Climate and Clothing
October is autumn in Israel with temperatures ranging between 20°-24°C during the day. Dress will be informal throughout the conference.

Transportation
Ben Gurion International Airport (BGIA), located just off the road linking Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, is one of the busiest airports in the Middle East. Most major international airlines and many others arrive at and depart from BGIA with increasing frequency. Transportation from Tel Aviv will be provided by the conference organizer.

People
Israel is a country of immigrants – a melange of historical transients from just about every country on the face of the Earth, converging together out of the exile of their ancestors to swell the population of this land to 6 million inhabitants – more than seven-fold over the past 50 years.

Languages
As a country of immigrants and the children of immigrants, Israel boasts one of the most bi-lingual and multi-lingual populations in the world. In addition, English is a required subject in the curriculum of just about every officially recognized institute of education – from the fourth grade, if not earlier, and through high school. Therefore, there is hardly an Israeli who doesn't speak a second language… or a third… or a fourth.
The official language of the Conference will be English.

Israeli Cuisine
Since Israelis hail from the four corners of the globe, it is only natural that just about every style of cuisine can be found in the country, from falafel – the perennial national food – to sushi (as attractive to yuppies in Israel as anywhere else in the world). Food in Israel is as excellent as it is abundant, with fresh fruits and vegetables in particular, that are the envy of many an agricultural nation. There are a growing number of "exclusive" restaurants in the major cities, with prices to match, but by and large dining out in Israel is a national pastime and relatively easy on the purse.

Visas
All international Congress participants are eligible to enter Israel. Citizens of North American, Western European and most Asian and South American countries need only a valid passport in order to be admitted entry to Israel.
Individuals residing in countries without diplomatic relations with Israel should write to the Secretariat, not later than three months prior to the Conference, giving their full name, date and place of birth, nationality, passport number, dates of issue and expiry, place of issue, flight number, point of departure and arrival date and time.

Currency
The unit of currency is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS), commonly known as the shekel. The shekel consists of 100 argorot. The US $ is approximately equal to 4.00 NIS. Most shops, restaurants and hotels accept most major credit cards.

VAT and Tipping
Most bills include VAT (17%). At hotels, non-Israelis paying in foreign currency are exempt from VAT payment. The accepted rate of service charge (tips) when not included is 10%.

Shopping
There is excellent and varied shopping in Israel in all sorts of surroundings – from outdoor markets to ultra-modern shopping malls. The goods range from jewelry to crafts and religious art, from natural Dead Sea cosmetics to bazaar exotica.