Perspectives | houstonhillel

Rice Hillel Perspectives 2025

What is the Perspectives trip?

Rice Hillel Perspectives is a heavily subsidized 10 day educational trip to Israel (and the Palestinian Authority if possible). The purpose of this trip is to educate Jewish and non-Jewish undergraduate student leaders at Rice University about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Rice Hillel Perspectives is offered by Houston Hillel and is limited to a total of 18 Rice University undergraduate student leaders of all backgrounds.

Rice Hillel Perspectives is offered, organized and conducted by Houston Hillel, a Jewish student organization that was established at Rice in 1940, and today fosters Jewish student life on college campuses throughout Southeast Texas. The trip is funded by a generous grant from the Maccabee Task Force. The trip will deepen your knowledge about one of the world's most discussed regions. Participants will meet with journalists, grass-roots activists, decision makers, and everyday people from Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and will take part in dialogues of co-existence. Trip participants will visit cities and sites in Israel (including adjacent to Gaza) considered central to all three major religions, and will receive a unique opportunity to learn about the history and current issues of one of the world's most debated conflicts.

Students with diverse opinions are welcome, but participants must be committed to productively engaging in civil and nonjudgmental conversations about Israel, Israel's relationships with Palestinian and other communities, and Israel's relationship with the United States.

The trip will take place during the second half of May, 2025. We will depart from Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston on May 15 and return on May 26.

Surely the trip is a bunch of pro-Israel, Zionist propaganda, right?

Let's be real. Houston Hillel as an organization and the Houston Hillel professional staff leading the trip (one of whom is Israeli) believe in Jewish self-determination (a central aspect of Zionism) and support Israel as a democratic Jewish state with secure borders. Funding for the trip comes from the Maccabee Task Force, whose mission is to combat antisemitism and BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions of Israel) on college campuses.

In addition, one consequence of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel is that security concerns will most likely prevent us from entering the West Bank, and our options for Palestinian speakers is therefore more limited than during previous trips when we spent two days in Ramallah, Bethlehem, and other Palestinian towns. In other words, while we will strive to create an itinerary that balances Israeli and Palestinian voices, current safety concerns will probably result in a trip weighted to the Israeli narrative.

However, Houston Hillel's staff will never stifle a conversation, tell you or imply that your opinion is wrong, or attempt to persuade you to accept a pro-Israel stance. All questions and discussion topics, no matter how difficult, are acceptable, and you will always be able to disagree with and challenge any of our trip leaders and speakers. And, there is no requirement that you participate in post-trip activities, advocate for Israel upon your return, or refrain from engaging in pro-Palestinian work on campus.

We only ask that during the trip you productively engage in civil and nonjudgmental conversations with our speakers and with other trip participants. We hope you will feel comfortable expressing your opinions, but we expect that you will do so in a manner that, through words and actions, does not force your personal agenda on others or make them feel uncomfortable sharing their own thoughts.

How much is this trip really going to cost me?

Rice Hillel Perspectives is a heavily subsidized trip, including flights from Houston to Israel and back, hotels, travel throughout the trip, and most meals.

Participants will be responsible for the following expenses (estimated at $500 to $800+ per person):

A $200 non-refundable deposit is required to secure a place in the program.
All food prior to arrival in Israel and after departure from Israel, along with many lunches and some of the dinners in Israel.
All travel costs prior to departure from IAH and after arrival to IAH.
Other personal expenses, such as passport fees and personal shopping.
Please speak with Kenny if you have a sincere financial need and require assistance.

What else should I know?

The trip will be led by Rabbi Kenny Weiss, Houston Hillel's Executive Director, and Katia Sokolov, Houston Hillel's Israel Fellow. Kenny and/or Katia will be physically present with the group beginning when everyone meets at IAH, throughout the entire trip in Israel, and concluding when we return to IAH. Once we depart the plane at IAH the trip has concluded and you're on your own.

Participants must:

Remain at Rice as a full-time undergraduate student for at least two semesters after the completion of the trip (graduating no earlier than spring 2026). Individual exceptions to this requirement are possible.
Attend a few pre-trip meetings.
Be fully vaccinated with appropriate boosters against Covid.
Complete a post-trip evaluation.
Write a 500+ word reflection about your experience.

Also, we hope that you will be willing to reconvene on campus to discuss your experience.

The Perspectives trip travels throughout Israel and possibly the Palestinian Authority, including Ramallah and Bethlehem. However, due to security uncertainty we may have to significantly adjust our itinerary and other aspects of the trip.

If you have any questions about Rice Hillel Perspectives or the application process please contact Rabbi Kenny Weiss, kweiss@houstonhillel.org.

Click here for the waiver that you need to sign and return in order to participate.

Some frequently asked questions

Is it safe?

Our tour provider and guide are in constant contact with security officials and we will not hesitate to change our itinerary depending on security concerns. Please contact Kenny at kweiss@houstonhillel.org to have a more detailed conversation about security and safety during our trip.

What should I bring?

Click here for a suggested Packing List for our trip. You can bring one suitcase and one carry-on. Try to bring as little as possible! A backpack is a great carry-on because you'll need a backpack to carry around during each day of touring. You do not need to limit yourself to a carry-on size suitcase, but remember that you need to carry your own luggage throughout the trip. Keep in mind that we will not have access to laundry services.

What if my family needs to contact me in an emergency?

You'll probably have internet and cell service throughout Israel. (See the cell service question below.) Your family can also call or text Kenny on his US number, 713-459-5642 (he has an international calling plan) or send him an email at kweiss@houstonhillel.org.

Where will we go and with whom will we meet?

Click this link for the itinerary from our most recent trip. (Our itinerary will be similar, but not exactly the same.)

Do I need to be fully vaccinated against Covid before the trip?

Yes. Fully vaccinated means that you have also received appropriate boosters.

Can I drink the tap water in Israel and the Palestinian Authority?

Tap water in Israel is safe to drink. The tap water in the Palestinian Authority is also generally safe to drink. However, out of caution you should drink bottled water in the Palestinian Authority.

Can I choose not to have an Israel stamp in my passport in case I travel to some countries that don’t recognize Israel?

Yes, just let the passport officer know.

Will I have easy internet access?

Most hotels in Israel have free Wi-Fi available for hotel guests. Many cafes and restaurants offer a complimentary Wi-Fi service. Since September 2013, both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem offer citywide free Wi-Fi networks.

What about cell service in Israel?

You probably don't need an Israeli SIM card during the trip. WiFi is available throughout Israel, including public WiFi on the streets of large cities, and WhatsApp is a great tool for connecting with trip participants and people back home. Ask Kenny if you're interested in getting an Israeli SIM card at your own expense. An easier alternative is to set up an international calling plan with your mobile provider.

What is the currency in Israel?

Israel’s currency is the Shekel; you’ll find it abbreviated as NIS (New Israeli Shekel). One shekel is worth about 28 cents.

What credit cards are accepted?

Actually, you'll probably use Apple Pay everywhere. Nonetheless, you can use your ATM card to obtain shekels at ATM’s throughout Israel. You can also use American Express, MasterCard and Visa cards at most Israeli hotels, restaurants and stores. Before the trip, remember to notify your credit card companies and bank about your upcoming trip so they don't freeze your card!

Should I purchase Shekels before the trip?

You don't need to. ATMs are all over the place.

What taxes can I expect to pay in Israel?

The VAT (Value Added Tax) in Israel is 17%. It’s already included in most prices in Israel. VAT is waived for tourists at hotels, tour companies and car rental agencies. Like in Europe and elsewhere, tourists can receive a refund of the VAT they paid on purchases when departing the country through the refund program. The purchase amount in one tax invoice, including VAT, must exceed 400 NIS in order to qualify for a refund.

When do I tip and when can I bargain?

If you pay by credit card in a restaurant in Israel the credit card slip typically does not allow you to include a tip. Therefore, you should leave a tip in cash. Taxi drivers are not usually tipped. You can bargain in open air markets but not in stores or restaurants.

Is everything closed on Shabbat in Israel?

Shabbat (the Sabbath) is the Jewish holy day of the week observed every Saturday. Shabbat starts at sunset on Friday and ends at sundown on Saturday evening.

All public offices are closed on Shabbat, as are banks, most stores and businesses. However, throughout Israel there is a growing number of shops open on Shabbat. In most cities, public transportation (trains and buses) do not operate on Shabbat. Most non-kosher restaurants are open on Shabbat. Radio and TV broadcasts operate as usual.

Are all the restaurants in Israel kosher?

Not all of the restaurants in Israel are kosher. Places offering kosher food usually display a kashrut certificate granted to them by the local rabbinate. Most hotels serve kosher food, as well as some restaurants, but there is no binding law.