Taglit-Birthright Israel: Registration Info & Trip Dates

Home >> Registration Info & Trip Dates
Registration Info & Trip Dates

Thanks for your interest in the Taglit-Birthright Israel with URJ KESHER. We love our trips, and we are thrilled to share this once-in-a-lifetime experience with you!

Winter/Spring 2010-11 Trips
Get on the Early Update List TODAY
Be the first to learn more about the next round of trips in December 2010 and January, February & March 2011. Actual registration opens on September 14th for new applicants and September 13th for returning applicants. Sign-up today for the Early Update List to learn more about how registration works and to learn about upcoming trip dates.

All About the Registration Process

Trips are offered in two separate seasons. Winter trips are offered in December, January, February, and March. Registration typically opens for winter trips in mid-September. Summer trips are offered in May, June, July, and August. Registration typically opens for summer trips in mid-February. In general, registration only stays open for about a week each season. Registrations do not carry over from season to season, but returning applicants do receive priority status for future rounds.

The following is a short summary of the registration process. Please take a moment and also review the Detailed Registration Instructions so that you are ready to go once registration opens.

STEP #1: Primary Application & Refundable Deposit
Once registration opens, complete the Primary Application (this link will become when registration opens) on the Taglit-Birthright Israel web site. Be sure to choose URJ KESHER as your Taglit-Birthright Israel trip organizer (Why Kesher?). You will only be able to select your preferred trip type (e.g URJ Kesher) and travel month. Finally, you will be asked to submit a $250 refundable trip deposit. Your application will only be considered complete once you have submitted the refundable deposit (Trip Deposit?).

NOTE: We highly recommend completing your entire Primary Application on the first day of registration to improve your chances of being selected for a trip.

STEP #2: Secondary Application & Choosing Trip Dates
Within 12-24 hours of completing the Primary Application, you will receive an email invitation from KESHERto complete the Secondary Application on the KESHER website. On the Secondary Application you will be able to view our actual trip dates and you will be asked to submit your top-10 trip date choices. You can also let us know if you wish to travel with any friends or family members.The order that you complete the Secondary Application has no relationship to the trip assignment process.

STEP #3: Phone-Based Interview
Before we can offer trip spots, we will conduct a telephone-based interview. The purpose of the interview is to make sure that you are eligible and to answer any and all of your questions. Typically we make these calls within 2-3 weeks of the start of registration. Do not panic if you do not hear from us right away. The order that we contact you for your phone interview has no relationship to the trip assignment process.

STEP #4: Accept Your Trip Spot
About 3-5 weeks after registration opens, we will begin to send out actual trip confirmations via email. To make your spot on the trip official, you will need to respond to our trip offer message and formally accept your trip assignment or request to make a switch to a different one. For much more information about the registration process: Detailed Registration Instructions

Who Gets Selected for What Trips?
URJ KESHER assigns applicants to trips according to according to when you complete your application. We consider your application to be complete after you have fully finished the Primary Application – including submitting the refundable trip deposit (Trip Deposit?). We recommend completing the Primary Application with URJ Kesher on the first day of registration to give yourself the best chance of getting on the trip you want. All applications received on the first day will be treated the same no matter what time of day they are received! In addition to honoring a first-come-first-served registration policy, priority trip selection status is granted to applicants who have applied in the past as well as applicants who are about to turn 27 and age out of the program.