10:59am on Yom Hazikaron – Israel’s memorial day.

Then the clock struck 11:00am. Then it began.

First a quiet “rrrrrrrrr”

Then louder. And Louder.

The few cars that were on this desert road pulled over and stopped. The drivers got out of their cars and stood.

“RRRRRRRRRRRRrrrRRRRRRrrrRRRRRRRRR”

The siren blared through the mountains, through the valley and across the Dead Sea.

For two minutes it blared. The sound of the siren in the desert gave me goosebumps. I looked at Jordan across the sea– once an enemy nation and now a friend.

Throughout the entire country of Israel people stood outside their homes and offices, in the streets and roads and in cemeteries to remember those that died so we could be here today. We thought of the  22,993 IDF soldiers that died during their service. The 22,993 men and women that gave their lives defending this small country. In Israel Yom Hazikaron, Memorial Day, is not about sales or bbq’s.  It’s about remembering those that gave their lives.  It’s a day of sadness.  The local tv stations either play stories of fallen soldiers or go off the air. The radio plays only sad music. We all mourn. We all stand together today. We are a giant family that mourns together.

There is also a siren the night before (A Jewish day is from sunset to sunset) It was during that siren that I really saw that it isn’t just about the Jewish people that live in Israel– but all people that live here. I was sitting at dinner with one of our drivers; Mohanned. About 30 minutes before the siren he started to get anxious and tell us that we had to hurry up. We could not be eating during the siren. We had to be outside standing. Here I was sitting with a man that is Druze (an off-shoot of Islam) who was making sure we gave the proper kavod, respect, during the siren. (The Druze and Bedouin in Israel  are members of the armed forces and serve the country with pride) I already felt that Yom HaZikaron was a very important day – but this made me realize how even more important it is. This day is about all Israeli’s that gave their lives. All people. We made it outside and all stood together… and remembered.

Sadly here everyone seems to know someone that died during their service. An uncle or aunt, a father or mother, a brother or sister, a son or a daughter  or a friend- someone that we loved . It’s a day of sadness. We remember those that are not here with us today. That will not be able to celebrate Yom Hatzmeut, Israeli’s Independence day, that begins right after our day of mourning. Those that will not get to share in another celebration. Those that we cannot hug again, laugh again with or see.

Israel may be a small nation. But  it is a country with a big heart.

This post may be a bit all over the place – but it is hard to share what it feels to be here during this time.  It’s moving to see the importance that is placed on remembrance and life.

As this Yom Hazikaron comes to an end; May the list of those we mourn freeze at 22,993 and next year we all stand with Peace all around us.

 - the author is part of the Amazing Israel team and live in Jerusalem

Ready for the HOTTEST summer of your life?!?!

You should be! Registration is just around the corner and it’s important to be prepared!

First off – know the date you can register!

If this is your FIRST time applying you can apply on February 15th beginning at 10 am ET.

If you have applied in the past you can apply on February 14th beginning at noon ET.

There are rumors that you have to sign up right away… well.. sort of true. You do not have to sign up within the first 30 seconds of registration opening! However, we do recommend signing up within the first day that you are able too. If you are a returning applicant (or how we call you here at Amazing Israel a VIP!) make sure that you use that early opening to sign up.

Here are the things to do:

1) Head to www.amazingisrael.com on the day that you are able to register. Registration could close at any time – so don’t procrastinate! Even if you are not sure about applying – better to do. This way your options are open and you could that you could have a chance to spend some time in Israel. If you decide 100% against it we can refund your deposit. Better to be safe than sorry! So apply! 2) Grab something to drink, some snacks and open up Angry Birds (or something along those lines) if the server is busy. The server sometimes does get busy. It happens! Don’t panic. Just wait a bit and try again. 3) When you enter the system – Fill out the entire Taglit-Birthright Israel application.

• If you have a passport enter all that information. If you do not have a passport we suggest you apply for one right away! It can take some time to get one (and December is a very busy month for travel – so apply sooner than later!)
• Make sure that you choose Routes Travel- Amazing Israel as your trip provider. Also choose which program you want. Don’t worry if you are not sure which trip you want as you can always switch it after (we make it that easy!)
• Answer honestly! Really. It’s not worth putting in the wrong information.
• We do read the essays. They don’t have to be super long – but they are a great way for us to know why you want to come on this trip (you will not be accepted based on the essay – so don’t worry!)
• PAY YOUR DEPOSIT. Now, in case you didn’t see that super important piece of information: PAY YOUR DEPOSIT!. An application is NOT complete until this is paid.

4) Want to travel with friends? AMAZING! We love putting friends and family together. Although we CANNOT promise – we do try. Please do keep your requests to 1 or 2 people.

5) Within a few days you will receive an email from us in regards to your application. You do NOT have to call us right after you finished your application – don’t worry!

6) After registration closes (which we don’t know when that is… but as soon as we do it will be up on our website) we will send you more information.

7) Get ready for the most AMAZING 10 days of your life.

Easy right?

So quickly:

1) Register for your AMAZING ISRAEL trip within the first day of registration opening (know which date you get to register!) 2) Fill out application. 3) Pay deposit 4) Get ready for the most AMAZING 10 days**.

Happy Registering!

**Please note that completing an application for Taglit-Birthright Israel is NOT a guarantee that you will be placed on a trip.

Taglit-Birthright Israel is like the sampler menu at a restaurant – giving you a taste of everything so that you can maximize your 10 days. Sometimes people have the opportunity to extend their flight and explore a little more on their own or with friends. Here are some tips that we have picked up along the way that will be useful to you! Tips to making sure your extension is great!

1) Remember that if you make an extension you are travelling on your own and are not the responsibility of Taglit-Birthright Israel or Amazing Israel.

2) Don’t come without a plan! At least have an idea where you are going to sleep for the first few nights after the trip!

3) Make sure that your extension is confirmed. Unless you have it in writing before you leave for Israel DO NOT ASSUME it has been changed!

4) Did you know that if you do not have a confirmed extension and decide to stay – you cannot be booked on another flight! Your return to the US flight is cancelled and then you have to find buy your own ticket back! Eeek! You do not want that. So confirm! Confirm! Confirm!

5) Make sure that you write down ALL of the information you need for your extension. Time, Date etc. keep this with you! Us at Amazing Israel cannot access any of your extension information!

6) Decide to make the extension in Israel? Make sure that you do it as soon as you can as sometimes it can be VERY VERY tricky to do it. Also you should be the ONLY one handling your extension. Your staff has all the information you need. Some airlines need at least 4 business days before the end of the official trip to make an extension – so make sure that you have time!

7) Every time you extend your ticket you have to pay the extension fee. For example you are already enjoying your extension and decide that you want to stay even longer – you will have to pay the fee AGAIN to change it. There is nothing that AI can do to get that fee waved.

Not sure what to do? How about Petra in Jordan? Or Egypt? If so, be in touch with amazingisrael@routestravel.com and we can help you plan it through our parent company Routes Travel!

Enjoy your extra stay! See you in Israel!

In addition to our packing list, here are a few must-haves for every trip:

1. A flashlight. It always comes in handy! It could be the night at the Bedouin tent or crawling through caves – always good to have one!
2. A pen and notebook. There is normally something that you want to look up or read about later or want to remember an emotion or thought – however, because you are doing so many amazing things during the day sometimes these little things get forgotten – so write it down!
3. The knowledge of what you electronics run on. Check to make sure that any electronics you are bringing with you can run on 220v (which is the voltage that Israel runs on) Normally it says on the back of the item – BUT if you are not sure DON’T PLUG IT INTO AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET IN ISRAEL. Really. Don’t do it. Find out if you need a prong changer OR a full power converter.
4. A reusable water container (like nalgene) these are great to use and to always make sure that you are hydrated! The drinking water is safe in Israel- so why buy water when you can get it for free?
5. A smile, energy, a sense of humor and a passion for adventure!  This is Israel! This is YOUR Birthright!
6. Hat! Bandana! Something to cover your head.
7. A pashmina for the ladies – this is great when you are at holy sites and need to cover up fast! As they are light you can just keep them in your bag!

Those are just a few suggestions – make sure that you check out our packing list page http://www.amazingisrael.com/pretrip-info/summer-packing-list  for more suggestions of what to bring!

First off – know the date you can register!

If this is your FIRST time applying you can apply on February 15th beginning at 10 am ET.

If you have applied in the past you can apply on February 14th beginning at noon ET.

There are rumors that you have to sign up right away… well.. sort of true. You do not have to sign up within the first 30 seconds of registration opening! However, we do recommend signing up within the first day that you are able too. If you are a returning applicant (or how we call you here at Amazing Israel a VIP!) make sure that you use that early opening to sign up.

Here are the things to do:

1) Head to www.amazingisrael.com on the day that you are able to register. Registration could close at any time – so don’t procrastinate! Even if you are not sure about applying – better to do. This way your options are open and you could that you could have a chance to spend some time in Israel. If you decide 100% against it we can refund your deposit. Better to be safe than sorry! So apply!
2) Grab something to drink, some snacks and open up Angry Birds (or something along those lines) if the server is busy. The server sometimes does get busy. It happens! Don’t panic. Just wait a bit and try again.
3) When you enter the system – Fill out the entire Taglit-Birthright Israel application.

• If you have a passport enter all that information. If you do not have a passport we suggest you apply for one right away! It can take some time to get one (and December is a very busy month for travel – so apply sooner than later!)
• Make sure that you choose Routes Travel- Amazing Israel as your trip provider. Also choose which program you want. Don’t worry if you are not sure which trip you want as you can always switch it after (we make it that easy!)
• Answer honestly! Really. It’s not worth putting in the wrong information.
• We do read the essays. They don’t have to be super long – but they are a great way for us to know why you want to come on this trip (you will not be accepted based on the essay – so don’t worry!)
• PAY YOUR DEPOSIT. Now, in case you didn’t see that super important piece of information: PAY YOUR DEPOSIT!. An application is NOT complete until this is paid.

4) Want to travel with friends? AMAZING! We love putting friends and family together. Although we CANNOT promise – we do try. Please do keep your requests to 1 or 2 people.

5) Within a few days you will receive an email from us in regards to your application. You do NOT have to call us right after you finished your application – don’t worry!

6) After registration closes (which we don’t know when that is… but as soon as we do it will be up on our website) we will send you more information.

7) Get ready for the most AMAZING 10 days of your life.

Easy right?

So quickly:

1) Register for your AMAZING ISRAEL trip within the first day of registration opening (know which date you get to register!)
2) Fill out application.
3) Pay deposit
4) Get ready for the most AMAZING 10 days**.

Happy Registering!

**Please note that completing an application for Taglit-Birthright Israel is NOT a guarantee that you will be placed on a trip.