FAQs

Taglit-Birthright Israel provides the gift of first time, peer group, educational trips to Israel for Jewish young adults ages 18-26. To find out more, click here

Who is eligible for Taglit-Birthright Israel?
Young adults of Jewish descent who are between 18-26 years old and have never visited Israel on a peer-group program. One or both parents must be Jewish and participants must not practice another religion. Participants must additionally be post-high school and may not currently be learning in Yeshiva or a full-time Jewish studies program. You are still eligible if you have been to Israel before on your own or with family.  Please review our Eligibility section.

How do I register for a Taglit-Birthright Israel trip?
Summer registration opens: February 14th for past applicants (12pm EST) and February 15th (10am EST) for new applicants. To sign up now, click here.  Alternatively, once registration opens, you can click here

Why is a deposit required?
A deposit is required in order to ensure your participation in the program. The deposit is refunded either successful completion of the trip or, if you are not offered a flight, your deposit is returned at your request or at the end of the season.

Can I travel with my friends on the program?
Yes!! Of course!!! There is room in the House for you and your friends! We encourage your friends and family to apply via our mailing list. You can request to be placed in the same group to travel together. We will do our very best to accommodate your requests.

What if I don't have a passport?
If you are an American citizen, apply for a passport NOW! If you are not a citizen yet, you may need to apply for a visa and/or a travel document to visit Israel. For more information about passport / travel document requirements, click here

What are the available trip dates?
Trip dates for Summer 2012 have not been released just yet. It is very important for us to know in advance which trip date suits you best. You can let us know by joining our mailing list and specifying your preferred travel date.

I registered for a trip. Now what?
Mazal tov! You have taken the first step towards your free trip to Israel

• Go ‘like’ our facebook page and start chatting with other applicants and alumni about the trip
• You should receive a ‘thank you’ email from us within 24 hours of completing your application
• About a week after registration we will start calling applicants for 5 minute personal interviews.  Keep your eye out for a 212 area code or blocked number
• Once registration is closed we will send out a quick survey with our trip dates so you can choose when you would like to travel.
• As we sort through the responses we will be sending out Official Flight Offers. It is imperative you check your email and add info@israelonthehouse.com or theteam@israelonthehouse.com to your spam filter. We will not assume responsibility for emails that are not delivered to you due to your spam settings.

How will I know if I am accepted on a trip?

• You will receive an Official Flight Offer from us. This flight offer will contain the dates of the trip that we are offering you.
• You must follow the instructions contained in the Flight Offer for confirming your flight, which requires responding to the email with a copy or picture of your passport. IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED AMOUNT OF TIME, YOUR FLIGHT OFFER WILL BE RESCINDED AND YOU WILL NOT TRAVEL.
• We will send you a Confirmation Receipt once we have your acceptance and passport information. Only once you have received this receipt will you know that you are 100% on a trip. Please be advised that most of our correspondence with you will be via email so you must be sure to check your email regularly.

I changed my email address. How do I update my information?
Email us at info@israelonthehouse.com to let us know.  

Where can I see all the information about my specific trip/group?
Your individual trip counselors will be in touch via phone and email about a month before the actual trip. They will additionally create a facebook group so you can begin to meet your tripmates even before you come to Israel.

When will I get my trip itinerary?
The itinerary is generally emailed to you 1-2 weeks before your trip. You can view a sample itinerary here

How do I know who is on my trip?
In your confirmation receipt there will be a link to your trip’s facebook page where all the people who will be on your trip can join so you guys can get to know each other a little before your trip.

How do I switch trips?
We highly discourage you from switching a flight once you have accepted it as we cannot guarantee there is another flight we are able to put you on. However, if you absolutely cannot make the flight you were offered, you can email: switchmesachlav@gmail.com with your request. By doing so you will forfeit the spot offered to you on the original flight.

How do I postpone my trip until next season?
If you can’t go on the dates that you were offered, there is no way to postpone your trip. You will need to reapply for the following season. As a returning applicant, you will have priority and we will do our best to offer you a trip.

How do I get in touch with my counselors?
We will email you their names and contact information roughly one month before the trip. If you have any questions before then, you can of course call the office at 212-444-1536 or email leah@israelonthehouse.com

Does Taglit-Birthright Israel pay for my domestic flight to the departure airport?
No. You are responsible for getting yourself to the airport of departure. Taglit-Birthright Israel will only pay for your flights to and from Israel.

Can I meet my group in Israel?
Unfortunately, that is not possible. All participants are required to fly out of the United States to Israel together.

How do I get my ticket?
Sachlav staff will greet you at the departure airport in the US and give you your ticket in person.

Can I leave the group a few days early?

No.

Well, how about a few hours early?

Sorry, still no! All participants are required to stay with the group until the group departs for the airport. If you are extending your trip you are not required to go to the airport with the group (though you are welcome to if you would like!)

I would like to extend my stay in Israel after the trip. How do I do it?
Visit our Trip Extensions page and learn all about extending your trip. If you need help planning any other elements of your extended trip, Sachlav would be more than happy to help you with this.

How can I rent a mobile phone for my trip?
Go the Phone Rentals page, where you can find out more about our great deals and talking plans and place an order online for your free Israeli rental cell phone.

What about safety and security?
Safety and security are our top priority. Safety is enhanced by the fact that we are in a structured environment. We use our own tour buses as opposed to public transportation. Itineraries are carefully planned out according to safety and security concerns. Group leaders and guides are equipped at all times with cell phones and GPS and can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by our head office. In accordance with the Israeli Ministry of Education guidelines, each Sachlav Birthright trip is accompanied by a fully-trained Israeli armed guard/medic that is with the group at all times. Also, as required by Taglit-Birthright Israel rules and regulations, there is no unsupervised free time in public areas.

How can I get hold of a participant on a trip in the case of an emergency?
If you have a relative on a Sachlav Trip and you need to contact them in the case of an emergency, you can contact 212-444-9891. This line is only to be used in the case of emergencies.

What if I have more questions?
Send us an email to: info@israelonthehouse.com