Who We Are
- What is Pathways Israel?
- What is the program?
- How much Jewish learning is there on the trip?
- What is the cost of the trip?
- What kind of students will be on the trip?
- Is this a religious trip?
- How safe is the trip?
The Application Process
- Who is eligible for the trip?
- How do we apply?
- Do we need passports for the trip?
- Can our friends join me on the trip?
- Can we contact some of your alumni to see how they liked it?
- How long does it take to get acceptance?
About the Trip
- What does the trip include?
- How many people are in each group?
- What will the accommodations be like on the trip?
- Will laundry service be available during the trip?
- Will there be a curfew?
- What will the meals be like on the trip?
Will there be time for us to visit our friends and relatives in Israel?- Do we need health insurance?
- How should we pack and what should we bring with me?
- How much spending money should we bring?
- Do we have to participate in every activity?
- How can our friends and family get in touch with us?
- Who can we contact if we have additional questions?
Who We Are
| What is Pathways Israel? |
PATHWAYS Israel is an Israel experience that offers college students, young professionals and young married couples the opportunity to learn more about and deepen their connection with Israel, Jews and Judaism.
PATHWAYS Israel is under the auspices of its parent institution, Darche Noam, which has been inspiring, and educating young men and women in Jerusalem for over 30 years. At PATHWAYS Israel, we respect the individuality of each student and do not aim to promote one specific Jewish lifestyle within Orthodox Judaism.
| What is the program? |
A unique combination of Jewish Learning and special Jewish Values that allows you to encounter Jewish sources hands-on, guided by top educators from around the world. And gives you an unforgettable Israel Experience, fully integrated with your Jewish studies, each leading to a deeper encounter with the other.
| How much Jewish learning is there on the trip? |
PATHWAYS offers the following program:
- Mornings (3-4 hours) are dedicated to Jewish hands- on textual learning of primary Torah sources, encouraging analysis, questioning and further exploration. Some of the time will be spent in one-on-one or small group discussion formats and other classes are in lecture style from experts in their field. The learning experience is guided by Pathways' experienced Faculty.
- Lectures and classes given by experts in their fields from around the world, including: Rabbis Shaya Karlinsky, Berel Wein, Jamie Colwan, Avraham Jacobovitz, Lawrence Keleman, Doron Kornbluth, Benji Levene and Yaakov Marcus, Gila Manelson, and Miriam Kosman.
- Afternoons educational touring and group activities, thematically integrated with the program's textual and class learning
- Most evenings are free
Here's a sample itinerary for more details
There will also be many informal Jewish learning opportunities throughout the trip - including a desert experience, visits to Tsfat and Hebron, Shabbat programming, daily tours and others.
| What is the cost of the trip? |
Pathways Israel is subsidized primarily in memory of Jack E. Gindi and other organizations to cover all in-Israel land costs (valued at $2500). The student is responsible for covering the cost of the ticket to Israel but subsidies are often available.
Group Applicants
If you are applying to Pathways as part of a Campus Group approved by Pathways, the cost of the program will be fixed by that Group.
| What kind of students will be on the trip? |
Pathways Israel brings students from college campuses around the US, Canada and Europe. If you are coming with a group then you will travel with students from your campus or city. You will have chance to make many new friends with other Jewish young adults from all over the world! Pathways Israel participants come from all different Jewish backgrounds.
| Is this a religious trip? |
Young Jewish people, regardless of background, affiliation or practice, are welcome to apply to Pathways Israel programs. The program provides opportunities for participants to celebrate Jewish life together. In order to be as inclusive as possible, kosher food will be served at all tour-sponsored activities and no travel will be take place on the Jewish Sabbath.
At PATHWAYS Israel, we respect the individuality of each student and do not aim to promote one specific Jewish lifestyle within Orthodox Judaism.
| How safe is the Trip? |
PATHWAYS is a program of Darche Noam Institutions, which has been running educational trips in Israel for nearly 30 years. Security has always been and continues to be a key priority for us.
Israel is a safe place to travel. Still, whenever a visitor travels to a foreign country, they must be aware of their surroundings and take security seriously. These are a few important issues pertaining to security on the Pathways program.
1. There is limited free time on the program. Students will be briefed at the beginning of the trip on what is considered safe and common-sense behavior and will be given detailed instructions regarding areas that they should not visit during the free time they have. They will not be permitted to take public buses - even on free time.
2. Pathways does not use public transportation at any time.
3. Pathways does not have any programming or events that congregate in public areas without proper security measures.
4. All field trips and excursions on the program outside major cities (i.e. to hiking spots or more remote locations) will be done together with an armed guard.
5. We receive updated government information allowing us to take all necessary security precautions. A group's itinerary will be changed immediately to reflect any heightened risk or security concerns.
6. The program does not visit areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority or any other areas deemed unsafe by the Government of Israel.
7. For further information or clarification please contact Mordecai Holtz, our Pathways Israel Administrative Director - mordecai@pathwaysisrael.org
The Application Process
| Who is eligible for the trip? |
Pathways Israel's college program is open to single Jewish men and women aged 19 to 29. With few exceptions, all participants will be college students and young professionals.
- Pathways Israel's young married couples program is open to Jewish couples ages 25-40. Each spouse should apply separately.
- No background in Jewish studies or Hebrew skills is necessary.
| How do I apply? |
Submit an application via our website
| Do I need a passport for the trip? |
Residents of North America must hold a US or Canadian passport valid for at least 6 months from your last day in Israel. If you are not an American citizen, you may need a visa and have other restrictions; please contact your closest Israeli consulate for more information.
If you do not already have a passport, you should begin obtaining a passport as soon as possible. You will be required to provide your passport number and a photocopy of your passport. No one can travel to Israel without a valid passport.
| Can my friends join me on the trip? |
Sure! Refer your friends to sign up and submit an application as soon as possible and we will try and keep you in the same group.
| Can I contact some of your alumni to see how they liked it? |
Yes. Please visit our testimonial page for alumni comments and contact information.
| How long does it take to get acceptance? |
We will acknowledge your application very soon after receiving it. Most applicants will receive confirmation of their acceptance approximately 4-6 weeks after registration begins.
About the Trip
| What does the trip include? |
Trips include all in- Israel ground costs including, accommodation at quality hotels, bus transportation, almost all meals, and 16 days of adventurous and educational programming. You will only need to bring enough spending money to cover meals during the free time, snacks, drinks, tips, gifts and souvenirs.
| How many people are in each group? |
There will be 30- 40 participants (around half men and half women), 4-5 Pathways staff, an armed guard/ medic and a bus driver totaling approximately 50 people per group.
| What will the accommodations be like on the trip? |
Accommodation will be in quality hotels and guesthouses.
| Will laundry service be available during the trip? |
On the college program, we will try to arrange a laundry service pick up and drop off sometime during the middle of the trip. The student will incur the cost of the laundry.
| Will there be a curfew? |
Pathways Israel’s trips assume a high level of student maturity and therefore treat you as an adult. Accordingly, a curfew will not be implemented. However, students must comply with security regulations at all times, maintain contact with staff members, and ensure that they are able to participate fully in all day -time programming.
| What will the meals be like on the trip? |
All of the food on the trip is kosher. Most meals on the program will be included and will include buffet Israeli breakfasts, some boxed lunches and sit-down lunches and dinners at restaurants. Participants should plan on paying for a few of their own meals during free time and for snacks.
| Will there be time for me to visit my friends and relatives in Israel? |
One of the goals of the trip is to give students a taste of living in Israel and to experience Israeli society. Although the structured programming guides the majority of the day, a significant number of nights are left free for you to enjoy on your own, provided you honor the security guidelines. In addition to designated free time, you are more than welcome to extend you stay so that you can have more time to visit with family and friends in Israel.
| Do I need health insurance? |
Health insurance will be taken out on behalf of every trip participant but it may not cover any pre-existing medical conditions. Our insurance will provide basic coverage that will suffice for routine incidents.
The cost of insurance is 1$ per day of the trip. Participants are requested to pay for the insurance prior to arrival. Payment can be made in the following methods.
1. Check - (U.S. dollars only) - made payable to American Friends of Darche Noam and mailed to:
American Friends of Darche Noam
226 Smith St.
Woodmere, NY 11598
2. Credit card. Note: payment by credit card is subject to 3% service charge (please send all credit card information via fax or telephone - email is strongly discouraged). We are not able to accept American Express.
| How should we pack and what should we bring with us? |
Please see our suggested packing list
| How much spending money should we bring? |
We suggest bringing approximately $250 to $300 USD in cash. If you do not have a credit card, you may want to bring a little more. Almost all stores in Israel accept credit cards. Do not rely on ATM machines as they can be difficult to find. Travelers Checks are also difficult to cash so we do not recommend bringing them.
Please bring $50 USD, in addition to your spending money, which will be used as gratuity for your amazing support staff (guides, bus drivers).
| Do I have to participate in every activity? |
Yes, unless you receive special permission from the Pathways staff.
Failure to participate in the scheduled programming may cause one to forfeit part or all of the scholarship of $2500 and possible removal from the trip. The Pathways staff will have the authority to determine if this action is necessary. Should the student be asked to leave, the student's credit card (submitted during the application process) will be charged to reimburse Pathways for the pro-rated amount.
| How can my friends and family get in touch with me? |
Pathways Israel strongly encourages all participants to rent a cell phone during you trip. Besides for emergencies, this will be the only way family and friends will be able to reach you while you are on the trip.
Pathways Israel has secured a discounted cell phone plan exclusively for those participating in our trip. If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, please click here to be linked to the provider's online application.
Rates to and from America vary but are generally quite reasonable. Pathways Israel staff will carry each students' cellphone number at all times.
| Who can we contact if we have additional questions? |
You can contact Mordecai Holtz, the Administrative Director of Pathways Israel, via email.
Call our American office:
Toll-Free Telephone: 1-888-233-6678
Telephone: 516-371-7872
Fax: 650-412-1469
info@pathwaysisrael.org
Worldwide
Tel: 972-2-651-1178
Fax: 972-2-652-0801
E-Fax: 516-908-6020 (US number)
info@pathwaysisrael.org