DOCUMENT 1: Basic Security Guidelines
We abide by the safety and security guidelines as they are published by the Home Front Command of the Israel Defense Forces, the police, and "Moked Teva" Situation Room, and which are sent to all Program Organizers by the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and the electronic media.
In case of emergency, the JAFI Security Division sends specific instructions to the Program Organizer, which are continuously reviewed and updated. At any point in time, the Program Organizer can decide to impose further restrictions/guidelines than those given.
Participants of the program fall under the responsibility of the Program Organizer at all points of the program – including free time, be it over a weekend, an evening with no scheduled programming, or in a designated "chofesh" (=vacation) period.
Participants wishing to leave the defined premises of the program (for a free night or weekend) must notify the staff. If the intended place for free time changes, participants must notify a member of the program’s staff immediately and give precise information about their whereabouts and intentions.
Security Structure
1. The Safety and Security Rules are valid at all times while in Israel.
2. Program Director and Staff are informed of any incident (via national SMS security system).
3. Participants are phoned and located and must respond immediately that they are OK and verify their location.
4. The Program Organizer Staff can be contacted 24 hours a day.
5. Participants will get regular Israel and security updates and briefings.
6. Restrictions and guidelines are constantly reviewed.
7. When and where necessary, changes to the program can/will be made if security demands it.
Safety and Security Regulations - These rules are subject to change at any time.
1. Due to the sensitive security situation in Israel, a number of places may be determined to be particularly at risk. Travel in these areas is permitted, but only with the staff's prior knowledge and consent.
2. Participants may not travel in Judea/Samaria (West Bank). Anyone wishing to do so (to visit relatives or friends) must request special permission from their staff for each travel. If permission is granted, the staff will determine the mode of transportation. The only exception to this is travel from Jerusalem to Eilat via the Dead Sea road, and from Jerusalem to Bet Shean (Road 90). These routes are only permitted as long as prior notice is given to your staff (and their subsequent approval).
3. No travelling on public or private transportation on the following roads:
Rd. no. 443 (Givat Ze’ev—Modi’in) if you want to get to Modi’in you must go to Tel Aviv, and from there to Modi’in.
Rd. no. 375 East (Netiv Halamed Hey – Jerusalem)
4. Participants are not allowed to travel to any location that is under the control of the Palestinian Authority (known as Area A and Area B).
5. Never get into a taxi that stops at its own initiative. Only take Israeli cabs that you have ordered by phone or flagged down yourself. It is advisable to order cabs in advance. License plates are color-coded: Yellow – Israeli citizens, Green/White – Palestinian Authority, Black – Army, Red – Police, and White – diplomats.
6. Hitchhiking is utterly and absolutely forbidden.
7. Use of UBER, WAZE, MOOVIT, and other car-pooling services is not allowed!
8. Jerusalem: Participants are allowed to visit the center of town in Jerusalem: Ben Yehuda pedestrian mall, Yaffo-King George streets- Nachalat Shiva (Yoel Solomon street) – Russian Compound.
Participants are allowed to visit the Jewish Quarter of the Old City and the Western Wall, except on Fridays between 10am-3pm.
9. All of Arab East-Jerusalem is off limits.
10. Participants who want to hike should speak with their madrichim to receive permission, advice and updated security regulations (including heat wave/weather alerts, and to prevent accidental entry of restricted areas, like IDF firing zones). While on an individual tiyul/trip, participants must sleep in a youth hostel, field school, authorized camping ground, or hotel. Participants are not allowed to hike alone, and if they are planning to go on nature hikes, it is recommended that Israelis who know the area accompany them. For more detailed Hiking Tips, ALSO SEE SEPARATE DOCUMENT "Traveling During Chofesh".
11. No participant is allowed to sleep outdoors, beach, park or nature reserve unless it is in the framework of a secured, closed event.
12. You may only visit public entertainment venues (eg. cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants) that are enclosed and guarded.
13. Keep away from a suspicious object (known as "chefetz chashud"), or military objects. Do not pick them up or touch them. Leave the area immediately and report to authorities/bus driver. Also, do not leave your own belongings unattended or they will be treated as a chefetz chashud!
14. Participants who wish to go jogging, should preferably not jog alone.
15. You must always carry your mobile phone, and when travelling the mobile phone must be on and charged. Make sure you have a list of emergency phone numbers.
16. Emergency numbers: Police 100; Ambulance 101; Fire Dpt 102; Electric Co. 103.
17. It is forbidden to enter a beach, lake or pool without a lifeguard on duty.
18. In the event of a security alert/national emergency, participants should contact one of the staff or their director immediately to report their location. Always follow the directions of security personnel.
ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES
Illegal drug possession and/or usage will result in immediate expulsion from the program without refund. In such cases the Program Organizer reserves the right to inform the police. The Program Organizer also reserves the right to require that any participant receive a drug-test at any time.
ALCOHOL
Consume alcohol wisely and moderately. Alcohol abuse resulting in loss of control, anti-social behavior, violence of any kind, vandalism and/or other discipline problems may be grounds for dismissal from the program without refund.
LEAVING ISRAEL
You are not permitted to leave Israel without prior knowledge of the Program Organizer. In this case, a release form must be signed that is in effect for the duration of your time outside of Israel, and you are also responsible for any visa issues should they arise. Note that exceeding the allowed number of leave days (15 for short programs, 30 for long programs) from the program will affect your Masa grant/scholarship. Also, outside of Israel, you will not be covered by our medical insurance.
ISRAELI LAW
Any breaking of Israeli law is prohibited. This includes – but is not limited to – theft, vandalism, possession of/dealing in illegal substances and handling firearms. This includes Prevention of Sexual Harassment Law (attached, and as posted on the billboards of the program).
DOCUMENT 2 Traveling during the free time
We encourage traveling, exploration and hiking, but we urge you to be smart & well-informed travelers, and to make all necessary preparations before you set out on your trip: plan how you will reach your destination (make sure to check bus & train schedules, especially during holidays – remember, hitch-hiking is absolutely forbidden!), where you will stay each night, and how you will return, and inform the staff of your plans and any changes.
Please pay special attention to the following points for hiking trips: they are very important points, so please read them carefully!
Preparations before the hike:
- It is strictly forbidden to travel to areas outside the Green Line (to Occupied Territories).
- Plan how you will reach the hike starting point, how far you will walk each day, where you will spend the night, and how you will return to civilization from the end point;
- Make sure to reach your daily end point during day light. Hiking in unfamiliar terrain at night is very dangerous, and only allowed in designated trails marked as suitable for after-dark hiking;
- Find out in advance what you will encounter along the way (for some areas it is recommended to hike with an experienced guide);
- Find out the weather forecast, and adjust your trip accordingly (e.g. start out very early, rest during the hottest hours; or stay away from low places in case of flash floods alerts);
- Make sure you have a detailed map (1:50,000 or better), suitable for navigation on foot. A compass is optional – nowadays you can install compass apps on any Smartphone;
- It is forbidden to enter restricted areas. Areas marked with a sign shetach esh שטח אש are firing zones used by the military.
- Bear in mind that your medical insurance does not cover Extreme Sports! In any case of uncertainty or doubt, don't hesitate to ask!
Make sure to:
- Carefully plan what food you will take with you, and how to prepare it (can opener…);
- Wear proper hiking shoes (sneakers don't give enough support in rough terrain);
- Wear proper clothing that covers shoulders, arms and legs;
- Cover your head – bear in mind that a broad-brimmed hat is better than a baseball cap;
- Bring sun-screen and sun glasses;
- Bring enough water: in the north, 3 liters per person per day; in the south, 4.5 liters per person per day (1 liter is reserve); Do not rely on/drink from natural water sources!
- Hike with friends and never alone;
- Fully charge your phone before you start your hike;
- Bring signaling equipment: flashlights, matches/lighter and a mirror;
- Bring your card with insurance details and emergency numbers.
During the hike:
- Carefully read instructions and warnings signs at the entrance of trails;
- Stay on the marked paths, don't climb dangerous slopes or steep walls, and stay away from cliffs. Fenced-off areas marked with a red triangle on a yellow background are mine fields.
- Cell phone batteries drain faster if there is little or no reception, so better switch them off. Switch them on only when in high places, and only for short periods of time to make calls or send messages;
- When there is a danger of flash floods (sakanat shitfonot סכנת שטפונות), do not hike in low places such as dry river beds; Trails might be slippery due to water and mud.
- Spend the night ONLY in designated areas!!! (called chenyon laila חניון לילה);
- No jumping into pools and streams;
- Don't leave any garbage behind, and don't bury your trash;
- Listen to and carefully follow the directions of the rangers/officials – they know…
- Have lots of fun! Take tons of photos, and share them with family, friends and staff!
Please also familiarize yourself with the Masa Guidelines regarding Travel and personal vacations.
Please find below the guidelines and definitions regarding personal vacation time taken during the participation in a MASA-affiliated program. It should be emphasized that a MASA program participant is obligated by these conditions.
1. In general, personal vacations during a program must not exceed 15 days in a short program, or 30 days in a long program.
2. Vacations taken at the end of one’s program or at the beginning (entailing a late start to a program) will be recognized, as long as they are for a maximum of one week in length and the participant is in Israel during this vacation. These vacations will count as part of their overall vacation allowance.
3. Vacations abroad (outside of Israel) can only be taken in the middle of one’s program and are not permitted near the beginning or end of a program. These will count as part of one’s vacation allowance no matter when they are taken during the course of a program.
4. Travel and other activities conducted as part of one’s program will not be counted as part of one’s personal vacation time.
5. Exceeding one’s vacation allowance (15 or 30 days, dependent on the program length) will result in the reduction of one’s MASA funding, relative to the total length of the program. Notification will be provided to MASA by one’s Program Organizer.
6. Participants are required to report to their Program Organizers the anticipated dates of any vacation exceeding their vacation allowance as early as possible, including late arrival to and/or early departure from a program.
DOCUMENT 3 Security Instructions in case Missile and Rockets attacks
The following instructions are for your safety and security and you must abide by them. These instructions are valid in case of missiles or rockets being fired into Israel.
Please note that the Program Organizers can not take responsibility over you in case you do not abide by these instructions. Violation of these instructions may result in dismissal from the program without refund.
These instructions are in line with the instructions that all Israeli residents receive from the Home Front Command of the Israeli Defense Forces. All residents of Israel, permanent and temporary, are required to behave accordingly.
- No travel to the danger zone - i.e. you are NOT allowed within a 40 km. range of any danger zone.
- In case of a siren (rising and falling tone): Take cover as soon as possible in a security room, bomb shelter or otherwise protected inside area.
- If there is no security room or bomb shelter in the immediate surroundings, enter any building close by, and stand in the stairwell of the building, preferably with at least two floors above the floor you are on.
- If no stairwell is present in the building, stand as closely to the inner main walls as possible.
- Stay well away from windows and glass doors.
- Stay in the safe zone for 10 minutes, so that in case of falling debris you will be safe.
- If you are traveling at the time of a siren:
Stop the vehicle / Wait until the vehicle stops, and find cover in a nearby building as fast as possible, according to the instructions above.
- If there are no buildings, stop the vehicle, get out and lay face down on the ground, protecting your head with your arms and hands.
- If there is no possibility to get out of the vehicle, lay down and protect your head.
- NEVER approach a fallen missile.
- NEVER stand on balconies, rooftops etc to "watch the action". Doing this can have tragic and terrible consequences.
- Be available on mobile devices (phones etc).
- Send an "I'm safe" message to the staff if you were or are in an area where the siren sounded. Also call or text-message your Ulpan Director or other staff member if you are unsure about what to do.
DOCUMENT 4 Regulations for Prevention of Sexual Harassment
The Israeli law prohibits sexual harassment of any kind!
Sexual harassment is any one of the following acts:
1) Forcing someone, through extortion or threat, to perform an act of a sexual nature.
2) An indecent act (one incident is sufficient to lodge a complaint).
3) Making repeated overtures of a sexual nature to someone who has made it abundantly clear that he/she is not interested.
4) Repeated references addressed to a person and focused on his sexuality, when that person has demonstrated to the harasser that he/she is not interested in the said references.
5) Degrading or humiliating treatment directed towards a person on the basis of his/her gender, sexuality or sexual tendencies.
NOTE: Prohibited behavior has been extended to include publication or sharing of a picture, film or recording of a person that focuses on their sexuality in circumstances that may humiliate or shame them, without express permission to publish or share.
Habonim Dror/PZC Hagshama has appointed officers for the prevention of sexual harassment to investigate any complaint to the effect.
The Officers for the Prevention of Sexual Harassment:
Shira Nevo, e-mail: mazkira-hdopzc@tkz.co.il, Tel: 03-5301444
DOCUMENT 5 Program Norms and Code of Conduct
For the success of the program and your safety and well-being in Israel, it is important for us to ask you to comply with the following rules:
* I understand that the program has an individual character and it is my responsibility to lead an independent and autonomous life within Israel. The program will provide the support and guidance to each participant individually.
- The participants should be alert and follow the safety instructions and advice that are communicated through the mass media.
- The participant will not leave the program without authorization of his/her supervisors and will comply with the dates of the beginning and ending of the program.
- Disrespecting anyone from the Program team, Masa's team, other participants, service providers, or anyone directly or indirectly associated with the Program will not be tolerated and may result in serious consequences, including expulsion from the Program.
- Hitchhiking is prohibited.
- The participant will not have a weapon or anything that looks like a weapon, including knives.
- It is prohibited to be in a state of drunkenness or to drink excessively during the course of the program.
- It is absolutely prohibited to use or have any form of drugs in your possession.
- The participant is prohibited to bet/gamble or to persuade others to bet, to prostitute or to seek prostitution.
- The participant complies himself/herself with the laws of the State of Israel and won’t break those laws.
- Any transgression of the law will be passed directly to the Israeli police, in which case the participant will be immediately removed from the program.
- Take care of the installations within the housing facilities as well as of the work and/or studies. Respect other workers there.
- The personal belongings of the participant are under the sole responsibility of the participant. We recommend taking extra care of special valuables, such as cameras, laptops, credit cards, cash, jewelry etc, as the program can not be held responsible if anything gets stolen.
DOCUMENT 6 Declaration of Consent – use of Audiovisual Materials
I hereby give "Maslool" permission to use photos, videos and interviews of me/with me for its purposes at its discretion, including in the different media platforms (digital and printed media, marketing materials, etc).
I agree that Maslool owns all the rights related to the photos and interviews and their contents, and that I will not receive any proceeds from them.
This declaration is not limited in time. However, I reserve the right to request, at any time, that the materials (or any part of them) will not be used, provided that I give "Maslool" reasonable time (depending on the type of publication) to remove them from its publications, and provided that they are under the program's full control.
Declaración de concentimiento de uso de material audiovisual
Por la presente le otorgo a Maslool mi permiso de usar fotos, videos, entrevistas con o sobre mi para los fines que vea necesarios, a su discreción, incluyendo diversas plataformas y medios (medios digitales e impresos, materiales de marketing, publicidad etc.).
Acepto otorgarle a Maslool todos los derechos de uso y distribución de las fotos, entrevistas y sus contenidos, sabiendo que no optendré ninguna recompensa por ello.
Esta declaración no tendrá límite de tiempo. No obstante, me reservo el derecho a solicitar, en cualquier momento, que los materiales (o parte de ellos) no sean usados o quitados, siempre y cuando le de a Maslool
Ishi un tiempo razonable para quitarlos de los medios publicados (dependiendo del tipo de publicación) y a condición de que estén al alcance y bajo control del programa.
DOCUMENT 7 Force Majeure or any other inability to execute the planned program
Delay in the execution of the program and/or the inability to operate and/or maintain the program for reasons of "force majeure", or in circumstances beyond the Organizer’s control will not constitute grounds for a refund or any claim against the Organizer. In such cases, the program may be postponed to a later date depending on the circumstances, and various decisions by partners/service providers.
In addition, changes that will be required in the program, including changes in the schedules and contents and/or activities in the program (e.g. Ulpan Classes over Zoom), for reasons of "force majeure" or in circumstances beyond the Organizer’s control, will also not constitute grounds for a refund or any claim against the Organizer.
"Force majeure" means, among others - and not only - , war whether or not such a situation is officially declared, a state of emergency, a ban on large gatherings, a natural disaster or epidemic/pandemic, a state of alert, a military operation, full and partial mobilization including reserve mobilization, strike, lock-down or shutdown, but also including national mourning, natural disasters, weather, floods, inability to move on the roads, fire, legislation, orders and/or directives from the State authorities and/or the regional or local councils.