<p>We found that only certain ATMs accepted our ATM cards (from our local bank) in Israel–specifically, Bank Leumi worked for us. However, my daughter (who was on a gap year) had better luck with her card which was, I think, from USAA.</p>
<p>We rented phones from Amigo, which gets the most consistent positive comments on TripAdvisor, and were pleased. However, if you have an unlocked phone you truly can get better rates by getting a pre-paid SIM card from one of the local carriers. This is extensively discussed on Trip Advisor as well and you can probably head over there and get the most recent advice on the different options.</p>
<p>My daughter had a netbook in Israel. She could have carried it around with her if she wanted to but I don’t believe she did. I didn’t hear anything about thefts being an issue, but she didn’t live in Tel Aviv. If you are concerned, how about getting a laptop lock? After reading about thefts of laptops from dorm rooms and opportunistic thefts of laptops left unattended in the library, I got one for my daughter as she headed off to college. I hope she has used it…</p>
<p>I am not inside the country enough to know anything about the frequency of thefts. But I can interject an amusing true story from several years back. </p>
<p>A middle-aged couple returned to find their apartment had been burglarized. Among the stolen items were two upcoming subscription symphony orchestra tickets, which they’d left out on a table.</p>
<p>The victims told police the date and seat locations of the stolen concert tickets. A few evenings later, the plainclothesed police occupied those seats and waited.</p>
<p>Sure enough, the burglars showed up, ready to enjoy the concert. When they asked about the seat mix-up, and brandished their (stolen) tickets, they were arrested.</p>
<p>I do know one current American student on a year-long Tel Aviv program at Hebrew University, so lives in some kind of dormitory.</p>
<p>He mentioned he had to key his bedroom door closed each time, going to a bathroom, etc. Someone else on the hall who was less careful had a laptop stolen. To me, that’s hard to remember to do, but perhaps good advice to your D. One of those spiral stretchy wrist bracelets that holds a bedroom door key might help her comply.</p>
<p>ETA: When stolen, that laptop was sitting open, and with the room door open to the hallway. It almost called out, “take me” to anyone walking down the hall. Your D could and should be more careful than that! I don’t want to leave an impression that the dorms are just full of people waiting to snatch each others’ electronics.</p>
<p>My son (in Jordan this year) never wears anything but button up long sleeve shirts and then rolls up the sleeves to just below his elbow. The young women in his program always wear scarves around their necks that can go on heads if needed.</p>
<p>If there’s anyway he can make a side trip to Jordan, I highly recommend it. Jordan is very safe (well for the Middle East!) and Petra and Wadi Rum are spectacular.</p>
<p>If you are buying a new camera look for one that’s supposed to work underwater, that’s good for sand too. My son ruined his camera half way through his first Jordan summer rolling down a sand dune. If not buying new, encourage storing it in a ziploc bag.</p>
<p>what a great opportunity, Israelis are generally warm and friendly. agree that much is open these days on Shabbat, even in Jerusalem, very different than years ago. we also rented with Israelphones, had good experience. also good tip to listen to program coordinators as they will be alerted if there is any issue to be aware of.</p>
<p>These months at home might be a great time to read about the history of the region. He will be head-and-shoulders above most foreign correspondents I hear on the news if he knows what transpired in the Middle East since 1880, not just 1980.</p>
<p>To understand the 20th-century history behind the most recent provocations and events will give him depth. It will strengthen his observations as he travels this summer, and form a good habit when he works in the news field for years to come. </p>
<p>I thrive on history, and wish more news correspondents had a longer lens backwards in time. Sometimes what they say during newscasts, how they turn a phrase or edit a piece, reveals a shallow grasp of history. JMO!!!</p>
<p>We’ve been to Israel three times in the past six years for family weddings and bar mitzvah and both d’s did Birthright. We rented from Israel Phones each time and had no problems at all.
We never felt unsafe and had not heard about much theft… although I do know that a friend of a friend who was bringing his daughter over for her Israel year did fall victim to a Russian mob type of scam involving a cab driver and a specific shopping mall… where he was supposed to buy inferior knock-off merchandise at highly inflated places…before being brought back to his hotel… so you do always have to be aware. We’ve generally always had car rentals because of where we were traveling to.
The first time we were there we experienced a heat wave… It was so hot for so many days that our great-nephew’s reserve deployment was cancelled along with all June camping/hiking school trips for younger students. The following year we were there in August and had lovely weather. Even better was when we there there at the beginning of November two years ago and had absolutely picture perfect weather, fine for walking all around.</p>
<p>I’m trying to book his flight. It’s so exciting! There appears to be 3 levels of seats, economy, premium economy and business class. Will he be comfortable on a 10 hour flight in economy? It appears that premium economy has extra legroom and business class has those seats that open into beds. He almost 6 feet tall. Thanks</p>
<p>Business class is great, but it costs a fortune, and no 22-year-old needs it. He’ll be just fine in economy, or premium economy if you’re willing to spring for the extra $$. We went to Israel last year, economy, and survived. (Is he taking El Al? It’s a terrific airline.)</p>
<p>El Al is excellent compared to most US airlines. The service and food are much better, and he’ll begin his Israeli experience on the plane. They even play Hava Nagilah when you land. But you really should choose based on price and timing.</p>
<p>NOBODY is comfortable all the way from Newark to Tel Aviv. But economy won’t kill him. People survive the 10-hour flight every day, and many of those people are older, fatter, taller or simply more cantankerous than he is.</p>
<p>Besides, 10 hours in economy will be good practice for the flight home, which is longer.</p>
<p>El Al is often more expensive than American carriers.</p>
<p>It appears that business class IS first class. I read reviews of El Al Air and there were a lot of complaints about security harrassment so I wasn’t even considering them. Although I’m not sure United gets such high marks either.</p>
<p>The security is (IMO) not harassment, but it is different from American carriers. You’re questioned before you even check your luggage, asked the purpose of your visit to Israel, if you’re Jewish (and if so, do you belong to a synagogue, did you become bar/bat mitzvah, etc.). The answers themselves aren’t the most important thing - they’re actually checking your body language. It’s very sophisticated security, very professional, and much better than what we have here, although it does take longer. Personally, I found it reassuring.</p>
<p>El Al security is a process, not a pat down. It’s based on individual questioning, which can become a conversation. I find it kind of fun. I think if you’re predisposed against the Israeli government - or some other version of that statement - then you might well find that intrusive or even threatening.</p>
(Is he taking El Al? It’s a terrific airline.)</p>