GA 2013 FAQ

The General Assembly (GA) is the premier annual North American Jewish communal event, attracting Federation volunteer leaders and professionals, the leadership of our partner organizations and a range of national Jewish organizations.

The GA inspires and engages current and emerging Jewish leaders, tackles the most critical issues of the day, and showcases the best of the Federation movement. This year, the event will be held in Jerusalem, Israel.

To show our dedication and commitment to Israel, the GA is held in Israel every fifth year. This year, we hope you will join us as we bring together Jewish communities from across North America, and Israelis from all walks of life, to learn from each other and shape an even brighter future for Israel and the Jewish people.

GA Israel 2013 runs from Sunday, November 10 through Tuesday, November 12 in Jerusalem.

There are associated programs occurring immediately before and after the GA. Please click on the Program tab at the top of this page to view the most up-to-date schedule, including pre- and post-GA events.

The GA program is being held at the International Convention Center (ICC), also known as Binyanei Ha’Uma, located at 1 Shazar Blvd.

Click here to see the most up-to-date program details for the GA.

On Tuesday, November 12, the GA will leave the convention center and board buses to spend the day exploring Israel.

Trip itineraries that will capture the spirit of the GA and enable participants to see and experience different aspects of the country are currently under development. More information on the trip options will be posted shortly on the GA website and registration site.

Once the trips are finalized, they will be posted on the GA website and you will be able to register for a trip through our online registration system.  If you have already registered for the GA, you will receive email notification to modify your registration and add a trip.

The Tuesday GA on Wheels trips are open only to those who are registered for the GA.

The online general registration fee is $699. On-site registration is $749. Special discounts are available for specific constituencies including JFNA National Young Leadership Cabinet, Federation professional staff and Israeli residents. 

Among the discounted fees listed below are rates for GA mission participants, and for those attending Jewish Agency conferences in addition to the GA. Please note, for both the mission rate and for the Jewish Agency conference rate, you must use the special links on our registration page for those events rather than the general GA registration link.

Registration for pre and post-GA functions and meetings is available during the registration process. Please carefully read the cancellation policies for your registration type.

Registration Types (Conference only; hotel registration is separate and at an additional cost)

GA Registration (Outside of Israel)
$699

JFNA National Young Leadership Cabinet
$399

Federation Employee/Jewish Communal Professional
$575

Student (Student ID must be presented at check-in for student rate to apply)
$199

FEREP
$225

GA Rate for Mission participant
$399

GA Rate for GA + Jewish Agency Assembly package
$399 (total combined fee is $755)

GA Rate for GA + Jewish Agency Assembly & BOG package
$399 (total combined fee is $855)

GA Rate for GA + Jewish Agency BOG package
$399 (total combined fee is $799)

Israeli resident – Full Conference
$500

Israeli resident – Sunday/Monday Attendance
$400

Israeli resident  – Day Rate (one-day-only pass)
$300

You can register or modify an existing registration on our GA registration page.

Online registration for the GA closes on Oct. 31. After Oct. 31, you will be able to register beginning at 12:00 pm on Sunday, Nov. 10, at the Convention Center. For all on-site registrations, there will be an additional $50 fee.

Within the next few weeks, it will be possible for you to modify your registration by visiting the GA registration site and logging in with your email address and password.

A $50 fee will be charged for all GA cancellations received by June 1, 2013. 

Between June 1 and Sept. 15, the cancellation fee is $500 for registrations of $699, and $450 for registrations of $575.  After Sept. 15, there are NO refunds.

After June 1, there are NO refunds for all registration fees less than $575 (this includes GA attendees participating on missions or the Jewish Agency Assembly).

Please note that all registrations are non-transferrable. Day passes for residents of Israel may be exchanged for a different day for a $50 fee until Sept. 15. After Sept. 15, there are NO refunds or exchanges.

All cancellations must be made in writing to GA2013@thinkcontent.co.il.

You can register for the GA and reserve a hotel room before you have flights. Once you book your flights, please make sure that they are consistent with your hotel check-in and check-out dates. Please modify your registration to add your flight details as soon as you have made those arrangements.

There are many opportunities for groups traveling from communities to the GA.  Click here to see a list of communities organizing community missions.  If your community is not listed here, please contact your local Federation to find out if there is a contingent traveling from your community.

For information regarding the National GA Mission, please click here.

This is needed for security purposes. Additionally, by Israeli law, hotels must have your passport information in order to reserve a room.

GA blocks with special rates are available at the following Jerusalem hotels.  Please do not contact the hotels directly.  Hotel registration must be completed through the GA registration site. The rate sheet for these special room blocks can be found here.

Dan Boutique        Leonardo
King David             Crowne Plaza
David Citadel        Mount Zion
Mamilla                  Prima Royale

If you are sharing a room, each roommate must register separately for the GA, and reserve hotel rooms separately.  On your hotel reservation, you must indicate your roommate’s name.  Each roommate will be charged a sharing rate listed on the hotel information page.  Should your indicated roommate not register or cancel, you will be charged the full single rate for your reservation.  If you would like to change your roommate request, you may do so at any time by modifying your existing registration.

If you cancel before June 10, there will be no cancellation fee.  Between June 10 and Aug. 11, you will be charged one night’s stay.  After August 11, there will be no refunds. All cancellations must be made in writing to GA2013@thinkcontent.co.il.

For all sponsorship and exhibitor information, please contact gasponsorship@jewishfederations.org.

Please read carefully through the FAQs first; you will probably find the answer to your question. However, if you cannot find the information you are looking for, please send your questions to the appropriate contact listed below:

For inquiries about conference registration and housing: ga2013@thinkcontent.co.il or call 866-377-4617

For program inquiries: GAInfo@jewishfederations.org

For press inquiries: joe.berkofsky@jewishfederations.org or dani.wassner@jewishfederations.org

For all other inquiries: GAInfo@JewishFederations.org or call 212-284-6990.

Daily religious services will be held; exact times and locations will be included in the GA's online program.

All meals provided at the GA in Israel will be under kosher supervision of the Jerusalem Rabbinate. 

For security reasons, GA badges must be worn at all GA events. Badges will be provided upon check-in at GA registration. Metal detectors and other security measures may also be in place for some sessions. Non-registered persons will not be allowed access to any GA events. The Jewish Federations of North America reserves the right to withdraw the credentials of any delegate to the GA. Unauthorized print materials may not be distributed, and no solicitation is permitted.

The weather in Jerusalem during the month of November is mild. Temperatures range from 55-70 degrees Fahrenheit.  A jacket and/or raincoat is recommended.  Dress is informal for all GA activities (unless otherwise noted).

Please indicate the disability and special needs in the box provided on the registration form.

You may book your flight through your preferred airline or travel agent. 

A valid passport is required for all U.S. participants. Please note that your passport must be valid for at least six months after your departure date. There is no visa requirement for U.S. citizens traveling to Israel. Citizens of other countries should contact the appropriate consulate to find out about their regulations. No inoculations are required at present for travel to Israel, but please check with local public health authorities for up-to-date information.

We suggest that you use your credit cards for purchases or when going out to dinner, and use Israeli currency for taxis, etc. There are ATMs throughout Israel, where you can withdraw Israeli Shekels from your account at a favorable exchange rate.  Please check with your bank or credit card company to learn about any fees associated with foreign transactions.  In addition, please make sure your bank/credit card company knows you will be traveling overseas so you do not have trouble using your cards.

You may purchase airport transfers and/or VIP travel services through the GA registration site.  Additionally, you can hire your own taxi, car service, or shared ride service (sherut) once you arrive at the airport.

Cancellations prior to Oct. 26 will receive a full refund.  There will be no refunds for cancellations from Oct. 26 onwards.

Shuttle service between all GA hotels and GA venues will be provided to conference registrants. The principal GA venue is the International Convention Center (Binyanei Ha'Uma).