Missed your Year 10 Israel trip?
Introducing Yalla Israel
What is
Yalla Israel
With COVID disrupting the opportunity for students to participate in their Year 10 Israel program in 2020, Yalla Israel offers an alternate opportunity for Year 12 2022 to experience Israel as a young adult straight after high school.
Yalla Israel is a unique, 5-week Israel experience, designed specifically for young adults to explore Israel, create new friendships and connections, and to develop their independence. This program is open to all Year 12 graduates from around Australia*.
The first 10 days are spent with Taglit-Birthright Israel on their well renowned and highly acclaimed program. The following 4 weeks are spent with Tlalim exploring Israel in depth from top to bottom. (see Who is Tlalim and Taglit-Birthright Israel)
Having just finished school, we understand that some of you may be taking a gap year which is why we have two opportunities for you to join this program.
Participants will have the option to participate in either the January or July 2023 Yalla Israel programs.
There is also the opportunity to apply for means tested financial assistance for those that are eligible. (see “financial assistance”)
This program will also be available in 2024 for those graduating Year 12 in 2023, although the eligibility criteria will differ. To register your interest click here. We will keep you up to date with information regarding this program.
(*Conditions apply).
Who is
Yalla Israel for
The 2023 Yalla Israel program is available to Australian students graduating High School in 2022, with at least one Jewish parent who:
resides anywhere in Australia and does not attend a Jewish Day School
resides in NSW, attends a Jewish day School, but was unable to participate in their school’s Year 10 Israel program due to COVID disruptions.
This program will also be available in 2024 for those graduating Year 12 in 2023, although the eligibility criteria will differ. Register your interest now and we will keep you up to date with information regarding this program.
Who is behind
Yalla Israel
Yalla Israel is a collaboration between Youth 2 Israel, who support the Year 10 Israel Trips in NSW, ACT and QLD and the Israel for Youth Foundation who support the UJEB Year 10 Israel Experience in VIC, TAS, SA, NT & WA.
Together, we aim to ensure that students who missed out on their Year 10 trip can still have a fantastic experience after school finishes.
Yalla Israel aims to make this trip as accessible and affordable as possible and communal donors have made it possible for us to subsidise this program for those who require it*.
About the program
January 2023
We will be departing from Australia on 3 January and returning on 9 February. It is possible to change the return flight if required.
Registrations for the program have now closed. You are able to join the waitlist and we will contact you if places become available. Please note the program cost will likely be higher as flights have increased in price.
July 2023
Detailed information on these dates won’t be available until August 2022 when flight schedules are released. We are currently determining if there is sufficient interest in a July 2023 trip. Please register your interest below as soon as possible.
Program outline and content
Yalla Israel is a 5.5 week program covering Israel from top to bottom. This is not a school trip, it is being offered to young adults who missed out on their Year 10 Israel experience.
Highlights of the trip include:
- Tel Aviv night scene
- Jeep riding and snorkelling in Eilat
- Visiting Israel’s most popular sites including Masada, Rosh Hanikra, Dead Sea, Caesarea, Tzfat, Be’er Sheva and Golan Heights
- Mixing with diverse communities including dinner at Bedouin tents and spending time with an Ethiopian community
- Volunteering projects
- Free weekend to visit family and friends
- Options week
Program outline and content
While the program is still being finalised, it will be including meeting minority communities, learning about the pioneers, the impact of the Holocaust, geo-politics, Zionism, modern Israel, choosing from a series 5 day mini-program options and most importantly, time to party.
Participants will experience wineries, hiking, a Bedouin tent, boat rides, rappelling, thought provoking discussions, museums, archaeological digs and celebrating Shabbat. There should also be a free weekend to visit family and friends.
Yalla Israel is an apolitical program which explore all sides and spectrums of the political and religious landscape. It is also not a religious program, however all food is kosher and participants wanting to keep Shabbat will be able to do so.
- Golan Heights
- Gallillee
- Kinneret
- Caesarea
- Jerusalem
- The Negev
- Eilat
- Tiberias
- Meeting with Druze & Ethiopian communities
- Atlit
- Zichron Yaakov
- Workshop at Yad Vashem
- Tel Aviv
- Masada Ein Gedi & the Dead Sea
About the
program providers
About Taglit-Birthright
Taglit-Birthright Israel, also known as Birthright Israel or simply Birthright, is a not-for-profit educational organisation that sponsors free ten-day heritage trips to Israel, Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights for young Jewish adults, aged 18–32.
The Tlalim Group specialises in educational tourism. It is run by educators passionate about Israel and strengthening Jewish identity. They have experience working with schools, youth movements and community groups. Authentic Israel is part of Tlalim and will be delivering the program. Their experience includes but is not limited to working with Taglit-Birthright as well as Masa gap year programs.
Program Cost
January 2023 Cost
The Taglit-Birthright 10 day component of the program is free to all participants.
The cost of the Yalla Israel program will be $6,900 per person after available subsidies have been applied.
Families who can afford the full cost of the program are encouraged to forego the subsidy so that it can be used to support participants who need it. The cost of the program without the subsidy is $9,900 per person.
July 2023 Cost
We are unable to provide an indication at this point for the cost of the July 2023 program. We will know more in August 2022.
Payment timeline
January 2023
20 May – $300 Yalla Israel deposit and US$260 Birthright deposit due
12 August – 50% of program cost due
14 October – Balance of program cost due
July 2023
This information is still being finalised.
Financial assistance
Additional means-tested financial assistance is available to all families.
For further information or to apply, please email info@yi.org.au
Financial assistance applications for the January 2023 trip are due by 10 June.
FAQs
COVID precautions
Prior to departure, Yalla Israel will conduct a thorough risk assessment which covers COVID risks both here in Australia and in Israel. The risk assessment template has been developed by one of Australia’s leading law firms, to ensure all elements of risk for participants, have been considered and evaluated.
Both Taglit-Birthright Israel and Tlalim have clear COVID protocols and policies, in line with Israeli Government policy and health orders at the time. While social distancing and other health measures change regularly depending on case numbers in Israel, both tour providers are agile and able to accommodate changes as they happen.
The health and travel insurance provided through Yalla Israel covers many aspects of COVID related travel risks, as well as medical and other necessary components. Please read the PDS of each insurance thoroughly and determine if this insurance is right for you, or if you would like to purchase additional health insurance.
Further COVID safety policies, procedures and precautions can be provided on request.
Travel and medical Insurance
Travel extensions and return travel date options
It is possible for changes to be made to the return travel date, and for the participant to continue travelling beyond Israel after the program. Please register for the program and we will put you in touch with our travel agent to make these arrangement.
Security
1. In Israel, relevant and up to date security information is received daily from the appropriate authorities.
2. Each Yalla Israel Tour bus has an armed security guard present to ensure the safety of participants.
3. Program itinerary will be adjusted to accommodate any security concerns, as the safety of each participant is paramount.
4. Participants must always check in and out with their madrichim (leaders) when leaving their accommodation.
5. Upon arrival in Israel, participants are given clear security instructions and emergency procedures.
6. In the event of any special circumstances, parents will be kept updated with information as it becomes available.
Links to other Masa Gap Year Programs
If you are considering extending your Israel experience after Yalla Israel with a MASA Gap Year, this is possible, but needs to be arranged and finalised before your departure with Yalla Israel.
For further information on Gap Year Israel programs, please visit israelprograms.com.au
Conditions
The 2023 Yalla Israel program is available to Australian students graduating High School in 2022, with at least one Jewish parent who:
a) does not attend a Jewish Day School; or
b) resides in NSW, attends a Jewish Day School, but was unable to participate in their school’s Year 10 Israel program due to COVID disruptions.
c) has not lived in Israel past the age of 12 years.
REGISTER
Registering interest
You will need to upload the participant’s passport and COVID vaccination certificate, so please make sure you have them before you start.
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