Who participates?
NFTY-EIE accepts high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. During a typical semester we have 30% 10^th graders, 50% 11^th graders and 20% seniors.

What Are the Dates of the Programs?
A NFTY-EIE fall semester usually departs during the end of August and returns at the very end of December. During a spring semester, the students depart at the end of January and return at the beginning of June.  The NFTY-EIE Summer Session typically departs at the end of June and returns during the first week in August.  The Summer Session lasts 6.5 weeks. 

Do I need to be a member of NFTY?
While we encourage all of our participants to be active in Jewish life in learning, it is not required. For more information about joining NFTY visit the NFTY website.

Do I Need a Passport?
A passport is a picture identification that is required for international travel only. All participants on EIE will, in accordance with TSA regulations, need a passport that is valid for 6 months after the conclusion of the program.

What is the typical semester size? What about Boys and Girls?
NFTY-EIE is constantly growing. A typical Fall semester has approximately 40 - 50 students while a Spring semester has approximately 105 - 120 participants. EIE typically has 60% females and 40% males.

Are scholarships available?
NFTY-EIE has a need-based scholarship fund for the NFTY-EIE High School in Israel and need is somewhat liberally determined. To help appropriately set your expectations: the NFTY scholarship fund awards between $500 - $2500 per student.

Each applicant will be sent a copy of the scholarship application during the application process. NFTY-EIE Scholarship applications must be received by July 1 for a Fall semester or December 1 for a Spring semester.

Scholarship assistance is also available from a variety of other sources. We work together with these organizations to help put together an appropriate scholarship package for your family:

• URJ Congregations usually have some scholarship money set aside for trips like this or know of other local sources of which we’re not aware
• Local Jewish Federations/Bureaus of Jewish Education (Many Federations provide special scholarships for study programs in Israel)
• The Jewish National Fund has a program called "Plant your way to Israel." You sell trees for the JNF, and they put half of your earnings into an account that you can later redeem for a trip to Israel. For more information, visit their website.

Who supervises NFTY-EIE?
NFTY strives for the highest standard of staff supervision. In Israel, NFTY-EIE is supervised by our Principal, Assistant Principal, Director of Counselors and Student Services, Counselors, Faculty and Staff. The counselor to participant ratio is 1:10. Each counselor has graduated from college or finished his/her army service.

Each person selected to serve as a NFTY staff member has extensive experience working with teens, knowledge of Israel. Each staff team is comprised of: men and women, North Americans and Israelis. All staff members participate in a thorough staff training orientation covering issues of education, health, safety, security, community building and adolescent issues.

What about Medical Care?
Participants on our Israel programs are provided with medical insurance that covers everything except pre-existing conditions. NFTY strives to provide the highest standard of medical care available.

• Access to medical facility on Kibbutz Tzuba
• English-speaking doctors
• Participants always accompanied - 24 hours a day while visiting a physician or in the hospital.
• NFTY-EIE doctor on call

Can I hold my own medications?
Participants consult with the Principal and Director of Student Services upon arrival and turn over their medications. Medications are dispensed to students in two week dosages at a time.

Are the programs safe?
NFTY is exceedingly cautious and conservative. Itineraries are reviewed on a daily basis to ensure that all groups are traveling on the safest and most appropriate routes. EIE leaders have cell phones and are in daily contact with the EIE office and Jewish Agency for Israel. Changes can be made on a moment’s notice. NFTY is in touch with security authorities in Israel on a daily basis and their representatives in Europe who are responsible for the safety of youth trips. Check our Safety and Security page for more information.

Who Can Parents Reach During the Semester?

• EIE staff in Israel is available 24 hours a day and have cell phones for immediate contact.
• EIE office in the US is open business hours and voice mail is checked regularly.

How About Food and Lodging?

• Our groups stay at a higher level of accommodations than most other youth programs and are based at Kibbutz Tzuba (about 20 minutes away from Jerusalem).
• Our accommodations are safe and appropriate for teens.
• Participants are provided with three complete meals a day.
• A “veggie” option is always available as 20% of our participants practice some form of vegetarianism.
• Every accommodation in Israel is Kosher and meals in Poland will be Kosher style.

How do I get there?

• Domestic Flights - USA/Canada- Participants are responsible for their own domestic arrangements to and from the program’s departure city: New York Kennedy (JFK)/Newark airports.
• Arrival in NY - Transfer to International Departure Terminal- Participants who fly to NY on their own are given explicit instructions how to transfer from their domestic arriving airport or terminal to the departure terminal for their international flight.
• International Flights- all participants fly on major airlines that comply with the standard safety and security measures in Europe, Israel and the United States.
• Ground Transportation– All programs use air-conditioned privately chartered buses. NFTY does not use public buses. Some trains may be used in Europe.

What about my valuables?
Passports and airplane tickets, are held for safekeeping by EIE staff. Typically, participants bring $1000 with them to Israel in spending money. We recommend using electronic currency including ATM, credit, and check cards. We’ll send you specific information regarding this prior to your depature.

What should I pack?
Our Student and Parent Handbook contains a packing list so you can get started!

Can I visit family or friends while I’m in Israel?
All visits are at the discretion of the NFTY-EIE Principal. Generally, during your free time or free weekends you’re allowed to visit family and friends in Israel. You’ll have to tell our staff in Israel a few days in advance of your visit and provide them with the contact information of the person/people you are visiting. Our staff will call to confirm your plans. Your parents will then need to send their written permission (usually a quick email to our staff in Israel) letting us know that they are aware of/approve of your visit. If someone is coming to pick you up they must be at least 25 years old. You are never allowed to take public transportation at any time, but we can make arrangements to put you in a “pre-approved NFTY cab” at your expense. NFTY-EIE safety and security protocols are in place while you visit others in Israel.

Don't see your answer here?
Download a copy of your Student and Parent Handbook that has everything you need to know about the semester.