ELIGIBILITY
Are you eligible for a Taglit-Birthright Israel: CIE trip? Please read over the criteria:
You must be Jewish, between the ages of 18 - 26 years old, a high school graduate, and never have been on a peer-educational experience to Israel that lasted longer than five days. In other words, if you have been to Israel with your family, or solely to visit family, you are eligible. However, if you studied in Israel, or visited Israel on a bus tour, you are NOT eligible. If you have been on March of the Living you will ONLY be eligible once you are 22 years old and not before.
You are eligible if your birthday falls between May 1, 1981 and April 30, 1990, so long as you are at least 18 years old on the date of departure of the program you are participating on.
If you were born in Israel, or an Israeli Citizen, you are required to provide documentation proving that you have lived in Canada since the age of 12 in order to be considered eligible. This can be in the form of a Landed Immigrant Visa or a dated entrance letter from the school you attended at the time.
Full time students registered in Jewish Studies programs in any institute of higher learning will no longer be eligible for the Taglit-Birthright Israel gift. This includes Jewish Teacher Training Programs, Jewish Studies programs, Rabbinic programs, Yeshivot / Seminaries, Jewish Communal Service programs, etc.
EVERY APPLICANT MUST SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE AN INTERVIEW WITH THEIR LOCAL ISRAEL EXPERIENCE REPRESENTATIVE
*Taglit-Birthright Israel: CIE programs are based on departure from Toronto.
WINTER 2008/09 registration opens September 10, 2008 at 9 am.
Click here to view the various Taglit-Birthright Israel: CIE Trip Options happening this Winter 2008/09
IMPORTANT PASSPORT INFORMATION
A valid passport is one that expires a minimum of six months after your return date (i.e. if you return on Feb 1, 2008, your passport must be valid until at least August 1, 2008). If you do not currently have a valid passport, please contact your local passport office to begin your application process. Obtaining a valid passport can take up to six weeks. Application forms for Canadian passports may be obtained at major post offices. The form contains explicit instructions.
ATTENTION: QUEBEC CITIZENS
Since November 26, 2001, only the following identity documents are accepted as proof of Canadian citizenship for Quebec-born citizens:
• A birth certificate issued after January 1, 1994 by the Directeur de l'état civil in the province of Quebec: to contact the office: (514) 864-3900.
• A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship.
ATTENTION: ISRAELI CITIZENS
All participants who bear Israeli citizenship, single or dual (that is, they also have Canadian citizenship), or are children to Israeli parent(s) must clarify their status and obtain appropriate travel documents at the Israeli Consulate.
Furthermore, all Israeli citizens must travel with a valid Israeli passport. Depending on your status, you may be required to obtain Israeli army exemption papers.
Please note that these documents may take six weeks to be processed. We encourage you to begin this process immediately.
In order to expedite the documentation process, CIE provides participants with an official letter stating that the participant is confirmed on a trip.
For more information please contact the Israeli Consulate nearest you AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to speak with a consular staff:
Ottawa: 613-567-6450 || Toronto: 416-640-8500 || Montreal: 514-393-9372
Please do not hesitate to contact us at Canada Israel Experience for clarification on eligibility rules:
1–800-567-ISRAEL (4772) or info@canadaisraelexperience.com
Let Canada Israel Experience treat you to a trip of a lifetime! www.israelforfree.com