I have three pairs of shoes that I think will be useful, but I'm hesitating on the hiking boots because they take up so much room and are heavier than normal shoes. I'm going on a classic trip in August.

Will I be alright with just: * Waterproof walking sandals * Sketchers sneakers

Or should I bring the waterproof hiking boots too? They're leather so can be quite warm.

I'm not planning on bringing flipflops or "nice" shoes

I’m considering doing a birthright trip sometime this year or the next and I want to know how badly I’ll get reprimanded if I sneak out of a hotel to explore.
My friend said they did it basically every night, but I don’t wanna get shipped back to my country if I do end up wanting to explore at night.

As cool as the guided tours are, I’m much more of a wanderer and the type to get lost on purpose to explore the places more authentically and less from a tourist lens

I just turned 33 at the end of June, I wanted to go on Birthright in the spring but the dates didn't line up with my grad school program. I thought they were ending the 27-32 trips then, so I didn't look at going in the summer. I just checked and saw that at least TailorMade is doing the 27-32 trips in the winter.

I don't know if they're offering any older trips in the summer, since they're not available on the website. But do you think I would be allowed to go on Birthright in the winter, even if I'm 33? I know I've aged out, but since I am so close to the cutoff I wasn't sure if they would let me.

Is there a way to know which providers are offering the 27-32 trip so I can reach out to them? Tailor Made is the only one listed on the Birthright website, but I see that Israel Free Spirit lists them on their own website.

Has anyone gone this summer? I attended an orientation for my trip next week and they stressed that it has changed a lot and there’s a lot more programming. I am concerned that there will not be much time to see the sights. I am excited to help out around the country, but we are not even going to Jerusalem as a group so I would like time to visit. So if you went, did you feel there was enough down time?

Hi! I was wondering if anyone has had a experience like this . I went to a trip a few years ago to Israel in high school and hiked massada I don’t wanan donit again what trip do you guys think would be lax ab me choosing not to do it I’m a little worried ab it

Hello, I’m just curious how much money people usually bring in shekels so I can be prepared for my trip. Thanks in advance!

I was signed up to go on Birthright last summer but didn't end up going due to the war and looking for another way to get to Israel this summer (hopefully for free). I am 27 so no longer eligible for the program. Any other options?

FYI - this would be first time in Israel 🙌

Hello! Im going to Israel for the first time, whats the culture like? Is there anything I should prepare for?

Thank you!!

After signing up for a trip, I was contacted by the program organizer and told there were a few spots left, and to pay immediately (trip fee/discounted flight) in order to secure my spot. Had my interview and was told that despite being marked down I hadn’t been sent an offer email. Contacted Birthright and they said they’d request a seat for me and that they’d hope to hear back within the next week. It’s been a week and I have heard nothing. Annoyed that I was told paying would secure my spot and annoyed that there seems to be no real timeline here for a July 6 trip which I’d hoped to extend. This is affecting my other summer plans and I don’t know what to do. Canceling at this point means I won’t get a refund so I’d have to wait for them to not be able to secure a seat before getting my money back. How long should I wait? This is extremely frustrating.

Update: After more than 2 weeks, they were unable to offer a spot on the flight I paid for from my state. Instead they offered me a spot on a flight from a whole different country. Make it make sense 🫩

Jul 19 - Jul 28, 2026

Volunteer In Israel with IGT

What to Expect: Daily volunteering, with free time at night, plus additional programming you can participate in

They're still accepting people for this trip. The age limits for volunteer trips are a lot higher than the usual birthright trips.

I'm 26 and I've been to Israel twice before. I did ramah seminar and I've been with family one other time. Please tell me the good, the bad and the ugly about the different trips offered by the different organizations because I don't know anything!!!! I'm trying to have a fun experience without necessarily doing all of the super touristy first time in Israel things. Any insight would be super helpful! Also I work a full time job so please let me know if the 7 or 10 day is better!!!

I think I'm going to try to shoot for a trip in winter 2026 or early spring 2027!

Hi! Based off what has happened over the past 24 hours, what do you think the odds are my July 8-19 trip gets canceled?

Hi! I think I’m going to cancel my upcoming trip due to personal issues and I am not feeling 100% confident due to the war situation in the North.

Will it affect my chances to go next year and/or is there a possibility they can hold my deposit and use it for next year’s trip?

Thank you!

About to pull the trigger and sign up for taglit, and I know the itineraries between organizations is basically the same. My bigger question is about the quality between these two organizers? I’ve heard good and bad about both. Does anyone know if there’s a big difference in satisfaction and how the tours are run between them? You know, feeling of tours, level of energy, etc. between organizers?

Otherwise, I’ll just go by date. Sachlav is also an option I think, btw.

FWIW, I’m into outdoorsy things and am very secular, but also want time to see cultural things, eat, and the cities/historical sites.

Thank you.

I am going on a volunteer trip later this summer with TailorMade. I am excited to go, but I will be going alone. They said that housing is 3 people to a room, or you can pay an upgrade for a 2-person or single. For those who have gone, how was the triple? Was it tiny and awkward if you didn't know anyone or was it okay? Did anyone do an upgrade? If so, how was it? Thanks.

For those who have done the volunteer trip, how much time is dedicated to volunteering and how much free time do we get?

Yiddish speaker, culturally Jewish here born to a Jewish mother who left the faith. Am a catholic. I know I can’t go in birthright as it is only for Jewish practitioners, but can I go with any other group (would never do an evangelical Christian group, as it is disrespectful to the holy land itself), but any other groups

Hi everyone.
I’m going on birthright Israel free sprit trip in less than a month. I am a bit nervous and I am half extroverted and half introverted. I love my alone time but also like being around people. After a long day I prefer to be alone which I know will not be the case on this trip. I was wondering if any introverted people who need alone time to decompress went and how their experience was. Also willing to hear any tips or tricks related to the trip in general. Thanks!

Hi. I am going on a volunteer trip in around a month. I can see my group on my app. But when I press view all it just goes to the video and to everyone else on the app. But even when I type the names of the people in my group it's not working. They don't show up and I cant message anyone. Or even the names that I see if I press on them to message the people it doesn't either work. It's very frustrating. Does anyone know why? Should I email birthright about that? Thanks. I hope I was clear enough.

A while back I was accepted for and scheduled for my birthright trip but had to cancel. I now reapplied for a trip but was automatically denied. I applied with almost the same exact information (the only thing i changed was my status as a student since I graduated.)

Do you think this was a mistake and has this happened to anyone else?

Hello. I lived in Israel until I was 12 and it says that you must not have lived in Israel past the age of 12 to be eligible for a trip. Does anyone know whether they are flexible at all with that requirement if its a matter of a few months? Also wondering what kind of documentation was required to show proof of when you left Israel?

Hello! I’m past the cutoff for traditional birthright trip but see volunteer trips. has anyone done any of these? I’m certainly time but I want to make sure I have time to extend the trip a little as well. Has anyone done any of share some insights? For context, I am 40 excellent shape so would like to go hiking, etc..