All group flight information can be found on our Current Seminar Families page (password: Seminar2025). There, you will find two important links:

1. Group Flight Details (includes departure and arrival times, airlines, airport locations, etc.)
2. Important Information for Group Flight (includes critical guidelines and information regarding the flights and is critical for those opting out of the group flight)

As noted in the handbook, all passports must be valid for six months following your return flight. For example, if you are returning to North America on August 6, 2025, your passport must be valid until February 6, 2026, or later. In your case, you should immediately renew your passport (following the instructions on the State Department website), as this process can take several weeks and even months.

Seminar Classic participants (Israel only) are not required to be on the group flight, although we recommend it. Should you decide to opt out of the group flight, please review “Important Information for Group Flight” before purchasing your tickets, and update your flight information in your CampMinder account.

An important note: Participants joining the Poland Journey are required to join the group flight.

Domestic connecting flights are not booked through Ramah Seminar, so it is the family’s responsibility to book a flight that arrives at least four hours prior to the group flight. Our chaperones will be at the airport four hours before takeoff to greet and assist participants as they arrive.

To help prepare your child, we encourage you to review airport procedures together, including check-in, security, and finding their gate. It’s also important for parents to stay available by phone during their child’s journey to provide guidance or reassurance if needed.

While our chaperones are happy to help upon your child’s arrival at the airport, please keep in mind that there will be only one chaperone traveling with the group, and they may be assisting multiple teens taking connecting flights.

For your planning, chaperone details will be sent out approximately a week before the flights.

Ramah Israel will order kosher meals for all of our participants.

For all El Al flights only, Ramah will also order vegetarian and gluten-free for anyone who indicated these dietary restrictions/allergies/preferences on their CampMinder form.

For all other airlines, including Lot Airlines to Poland, Ramah will order kosher meals for every participant. Should you wish for us to order a different meal for your child (i.e. GF or vegan), email registrar@ramah.co.il and we will submit that request to our travel agent. Please note that these meals will NOT be kosher certified.

No, the seats are randomly assigned and we do not accept seat requests.

Unfortunately, no, frequent flier miles cannot be used to purchase group flight tickets. However, we can connect your ticket to your frequent flier account, allowing you to earn miles on this trip.

In order to make this arrangement, please contact: registrar@ramah.co.il.

Unfortunately, due to the current security situation in Israel, most insurance companies do not offer travel insurance at this time. Ramah Israel families are welcome to purchase insurance through “Teen Travel Insurance.”

Packing lists for Seminar Classic and the Poland Journey can be found on our Current Seminar Families page (password: Seminar2025).

There is no need to pack any bedding, including blankets, pillows and sheets as they are provided in Poland and Israel (even sleeping bags are provided when needed!). Participants will need towels in Israel; in Poland, towels are available at each hotel.

Pro Tip #1: Towels, toiletries, converters, and other supplies can be purchased on our partner website, PackForCamp, and will be delivered to our campus in Israel on the first day of Seminar (these items can also be purchased during the first week of Seminar at a shopping center).

We encourage teens to donate their leftover toiletries, used towels, and other items at the end of Seminar if they are concerned with weight on the return flight.

Pro Tip #2: Poland Journey participants worried about weight can bring travel-size shampoo/soap/conditioner to Poland, or simply use the soap and shampoo provided at each hotel, and the rest can be purchased through PackForCamp or at a pharmacy in Israel.

Each of the airlines has slightly different size dimension guidelines for checked and carry-on luggage. The weight limit for checked bags on all of our flights is 23 kg (50 pounds) and for carry-on bags is ~8 kg (~17 pounds). Personal items, like a school-sized backpack or a purse, are allowed on transatlantic flights.

For the short flight between Poland and Israel, personal items may incur additional fees. Please feel free to read more about this topic in the handbook on page 6.

The following language regarding dress code is taken directly from our Handbook:

Seminar participants are encouraged to dress in a way that demonstrates respect for ourselves and those around us. As a group, we will travel to various communities that request modest attire. On all trips, shirts must have sleeves; tank tops are forbidden for sun protection reasons. Additionally, our home bases are shared with other families and guests and will sometimes require more modest dress.

Clothing policy: 

• One-piece bathing suits are required throughout the kayitz (two-piece bikinis may not be worn on Seminar).

• Speedos may not be worn on Seminar.

• Underwear, boxers and bras must not be visible.

• Tank tops will not be permitted during touring and hiking. This includes spaghetti straps and any sleeveless tops for all chanichim/ot.

• Respectful, more modest, nicer-than-every day clothing is expected to be worn for Shabbat at tefilot (prayers), in the chadar ochel (dining hall), and during programming. Shabbat-appropriate clothing should be free of rips, tears, or wording and should not be overly revealing.

• Staff will inform the participants when it is necessary to wear especially modest clothing, usually in preparation for a visit to religious institutions or sites. This may take the form of long pants or modest skirts (to or below the knee) and a non-revealing top that covers the shoulders. We may ask that our teens simply wear longer shorts (i.e. no tights or short-shorts), and to not expose their midriffs.

For more information on dress code and packing tips please go to our Seminar 2025 handbook, page 8.

Teens should be prepared that every day they will be required to bring the following:

• 3 liters of water
• Shirt with sleeves
• Hat with a brim
• Closed-toed shoes (in some circumstances backed sandals will be allowed)

Under no circumstances can participants wear flip flops or crocs (even in “sports-mode”) when heading out for the day! CLICK HERE for the full packing list.

Our complete phone policy is detailed on page 14 of the handbook. In light of the security situation in Israel, all teens must have a working phone plan during the program. We strongly recommend using our trusted partners at TalkNSave, for seamless service (see the next question for details).

Since our teens are not accustomed to having phones while at camp, our staff works to promote healthy and mindful phone usage throughout the program. We encourage families to discuss expectations and guidelines for phone use before the start of Seminar to ensure a balanced approach.

Ramah Seminar partners with TalkNSave to provide easily accessible, affordable, reliable phone plans for our participants. Please CLICK HERE to learn more about TalkNSave and purchase a phone plan. While we do not require you to use this plan, we have found them to provide the best customer service, including sending sim cards to your homes, meeting us at the airport/campus to hand out sim cards, and being available to handle all technical difficulties throughout the summer.

If you purchase at TalkNSave plan in advance, the process is even smoother (especially if the sim card is being delivered to your home).

Before the Summer
Most emails will come from our registrar (registrar@ramah.co.il), so keep an eye out for important updates from this address.

During the Poland Journey (if applicable)
Families will receive daily, detailed emails with highlights of the day, several pictures, and daily videos to help you stay connected to your child’s experience.

During Seminar Classic (Israel)
Families will receive bi-weekly emails with detailed itineraries. Photos and videos will be uploaded regularly to a shared drive for you to enjoy and follow along. The Seminar office manager will also be in touch as needed.

We’re constantly striving to provide the “right amount” of photos, videos, and details in our communications. We welcome your feedback throughout the summer to help us improve!

Camper Care Support
Our Camper Care team is here to support you and answer any questions that come up. Their contact information will be shared with you a few days before the summer begins.

All tuition payments are made electronically through your CampMinder account. We are proud to inform you that Ramah Israel changed our policy, and we do not charge credit card fees for payment! 

Please note: In order to make a payment you need to login to your account, click on ‘Financial Management,’ and manually make your payment. Regular payments are not charged automatically.

We recommend sending $450–$650 USD for spending money and encourage families to discuss spending expectations with their teens in advance. Based on our experience, most spending money is used on snacks and additional food. While we provide three full meals daily and, when possible, snacks between meals, teens often enjoy purchasing extra treats.

Most families send an international debit card that can be easily reloaded online, which can be arranged through your bank or an online service. Please note that we cannot store cash or checks on campus, and large amounts of cash carry a higher risk of loss or theft.

During the first few days of Seminar, we will provide an opportunity to exchange money, either at the airport or at a currency exchange vendor.

For more details, please refer to page 11 of the Seminar 2025 handbook .

We take allergies and dietary restrictions seriously and have measures in place to support your child’s safety and well-being.

Before the Summer:

1. Review Policies: Please review the allergy and dietary policies outlined in the Seminar 2025 handbook (page 17).
2. Submit Information: Ensure all allergies and dietary restrictions are listed in the appropriate sections of your CampMinder account (in the Health Form and the Physician’s Examination Form).
3. Camper Care Outreach: A member of our Camper Care team will contact families before the summer to discuss any allergy or dietary concerns that require a specific plan to ensure your child’s needs are met.

What to Bring:
Participants with allergies that could be anaphylactic must bring three EpiPens to Seminar.

During the Summer:

1. Dining Hall Practices:
   • Dining halls will be informed of your child’s allergies.
   • Food will be labeled with allergy warnings.
   • Note: Dining halls are not sterile or nut-free environments and should be considered similar to a typical restaurant.
2. Support on the Bus (kvutza):
   Each bus will have a counselor assigned to allergies and dietary needs. Your child will be encouraged to connect with them at the start of the summer and throughout for any questions or concerns.
3. Meals Provided:
   Every participant, regardless of dietary restrictions, will be provided three meals a day.

Peanut and Nut Policy:
While Seminar is not a nut-free program, we ask participants to avoid eating food with nuts in enclosed areas such as buses, dormitories, and moadonim (common rooms).

If you have additional questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re committed to making Seminar a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.

We have a clear system in place to ensure medication is handled safely and effectively throughout Seminar.

Before the Summer

Blister Packing all daily meds

• All daily medication must be blister-packed before the summer. This can be done by the family or at a pharmacy.
• If medication arrives without blister packs, please notify us in advance. A $100 fee will apply to package the medication on campus.

Medication Collection

• At the start of the program, participants are required to turn in all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) to Seminar staff.
• The following items do not need to be turned in and can remain with the participant:
  • Birth control pills
  • Vitamins
  • Melatonin
  • Eye/ear drops
  • Ointments/creams
  • Asthma inhalers

Medication Distribution:

• In Poland: Participants are responsible for taking and storing their own medication.
• In Israel: Medications are securely stored in the Seminar “Marp” (infirmary) and are distributed once daily, typically after dinner.
• Rescue Medications: For emergency needs (e.g., panic attacks, migraines), participants may keep 2–3 doses on hand. Additional doses are stored in the infirmary and replenished as needed.

If you have specific questions about medication storage or distribution, feel free to reach out. Your child’s safety and well-being are our top priorities.

For more information please visit the Seminar 2025 handbook on page 16.

Host Shabbat is a chance for our teens to spend a couple of days with family and friends in Israel. The Host Shabbat will take place on July 18-19.

Please CLICK HERE for more information on Host Shabbat procedures, policies and transportation to and from Host Shabbat.

If you don’t have a host family in Israel, here are your options:

1. 1. Explore Connections: Think about friends, extended family, or others who might be visiting Israel during the summer.

• Long Lost Connections: Some Seminar hosts are friends of their parents from childhood, or former shlichim from camp. Of course we ask that you vet these families in advance, but this could be another option!

1. Join a Friend: Consider spending Shabbat with the host family of a fellow Seminar participant.
2. Ramah Assistance: If no options are available, Ramah Seminar will do our best to help you find a host family. Alternatively, we offer the option to stay on campus with a staff member.

For detailed information on Host Shabbat procedures, policies, and transportation, please CLICK HERE.

These guidelines are designed with participant safety and well-being in mind.

In the past, we encountered challenges when these rules weren’t in place, such as:

• Teens engaging in risky behaviors like drinking or spending the night in inappropriate accommodations (i.e. no bed, staying with host’s roommates, etc.).
• Hosts struggling to supervise larger groups effectively.
• Younger hosts not fully considering the responsibilities involved, sometimes creating a “cool” or overly relaxed environment that led to neglect of essential needs like healthy meals and appropriate supervision.

By requiring hosts to be at least 24 years old and limiting the number of teens per host family to two, we increase the chances that participants:

• Receive proper attention and care.
• Are in a safe, nurturing environment.
• Enjoy a meaningful Shabbat experience aligned with the program’s values and traditions.

For more details on Host Shabbat procedures, policies, and transportation, please CLICK HERE.