Currency
The currency of Israel is the New Israeli Sheqel (NIS ₪) – (1 NIS = CAD$0.39 US$0.29.) The Shequel is also the currency used in Palestine. Each sheqel is divided into 100 agorot (singular agora). Bank notes circulate in denominations of NIS 200, 100, 50 and 20 sheqels and coins in denominations of 5 sheqels, 10 sheqels, 1 sheqel and 50 and 10 agorot. One may bring an unlimited amount of local and foreign currency into the country in cash and travellers checks.
The currency of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is the Dinar (JOD). The Dinar is worth about CAD$1.87 US$1.41. The dinar is divided into 10 dirhams, 100 qirsh (also called piastres) or 1000 fulus. Throughout the West Bank (Palestine) the Jordanian Dinar is widely used for commerce. Most things you might want to buy in Jordan you can buy with US dollars -- and you likely do not need to convert funds to Dinar.
In Israel, Palestine, and Jordan most stores and restaurants accept the US dollar, VISA and MasterCard. You will not need much cash -- as almost all your expenses are already included. Most days when you leave your room you should take your passport, a credit card, and about $50 to $100 -- about half of that in small bills. If you like to carry more cash, have it secured in an inside pocket.
Charitable Donations: Occasionally during our pilgrimage we visit local Christian ministries which I think deserve our encouragement and support. You will learn more about these ministries from the visits. I usually pass a hat and if you wish you may make a contribution to their ministries. You might want to bring along a gift for these charities on the days that we visit them: Ibillin Centre, St. Luke's (Anglican) Hospital in Nablus, the Al Sherooq Blind Children School in Beit Jala. On the two Sundays of our pilgrimage we will be worshipping at Anglican Churches: Christ Church, Nazareth and St. George's Cathedral, Jerusalem.
Pocket Money: A small amount of $US in your pocket is all you really need. I've gone for days with no Shequels and been ok. Sometimes you really wish you had a hundred sequels (about $30) to pay for some street food or souvenirs. But you don't need Sheqels. For this reason, many pilgrims exchange some currency into New Israeli shekels – but don’t do that at a bank in Israel – the commission charged is often astronomical! The solution is to go to "Change" shops scattered around most city centers. They usually take no commission and match the bank rates. They also let you use your debit card to get cash (in local currency). To know the exchange rate of the New Israeli Shekel please click here.
The currency of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is the Dinar (JOD). The Dinar is worth about CAD$1.87 US$1.41. The dinar is divided into 10 dirhams, 100 qirsh (also called piastres) or 1000 fulus. Throughout the West Bank (Palestine) the Jordanian Dinar is widely used for commerce. Most things you might want to buy in Jordan you can buy with US dollars -- and you likely do not need to convert funds to Dinar.
In Israel, Palestine, and Jordan most stores and restaurants accept the US dollar, VISA and MasterCard. You will not need much cash -- as almost all your expenses are already included. Most days when you leave your room you should take your passport, a credit card, and about $50 to $100 -- about half of that in small bills. If you like to carry more cash, have it secured in an inside pocket.
Charitable Donations: Occasionally during our pilgrimage we visit local Christian ministries which I think deserve our encouragement and support. You will learn more about these ministries from the visits. I usually pass a hat and if you wish you may make a contribution to their ministries. You might want to bring along a gift for these charities on the days that we visit them: Ibillin Centre, St. Luke's (Anglican) Hospital in Nablus, the Al Sherooq Blind Children School in Beit Jala. On the two Sundays of our pilgrimage we will be worshipping at Anglican Churches: Christ Church, Nazareth and St. George's Cathedral, Jerusalem.
Pocket Money: A small amount of $US in your pocket is all you really need. I've gone for days with no Shequels and been ok. Sometimes you really wish you had a hundred sequels (about $30) to pay for some street food or souvenirs. But you don't need Sheqels. For this reason, many pilgrims exchange some currency into New Israeli shekels – but don’t do that at a bank in Israel – the commission charged is often astronomical! The solution is to go to "Change" shops scattered around most city centers. They usually take no commission and match the bank rates. They also let you use your debit card to get cash (in local currency). To know the exchange rate of the New Israeli Shekel please click here.