Yuval Yisrael

Frequently Asked Questions

Yuval Yisrael provides full room and board throughout the trip and three kosher meals a day. Participants will stay in either quad or double rooms. Throughout the program, participants will stay in a variety of accommodations including hotels, kibbutzim, host homes, and the Agron Guest House.

Laundry services will be available once in the middle of the program. Participants should pack clothes for 10-11 days.

We cannot guarantee that there will always be Wifi available throughout the program. If you plan to bring a smart device, we recommend that you either purchase a cell phone plan or SIM card. If you do not intend to purchase a local plan, please review procedures to prevent data roaming in Israel as it can lead to very high costs.

Yuval Yisrael will make every effort to provide options to those who require special diets. Vegetarian/vegan and gluten-free options are provided at every meal for participants who sign up for them. Please provide this information in your medical forms.

We believe every teen deserves the opportunity to participate in USY summer travel regardless of financial restrictions. Please visit our Ways to Save page to learn about various venues for scholarship, including through USY.

As in years past, USY is once again applying for funding from RootOne LLC., an organization aimed at helping teens travel to and experience Israel. RootOne may help offset costs for eligible trip participants only. USY is actively applying for our RootOne grant, and we encourage you to take part today! Learn more at RootOne.org and be in touch with us directly with any questions. (Note, Vouchers are subject to participant eligibility and are not guaranteed. USY’s prior RootOne funding is no guarantee of future funding.) * Not available for graduating seniors or students of orthodox day schools.

Check out Plant Your Way – an innovative program that will help you save money for a trip to Israel and, at the same time, raise money for the greening of Israel.

  • Ramah Israel and USY have earned the reputation of maintaining the highest level of safety and security for all of our trips.
  • Yuval Yisrael strictly adheres to the security policies established by Israel’s Ministry of Education governing all field trips and activities.
    • All field trips are cleared prior to each day’s program, with the appropriate authorities (including full coordination with the Safety and Security Situation Room, Chadar Matzav, of the SPNI and Israeli police).
    • Transportation to all programmed activities is handled by chartered buses
    • All Yuval Yisrael participants are given complete security/safety procedures and protocols.

All passports must be valid for six months following your return flight. Obtaining a new passport can take weeks, or sometimes months. Please check your passports now and apply for a new one if necessary to ensure your ability to participate in Yuval Yisrael.

  • Click here for our full Yuval Yisrael packing list
  • Click here for our full Poland packing list
  • Yuval Yisrael highly recommends that each chanich/a either
    • a) have a cell phone plan that provides data and/or cell service in Israel
    • b) purchase a SIM card from Talk n’Save. Should you purchase a SIM card, you will need to ensure that your phone is unlocked by your cell provider.

Yuval Yisrael is a Ramah and USY program. The Ramah Camping Movement is the camping arm of the Conservative movement and USY is the youth movement for United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. We offer an egalitarian, Shabbat observant, joyful and spirited Jewish community. This program is for Jewish teens looking for a program with an egalitarian Jewish framework that is Shabbat observant.

All participants are fully covered for medical care, including doctors’ visits, medications, x-rays, and hospitalization. This coverage extends from the time of arrival in Israel until the end of the program, but does not cover diseases, illnesses, or medical problems resulting from pre-existing conditions, pregnancy, or self-inflicted injuries. In addition, we will be purchasing a Coronavirus add-on that covers COVID-19 testing (provided pending approval of the Ministry of Health) and all medical treatments, doctors’ visits, medications and hospitalizations as a result of COVID-19 infection. Yuval Yisrael staff will ensure that all students receive the medical treatment recommended or prescribed by our health care professionals. Our Mirpa’ah (infirmary) is open 24/7 and is staffed by a paramedic and support staff. A doctor comes to our base for visits, as needed. Counselors accompany students to all medical appointments or tests.

The mental health of our participants is extremely important to us. All of our participants will have access to a camper care professional throughout the entirety of the program as needed. This professional will work with each participant and their family before Yuval Yisrael to ensure that their mental health needs will be cared for and met on the program. All applications will be screened by the Yuval Yisrael staff.