charges a commission; money exchange offices do not, but the exchange rate may be different).
b. Payment of Registration Fee - $90 (or $55, if repeating Sar-El program within 1 year, or if the participant is under 25 years of age) in cash only, to be paid to the Sar-El representative upon your arrival in *Israel (*Only if you have not already paid the fee to your local representative.)
c. ATM machines are located at the airport and all over Israel. All foreign ATM’s work only with a checking account … you cannot draw on a savings account. Check with your bank at home to make sure your bank card is accepted in Israel.
d. Always have extra money for an emergency or extenuating circumstance. Remember, you are traveling halfway around the world and all travelers need "mad money." You should also make sure that you have several financial options: credit cards, cash and ATM cards. Do NOT rely on one card, as you will be without funds if it does not work for any reason.
e. Credit cards usually give you the best exchange rate. Use them for weekend hotels, shopping, restaurants, etc. BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME, PLEASE TELL YOUR CREDIT CARD COMPANY THAT YOU WILL BE IN ISRAEL AND GIVE THEM THE CORRECT DATES.
f. Your weekend activities and any admissions to museums are your responsibility. Accommodation at Sar-El’s hostel in Tel Aviv/Yafo on the weekends is free, subject to availability.
3. Required Identification and Documentation
Bring three (3) copies of your Application documents including: Medical form, Waiver form, passport, and travel health insurance card or policy.
4. You MUST have medical insurance, but be advised that if you go to a doctor or hospital you will probably have to pay first, and then get reimbursed at home. Check with your insurance company as to its claim procedure.
5. Telephones, Mail, and E-mail
a. There is no phone rental counter at the airport. You should rent a phone before you come to Israel. There are many stores in Israel where you can buy a phone.
Phone companies that will deliver a phone to you before you leave your home include:
Amigo cell phones: www.amigo-us.com/sar-el
(US) 1-888-264-4687
(Israel) 057-277-2001
Talk-n-Save cell phones: www.talknsave.net/groups/sel-100.asp
Israel Phones: (In the US) 1-800-721-111
b. Telephone cards, local and international long distance, may be purchased at the Israel airport, post offices and various business locations.
c. Stamps can be purchased at the airport and post offices.
d. To call the U.S. using Israeli telephone cards: dial 012 or 013 or 014 to get international service, then 1, area code, and number. This is cheaper than using a long distance telephone card, but of course you can always use your Sprint or AT&T, etc.
e. Internet cafes are located in most cities. You cannot use the internet while on the bases (no laptops, iphones, etc.)
6. Health, Safety, and Security
a. Heed the advice of your madrichim (soldier guides), i.e. the right taxis to take, areas not to visit, etc.
b. ALWAYS carry and drink plenty of water.
c. When writing or speaking to friends, NEVER mention name of base. You can say “We are near Ashkelon” or “in the Galilee.”
d. Trip Insurance options in the U.S.:
· International Medical Group 1-800-628-4664
· Trip Protection 1-800-284-8300
· Travel Guard 1-800-826-1300
7. Weekend Activities and Transportation
a. Your weekend activities and any admissions to museums are your responsibility. Make sure you always ask for Sar-El discounts; show your Sar-El ID card (you’ll get this at your base). Many museums, hotels, & tourists sites give discounts (e.g. Masada is ½ price).
b. Taxis – Hire only cabs clearly marked with yellow license plates registered in Israel. Ask for the meter or negotiate a rate upon entering.
c. “Sheruts” are vans similar to taxis. They follow the same routes as buses in the cities & have the same numbers as the buses. They are the same prices as buses (sometimes less), but do not have as many stops. They also travel between cities and often are more comfortable.
d. Pick up a weekly guide from a hotel for information on what’s going on in Israel while you’re here. It includes info on museums and sites. You can also get maps from the hotels.
e. Your madrichot have information regarding hotels and rates.
f. Keep your bus and train tickets until the end of your ride – you need your train ticket to exit the station.
g. Travel to certain areas is not permitted while on the Sar-El Program. You must have permission from Sar-El for weekend travel. Egypt (including Sinai) and Jordan (including Petra) are off limits during the program.
8. Weekend Tours
Sar-El can provide you with information about tours on the weekends provided at a substantial discount to Sar-El volunteers. Please contact the program coordinator, Pamela Lazarus for complete details.
In Closing:
Have a great trip. When you return home, speak at your synagogues, organizations, community events about your “tour of duty” – spread the word about Sar-El. If you want to be a Sar-El Associate, let me know.
Please send us your comments and suggestions about your Sar-El experience – positive and negative.
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Please feel free to contact me while you’re in Israel: |
Pamela Lazarus, Program Coordinator 052-821-9945 e-mail: pamela@sar-el.org
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