` INSIDE JEWISH GREECE & BULGARIA JDC Entwine Insider Trip for Russian-Speaking Jewish Young Professionals March 26-April 3, 2017 This is a uniquely crafted global Jewish program tailored specifically for young professionals from a Russian-speaking Jewish background. Participants will connect with other passionate RSJ individuals from across North America and engage personally with issues facing Jewish communities abroad. Through a combination of educational tours and conversations with local leadership, participants will learn about the Jewish history and modern communities of Greece and Bulgaria first-hand. Participants will explore their own Jewish identify, from networking with RSJ peers from across North America and Greece and Bulgaria to exploring the breadth of JDC s work. This is an exceptional opportunity for young leaders interested in foreign affairs, global Jewish culture, and community development. Itinerary Highlights: Learn first-hand about the revitalization of Jewish life in Bulgaria after the fall of Communism and the effect of economic instability in the Balkan region in recent years Experience the ancient sites of Athens, including the Acropolis, Parthenon, and historical synagogues & Jewish institutions Network with Greek young professionals & residents of Moshe House Sofia, and engage in leadership development with teens from BBYO, two of JDC s partner organizations Participate in interactive activities with elderly community members & young children at Gan Balagan Kindergarten Engage in exclusive briefings with leading economists, community leaders, and social workers to understand current socioeconomic realities today Enjoy authentic Greek and Bulgarian cuisine and a special Shabbat in Greece! Trip Dates: March 26-April 3, 2017 Participation Fee: $3,000* (additional subsidies available; see JDC Global Leadership Grants section below) Actual Value of Trip (estimated): $3,600 The trip cost includes: Round-trip airfare from New York City Local transportation Meals Hotel accommodations (note: the participation fee covers accommodations in double rooms; participants may elect to stay in a single room for an additional fee) Site visits, briefings, tours, etc. Medical and emergency evacuation insurance Participants will be expected to submit a deposit of $1,000 upon notification of selection. Final payments will be due two months prior to the trip. JDC Global Leadership Grants: JDC does not want the cost of the trip to prevent your participation. If you are unable to contribute the full participation fee, we encourage you to
apply for a JDC Global Leadership Grant (see JDC Global Leadership Grant section of attached application). JDC will award JDC Global Leadership Grants to a select number of participants on an as-needed basis. Your decision to apply for a JDC Global Leadership Grant will not impact selection decisions. Note that no full subsidies are available. Beyond applying for a JDC Global Leadership Grant, we also encourage you to fundraise to cover the cost of your participation. We are happy to provide guidance as you reach out to friends and family to seek donations for this worthwhile experience. Please Note: As one of the main funders of this program, Genesis Philanthropy Group will not be able to provide additional funding to individuals. Flight Details: The group flight will depart from New York JFK Airport. All participants are expected to meet at JFK airport at least 3 hours prior to departure. Exact flight information will be shared upon notification of acceptance. About JDC in Bulgaria: Bulgaria entered the European Union in 2007. But despite the country s recent growth, it s elderly and other vulnerable populations have struggled, as pension and salary levels failed to keep up with rising living costs. Economic turmoil has also affected middle-class professionals, who have been struggling to find or keep jobs and care for their families. Largely spared during the Holocaust, Bulgaria s Jewish community emerged strongly after the fall of Communism and has made significant strides toward self-sustaining vibrant Jewish life. Nevertheless, the country s latest financial upheaval has caused significant hardships for community members of all ages, including many of the younger and most active supporters, some of whom are themselves now in need of community aid. About JDC in Greece: Rattled by the Euro debt crisis gripping the country,s small yet vibrant Jewish community is facing an unprecedented emergency: the majority of Jewish communal institutions synagogues, a Jewish school, a cultural center, and a soup kitchen are on the brink of closure and many members of the community are unemployed and struggling to support themselves and their families. JDC s partnership with the Greek Jewish community dates back to 1915, when funds were sent to the Chief Rabbi of Thessaloniki. JDC has helped equip the local Jewish elementary schools, rebuilt the Jewish quarter nearly destroyed in a fire, established a micro-financing program for the poor, and aided refugees fleeing Greece prior to Nazi occupation. More than 85% of Greek Jews perished during the Second World War, and most of the survivors immigrated to Israel. But for the 7,000 Jews who remained, JDC aided with emigration, earthquake relief, long-term credit programs, vocational training, and medical assistance. As the community became self-sustaining by the mid-1960s, JDC began to partner with local institutions to help cultivate future community leaders and ensure a viable Jewish future in Greece. Genesis Philanthropy Group is committed to supporting and launching projects, programming, and institutions that are focused on ensuring that Jewish culture, heritage, and values are preserved in Russian-speaking Jewish communities across the globe. Entwine is a one-of-a-kind movement for young Jewish leaders, influencers, and advocates who seek to make a meaningful impact on global Jewish needs and international humanitarian issues. Entwine is an initiative of JDC, the largest Jewish humanitarian organization in the world. JDC works in 70 countries, specializing in humanitarian aid, Jewish community renewal and disaster relief. Learn more: www.jdcentwine.org and www.jdc.org JDC Entwine Insider Trip Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the appropriate candidate for JDC Entwine Insider Trips for Russian Speaking Jewish Young Professionals? This program is being developed specifically for North American Jewish young professionals from a Russian-speaking background with at least one parent from the former Soviet Union. JDC Entwine looks to put together a diverse group from across North America ranging in professional background, background, and academic interests. There is no one profile that is appropriate. What is the age range of the group? JDC Insider Trips for young professionals are open to post-college age individuals from across the US. Participants generally range in age from early twenties through late thirties. Do I have to be fluent in Russian to be eligible? No. JDC Entwine Insider Trips are conducted in English, so Russian fluency is not required to participate. What is involved in the application process & what information should I have handy? The application asks for information about your education and activities/volunteer experience, current employment, as well as a few short essay questions. You will also need to upload a copy of your resume. A select number of applicants will be invited for an interview within one month following the application deadline. Trip interviews are conducted via Skype with JDC Entwine staff and last between 15-25 minutes. When will I find out if I am accepted & how long do I have to confirm my participation? All participants will be notified of acceptance about three to four months before the trip departure date. If selected, you will have approximately one week to confirm your participation and pay the trip deposit. What is included in the participation fee? Included in the participation fee is roundtrip airfare from the United States, local transportation, meals, hotel accommodations (note: the participation fee covers accommodations in double rooms; participants may elect to stay in a single room for an additional fee), briefings, tours, leisure activities, and medical and emergency evacuation insurance. Not included in the participation fee are items of a personal nature such as souvenirs and extra snacks and drinks. I cannot afford the full cost of the trip. What kinds of subsidies are available? JDC Entwine Global Leadership Grants are provided on an as-need basis and you can apply for a grant when you complete the trip application. Note that no full subsidies are available. Can I fundraise from other sources to help cover the cost of my participation fee? We encourage participants to fundraise to cover the cost of the trip. Past participants have been extremely successful in raising additional funds to help cover the cost of participation. JDC Entwine Insider Trips are leadership experiences, and many local organizations, synagogues, alumni associations, and employers agree on their value. Is my participation fee refundable if I have to withdraw after confirming my participation? A non-refundable deposit of$1,000, due within one week of notification of acceptance, is required to confirm your participation and reserve your spot on the trip.
The remainder of the participation fee is due two months before the trip. Cancellation of participation after the second deadline may result in a loss of the entire payment. No refunds may be made within seven days of departure. Is my payment tax deductible? No. Participation fees are payments, not donations, and do not qualify as tax deductible. Is kosher food available? In general, meals are kosher-style. Should participants require strictly kosher food, they should indicate this on their application and participation form and JDC staff will try to accommodate this request as best as possible. In many locations, certified kosher food is available, but in certain locations, such as Cuba or Ethiopia, certified kosher food is not available. What accommodations are made for Shabbat? JDC Entwine Insider Trips are pluralistic and designed for all levels of Jewish observance; travel is not required on Shabbat. When possible, Shabbat is spent with the local Jewish community and local traditions/practices are observed. Options are given for Shabbat morning (for example, attending synagogue, free time, walking tour, etc.). Can I book my own flights? All participants must travel to the trip location on the group flight. Depending on airline rules, participants may receive frequent flyer miles for these flights and, if desired, may be able to upgrade their tickets for an additional cost. Can I extend my stay after the group trip? Participants may extend their trip after the group experience. Extensions are subject to availability and any difference in fare/change fees. Participants interested in extending will be given contact information for JDC s travel agent only once the deposit for the trip is submitted. Can JDC staff assist with post-trip accommodations? JDC Entwine staff are not available to assist with any post-trip travel plans, recommendations, or accommodations. Security guidelines will be shared with confirmed participants and participants will receive a security briefing by local staff upon arrival to the trip location. In case of emergency, participants are required to share emergency contact information and will be given information for who their loved ones should contact in case of emergency. When will I find out who else is in the group? Will there be an opportunity to connect prior to the trip itself? Shortly after confirming your participation for the trip, you will receive a formal Welcome E- mail with participation forms, logistics, group briefing information, and dates to mark on your calendar. You will also be introduced to the rest of the group and will receive everyone s bios and contact information. There will be two group briefings via webinar and by phone within the two months before takeoff. Additionally, if there are a few participants in a given city, these participants may organize an informal get together, which JDC Entwine staff and trip co-chairs are happy to help facilitate. What is a Trip Chair? A Trip Chair is a trip participant who takes on certain leadership roles and responsibilities before, during, and after the trip. Trip Chairs work very closely with JDC staff throughout the program development process, and are essential members of the team who plans and leads the trip. Typically, there are two Trip Chairs on every Entwine trip, in addition to one JDC Entwine staff member (the JDC Entwine Group Leader ).
Does participation in one trip preclude my participation in future trips? Not at all! Many alumni participate in multiple trips. Alumni are encouraged to get involved in their local Entwine Learning Networks and pursue other leadership opportunities through Entwine. For more information about Entwine s Learning Networks, visit our website: http://jdcentwine.org/events.