Question 1

What is Diaspora Discovery?

Accepted Answer

Diaspora Discovery joins together Israeli, North American, and Diaspora youth to discover and experience the myriad expressions and experiences of Am Yisrael - The Jewish People.

By Building Bonds of Global Judaism between and within our Diaspora communities, Diaspora Discovery seeks to forge a diverse and dynamic 21st Century Global Judaism that empowers each participant to understand their past, present, and future as part of a dynamic and diverse community.

Question 2

What’s Included in the Program?

Accepted Answer

⦁    Round Trip Airfare (to/from designated cities)
⦁    Accommodations
Diaspora Discovery is all about meeting, sharing, and connecting! Trip participants will be living in shared and communal conditions. Single-sex dual or triple occupancy accommodations are standard to ensure the comfort of all Discoverers. Dormitory accommodations may be utilized on occasion on an as-needed basis.

⦁    Group ground transportation
⦁    At least two meals per day
⦁    All program activities

Question 3

What’s NOT Included?

Accepted Answer

⦁    Most lunch meals 
⦁    Personal expenses (like souvenirs) 
⦁    Travel/Health Insurance

Question 4

Who is eligible to participate?

Accepted Answer

Diaspora Discovery is open to all Jewish youth entering their Junior or Senior years of High School or their Freshman year of college in the school year following the trip. Our participants are known as “Discoverers.”

Question 5

How does Diaspora Discovery define “Jewish”?

Accepted Answer

You must have at least one Jewish birth or adoptive parent or have completed Jewish conversion through a recognized Jewish denomination. Conversion documentation may be requested during the application process.

Question 6

Who will be on the trip?

Accepted Answer

Discoverers will be learning from and sharing with approximately twenty Jewish peers from North America, Israel, and the Diaspora Community visited. The trip will include two staff members - ideally one each from North America and Israel - who will travel with the group from the designated airports to the Diaspora Community. A local tour guide and driver will also be with the group during most days as needed.

Question 7

What are participants responsible for?

Accepted Answer

⦁    Application, including a statement of interest
⦁    $360.00 payment toward the cost of the trip
⦁    Service project within Jewish Diaspora Community
Example of service project: volunteering to assist with Jewish Day School or local Jewish summer camp activities during one day of the trip.

Question 8

What about trip and participant safety?

Accepted Answer

⦁    Diaspora Discovery will refer to all U.S. and Israeli Embassy guidance, alerts, and other travel safety information regarding the locations to be visited.
⦁    Security and Medical staff will be provided as and if needed as determined by Diaspora Discovery leadership.
⦁    Participants are responsible for having personal medical insurance coverage that is valid in the destination Diaspora community country.
⦁    Alcohol consumption by participants is strictly forbidden during all Diaspora Discovery activities. An exception to this policy will be a modest portion of wine as part of Kiddush for the start of Shabbat. Parents and Guardians are welcome to request that grape juice be substituted during Kiddush. In order to ensure the health and safety of all Discoverers, however, we strictly adhere to Diaspora Discovery’s ​drug and alcohol policy.
⦁    Participants are required to submit a signed liability waiver acknowledging that Diaspora Discovery cannot anticipate or be responsible for every circumstance and situation that may arise, especially with respect to personal conduct falling outside of Diaspora Discovery policies and codes of conduct.

Question 9

How is Diaspora Discovery different?

Accepted Answer

While many, important Jewish youth and young adult travel programs bring Jews from North America and from around the world to Israel or provide opportunities for Israeli youth and young adults to travel to North America, Diaspora Discovery brings youth from both Israel and North America together in a third location to discover and engage with youth from a Diaspora community. Unlike other Jewish youth and young adult travel programs, Diaspora Discovery is not exclusively focused on Israel, though we do emphasize the central role Israel, Jerusalem, and Eretz Yisrael play in Judaism in all its forms. Diaspora Discovery brings Israeli and North American Jewish youth together in a third, Diaspora community location to discover Diaspora communities and strengthen each participant’s Jewish identity through learning from and sharing with each other.

Question 10

Will Shabbat and Kashrut be observed?

Accepted Answer

⦁    No program activities will be scheduled during local Shabbat.
⦁    Unfortunately, kosher meals cannot be guaranteed in every Diaspora community. Part of the Diaspora Discovery experience is coming face-to-face with the challenges of maintaining a Jewish identity where the conveniences of large communities and extensive Jewish services are uncommon or non-existent. Every effort will be made to ensure Kosher-style (e.g., vegetarian or pescatarian) dining options for all participants at every meal.

Question 11

Will non-Jewish programming and activities be included?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Be prepared for historical and outdoor opportunities in the locations we visit. Please see our sample itinerary here.

Frequently asked questions