ALEPH/Taglit-birthright israel Trip

 August 2012

A FREE Summer 2012 ALEPH/Taglit-birthright israel Trip

Experience Israel and Jewish Renewal like never before

Join us for a 10-day trip in Summer of 2012, designed especially for ALEPH members and friends. Our expect our departure date to be early-mid-August (exact date to be announced). This year’s trip will be led by remarkable ALEPH leaders: Jewish Renewalist, musician and ritualist Holly Taya Shere, and ALEPH chant leader, environmental activist and spiritual storyteller Rabbi Ilan Glazer.

Music, creative ritual, joy and deep learning will infiltrate every aspect of the tour. You will pray and learn with Israeli Jewish Renewal teachers and peacemakers*, experience an ecstatic welcome of Shabbat and dive into the mystical energy of Sfat. Expect chanting, drumming and niggunim on the bus, meaningful rituals at holy sites like the Kotel, sunrise prayers at Masada and more. You will float in the Dead Sea, participate in a traditional Bedouin feast and tour Jerusalem more extensively than almost any other birthright trip. Israel Outdoors brings an active, engaged focus to the trip that will add memorable components like kayaking, water hiking and dancing on the Galilee. It won’t be the same without you!

RENEWAL IN ISRAEL is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. Trip participant Amanda Feinstein said: “I secretly hoped I would encounter at least one life-altering moment that would bring me back to my heritage. I was not prepared to be having these experiences on a daily basis. Never before have I gone on a trip where all of my needs felt so met (except for sleep, of course). We were offered prayer and meditation services every morning, tons of exercise during the day, vegetarian food, wonderful leaders and 38 new friends. Although there were so many amazing and memorable moments on this trip, the most meaningful aspect of my experience has been finding a sense of belonging with the Jewish people for the FIRST time in my entire life.”
 
*Note: Due to Birthright/Taglit restrictions, while we will meet with Israeli and Palestinian peace activists, we will not be going to the West Bank, Gaza, or Hebron.

HOW TO REGISTER

       - Primary Registration is now closed for this year - if you already registered online between Feb. 15 and 22, please see STEP 4 below!

       - If you registered and need help changing your birthright israel trip choice to ALEPH's Aug 6-16, 2012 Renewal Trip, please contact info@israeloutdoors.com.

     - Our next ALEPH-sponsored birthright trip is anticipated to be summer 2014.
 
Registration is a multi-step process and timing is critical – but the rewards are great. Maximize your chances of getting the trip you want by filling out everything completely and accurately - and as soon as possible for each step.

STEP 1. SUBMIT SHOWING OF INTEREST FORM - If you are Jewish, 18-26, have graduated high school, and have not been on an organized trip to Israel since age 12, download, fill out and return our showing of interest form, so we can support you through the registration process. Please note: If you have accessibility questions regarding this active trip please note that on your showing of interest form. If you have any questions about the trip, contact Rivkah Walton at aleph-info@aleph.org.

 
STEP  2. BROWSE THE WEBSITE of our trip provider, Israel Outdoors, to fully understand everything you need to know about a Taglit/birthright israel trip.

 
STEP 3. COMPLETE PRIMARY APPLICATION - You must complete the “Primary Application” through Israel Outdoors on Wednesday, February 15 (10 am EST) for the “ALEPH Jewish Renewal trip.” (Look in the drop down menu.) If you were waitlisted last year, you can register a day early, at 12 noon EST on Tuesday, February 14. First come first served, so register as close to the opening of registration as you can!
 
The Taglit-Birthright Israel “Primary Application” is where you start your registration, pay the refundable deposit, sign an electronic waiver form, and choose your preferred month of travel (August) and type of program (ALEPH Jewish Renewal trip). It is critical that you link to the Primary Application from www.israeloutdoors.com so that your choice of our trip provider, Israel Outdoors, is already pre-embedded.

STEP 4. COMPLETE SECONDARY APPLICATION - Approximately 24 hours after you complete the Primary Application, Israel Outdoors will invite you to complete the “Secondary Application,” located on their website. Here you choose the specific trip dates (note: our trip will be listed here with actual dates). You can also use the Secondary Application to indicate with whom you want to travel and if you have health or dietary concerns.
 
GOOD LUCK!

 PREVIOUS BIRTHRIGHT TRIPS

ALEPH/Taglit-birthright israel Trip
August 2010

Thirty-eight incredible souls participated in ALEPH’s Third Jewish Renewal Taglit-Birthright trip. The group included artists, dancers, musicians, actors, students, lawyers, aspiring Cantors, Americans, Canadians -- and even one American baker now living in Italy. Read a full report.

ALEPH/Taglit-birthright israel Trip

June - July 2008

Thirty-seven engaged and vibrant souls participated in ALEPH’s second Jewish Renewal Taglit-Birthright trip. The impressive group included several professional musicians, an aspiring cantor, two actresses, a soon to be pediatric oncology nurse, an aspiring NYC police officer, two professional anti-racism workers and four children of Jewish Renewal rabbis and rabbinic students. Read a full report.

ALEPH travelers at the tomb of Hannah Rachel,

"the Maiden of Ludmir."

ALEPH/Taglit-birthright israel Trip

May 2006

The 2006 trip brought together 39 vibrant, creative young Jewish adults on a remarkable journey. Working with a traditional Birthright itinerary designed by Israel Outdoors for maximum and meaningful contact with the land, the trip included prayer at the Kotel (Western Wall), floating in the Dead Sea, a traditional Bedouin feast, a camel ride, several hikes, a kayak trip and much more. Read a full report.

ALEPH Israel Trip 2006