FAQ

JNF-USA has been operating Alternative Break trips for 20 years. We have consistently met the needs of Jewish college students 18-24 years of age who want to experience Israel by volunteering. We find a balance on our trips between independent time and group activities. Through JNF-USA’s partnerships across Israel, our participants are given access to different types of volunteerism which include helping the environment, working with children, supporting people with special needs, and assisting minority groups.

This is a free trip to Israel. You are responsible for raising a minimum of $900 from 5 separate individuals. The money raised supports the projects you are volunteering on as part of our Blueprint Negev Campaign. A $250 refundable deposit is required for those on the group flights (one from Miami and one from NYC). Yavneh students will be booking their own flights and getting reimbursed after the trip. Once you reach your fundraising minimum, JNF-USA is committed to sponsoring your trip to Israel, including airfare to Israel accommodations, most meals, and ground transportation in Israel. We also provide medical insurance for when you are with the group in Israel. Although JNF-USA covers most expenses, we recommend you bring spending money for snacks, and up to 3 independent meals. Please keep in mind you are responsible for booking and paying for your own domestic transportation to and from the group flights.

Registration for the winter trip is now open until November 1st 2022! Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for future updates.

Yes, if you had an Alexander Muss High School in Israel experience, please contact EDalfen@jnf.org to see if you qualify for a $500 scholarship.

Volunteering opportunities may include, but are not limited to: planting, pruning, building, painting, harvesting, and working with children. A preliminary itinerary will be sent to you in November. Our main focus is volunteering, but we do have other activities and site visits built into the trip. They may include tours relevant to the work of JNF-USA, team building activities, hikes, and Shabbat-friendly activities. We do our best to balance time for volunteering, fun activities, and free time. There will be a few opportunities to meet up with friends and family during the trip. Please speak with your trip leaders about when it will be best for you to meet up with friends and family.

Absolutely! In fact, we encourage it. Alternative Break is not intended as an introduction to Israel. While you may join us even if you have not previously been to Israel, you need to be aware that this is not a typical touring trip. We concentrate our efforts on one region in Israel and make the most of our volunteer time there. If you have never been to Israel we strongly suggest that you register and participate on Birthright Israel: Shorashim-JNF Israel Adventure Trip prior to Alternative Break so you can first take advantage of your FREE 10-day trip. Alternative Break is a week-long community service trip where you volunteer in Israel. Since Alternative Break is only 6 nights in Israel, you will still be eligible to participate on Birthright Israel.

We operate under extensive safety precautions and have developed a program that is as safe, secure, meaningful, and fun as possible. Click here to access our complete safety regulation information sheet.

Neither Jewish National Fund-USA nor Alternative Break is affiliated with any specific denomination of Judaism. Our Jewish participants come from all streams of Judaism, and we ask that everyone is respectful of each person and their practices during our time together. During Shabbat we respect the day of rest and do not work or travel. We provide a number of religious service options which are within walking distance of the hotel we will be staying at in Jerusalem. We eat all our Shabbat meals together; hold an Oneg Shabbat on Friday night, and a group reflection during the day on Saturday. There will be considerable free time for participants to sleep or hang out with the friends. Saturday is an ideal time to meet up with friends or family in Jerusalem. All provided meals are certified Kosher by the local Rabbinate. We will do our best to accommodate all Kosher requests or always have a vegetarian option.

The $250 deposit for those on the group flight or the flight reimbursement will not be reimbursed until after the trip ends and the student attends the trip as planned. If you decide to cancel at any time after Nov 1st 2022 there is no refund of the deposit.

November 1, 2022 - Last day to register and all forms need to be submitted

December 20, 2022 - Last day to meet fundraising goal

Group Flight to Israel - you must choose one of these at time of registration (Not for Yavneh fellows)
Miami to TLV - Departing: 12/24 at 8:00pm Landing: 12/25 3:20pm
Departing: 1/1 at 11:15pm Landing: 1/2 at 6:10am

JFK to TLV - Departing: 12/24 at 11:50pm Landing: 12/25 at 5:20pm
Departing 1/2 at 12:45am Landing: 1/2 at 5:30am
West Coast to TLV – please email edembsky@jnf.org for more information


Yavneh Fellows Group Flight
You are responsible for booking your own flights, please be in touch with edembsky@jnf.org for approval before booking

You are responsible for your own primary health insurance and making sure it covers you while you are abroad. While you are in Israel, Shorashim/JNF provides you with basic health insurance that has limited coverage. For example, this coverage does not include pre-existing conditions (including most psychological conditions), drinking, drugs, bag losses, connecting flights, layovers, etc. If you do not have health insurance that covers you abroad, you must purchase insurance that will cover you abroad.

CTAS is an Israeli insurer that has designed plan for group trips. Please review what CTAS insurance covers as well as the specific terms and conditions of its insurance policies, to make sure it fits your needs while traveling. Shorashim/JNF-USA is not responsible for any issues with your CTAS insurance coverage, denial of claims or other issues (as any insurance you purchase is between you and CTAS directly). Please contact CTAS directly with any questions regarding the insurance.

A cell phone is not necessary for the week, but many participants like to have one. One option is to bring your own and make arrangements ahead of time with your local carrier to be able to use it in Israel. Wi-fi access will be limited so service can be very expensive if you are using 3G or 4G service. If you need a sim card or to rent a cell phone, we suggest making arrangements with Israel phones before you leave. A kiosk from 019 Mobile -is at Ben Gurion airport and you will pick up your pre-ordered equipment before departing on the bus.  

Once you have applied for Alternative Break, you will have to interview and be accepted on to the program. Only after acceptance, will you officially register and create your fundraising page. Once your page is live, use social media to invite your friends to donate to your campaign. Please use the official JNF logo to promote your goals. Every online donation receives an automated email acknowledgment to be used for tax purposes. It is also a good idea to send a personal thank you note to everyone who contributes to your campaign. JNF staff will work with you to help you reach your goal.

Alternative Break has a component of fundraising, to help the projects that we are working on in the south. The money that is raised is 100% tax deductible and does not pay for any travel expenses. By fundraising, you are becoming a steward of Israel and helping the land and the people. The last day to fundraise will be December 18, 2022 and you must have at least 5 unique donors. If your goal is not met, we will contact you and then charge your credit card on file for the difference.

You can spread the word using all platforms you use to connect with your friends and family. Social media tends to be the best way to promote this trip and your fundraising efforts. Follow and tag us at @JNFonCampus!