Question 1

Who can go on Workshop?

Accepted Answer

Workshop is open to all American and Canadian graduating high school seniors. Many of our participants have previously attended one of the six Habonim Dror North America summer camps, though not all! All Jewish youth in their last year of high school are encouraged to apply.

Question 2

If I am an Israeli citizen, how will I be able to go on Workshop without being drafted into the army?

Accepted Answer

Contact your local Israeli consulate and request a year-long deferment from the army as soon as possible. If you need help finding your local consulate, visit www.mfa.gov.il.   You must also make sure that you have a valid Israeli passport before your departure.

Question 3

Why doesn't the Workshop tuition include airfare?

Accepted Answer

Our program tuition used to include airfare, but we realized that families could actually save money by purchasing their own fights at a cost cheaper than what we had budgeted for when it was included in the Workshop tuition. If you need help searching for a cheap and safe flight from where you live, or wish to see if you can book a flight with another Workshop participant from your area, please don't hesitate to be in touch with our central office.

By booking your own flight, you can fly on the airline of your choice. Please be sure to book a flight that the day the program begins. If you can not find an appropriate flight on this day, please be in touch with our central office. Habonim Dror North America is not responsible for participants who arrive to Israel before the program officially begins.

Question 4

Who can parents contact with questions and concern prior to the start of Workshop, or once the program has begun?

Accepted Answer

Throughout the application process and during the program, all parent contact should go through Helen, the Rakezet Tochniot (Programs Director). You can reach her at programs@habonimdror.net or by calling the office number, 267-908-7005 ext 2.   
 
Please make note of the following contact information for your records:
 
Habonim Dror North America Central Office
Phone: 267-908-7005 ext. 2
Fax: (718) 789-1799
E-mail: programs@habonimdror.net

Question 5

What does communication with families look like during the program?

Accepted Answer

The participants will have some free time each day, and will also have most weekends free, so they will have time to be in touch with their friends and family members back home throughout the program. Our team will also be sending email updates to the families, especially around the start of the program and during  transitions from one portion to the next. Parents are also kept closely updated regarding any security developments or changes to guidelines. Our North American team works with the Workshop team in Israel to coordinate sharing information with the parents and participants. We will also share logistics updates throughout the program as needed. The HDNA Program Director meets weekly via Zoom with the Workshop coordinators in Israel, and typically communicates updates on their behalf. In some situations, we may bring them in to communicate with parents directly, but the HDNA Central Office is generally the primary point of contact for parents. We will be available via email and phone to help make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible and sort out any issues that come up.

Question 6

Which Kibbutz will the participants be living on?

Accepted Answer

We choose the Kibbutz for Shorashim based on a number of factors. Ultimately, we want to ensure that the Kibbutz offers housing that is large enough for all participants to live in comfortably, and that is suitable for programming. We also prioritize choosing a Kibbutz with accommodations up to par with Habonim Dror's health and safety standards. Participants will eat most meals in the Kibbutz chadar ochel (dining hall) alongside other Kibbutz members, and so we look for Kibbutzim that will provide this option for us.

The Kibbutz that the participants will be living on will be announced prior to the start of Shorashim.

Question 7

What should I do if my passport will expire before the start of the program?

Accepted Answer

Every participant needs a valid passport. If you haven’t yet, please send in a copy of the first page of your passport immediately via e-mail or fax to the office. Please check to make sure your passport is not expired. You may experience complications if your passport expires within 6 months of return from the program - If your passport expires before November of the year your Workshop ends, you will need to renew your passport.
 
If you were born in Israel or if you are an Israeli Citizen, check on potential travel taxes with the Israeli Consulate nearest you. You should also bring your Israeli passport with you to Israel as well as any other passports you hold​.

Question 8

How is the Anafim location chosen?

Accepted Answer

We choose the Anafim location based on a number of factors. Ultimately, we want to ensure that the living conditions of the house or apartment that the participants are staying in is up to par with Habonim Dror's health and safety standards. We also want to make sure that we choose a house or apartment that will ensure the best overall experience and serve as a comfortable space for living and for programming. We recognize that the facilities in which Workshop participants live are integral to the success of the program, as well as to their physical and mental health. We also choose the city for Anafim based on which volunteering placements are available for the participants and the accessibility of public transportation.

Question 9

How are the Messimot decided?

Accepted Answer

At the beginning of Anafim, the Workshop participants will learn what specific messimot placements are available to them. Participants always will be paired up with at least one other member of their kvutza in their messima placement.

Question 10

When should I apply to university?

Accepted Answer

We highly recommended that participants figure out their post-Workshop plans prior before to the start of the Workshop, as applying to university from Israel can be very stressful and serve as a distraction from their full participation in the program. Check with the universities you are interested in to understand their deferral policies and how to navigate the process for requesting one. Don't worry, most universities are in favor of their prospective students taking gap years, and so you shouldn't have a problem retrieving one. However, we do suggest waiting until you have been accepted to a university before requesting a deferral from them.

Check out this step-by-step guide on how to navigate deferring enrollment.

Question 11

What forms of payment do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept all credit cards and checks made out to Habonim Dror North America. If you have further questions about forms of payment, feel free to call our office at 267-908-7005 ext 1 or email Sue at finance@habonimdror.org.

Question 12

What should I pack?

Accepted Answer

Below is a suggested packing list. More details will come in the acceptance packet.
 
Bags
o 1-2 suitcases.
o 3 day backpack (25L) - A must for tiyulim and free weekends
o Day bag (smaller) + handbag for whoever wants
 
Basic
o Sleeping bag
o Towel
o Pillow case cover and bed sheets (one set). Travel pillow may be helpful.
o Toiletry bag (if you prefer)
o A good hat
o Bathing suit/swimmers
 
Clothing
o Pack everything you need for roughly two weeks – including socks, underwear,
bras, shirts, pants, shorts, etc.
o Bring as many chultzot tnua (blue movement shirts) as you have
o Bring clothing for all occasions: rain or shine, hot or cold, casual or Shabbat
o Pajamas (summery and for colder weather)
o Raincoat

Footwear
o Runners/Sneakers
o Sandals
o Boots
o Do not need heels!
 
Poland: WARM CLOTHES!
o Water-proof boots
o Hat, gloves, scarf
o Jacket
o Long underwear
o Extra layers: sweatshirts, long-sleeve shirts, warm socks, etc.
 
Other
o Diary/notebook
o Photocopies of passports and credit cards
o Shampoo and conditioner
o Laundry bag
o Prescription medication for as much of the year as possible
o A second pair of glasses. Back-up pairs of contacts.
o Sunglasses
o Water-bottle/camelback
Remember that the less you take is better!! Pack for approximately 2 weeks.

Question 13

What kind of medical insurance is provided?

Accepted Answer

Habonim Dror North America insures each
participant for the duration of the program in Israel, which covers basic health care as well as prescriptions and emergency treatment, excluding the major exceptions listed below. Travel expenses for medical covered by our insurance will be reimbursed by the program. At times, a prescription may be heavily subsidized but not fully covered. Parents will be notified immediately in the case of a serious injury. 
 
We have worked hard to ensure that our insurance is one of the most comprehensive plans available for non-Israelis, including certain coverage not necessarily offered through other plans: coverage through Clalit Health Services, Israel’s largest network of healthcare facilities, with high quality and accessible medical service anywhere in Israel; continued coverage of medical treatment resulting from an incident in Israel after your return to your home country (if your local insurance does not cover it).

Specific information detailing our medical insurance policy and what it includes and excludes is made available to participants and their families once accepted into the program.

Question 14

Will I be able to participate in Workshop if I don't know Hebrew?

Accepted Answer

Yes, of course! Many participants on Workshop arrive with limited Hebrew skills. The program is tailored to different Hebrew speaking abilities so that even those who do come with some skills are able to learn more. During the first part of Workshop, Shorashim participants will gain some Hebrew skills through Ulpan. The educators on Workshop speak English and Hebrew, and all of the programming on Workshop is in English.

Question 15

What is the cell phone policy on Workshop?

Accepted Answer

Since the Workshoppers are adults and are living semi-independently for a significant portion of the program, we do not regulate their cell phone usage besides discouraging phone use during programming. For safety reasons, participants are expected to have an Israeli SIM card and keep their phone charged so that program staff can reach them if needed. We will share recommendations for an Israeli phone plan prior to the start of the trip.

Question 16

How does supervision work on Workshop?

Accepted Answer

While there are portions of the program where the Workshoppers will not be in-person with their madrichimot and program staff, they will be constantly in touch with them throughout the duration of the program. Each week, there will be a "Yom Kvutza", which is a dedicated day when the madrichimot run programming for the Workshoppers to facilitate their group process and shared learning. The madrichimot are available to support the participants throughout the program, even when the group is living independently during Anafim. During Shorashim, a Shorashim staff will run programming and be present for the majority of the time on kibbutz to offer in-person support and supervision. Our Workshop coordinators in Israel will visit the participants to run additional programming and safety briefings throughout the year, and will work together with the madrichimot and the Workshop team in North America to help the participants navigate life in Israeli society and ensure that they are healthy, safe, and cared for.

HAB NIM DROR NORTH AMERICA
Israel Programs

Workshop FAQ

Who can go on Workshop?

If I am an Israeli citizen, how will I be able to go on Workshop without being drafted into the army?

Why doesn't the Workshop tuition include airfare?

Who can parents contact with questions and concern prior to the start of Workshop, or once the program has begun?

What does communication with families look like during the program?

Which Kibbutz will the participants be living on?

What should I do if my passport will expire before the start of the program?

How is the Anafim location chosen?

How are the Messimot decided?

When should I apply to university?

What forms of payment do you accept?

What should I pack?

What kind of medical insurance is provided?

Will I be able to participate in Workshop if I don't know Hebrew?

What is the cell phone policy on Workshop?

How does supervision work on Workshop?

Workshop FAQ​​​​​

Who can go on Workshop?

If I am an Israeli citizen, how will I be able to go on Workshop without being drafted into the army?

Why doesn't the Workshop tuition include airfare?

Who can parents contact with questions and concern prior to the start of Workshop, or once the program has begun?

What does communication with families look like during the program?

Which Kibbutz will the participants be living on?

What should I do if my passport will expire before the start of the program?

How is the Anafim location chosen?

How are the Messimot decided?

When should I apply to university?

What forms of payment do you accept?

What should I pack?

What kind of medical insurance is provided?

Will I be able to participate in Workshop if I don't know Hebrew?

What is the cell phone policy on Workshop?

How does supervision work on Workshop?

Workshop FAQ