Can I bring electrical appliances with me?
You may bring to Israel (customs/duty free) the following: 1 electric shaver, 1 hair dryer, a personal audio player and a camera with film. DO NOT BRING "BOOM BOXES", PORTABLE DVD PLAYERS OR GAMING DEVICES AS THEY ARE NOT PERMITTED ON MACH HACH BA’ARETZ. Please remember that the voltage in Israel is 220 volts; please pack a suitable adapter for all electrical items. Please do not bring expensive photography and video equipment as Bnei Akiva does not have the ability to store your electrical items in a safety deposit box.
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What about sports equipment?
Mach Hach Ba’Aretz is not a regular camp; there is no reason to bring any Sports equipment this summer. Roller Blades and Hockey Sticks are NOT permitted and will be confiscated by our Staff at the airport. It will be returned to you upon returning to North America. We will provide sports equipment when we have free time in Israel.
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What if I get sick in Israel? Do I need to have health insurance?
Limited medical insurance is provided to participants while in Israel on the Mach Hach Ba'Aretz program. Please be sure that your own medical insurance is current, and that it will cover you in Israel. You must submit a medical form, which is to be completed by your physician, and sent to Bnei Akiva prior to April 15, 2008.
There will be a Chovesh (medic) escorting each bus. All medics are trained in basic first aid. Serious problems will be referred to a doctor, hospital or clinic. Every precaution is taken in regard to the health and welfare of the participant. Parents will be notified if any invasive treatment is deemed necessary.
- Innoculations
Although you are not required to receive shots prior to your departure, we recommend that you consult your physician in regards to a tetanus or booster shot. - Medications
Bnei Akiva has strict policies regarding any participant who requires a regular (i.e. daily, weekly etc) dosage of medication. If your child suffers from any health ailment that requires a daily dosage of medication, either orally or via injection, you must contact our office immediately.
*While our staff can occasionally remind participants to take their medication, they cannot administer or regulate your child's medication. If your child cannot be relied upon to regulate and administer his/her medication on a regular basis, your child should not attend the Mach Hach B'Aretz program. There are absolutely no facilities to refrigerate or sanitize any medication or instruments. The program is extremely intense, with a great deal of hiking and physical exertion in the hot and dry climate of Israel.
Any physical limitations must be brought to the attention of the Director at the time of application.
Participants who are taking prescription medications, such as allergy pills or asthma regulating pills and regulate their own medications should bring sufficient supply of medication for the duration of the program. Bnei Akiva reserves the right to collect all prescription and non-prescription medication at any time.
- While fruits and vegetables will be available at meals, we are not able to guarantee a full vegetarian diet nor could we offer any other special diet.
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What about the safety and security in Israel?
We are confident that this summer's Mach Hach Ba'Aretz program will be wonderful and meaningful. At the same time, our staffs both here and in Israel are hard at work to ensure that Mach Hach Ba'Aretz participants will be safe and secure.
- Buses in Israel
Mach Hach Ba'Aretz travels on privately chartered buses. At least two Madrichim, two Madrichot, a Rosh Kvutza, and a security guard/medic staff accompany each bus of 25-40 campers. There are army trained staff members on each bus staff. - Itinerary
All Mach Hach Ba'Aretz itineraries are reviewed and approved by the Israeli Defense Forces (Tzahal). There is a daily updating of the security situation. Mach Hach Ba'Aretz will not travel to any areas that Tzahal does not consider safe, nor will we travel through or to any areas not under complete Israeli control. - Communications
Every Mach Hach Ba'Aretz bus has the capability for 24-hour communications with our base in Israel and with emergency services. Additionally, before the summer you will be notified of emergency phone numbers that will allow you to be in contact with the Mach Hach Ba'Aretz administration at any time of the day or night in the event of an emergency. Mach Hach participants are allowed to bring private cell-phones. We will suggest a proposal for renting cell-phones to those interested. - Accommodations
Most of our accommodations are youth hostels and dormitories in rural, enclosed communities such as Kibbutzim and Moshavim. No Mach Hach Ba'Aretz participant is allowed to leave the program base independently at any time. This is grounds for immediate removal from the program.
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Will laundry services be available on the program?
There will be laundry service available twice during the program. Please use the following guidelines in preparing your clothing list.
Clothing should be geared toward the warm Israeli summer and the informal nature of the program. The emphasis should be on lightweight and easily laundered clothing. Please take advantage of no iron clothing since you will not be able to iron your clothing.
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Who will staff Bnei Akiva's Mach Hach program?
Mach Hach Ba'Aretz is staffed with senior Madrichim and Madrichot who have proven their leadership capabilities in previous positions within Bnei Akiva and Camp Moshava. They serve not only as counselors, but also as role models and educators.
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Will there be time on the program to visit my friends and relatives in Israel? How much free time are we going to have?
There is one free Shabbat during Mach Hach B'Aretz lasting from Friday morning, August 1st to Sunday morning, August 3, 2008. This allows participants an opportunity to spend time with friends and relatives who live in Israel. Parents will need to submit a Free Weekend form prior to June 1, 2007 informing us as to where their child will be spending the free Shabbat. The participants are required to be under adult supervision during the entire Shabbat. Those participants who are unable to find suitable accommodations will be placed at Bnei Akiva host families. The pick-up points are at the Ramat Gan Stadium (opposite Gates 1& 2) or at the Teddy Stadium parking lot opposite the Malcha Mall in Jerusalem. Every participant must be picked up and dropped off by their host, or may travel directly via taxi (taxi travel permissible only with written permission from parents). Participants will not be allowed to travel on regular public transportation. Participants may not spend the free Shabbat in a Yeshiva, school, or college dormitory.
Free weekend forms are to be sent to the New York office. Duplicates may be sent with your child to Israel but are not necessary.
IN EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES PARENTS OR OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS MAY VISIT MACH HACH B'ARETZ PARTICIPANTS OR TAKE THEM OUT OF THE PROGRAM AFTER RECEIVING PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR AND AT THE CONVIENCE OF THE GROUP.
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Do I have to participate in every scheduled activity?
The Mach Hach Ba'Aretz program is structured around the strict observance of Halacha. Tefillat Shacharit, Mincha and Aravit, and, Shiurim are all mandatory. So too are all other rules of Halacha, including, Kashrut and Shabbat observance and Tzniut. Participants’ punctual attendance is required at all Mach Hach Ba’Aretz activities. No part of the program is optional.
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What is the time difference in Israel?
During the summer months, Israel Is:
7 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time
8 hours ahead of Central Daylight Time
9 hours ahead of Mountain Daylight Time
10 hours ahead of Pacific Daylight Time
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Do I need to purchase insurance to cover my child's possessions?
Bnei Akiva and its assisting and handling agencies assume no responsibility for any loss, damage or theft to baggage or personal belongings -from the time of your originating flight in North America to the time of your return to your home. We strongly suggest that you check with your family's home insurance policy to see if you are covered for any such occurrence. The purchase of accident and baggage insurance is recommended.
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Can I send mail to my child while he/she is on Mach Hach?
Your child's mail should be addressed as follows:
Bnei Akiva Maskirut Olamit
P.O. Box 7401
Jerusalem 91073
ISRAEL
Mach Hach Ba'Aretz
Name of Child, Bus Number
The words “Mach Hach Ba'Aretz” and the bus number must appear in the lower left hand corner to help insure proper mail delivery.
On average, mail from the United States and Canada will take ten days to arrive in Israel please do not send mail during the last two weeks of your child's stay in Israel, for it will not reach the group in time. Participants can purchase stamps and aerogrammes at most kiosks and drugstores. It is advised not to send packages (UPS/FED EX) due to Israel custom laws. In the past exorbitant taxes have been charged and many items were not permitted into the country.
