Packing List
Shvilim: Outdoor Adventure 2015
Yedidim: Tikkun Olam Journey 2015
All Seminar clothing policies fully apply to the Shvilim-Yedidim group as well.
The “Packing List” below includes the standard list that applies for all of Seminar plus
additional mandatory lists for Shvilim and Yedidim. Please make sure to scroll all the
way down to the relevant lists.
SEMINAR CLOTHING POLICIES:

One-piece bathing suits or tankinis are required for girls. A T-shirt over a bikini is not an
acceptable alternative.

Bathing trunks (not Speedos) are required for guys.

Underwear, boxers and bras may not be visible.

See-through tops, “low-rider” pants, crop-tops, short shorts or skirts, backless tops and similar
clothing will not be allowed.

Tank tops will not be permitted during touring, hiking, all tefillot, shabbat meals, and at
religious sites. This includes spaghetti straps or any sleeveless top – for both girls and
boys.

Respectful dress (not hiking/ touring clothing) is expected to be worn for Shabbat at all
services (including afternoon/minha services) and in the hadar ochel.
Girls: Please do not plan to wear sleeveless or spaghetti strap dresses on Shabbat and
covering your shoulders with a scarf or shawl. This does not work.

Modest Dress - The staff will inform the participants when it is necessary to wear
modest clothing (usually in preparing for a visit to religious institutions or sites). For
boys, long pants are required. For girls, a modest skirt (to or below knees) and top
which is modest, (not low-cut), and covers the shoulders is generally sufficient. As
mentioned above, sleeveless or tank tops are not allowed during most touring, hiking,
all tefillot, and at religious sites

Flip-flops, clogs, CROCS, open-backed shoes are OK on the base, but will not be permitted on
any walking outings, including in a city and certainly for walking on rocky terrain. ONLY
CLOSED BACKED SHOES WILL BE ALLOWED ON WALKS OFF OF BASE. THIS IS FOR YOUR OWN
SAFETY.
Recommended Packing List

The "Packing List" below has been compiled in consideration of suggestions made by
participants on previous Seminars, but clothing lists are hard to compile. Each traveler has his
or her own needs and desires, and knows him/herself best. We recommend that you bring just
one suitcase to be checked in.

Note from past Seminar participants: “Bring lots of white t-shirts, extra socks, more junky
clothes, less nice clothes.”
In light of the expensive cost of overweight and/or bringing a second bag, some
Seminar participants now buy many toiletries and bulky items in Israel. We will visit a
shopping center within 3 days of arrival.

Standard List
Women
☐ 3 light weight dresses/ skirts & tops combination for Shabbat (long skirts- to or below knees,
sleeved dresses & tops)
☐ 2 pairs jeans or light weight pants
☐ 4 pairs Shorts
☐ 1 Skirt (below the knee) that can easily be put on over clothes
☐ 8-10 T-shirts and tops (short sleeved)
☐ 1 pair Shabbat shoes (nice sandals o.k.)
☐ Personal hygiene supply
☐ Bathing cap – required for some pools
Men
☐ 4 dress casual shirts (plain polo or button down) for Shabbat including at least two white shirts.
☐ 8 short-sleeved, T-shirts
☐ 2 pairs long pants (jeans, etc., including pants for Shabbat)
☐ Shaving equipment (220V)
☐ 5 pairs Shorts
☐ KIPPOT, TEFILLIN, TALLIT
For Men and Women
☐ 1 pair sneakers or good walking shoes
☐ Underwear and socks (12 day supply)
☐ 2 bathing suits
☐ 2 long sleeved shirts /sweatshirts/fleece, one of which should be pretty warm for chilly nights
☐ Prescription medicines
☐ Camera with Memory Card to hold 600-800 photos (preferably something compact and durable
or alternatively, inexpensive that will be suitable for taking on treks)
☐ Second pair of eyeglasses, extra contacts (bring prescriptions)
☐ 1 Beach Towel (Ramah will supply two bath towels upon arrival)
☐ 1 bar soap
☐ band aids
☐ 2 pairs pajamas
☐ comb, brush
☐ toothbrush/ toothpaste
☐ laundry bag
☐ Alarm clock (optional)
☐ Sewing equipment (optional)
POLAND
☐ Rain gear: umbrella, rain jacket with hood (poncho), Waterproof shoes.
☐ Warm, light jacket/fleece
☐ Toilet Paper (for long bus trips)
☐ Insect repellent
(Note: Laundry service will be available in Israel within the first two days of arrival for Poland
participants)
Religious Articles
☐ KIPOT- are mandatory for all boys and must be worn at daily services, during meals, study
and whenever deemed appropriate by the staff. Bring several along.
☐ BOYS MUST BRING TEFILLIN with them to Israel and wear them at weekday shaharit. Any
boy who comes to Israel without tefillin will be required to purchase a pair, immediately
upon arrival, at the minimum cost of $350.
☐ A TALIT is also mandatory (for boys) unless one wears a "Talit Katan."
(All of these aforementioned religious articles are optional for female participants).
SIDDUR (prayer book): A Seminar siddur will be provided as a gift for your use throughout the summer,
and for you to keep
Shvilim: Outdoor Adventure - Clothing and Equipment List
Please note: unlike the above clothing list which is partly subject to personal needs and preferences
the following list is critical to your safety and comfort in the outdoors. Therefore please do not
deviate from the list without consulting with us.
☐ 1 pair of quick dry pants (preferably with removable bottoms)
☐ 2 pair quick dry shorts
☐ 1 quick dry long sleeve, light hiking shirt (preferably light colored)
☐ 1 quick dry short sleeve shirt (preferably light colored)
☐ 1 warm sweatshirt/fleece- (for chilly nights)
☐ Flashlight. A headlamp is preferable. A LED lamp with two or three LEDs will suffice. Please
bring 2 sets of extra batteries.
☐ 1 Full Brimmed Sun Hat – Mandatory.
Extremely important that you have a full wide brimmed sun hat to protect you from the blazing
summer Middle Eastern sun. We will be hiking in the desert in hot and sunny conditions and
the importance of a good hat cannot be overemphasized.
☐ Hiking boots (1 pair) - A pair of supportive boots that fit properly is the single most important
piece of equipment that you can bring for this summer. Appropriate footwear not only makes
everything safer but also more fun (no one likes blisters). A pair of breathable mid-weight
hiking boots is ideal with full backpacking boots also being acceptable. Make sure to break
them in and make sure they fit by wearing them around before you get to Israel.
☐ 1 Pair Hiking Sandals (1 Pair) - i.e. Teva’s, Keens, etc. (for hiking in water, no crocs or flip-flops)
☐ Non-Cotton Socks Hiking Socks (5 pairs) – Light- or medium-weight merino (no itch) wool or
synthetic blend (without any cotton) socks. When you are breaking in your boots it is worth
wearing the socks you're going to wear.
☐ Day pack (25-40L) for shorter day hikes, excursions. (can double as your carry-on, weekend off
bag)
☐ Sunglasses with strap. Important to protect your eyes from the strong Israeli Sun. Please do
not bring expensive sunglasses as they will likely take abuse in the outdoors; basic reasonably
durable sunglasses with UV protection will suffice.
☐ 2 Water bottles/Camelback – Please ensure that you have a total capacity of at least 4 liters.
☐ Sport Sunscreen – over 30 SPF required
☐ School-size backpack for daily trips
☐ Larger overnight bag or backpack for trips like the Host Shabbat (this can be your airplane
carry on).
Optional:
☐ Utility Knife (don’t forget to put in CHECKED baggage)
☐ Dry Bags or compression sacks. Especially for camera, tefillin, etc.
☐ Insect Repellent
Notes:
 On overnight treks we will be supplied with quality packs (Salewa Sikkim 70+10), sleeping bags, and
pads by our outfitter here in Israel. Therefore it is not necessary to bring those items. If however
you already have a good pack (70L + capacity) that is comfortable for you and you would like to
use, you may bring it and use it.

Absolutely No Raingear is required. It does not rain in Israel in the summer!
Yedidim:Tikkun Olam Journey- Clothing and Equipment List
☐ 2 pairs of long work pants
☐ 2 work t shirts (preferable one long sleeve for protection from the sun)
☐ 1 Full Brimmed Sun Hat – Mandatory.
Extremely important that you have a full wide brimmed sun hat to protect you from the blazing
summer Middle Eastern sun. We will spend some time working and volunteering outdoors in
hot and sunny conditions and the importance of a good hat cannot be overemphasized.
☐ Sturdy work shoes (1 pair) A pair of work boots, sturdy sneakers or other shoes for physical
work
☐ Sunglasses with strap. Important to protect your eyes from the strong Israeli Sun when
working outdoors. Please do not bring expensive sunglasses as they will likely take abuse in the;
basic reasonably durable sunglasses with UV protection will suffice.
☐ 2 Water bottles/Camelback – Please ensure that you have a total capacity of at least 2 liters.
☐ Sport Sunscreen – over 30 SPF required
☐ School-size backpack for daily trips
☐ Larger overnight bag or backpack for Masa, trip down south and Host Shabbat (this can be
your airplane carry on).