There are programs that encourage volunteering
and programs that encourage religious connection.

Jewish Federations of North America offers the
National Young Leadership Mission to Israel in June.

And Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia has two
scholarship opportunities pertaining to Israel travel, one of
which is for study at Orthodox Yeshivot.

Go shopping.

The U.S. dollar is now 13 percent stronger against the shekel than
it has been in the past couple years, so you’ll be able to spend
more than you’d think. Plus, the VAT refund still applies, which
means that when U.S. tourists leave Israel with their bounty —
excluding food, drink or tobacco — they’ll likely be eligible for
a tax refund as long as they’ve bought their goods in a partici-
pating store.

To find out more about how to get the refund, consult Israel’s
Ministry of Tourism website, goisrael.com.

Pack light.

No, we don’t mean take less luggage (though that’s not a bad idea,
considering all the extra fees these days). We mean pack light cloth-
ing because Israel in the summer — really up until early September
— is hot.

Average temperatures are in the high 80s, and Tel Aviv, Ne-
tanya and the like add a dollop of humidity to the mix. Go to
Masada, the Dead Sea or Eliat, and temps are regularly above
100 — like way above. Things do cool down in the evenings —
in Jerusalem, in the mountains and in the desert — so a light
jacket also is recommended.

See ISRAEL , Page 12
Name: Manayunk Development Corp
Width: 7.5"
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Comment: JE/This Summer
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JEWISHEXPONENT.COM THIS SUMMER
JUNE 2, 2016
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