Taglit Birthright Israel is committed to the health, safety and well-being of each participant and staff member throughout the trip.  We recognize that the minimum drinking age in Israel is 18, and that participants are, therefore, of legal age to consume alcohol while in Israel. As we regard the group experience indispensable, we strive to build a traveling community whose members exercise mutual recognition, tolerance, responsibility and trust. With this comes expectations to ensure the safety and welfare of all members of our bus community. Participants are therefore expected to make healthy and responsible choices concerning their personal use of alcohol throughout the trip. Taglit Birthright Israel maintains that both irresponsible drinking and/or encouraging irresponsible drinking poses a risk to health and well-being and undermines the quality of the trip experience for all.

As adults, participants are expected to assume responsibility for their own behavior if they choose to drink and must realize that being under the influence of alcohol in no way lessens their accountability to the group.  All should be aware that in accordance with IDF rules and regulations, Israeli soldiers participating in the program as part of Mifgashim may not drink any alcoholic drinks at any time.   All participants are therefore expected to foster an environment respectful of the soldiers and the staff members who are not permitted to drink, as well as anyone in the group who chooses not to drink.  To help create an environment conducive to those who choose to drink and those who do not, we have established several parameters.

1. To ensure the integrity of the educational experience and group cohesion, drinking is never acceptable during program hours, including on the flights and the bus.  
2. To promote a communal space of physical and emotional safety and in support of Taglit Birthright Israel’s zero-tolerance policy towards harassment of any kind, drinking alcohol in hotel rooms is not allowed.
3. On some evenings, for health and safety reasons or prior to strenuous activities, such as the climb up Masada or the Desert Experience, alcohol consumption is not allowed.

Taglit Birthright Israel is committed to a group environment which is respectful to each and all participants and staff.   Cases of excessive drinking or intoxication which hinder and/or prevent full participation in any portion of the trip experience or cause individuals to become a danger to themselves or others (as determined by their Trip Organizer) constitute grounds for removal from the trip.

Participant Agreement

I hereby state that I have reviewed and understand the Taglit Birthright Israel Alcohol Policy.  I agree to abide by this policy and realize that I am held accountable should I breach it.

I acknowledge that if I am removed from the trip, I will be responsible for all expenses incurred from the day of my removal, including accommodations, as well as for the original cost of my airfare and I will forfeit my deposit. Should I not embark on the return flight that was booked for me, the return portion of my flight will also be deemed forfeited and added to the above costs. I will be solely responsible for purchasing my own ticket home at my expense.