Yalla January 2024 has been postponed
We intend to run a replacement program in December 2024
For 2023 High school graduates only
What is
Yalla Israel
With COVID disrupting the opportunity for students to participate in their Year 10 Israel program in 2020 and 2021, Yalla Israel offers an alternate opportunity for Year 12 2022 and 2023 to experience Israel as a young adult straight after high school.
Yalla Israel is a unique, 4 week Israel experience, designed specifically for young adults to explore Israel, create new friendships and connections, and to develop their independence. This program is open to all 2022 and 2023 Year 12 graduates from around Australia* who have not already participated in a Year 10 or an alternate Year 11 High School Israel program.
2022 Year 12 graduates were eligible to participate in 2023 trips.
2023 Year 12 graduates will be able to participate in the December 2024 trip.
Subsidies are available and there is also the opportunity to apply for means tested financial assistance for those that are eligible (see “financial assistance”).
To register your interest in Yalla Israel click here. We will keep you up to date with information regarding this program.
(*Conditions apply)
Who is
Yalla Israel for
The December 2024 Yalla Israel program is available to Australian students graduating High School in 2023
Participants must have at least one Jewish parent and:
reside anywhere in Australia and does not attend a Jewish Day School
reside in NSW, attend a Jewish Day School, but was unable to participate in their school’s Year 10 or alternate Year 11 Israel program.
Register your interest now and we will keep you up to date with information regarding this program.
Who is behind
Yalla Israel
Yalla Israel is a collaboration between Y2i, who support the Year 10 Israel Trips in NSW, ACT and QLD and the Israel for Youth Foundation who support the UJEB Year 10 Israel Experience in VIC, TAS, SA, NT & WA.
Together, we aim to ensure that students who missed out on their Year 10 or alternate Year 11 High School Israel trip can still have a fantastic experience after school finishes.
Yalla Israel aims to make this trip as accessible and affordable as possible and communal donors have made it possible for us to subsidise this program for those who require it*.
About the program
December 2024
The program runs approximately from mid-December to early January 2024 and is open to students who finish Year 12 in 2023. Register for the program.
Program outline and content
Yalla Israel is a 4 week program covering Israel from top to bottom. This is not a school trip, it is being offered to young adults who missed out on their Year 10 or alternate Year 11 Israel experience.
Highlights of the trip include:
- Tel Aviv night scene
- Jeep riding and snorkelling in Eilat
- Visiting Israel’s most popular sites including Masada, Rosh Hanikra, Dead Sea, Caesarea, Tzfat, Be’er Sheva and Golan Heights
- Mixing with diverse communities including dinner at Bedouin tents and spending time with an Ethiopian community
- Volunteering projects
- Free weekend to visit family and friends
- Options
Program outline and content
While the program is still being finalised, it will be including meeting minority communities, learning about the pioneers, the impact of the Holocaust, geo-politics, Zionism, modern Israel, choosing from a series of 5 day mini-program options and most importantly, time to party.
Participants will experience wineries, hiking, a Bedouin tent, boat rides, rappelling, thought provoking discussions, museums, archaeological digs and celebrating Shabbat. There should also be a free weekend to visit family and friends.
Yalla Israel is an apolitical program which explore all sides and spectrums of the political and religious landscape. It is also not a religious program, however all food is kosher and participants wanting to keep Shabbat will be able to do so.
- Golan Heights
- Gallillee
- Kinneret
- Caesarea
- Jerusalem
- The Negev
- Eilat
- Tiberias
- Meeting with Druze & Ethiopian communities
- Atlit
- Zichron Yaakov
- Workshop at Yad Vashem
- Tel Aviv
- Masada Ein Gedi & the Dead Sea
Program Cost
This program will be 30 days on the ground in Israel. The total cost of this program will be $12,900 and INCLUDES FLIGHTS. Participants are able to apply for Yalla Israel subsidies up to the value of $5,000 and additional means tested financial assistance if required (see details below).
The cost of the program is very much in line with the cost of current Year 10 programs.
The following is included in the cost of the program – all food, accommodation, Israeli medical insurance, options, laundry (three times during the program), tours, tour guides, entrance fees, Israeli SIM card – everything except travel insurance, spending money, expenses during free time, expenses over the free weekend, and accommodation on the free weekend if you choose to arrange your own.
We will NOT BE PROVIDING TRAVEL INSURANCE. This will be up to each participant to arrange based on their length of travel, additional countries they may be visiting before and after the program, and pre-existing medical condition.
Payment Timeline
This is an approximate timeline contingent upon the current situation in Israel.
19 May – $300 deposit due
1 September – 50% of program cost due
1 November – Balance of program cost due
Options for Financial Support
Yalla Israel is not funded by Y2i or I4Y. A small group of funders have agreed to support this program, understanding that many students were unable to go on their Year 10 Israel program and who also understand the challenges faced by many families.
Discretionary subsidy
Yalla Israel participant families are able to apply for a discretionary subsidy up to $5,000, subject to the availability of funds. The subsidy is discretionary which means that the Yalla Israel team must approve each application. It is designed to support families who cannot afford the full amount of the program.
Applying for a subsidy should be based on each family’s need, and not on what they may have been able to access for a Year 10 program. It is not an entitlement and we ask families to be honest about their financial position. Families who have elected not to take the subsidy will help support other families who genuinely need assistance for their financial situations.
Additional means tested financial assistance
Additional means tested financial assistance, above the $5,000 subsidy is available. Anyone applying for this additional assistance will be required to travel to and from Israel directly and will not be able to do further travel outside of Israel before or after the program.
For further information or to apply, please email info@yi.org.au
Financial assistance application deadlines will be communicated to those that apply.
FAQs
Conditions
The 2024 Yalla Israel program is available to Australian students who will be graduating in 2023, with at least one Jewish parent who:
a) does not attend a Jewish Day School; or
b) resides in NSW, attends a Jewish Day School, but was unable to participate in their school’s Year 10 or alternate Year 11 Israel program due to COVID disruptions.
Travel and medical insurance
Program participants must provide their own travel insurance and provide details to Yalla Israel. Yalla Israel will provide medical cover in Israel as part of the program.
Travel extensions and return travel date options
Participants on the program are able to travel before and after the program but must be in Israel available for the entire Yalla Israel program.
Flights are included in the overall cost of the program however group flight pricing is only available for participants flying into Israel with the group. If you are not going to be flying with the group we can discount the program cost. Please email info@yi.org.au to discuss.
Our travel partner Olive Tree Travel are happy to assist with all your flight needs. Email yalla@olivetreetravel.com.au for assistance. Any additional costs for changes to flights are paid directly to Olive Tree Travel.
Security
1. In Israel, relevant and up to date security information is received daily from the appropriate authorities.
2. Each Yalla Israel Tour bus has an armed security guard present to ensure the safety of participants.
3. Program itinerary will be adjusted to accommodate any security concerns, as the safety of each participant is paramount.
4. Participants must always check in and out with their madrichim (leaders) when leaving their accommodation.
5. Upon arrival in Israel, participants are given clear security instructions and emergency procedures.
6. In the event of any special circumstances, parents will be kept updated with information as it becomes available.
Links to other Masa Gap Year Programs
If you are considering extending your Israel experience after Yalla Israel with a MASA Gap Year, this is possible, but needs to be arranged and finalised before your departure with Yalla Israel.
For further information on Gap Year Israel programs, please visit israelprograms.com.au
REGISTER
December 2024
The program runs approximately from mid-December to early January and is open to students who finish Year 12 in 2023. Register for the program.
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