TIPS FOR YOUR ARRIVAL
(as of August 21, 2011)
1. Meeting and Contact information:
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 point” is at the airport 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
Sar-El Website: 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 or your home currency for shekels. There are money exchange locations in each city and at the airport.
b. Payment of Registration Fee – $90 ($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. This applies only if you have not 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 & ATM cards. Do NOT rely on one card in case you lose it or it does not work.
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 Beit Oded (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. Medical Insurance
You MUST have medical insurance, but be advised that if you go to a hospital or doctor you will probably have to pay first & 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 AT THE AIRPORT. You should rent a phone before you come to Israel. There are stores in Israel in all the cities where you can buy phones. Phone companies that will deliver phones to you before you leave 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. Internet Cafes are located in most cities. YOU CANNOT USE THE INTERNET WHILE ON THE BASES (NO LAPTOPS, IPHONES, ETC.)
5. Health, Safety, and Security
a. Heed the advice of your madrichot (guides), ie. 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 in the north, the south, etc.”
d. Travel Insurance options: check the internet before you leave home.
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.
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.
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.
e. Keep your bus and train tickets until the end of your ride – you need your train ticket to exit the station.
f. 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
. Please contact the program coordinator, Pamela Lazarus for suggestions.
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. Word of mouth is our best advertisement!
Please send us your comments and suggestions about your Sar-El experience – positive and negative, as well as pictures for our website.
Please feel free to call me while you are here with questions, problems or comments.
Pamela Lazarus
0528-219945