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? What makes the Oranim program different from the others? 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? Can I cancel my application completely?
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.	Trips will run during May, June, July and August 2009 from both the USA and Canada.
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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 Oranim Israel program participants will be required to pay a refundable deposit of $250. The deposit is refunded to all participants approximately 60 days 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.	Oranim - Israel offers medical insurance to those participants who are not covered internationally. Valid medical insurance is vital for travelling overseas! Click here for more info.
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8.	Q.	What makes the Oranim Travel program different from the others?
	A.	For a summary of the main points, check out the Oranim Advantage page or contact our alumni.
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9 .	Q.	Where do I depart from?
	A.	Oranim offers departures for most trips from New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Philadelphia. Canadians usually depart from Toronto. Participants must arrange travel to and from these gateway cities at their own expense.
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10 .	Q.	What are the accommodations and mode of transportation in Israel?
	A.	Participants stay in hotels and kibbutzim guest houses. Transportation is by air-conditioned motorcoach.
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11 .	Q.	What are the eligibility requirements?
	A.	You are eligible for the Oranim Israel gift if... You have never been to Israel on an organized peer education tour/program. (Note: If you were on a peer educational trip that was for 5 days or less, you ARE eligible. Thus if you participated in the Maccabi games you are still eligible. If you went on the March of The Living you are eligible once you turn 22). You are at least 18 years old, but are not enrolled in high school at the time of your trip. You are not 27 by May 1, 2009. You are not registered as a full time student in Jewish Studies programs in any institute of higher learning (This includes Jewish Teacher Training Programs, Jewish Studies programs, Rabbinic programs, Yeshivot/Seminaries, Jewish Communal Service programs, etc.) You are Israeli or were born in Israel additional eligibility requirements must be met click to learn more 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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12 .	Q.	What about safety and security?
	A.	More North Americans have chosen to travel with the Israelis of Oranim than with any other Oranim Israel organizer, This is due, in part, to the fact that the Oranim team is 100% committed to providing a safe, secure and enjoyable educational trip to Israel for all participants. As Israelis, we are particularly aware of how the security situation impacts on daily life. We know the importance of taking the right precautions, and believe in the importance of forging onward with life. Oranim constantly reviews all security measures for Oranim Israel trips and implements the most stringent security measures at all times throughout the program. These precautions include the careful planning of itineraries. Our tours do not travel to or through areas of the West Bank, Gaza or East Jerusalem (We do visit the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City). Throughout each day, itineraries are cleared through the official government authorities, which also reviews all educational field trips for Israeli schools and educational institutions. A group's itinerary will be changed immediately to reflect any heightened risk or security concerns. Each group is given a detailed safety and security orientation upon arrival in Israel. In addition, the guides 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. Free time is always supervised and takes place in specified locations as security considerations warrant. Finally, at least one Israeli security escort accompanies every Oranim group. Oranim's trips do not use public transportation and participants are advised to avoid the use of public transportation at all times. The tour bus companies and drivers used by Oranim are subject to Oranim Israel approval, and drivers are instructed to never leave buses unlocked or unattended. Again, our primary concern is the safety of our participants. To read more about trip safety, click here. Also to read an article with an intriguing perspective on security in Israel, click here. Please feel free to contact us if you have specific security related questions or concerns.
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13.	Q.	Can I extend my ticket and stay in Israel?
	A.	Most flight tickets can be extended. Each airline has its own extension policy. Once you are assigned to a trip, you can see each arlines' policy listed here.
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14.	Q.	Can I cancel my application completely?
	A.	Yes. Your application can be cancelled at any time. In order to receive your deposit refund back, you must follow the cancellation dates below: May Departures - March 18 - 9am EST June Departures - April 1 - 9am EST July Departures - May 4 - 9am EST August Departures - June 1 - 9am EST All cancellations must be made in writing to ellen@israelfree.com.
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