Getting Ready

It’s never too soon to begin gathering the items you will need for your trip.  We especially recommend that you buy your hiking boots now and break them in.  This will avoid all those nasty blisters that invariably come with any new shoes and boots.  Get yourself in shape with long walks along trails with uphill and downhill grades.  Carry a full backpack with you as you walk to build endurance and strength.  Here’s our required and suggested packing list for men and women.

 GENERAL ITEMS FOR EACH PARTICIPANT TO CONSIDER TAKING

Personal Hygiene Supplies

·         2 bath towels

·         2 bars of soap (soft squeeze is even better)

·         comb, brush

·         Travel packs of facial & toilet tissues

·         Mirror

·         Lip balm—several tubes

·         Nail file, nail clippers, scissors

·         Gold Bond or other talcum powder

·         Anti-bacterial wipes or gel

Suggested Other items:

·         Woolite

·         laundry bag

·         fanny pack

·         insect repellant and some type of sting kill

·         good tennis shoes

·         camera & film (lots of rolls as it is more expensive in Israel, also don’t forget an extra battery for your camera)

·         flashlight (bring extra batteries)

·         extra pair of glasses or contacts and a copy of your prescription

·         gum

·         favorite snack foods, energy bars

·         powdered drink mixes (Crystal Light/Gatorade)

·         alarm clock

·         plastic (zip-lock) bags for wet stuff

·         a journal

·         Mini Pillow

REQUIRED ITEMS FOR EACH PARTICIPANT

Personal Hygiene Supplies

·         toothbrush and toothpaste

·         Deodorant

·         sunscreen (two bottles)

Luggage:

·         Large duffle with wheels

·         Backpack (similar to school size bookbag)

·         a second bag large enough for 4-5 days worth of clothing

Must Haves:

·         light weight (inexpensive) sleeping bag

·         water bottles (2)

·         hiking boots (lightweight)*

·         hiking socks (light or medium wool – NOT COTTON!)

·         2 pairs of sunglasses (plus strap)

·         2 caps/hats with brim, bandanas

·         water shoes/Tevas (designed for water/beach/coral reefs)*

*You will be hiking through water often.  Also, you will be swimming through the coral reefs in Eilat.  You therefore need old tennis shoes or water shoes that you can throw in your daypack.  This is in addition to your hiking shoes that you don’t want to ruin by getting wet, and then have to hike in afterwards.

***Extra Items for Poland Participants

• Hooded sweatshirt

• Rain slicker or poncho

• Lip balm

•  Candy, pretzels, crackers, energy bars

CLOTHING LIST FOR WOMEN

Shirts/Tops

·         10-14 t-shirts  (please note that we will sometimes ask you not to wear tank tops so as to be appropriate in certain areas and to protect your skin from the powerful Israeli sun)

·         6 tops (2 long-sleeved, rest short-sleeved blouses not including tank tops

·         Sweatshirt

·         1 cardigan sweater

Skirts/Pants/Dresses

·         4 dress-up skirt/shirt combinations or dresses with 3-4 knee to ankle length skirts  for Shabbat

·         6 pairs of shorts (at least 1-2 of these should be quick-dry water shorts such as Umbro’s or REI brand)

·         2 pairs of pants (jeans, khakis, etc.)

·         1 pair of sweatpants

Shoes:

·         comfortable shoes (sneakers)

·         flat shoes/sandals (Shabbat and going out)

·         Hiking boots

Head coverings:

·         2  (hat with brim, scarf, bandana)

Underwear and socks

·         sports bras

·         3 week supply or less if you plan to do some hand washing

3 bathing suits—quick dry

Personal hygiene supply

CLOTHING LIST FOR MEN

Shirts:

·         2 white button down shirts for Shabbat (short or long sleeved)

·         12 T-shirts

·         sweatshirt

Pants:

·         2 pair long pants (jeans, khakis, etc.)

·         2 nice pairs of pants for Shabbat

·         6 pairs of shorts (at least 1-2 of these should be quick-dry water shorts such as Umbro’s or REI brand)

·         1 belt

·         1 pair sweatpants or pants to fit over shorts

Shoes:

·         hiking shoes

·         waterproof sandals

• Comfortable everyday shoes/sneakers

Underwear and socks

• 3 week supply or less if you plan to do some hand washing

Head coverings:

• 2       (hat with brim,  bandana)

kippah, talit, tefillin (optional)

3 bathing suits –quick dry

Shaving kit and other personal hygiene supplies

Suggested Reading List

While relaxing after your practice hikes and endurance walks, prepare yourself intellectually for your Israel and/or Poland experience.  The list below is our suggested reading list.  Enjoy!

Dawn by Eli Wiesel

Exodus by Leon Uris

In the Land of Israel by Amos Oz

The Israelis:  Founders and Sons by Amos Elon

O’Jerusalem by Larry Collins

Self portrait of a Hero: Profiles of the Jewish Courage by Chaim Herzog

The Seventh Day: Soldiers Talk about the Six Day War edited by Avraham Shapira

The Source by James Michener

Yellow Wind by David Grossman

The New Middle East by Shimon Peres

The Settlers by Meyer Levin

The Wall by John Hersey

Mila 18 by Leon Uris

Heros, Hustlers, Hard-Hats, and Holy Men by Ze’ev Chafetz

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Last modified: December 04, 2005