2008 UJC GENERAL ASSEMBLY - FAQ
November 16-19, 2008

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ABOUT THE GA
What are the dates of this year’s GA?
The 2008 GA will take place in Jerusalem from November 16-19. It will be immediately preceded by another major UJC event, the International Lion of Judah Conference, to be held in Tel Aviv on November 12-16.

What is the primary Jerusalem venue for this year’s GA?
The principal General Assembly venue is the Jerusalem International Convention Center (Binyanei Ha'ooma). Click here for a downloadable map of Jerusalem.

How can I find out about programming scheduled for the GA?
Click here to see the most up-to-date program details for the GA. Click here for a printable version.

Will there be opportunities to travel to other parts of Israel during the GA?
On Tuesday, November 18, GA participants will join trips to the Galilee and the Negev Desert to see projects of some of UJC/Federation's main overseas partner agencies: the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee; the Jewish Agency for Israel, and the Ethiopian National Project.

The GA is scheduled to visit Tel Aviv Tuesday night, helping the " White City" mark its centennial.

When will I be able to indicate my preferences for the Tuesday trips ?
Online registration for the Tuesday Seminar on Wheels trips is now closed; on-site registration will be open at the GA registration desk from Sunday, Nov. 16 at 8 am until Monday, Nov. 17 at 2 pm. To review your trip options, click here.

Can my spouse/partner/friend join me on the Tuesday trip?
The Tuesday trips are open only to those who are registered for the GA.

What is the Next Gen Day on Sunday, November 16th?
To read about the agenda for the Next Gen Day at the GA in Jerusalem, click here.

I have additional questions about the GA. Who should I contact?
For technical questions regarding registration, please contact our registration representatives by phone at 888-747-8702 or 972-349-5802, by fax at 972-349-7437 or by e-mail at Israel2008@wyndhamjade.com.

REGISTRATION
How do I register?
Online registration is now closed; onsite registration will be available at the conference venue, beginning Sunday November 16.

Those wishing to register only for the WCJCS event, rather than signing up for it as part of your GA registration, can do so via the WCJCS site. (Click here)

I’d like to travel to the GA as part of a local group. How do I know if there’s one being formed in my area?
Please contact your local federation to see if they are arranging to travel as a group. They may also be organizing an Israel mission in conjunction with their GA participation. Click here to find your local federation.

I'm traveling independently, not as part of a group or mission. Do I register for the event and hotel first, or make flight arrangements first?
You can register for the event and reserve a hotel room before you have flights. Once you book your flights, please make sure that they are consistent with your hotel check-in and check-out dates.Please add your flight details to your registration as soon as you have made those arrangements.

What's the registration deadline?
Online registration for the GA closed on Oct. 31. The registration desk for on-site registrants opens at 8:00 am on Sunday, November 16 at Binyanei Ha'umah. See below for fees for on-site registration.

What if I need to modify my registration to change my arrival or departure details or other information?
Please send any change requests to Israel2008@wyndhamjade.com. An adjustment confirmation will be sent to you.

What is the GA cancellation policy?
After November 1, there is a $300 cancellation fee. Please note that missions and the International Lion of Judah Conference also have cancellation fees. For mission cancellation fee details, please contact your mission coordinator at your local federation. For Lion of Judah cancellation details, please check that conference FAQ.

Why do I need to supply passport information on the registration form?
This is needed for security purposes. Additionally, by Israeli law, hotels must have your passport information in order to reserve a room.

How do I register for a hotel?
The online GA reservation form is now closed; you will need to arrange your hotel rooms directly with Jerusalem-area hotels at this point.

When will I know which hotel I’m staying at?
If you registered for the GA via our online registration system, you should have received an acknowledgement of your hotel reservation request at the time of registration. Approximately 30 days prior to the GA, you were sent information regarding your specific hotel arrangements.

TRAVEL
What's the weather usually like in Israel in November?
The weather in Jerusalem during the month of November is mild. Temperatures range from 50-70°F.

How should I dress for the GA?
Dress is informal for all occasions. Given the autumn weather, we recommend that you bring a jacket and/or raincoat.

Will food provided by the GA be Kosher?
Any meals provided at the GA will be under the kosher supervision of Rabanut Rashit.

I'll be in Jerusalem before the GA. What are my Shabbat options?
For Shabbat options organized by the Reform Movement, click here. For options organized by the Conservative Movement, click here. For options organized by Chabad, click here.

Alternately, please consider this Shabbat program from the Melitz Centers for Jewish Zionist Education, this program from Yeshiva University's Center for the Jewish Future, and this Havdalah service and program sponsored by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami.

What provisions are made for those with disabilities?
Please indicate the disability and special needs in the box provided on the registration form.

How do I book my flight?
Gil Travel is available to handle your travel needs. For GA, ILOJC travel, and for missions, call their New York office at 1-212-284-6668; you may, of course, use any travel agent of your choosing.

Do I need a special visa? Are there any special passport regulations?
A valid passport is required for all U.S. participants. Please note that your passport must be valid for at least six months after your departure date. There is no visa requirement for U.S. citizens traveling to Israel. Other nationals should contact the appropriate consulate to find out about their regulations. No inoculations are required at present for travel to Israel, but please check with local public health authorities for up-to-date information.

Can I use U.S. dollars during my trip, or will I need to get Israeli currency?
The constantly changing exchange rates due to the strong Shekel and weaker U.S. Dollar have forced some businesses to post prices only in Israeli Shekels. We suggest that you use your credit cards for purchases or when going out to dinner, and use Israeli currency for taxis, etc. There are ATM's throughout Israel where you can withdraw Israeli Shekels from your account at a favorable exchange rate.

How will I get to and from Ben Gurion Airport?
Airport transfers will only be provided for Mission participants. Individual and shared taxis to Jerusalem are available at Ben Gurion airport, which is in Lod, just south of Tel Aviv.

How will I get from the hotel to the GA venues?
Shuttle service between all GA hotels and GA venues will be provided to conference registrants. The principal General Assembly venue is the Jerusalem International Convention Center (Binyaney Ha'ooma).

If I am attending the International Lion of Judah Conference and the GA, how do I get from my Tel Aviv hotel to my Jerusalem hotel?
UJC will provide transfers from ILOJC hotels in Tel Aviv to GA hotels in Jerusalem on November 16 for those registered for both conferences.

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