Community Israel Experience Scholarships Available for Summer 2005 compiled by the Jewish Renaissance and Renewal Pillar, UJC
Check out your community listing below:
UNITED STATES
Arizona
Administered by the Federation through the Gift of Israel program. Participation in the Gift of Israel program can begin as early as 3rd grade. Teens can begin to take trips in the 10th grade. The Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix also releases $45,000-50,000 per year in additional Israel Experience scholarships through the endowed Israel Experience Scholarship fund.
Contact:
The Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix
Israel Center
Eitan Ben-Ami
(480) 634-4900 ex 1119
eben-ami@jewishphoenix.org
israelcenter@jewishphoenix.org
Administered by the JCC.
Contact:
Israel Center
Danny Bobman
Director
(520) 299-3000
dbobman@tucsonjcc.org
California
The Israel Center of the Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay has a single ongoing (no deadline) scholarship process for high school and college students. Eligible applicants must be under 30 years of age and live in Alameda or Contra Costa counties. Awards are need based. Funds are applicable to study in Israel only and are payable to the specific, recognized program and never to the applicant. The Israel Center also offers a four-week Israel trip for 10th and 11th graders.
Contact:
Jewish Community Federation of the East Bay
Marilyn Kinch
(510) 839-2900 x256
marilyn@jfed.org
www.jed.org/Israelctrschol.htmTalia Leibler-Gabay
Summer Israel Trip Coordinator
(510) 839-2900 x255
talia@jfed.org
www.jfed.org/israelteentrips.htm
Administered by the Federation. Federation offers Israel Experience Program partnership grants with 80 local institutions. These institutions include synagogues, the Bureau of Jewish Education, Jewish Community Centers, the Los Angeles Hillel Council and youth groups.
IEP provides incentive grants of up to $1,000 to those young people chosen as recipients by their partner synagogue, organization or agency. Each partner determines the qualifications for its participants under the IEP guidelines.
The synagogue and organization partners are to provide an additional 25% above the amount of the IEP grant. IEP also offers need-based scholarships for those students with financial need. Need based grants traditionally range between $200-$1,000 per student. Applications are to be received by February 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15. Participants must live in Federation zip codes and be between 15-26 years of age. In partnership with the Jewish Free Loan Association (JFLA) IEP helps participating families access interest free loans.
Loans require co-signers and are for up to $3,500 each. IEP also offers the Marks and Brown Fellowships through the Jewish Community Foundation. These fellowships are for college, graduate and post-graduate intensive year-long study in Israel. The IEP lay committee provides recommendations based on financial need, academic achievement, and plans for involvement in the Jewish community upon return from Israel, to the Jewish Community Foundation. Marks and Brown Fellowships range from $1,000-$2,000.
Contact:
Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles
Beth Singer
Program Associate
Israel Connections/Experiences
(323) 761-8342
latoisrael@jewishla.org
www.lajewishteen.org
San Diego
Administered through the United Jewish Federation of San Diego County's Israel Center. Applicants must be full time high school or college students between the ages of 15 and 26. Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 2.0 and commit to participation in pre and post travel activities and educational programs.
Upon their return applicants are expected to participate in some type of Jewish education; share their Israel Experience through written and oral presentations; participate in Jewish communal activities, and perform community service by volunteering for a Jewish communal agency or synagogue for a minimum of 10 hours during the year following the Israel Experience. Programs must be educationally based and be a sponsored by a nationally recognized pluralistic and Zionist Jewish institution.
Israel Center subsidies are need based, range from $100-$1,500 per student and all funds are distributed to the specified Israel program, not to the recipients. Application deadline is April 15th. Funding will not be provided for airfare or personal expenses. San Diego also runs the Scott Stone San Diego Israel Teen Trip and the Jacobs International Teen Leadership Institute. The Stone family provides a $500 subsidy per teen participating on the trip and the Jacobs family provides all funding beyond the $1,200 paid by each participant.
Contact:
United Jewish Federation of San Diego County
UJF Israel Center, LLC
Nadine Finkel
(858) 571-3444
isctr@ujfsd.org
nadinef@ujfsd.org
Administered by the Bureau of Jewish Education and available to all students.
Gift of Israel program is also available through the Jewish Community Federation.
Contact:
Jewish Community Federation
(415) 777-0411
giftofisrael@sfjcf.org
Bureau of Jewish Education
info@bjesf.org
Colorado
The Colorado Agency for Jewish Education offers scholarship money for those students who participate on its community Israel trip, Israel Study Tour (IST).
Contact:
Colorado Agency for Jewish Education
Steve Glickman
IST Director
CAJE Israel Study Tour
(303) 321-3191
sglickman@caje-co.org
Connecticut
Administered by the Federation and available to teens and college students.
(203) 321-1373
edith@ujf.org
Contact:
Greater Hartford Jewish Community Center
The Israel Program Center
Nancy Cowan
(860) 231-6324
New Haven
Administered by the Bureau of Jewish Education and is available to students on summer trips.
Contact:
Department of Jewish Education
Stacey Battat
Israel Desk
(203) 387-2424
sbattat@jewishnewhaven.orgStamford
The United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien offers the Gift of Israel Program. The federation awards a certificate valued at $500 to each participant at the time of his or her Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
Recipients can use the Gift of Israel award from the summer following graduation of 8th grade through the summer immediately following graduation from 12th grade on any approved Israel summer program or March of the Living program.
Eligible Israel summer programs are sponsored by a recognized non-profit Jewish educational organization, is a peer group program, is 4 weeks or longer in duration and integrates the Israel travel experience with stimulating Jewish educational programs. The certificate cannot be used for 1-year study in Israel.
Contact:
United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien
Edith Samers
(561) 852-6013
jec@jewishboca.org
District of Columbia
Washington offers financial need scholarships for teens and young adults to study in Israel, administered through the Partnership for Jewish Life & Learning and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. Washington also offers a merit based scholarship, Israel Quest, to encourage high school teens to participate in an Israel experience.
Administered through Jewish Experiences for Teens, Washington partners with synagogues, community agencies and the United Jewish Endowment Fund to offer $1,250 to teens who have stayed involved in Jewish life post B'nai Mitzvah to be used on an approved Israel trip.
Contact:
Partnership for Jewish Life & Learning
Tracy Newman
(301) 230-7269
tracy.newman@shalomdc.org
Administered through the Orloff Central Agency for Jewish Education (CAJE) Israel Experience Center. Also participates in the Gift of Israel Savings program and the Gift of Israel Bar and Bat Mitzvah program. Contact:
Israel Experience Center
Shelly Epstein
Director
(954) 660-2070
Florida
Administered by the Federation and available to P2K agencies, college and high school students who study in Israel and students who participate in congregational trips.
Scholarships given are either $500 or $1000.
Contact:
South Palm Beach Federation
Jewish Education Commission
Leon Weissberg
JEC, Executive Director
Administered through the Federation and available to high school and college students, and young adults up to age 26 for qualified programs. Scholarships are need based and available on a one time basis to residents of Miami Dade county only. Other restrictions apply.
Contact:
Greater Miami Jewish Federation
Barbara Pehr
Israel Programs Department
(305) 576-4000 ex 495
Bpehr@GMJF.org
Administered by the Federation and available to teens and college students, specific scholarships for post Bar and Bat Mitzvah travel.
Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County
Israel Program Center
561-478-0700, ext. 176
info@jfedpbco.org
Georgia
A partnership of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and the Center for Jewish Education and Experiences. Program is for community members age 15-26. Both incentive and need-based scholarships available. Pre and post-trip education is offered.
Contact:
Center for Jewish Education and Experiences
Israel Experience Program
(770) 677-9486
israelexperience@cjee.org
Illinois
Scholarships based on financial need and merit are available from the Jewish
Federation/Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago for high school students, college students and young adults participating in approved Israel Experience programs.
All applicants must be Chicago area residents or attend school in the Chicago area. Financial need-based scholarships are offered twice each year, in the fall for programs beginning December through June, with applications due November 1st, and in the spring for programs beginning June through the following spring, with applications due March 1st.
Merit scholarships for those demonstrating outstanding community service and leadership quality are available only during the spring scholarship offering.
Applicants for high school financial need based scholarships must be enrolled in grade 10,11 or 12; applicants for college student/young adult financial need-based scholarships must be high school graduates through age 28; and merit scholarship applicants are limited to high school sophomores through college or grad students up until age 24.
Contact:
Jewish United Fund
Doris Wolin
Director of Israel Experience and Special Scholarships
(312) 444-2895 or (312) 444-2904
IsraelExperience@juf.org
Indiana
The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis (JFGI) administers the Send a Kid to Israel Partnership (SKIP) in which families contribute up to $100 per year and receive matching funds from their synagogue and the Federation toward a trip to Israel. The Federation contributes $2 for every dollar from the family, and the synagogue adds up to $1 for every dollar contributed by the family. Matching funds begin in 3rd grade and continue until 11th grade.
Contact:
Bureau of Jewish Education
Tracy Mishkin
Program Director
(317) 255-3124
tmishkin@bjeindy.org
Iowa
The Israel ID program is run through the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines and the Des Moines Jewish Foundation. This program is open to every Jewish child living in the Greater Des Moines/Ames area.
The Foundation subsidizes students for an approved trip to Israel based on the number of "credits" earned with a maximum subsidy of $2,100.
The trip to Israel must be approved by the student's congregational Rabbi and the religious school director.
Students receive credits towards their Israel Experience from 5th grade through 10th grade. Credits are accumulated based on religious school attendance and participation and attending Jewish camps. Students must also complete an Israel course through our Senior High School program.
Contact:
Jewish Federation Community School
Lyanna Grund
Coordinator
(515) 277-5566
jcslkg@aol.com
Kansas
Administered by the Central Agency for Jewish Education as well as schools and synagogues and available to students studying in Israel.
Contact:
CAJE
Alan Edelman
(913) 327-8140
alane@jewishkc.org
Louisiana
New Orleans
Administered by the Federation and available for community members ages 16-26 through the Gift of Israel program.
Contact:
Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans
Adam Brownstone
(504) 780-5600
adam@jewishnola.com
Maryland
Established by the ASSOCIATED Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore and administered through the Center for Jewish Education's Community Fund for Israel Experiences (CFIE).
Baltimore area Jewish teens in grades eight through twelve (including those attending a trip after graduation) qualify to receive CFIE stipends if they are traveling to Israel on an educationally validated program at least 2 weeks in duration.
CFIE stipends may be used for school break, summer, semester or year-long travel to Israel. Students are limited to one CFIE stipend per year.
CFIE stipends may not exceed 50% of the total cost of any Israel experience. A student may receive a lifetime maximum of $1500. CFIE stipends range from $300 to $1,000.
Award amounts are determined based on the individual student's grade level, length of trip and demonstrated commitment to Jewish education.
Applications are due by February 1, 2005 and are funded on a first come, first served basis. CFIE stipends are sent directly to the Israel trip providers when proof of registration and trip cost is received. CFIE recipients attend pre-trip and post-trip programming and complete 10 hours of community service.
Additional limited funds are available for students with documented financial need who have demonstrated academic and leadership potential. Students with financial need may also apply for a $1,000 interest-free loan from the Hebrew Free Loan Association of Baltimore.
(The information provided above applies to the 2004-2005 funding cycle. CFIE guidelines are subject to change each year.)
Contact:
Center for Jewish Education
Community Fund for Israel Experiences
Shayna Levine-Hefetz
Administrator
(410) 735-5016
teens2israel@cjebaltimore.org
Massachusetts
The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires administers the Michael Nathaniel Shute Endowment Fund which provides scholarships for youth trips to Israel. Recipients are selected based on demonstrations of community involvement, educational interest and financial need. The Endowment Fund was established by Celia Shute in memory of her son Michael.
Jewish Federation of the Berkshires
Arlene D. Schiff
Executive Director
(413) 442-4360 ext. 12
Arlene.schiff@verizon.net
Boston
Administered by the Federation, scholarships are available to residents of the greater Boston community. Applicants must be enrolled in an organized Israel program, personal trips will not be funded. Once enrolled in an Israel program the program provider is asked to send a letter to the CJP Israel Experience Desk with the name of applicant, official statement of acceptance into program, name of program, dates of program, cost of program, applicant contact information, address where scholarship can be mailed, statement that the applicant is in need of financial assistance.
If it is not possible to apply to a program without the assurance that scholarship money will be available, applicants should first contact the Israel Program's Desk. Funds are sent directly to the program. Under development: Students will now be expected to commit to recruiting for their Israel Experience program several hours per month in exchange for scholarship money.
Contact:
Combined Jewish Philanthropies
Becky
Israel Programs Desk
(617) 457-8598
becky@cjp.org
Northshore
Administered by the Federation, Y2I, available to Jewish or interfaith high school sophomores or juniors residing in one of the north shore federation's 23 cities and towns, is a year-long educational & community service program which is highlighted by a fully funded community trip (either the Y2I European Adventure with Israeli teens or the Next Stop Israel Program in Poland and Israel. Students can choose to use the $4680 subsidy towards travel on another approved Israel program, typically a youth movement or camp trip. Application deadline for Y2I is December.
Contact:
Jewish Federation of the North Shore
Marla Gay
Director, Youth to Israel Programs
(978) 564-0729
marlag@jfns.org
www.jewishnorthshore.orgSpringfield
Administered by the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Western Massachusetts there are several scholarships available to students studying in Israel. The Israel Youth Scholarship Fund offers scholarships to all local youth who have completed their sophomore, junior or senior year.
Applicants must be students or graduates of any of the Jewish schools. Priority consideration will be given to applicants who will be making their first trip to Israel. Awards will be based on need, qualifications, and potential for future Jewish leadership. Western Massachusetts also offers the Hebrew Education, Culture and Israel Scholarship Fund available to students who live in Hampden county who have completed their sophomore, junior or senior year of high school.
Students must participate in a summer teen study or tour program in Israel. The Jewish Endowment Foundation also offers specific scholarships for the March of the Living program which include the Totsy Foundation March of the Living Scholarship.
The Jeffrey A Parish Fund for Israel Study is available for undergraduate or graduate study in Israel for a student who lives in Pioneer Valley.
The Blanche Alport Memorial Scholarship Fund for Judaic Studies provides college scholarships for students studying in Israel, preferably at Hebrew University.
The Melvin and Florence Lavin Fund for Israel Travel supports college and graduate students who wish to travel to Israel.
Priority is given to students who are unaffiliated and/or have not been to Israel before.
Contact:
The Jewish Endowment Foundation of Western Massachusetts
Elaine M. Shepard
Director of Grants Administration
(413) 732-9994
elaines@jewishspringfield.org
Michigan
Administered by the Federation and available to all students.
Contact:
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit
Israel and Overseas Services
(248) 642-4260
The Jewish Federation of Washtenaw County provides stipends to any high school student participating in his/her first Israel Experience program. Previous travel to Israel with family does not disqualify applicants. Contact:
Jewish Federation of Washtenaw County
Jeffrey Y. Levin
(734) 677-0100
jefflevin@jccfed.org
Minnesota
The Israel Program Center of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation provides need-based scholarships to community members of all ages who are participating in educational based programs for a minimum of four weeks. Minneapolis area teens are also eligible to receive merit-based grants from the Louis Herman Israel Experience Fund that can be used towards their peer educational Israel experience. For more information about the Louis Herman grant, please visit www.jewishminnesota.org and click on Missions and Travel.
Contact:
Minneapolis Jewish Federation
Laura Condon Leventhal
Israel Program Specialist
(952) 381-3552
lcleventhal@sabesjcc.org
St. Paul offers Israel Experience Scholarships through the federation for ages 13-22. Scholarships are a maximum of $750.
Additional needs-based scholarships are available as well as part of the Israel Experience Scholarship program.
The United Jewish Fund and Council contributes $150 per year to each student enrolled in the Passport to Israel Program, congregations contribute $50 and families contribute $150.
Contact:
United Jewish Fund and Council
Israel Experience Scholarships
(651) 695-3183
eliskora@ujfc.org
Missouri
Administered by the Central Agency for Jewish Education as well as schools and synagogues and available to students studying in Israel.
Contact:
CAJE
Alan Edelman
(913) 327-8140
alane@jewishkc.org
Funded by the Federation and administered by the Central Agency for Jewish Education, and available to teens in the form of need-based scholarships.
Contact:
The Central Agency for Jewish Education
Rabbi Ari Vernon
Director of Secondary Education
(314) 432-0020
avernon@cajestl.org
The Jewish Federation of St. Louis
Susan Witte
Senior Planning and Allocations Associate
(314) 431-0020
switte@jfedstl.org
Nebraska
Offers Israel Experience Grants through the Jewish Educational Library Services for students currently enrolled in Grades 9-12. Recipients are required to perform community service.
Contact:
Jewish Educational Library Services
Mary Sue Grossman
Administrator
(402) 334-8200
mgrossman@jewishomaha.org
New Jersey
Administered through the Federation and the Bureau of Jewish Education and available for students who travel on congregational trips.
Contact:
Jewish Federation of Atlantic and Cape May County
(609) 653-3030
jfedacm@cyberenet.net
Administered by the Federation MetroWest offers two types of scholarships, the Israel Experience Initiative and Financial Aid. The Israel Experience Initiative is for high school students only participating in a trip for a minimum of 4 weeks. (concessions of trip length have been made during the matzav) Participants must participate in pre-trip educational sessions and be a resident of MetroWest.
Qualified participants receive $750 and may receive an additional $250 if their synagogue contributes. Participants may also have a separate Gift of Israel savings account.
Financial aid is available to all students up to the age of 26 who are registered on approved study programs in Israel. Participants must show proof of need and write a letter about why they are going on the program. Financial aid is given based on needs and organizational budget.
MetroWest currently has flexible deadlines for their scholarship deadlines.
MetroWest does run its own Israel Experience Initiative trip which is called MetroWest Goes Israel.
Contact:
United Jewish Communities of MetroWest
Legow Israel Family Program Center
Alan Gerberg
Director of Special Projects
(973) 929-3038
agerberg@ujcnj.org
Michal Zur
Community Youth Shaliach/MetroWest Goes Israel
MZur@UJCNJ.ORG
The Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County offers scholarships of up to $600 to students as matching funds.
Contact:
Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County
Susan Antman
(732) 432-7711
santman@jf-gmc.org
The Jewish Federation of Greater Monmouth County offers a travel stipend of $500 per high school student through the Continuity Commission.
Contact:
Jewish Federation of Greater Monmouth County
Ann Goldman
Director of Planning and Allocations
(732) 531-6200
agoldman@jewishmonmouth.org
Administered by the Federation, UJA Federation of Northern New Jersey offers both need based and merit scholarships. Need based scholarships are available to young adults wishing to go on an Israel Experience. They are available to any student living in the Federation catchment area and the amount varies based on the needs of each individual family and is subject to review by the Scholarship Committee of the Israel Programs Center.
Merit based scholarships of $200 are awarded to teens participating in approved Israel Experience programs of at least 4 weeks duration.
They are available to any students living in the Federation catchment area between the ages of 15-18 and has never participated in an Israel Experience Program. Merit based scholarships are not to be combined with any other scholarship given by the UJA Federation.
All scholarships are paid directly to the program vendor. The application deadline is March 25, 2004. Scholarships are limited and applications are considered on a first come first served basis.
Contact:
UJA Federation of Northern New Jersey
Machla Shaffer
Israel Programs Center Associate
(201) 488-6800, ext. 235
machlas@ujannj.org
Administered by the Federation and available to teens. The Department of Jewish Education offers the Gift of Israel Program and need-based scholarships.
Contact:
Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey
Penina Hoffnung
Director of the Department of Jewish Education & Continuity
(856) 751-9500 ext 208
phoffnung@jfedsnj.org
New York
Administered by the Federation.
Contact:
Jewish Federation of Northeast New York
(518) 783-7800
info@jewishfedny.org
Administered through the UJA-Federation of New York. Scholarships are available to residents of New York City, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties. Need based scholarships are available for teens entering 10th-12th grade and for college students and young adults up to age 30 on peer-group approved Israel programs. A list of approved programs can be found on our website, www.ujafedny.org/israelexperience. Interested individuals should apply directly to their Israel program of choice using their scholarship applications. Scholarship applications should be forwarded by the Israel program to UJA-Federation and reviewed by a scholarship committee.Merit based scholarships are also available for teens entering 10th-12th grade on peer-group approved Israel programs. UJA-Federation of New York offers the Robert A. Belfer Family Fellowships, Chaverim Awards and Singer Family Awards (to Westchester residents) in the amount of $1,250. Students with leadership potential may be nominated for this scholarship by a UJA-Federation agency or by a synagogue participating in the UJA-Federation annual campaign or the Gift of Israel Program. Students are required to provide Jewish community service upon returning home from Israel.
The UJA-Federation of New York also provides the Gift of Israel program, which enables parents to create a saving account for their child's future Israel experience. Members of our affiliated synagogues may join the program by depositing a minimum of $250 into a Gift of Israel Savings Account. Gift of Israel participants are eligible to receive a matching grant of $250 from UJA-Federation of New York when they participate on a peer-group approved Israel program. For more information about the Gift of Israel program, go to www.ujafedny.org/giftofisrael.
Contact:
UJA-Federation of New York
Israel Experience Center
(800) 64-ISRAEL
israelctr@ujafedny.org
www.ujafedny.org/israelexperience
Administered by the Federation and available to teens and college students.
Contact:
Sahar Oz
(585) 461-0490, x 249
soz@jewishrochester.org
Suffolk County, NY
Administered by the Federation as well as synagogues and schools and available to those who participate in their program.
Contact:
SAJES
(631) 462-8600
dfriedman@sajes.org
The Syracuse Jewish Federation offers $250 to each high school student who has completed the 10th grade or will complete the 10th grade at the time of his or her Israel trip at the Federation subsidized Rabbi Epstein Hebrew High School, The Temple Society of Concord Hebrew High School, the Temple Adath Yeshurun Confirmation Class, or if the student has just relocated here, the equivalent at a Hebrew High School in another city. Scholarships are only available to high school students who have not been on an organized peer trip to Israel. All programs must be approved by the Federation.
Students are required to attend 1 session prior to their trip and required to recruit others to participate in Israel trips when they return and to share their experiences with the community.
The Federation offers an additional scholarship to the same group. The Wolfson scholarship requires students to complete an application, write an essay as well as participate in an interview.
Financial need is considered.
Contact:
Syracuse Jewish Federation
Rich Friedman
(315) 445-2040 ext. 105
rfriedman@sjfed.org
North Carolina
Greensboro has scholarships available through the Israel Experience Grant Program. We offer scholarships to community members ages 16-23 for a first time, peer community trip in high school or college. We also have a limited number of need based scholarships through the Jacke W. and Lottie K. Samet Israel Experience Scholarship fund of the Greensboro Jewish Federation.
For criteria and availability use contact information below.
Contact:
Greensboro Jewish Federation
Alina Gerlovin Spaulding
(336) 852-5433 ext. 229
aspaulding@shalomgreensboro.org
Ohio
Akron
The Israel Incentive Savings Program (IISP) is a three-way partnership between a family, its congregation and the Jewish Community Board of Akron. The program is designed to assist families in sending their children on an organized Israel experience program. Teen trips are strongly encouraged, but IISP members can travel any time from 10th grade until the age of 26.
Contact:
Jewish Community Board of Akron
Esther Hexter
Esther_hexter@jewishakron.org
The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati offers high school students $4000 for travel to Israel on a minimum three-week organized educational peer trip. College age students can receive up to $3000 for a minimum two-week organized trip. The Foundation has a complete list of approved programs. Students must be from Cincinnati and between the ages of 16 and 23.
Contact:
Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati
Barbara Miller
(513) 985-1528
bmiller@jfedcin.org
Administered by the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland (JECC), the Israel Identity and Israel Travel Program Scholarships are available to high school and undergraduate college students demonstrating financial need. Funds are available to Clevelanders who are first and second timers going to Israel on peer educational experiences.
Contact:
Jewish Education Center of Cleveland
Helen Wolf
Israel Programs Director
(216) 371-0446
hwolf@jecc.orgColumbus
The Columbus Jewish Federation offers Israel Experience grants up to $1,500 for any teen living in Central Ohio, and up to $2,000 to college students who are either permanent residents of Columbus or attend a college or university in Central Ohio.
Need-based scholarships are also available.
Teen Grant Guidelines
Most programs which qualify for Teen Israel Experience grants are listed on www.israelexperience.com. In addition, new community-sponsored or national programs organized by qualified Galilee Fellowship, rabbis or teachers are eligible if they combine education, study and touring. Programs must be a minimum of 4 weeks in length (with the exception of March of the Living).
To qualify, a college student must either attend a college or university in Central Ohio, OR reside or have one parent who resides in Central Ohio. All applicants must be currently enrolled in college.
All students who receive Israel Experience grants must participate in Israel Experience follow-up programs as well as participate in a short, evaluative interview upon their return.
Payment of all grants are made directly to the program and not sent to the recipient of the grant. The Columbus Jewish Federation also offers need-based scholarships from the Israel Experience Discretionary Fund. The Columbus Jewish Federation uses a formula incorporating family income and cost and length of trip on a case-by-case basis not to exceed $2,000.
Contact:
The Columbus Jewish Federation
Lori Fireman
(614) 559-3242
lfireman@tcjf.org
Toledo
Administered by the United Jewish Council of Greater Toledo. Offers the SKIP (Send a Kid to Israel) Program. Scholarships for high schools students that are given in cooperation with local synagogues, and assists Hillel foundations at the University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University in the recruitment of students for birthright israel. The Toledo Jewish Community Foundation also awards a limited number of scholarships on a needs basis.
Contact:
United Jewish Council of Greater Toledo
Arleen Levine
(419) 724-0355
Arleen@jewishtoledo.org
Oregon
Portland has the Teen Israel Experience program. This is a program of the Oregon Board of Rabbis and the Jewish Federation of Portland. Jewish teens that are in congregational religious schools may participate in the program, which takes place between their 11th and 12th grades in religious school.
The teens must meet the requirements set forth by the Board of Rabbis, and the trip itself must be approved by the Board of Rabbis.
Typical qualifying trips may be those of the various denominations as well as some of the national non-denominational youth groups. Teens may receive a community scholarship of up to 80% of the cost of the trip, not to exceed $4,000. this amount is not guaranteed and may change depending on financial circumstances in the community.
Major funding for the trip is provided by an annual grant from the Jewish Federation of Portland and scholarships from the Arthur Krichevsky Fund of the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation.
Contact:
The Jewish Federation of Portland, Inc.
Charles R. Schiffman
Executive Vice-President
(503) 245.6482 or (503) 245.6219
Charlie@jewishportland.org
Pennsylvania
Administered by the federation, scholarships are need based. Anyone in the federation area is eligible to apply including teens, college students, post graduate students, adults doing study programs, volunteer programs and more. The maximum scholarship is $2,000, but no more than half of the program expense. Amounts are awarded based on financial need of the individual according to a set formula. Philadelphia offers a separate need based scholarship for students doing yeshiva and seminary programs. There are no set deadlines for scholarships, they are given out on a rolling basis. Philadelphia also offers a Passport to Israel program and participants may also apply for additional need based scholarships. Philadelphia is considering running a community Israel trip this summer.
Contact:
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
Donna Levinson
IPC Administrator
Israel and Overseas Center
2100 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 832-0550
dlevinson@PHILAFEDERATION.org
www.israelprogramscenter.org
Rhode Island
Grants are available to all high school and college students who are Rhode Island residents and who are planning to study in Israel.
Our community supports an Israel experience as an integral part of a student's Jewish education. Additional need-based scholarships are available to students who merit financial aid.
Grants and scholarships are provided by the Leonard I. Salmanson Endowment Fund of Jewish Federation of Rhode Island, by the Graubart Irving Scholarship of Jewish Federation of Rhode Island, by the Marochnack Zionist Memorial Scholarship Fund of Jewish Federation of Rhode Island and by the Lillian and Sidney Ross Endowment Fund of the Bureau of Jewish Education.
High School Programs
Summer programs
Eligibility: Rhode Island residents; high school age; Students attending a recognized study/travel program are eligible for grants and financial aid. Applications, an Israel test, a personal interview and references are required for all students. In addition, all students must participate in an orientation session, (two evenings, for a total of seven hours) and a re-entry session; also, they must complete ten hours of community service during the year following their return from Israel.
Academic Year Programs
Eligibility: Rhode Island residents: 10th, 11th, and 12th graders with high academic standing; approval from public or private school to allow students to complete the quarter, semester or years worked in Israel. Transcripts from secular school, interviews, orientation, re-entry and community service are required.
College Programs
Eligibility: Rhode Island residents; College age, college students and post-graduates may apply for a Keren grant for a year-long semester, summer program or one of shorter duration. Programs must have a strong educational component. Personal interviews, applications and references are required. Community service is also required
Contact:
Bureau of Jewish Education of Rhode Island
Ruth Page
Israel Desk Director
(401) 331-0956
rpage@bjeri.org
Tennessee
The Memphis Jewish Federation provides both incentive and need-based scholarships for community members between the ages of 15 and 26. Those community members that accept the scholarships must perform community service in the Memphis community following the trip.
Contact:
Memphis Jewish Federation
Gerri Patterson
Director of Education and Israel Programs
(High School Scholarships)
(901) 767-7100
gpatterson@memjfed.org
Hillel of Memphis at the Jewish Student Union
Emily Bernardt
Director
(901) 452-2453
jstudent@midsouth.rr.comNashville
Administered through the Central Agency for Jewish Education and available to teens and college students.
Contact:
Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville
Lynn Fleischer
(615) 356-3242
library@jewishnashville.org
Texas
Administered through the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas scholarship money is allocated every year from the annual campaign as well as endowment. All scholarships are need based and need is determined by the S.S.S. a private scholarship service also used by the local day schools.
To be eligible students must be between the ages of 16-26, from Dallas and participating in a trip of at least 10 days that includes some education and some touring of Israel.
There is no deadline for application. Dallas also hosts the Gift of Israel program.
Families can sign children up at birth and matching grants begin when the child reaches the 3rd grade. Matching grants end when the child reached 10th grade.
Students have until 1 year after high school to use the funds.
Families put in a minimum of $200 a year and federations and participating congregational or day schools put in $50 per year.
Contact:
Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas
Esther Nathan
(214) 750-6461
enathan@jfgd.org
www.dallasteentours.comHouston
Administered by the Bureau of Jewish Education and available to all teens and college students. BJE also runs the Gift of Israel program.
Contact:
Bureau of Jewish Education
Elaine Kellerman
Executive Director
(713) 729-7000 ext. 310
ekellerman@houstonjewish.org
Washington
Administered through the Jewish Education Council. Offers scholarships to students in high school that are traveling to Israel on a financial need basis. JEC also offers scholarships to college students studying at Israeli Universities.
Contact:
Jewish Education Council
(206) 774-2236
Israel@jewishinseattle.org
Wisconsin
Administered by the Federation through their Passport to Israel, Israel Educational Experience Incentive Program and Community Teen Trip to Israel.
Contact:
Milwaukee Jewish Federation
Alon Galron
(414) 390-5700
along@milwaukeejewish.org
CANADA
Montreal
FEDERATION CJA/Israel Experience Grants Program offers need-based scholarships to permanent residents of Montreal age 18-26 who wish to study in Zionist institutions or participate on multi week Israel Experience programs.
Contact:
Bronfman Israel Experience Centre
FCJA
Roslyn Blacker
(514) 345-6449 ext. 3046
roselynb@bjec.orgToronto
Does not offer any scholarships for high school or college students at this time. UJA Federation of Greater Toronto does offer scholarships for post-secondary study for a full year in Israel.
Toronto also keeps extensive lists of additional scholarship opportunities for Israel travel.
Contact:
UJA Federation of Greater Toronto
Richard Stoll
Senior Education Consultant
(416) 635-2883
rstoll@ujafed.orgVancouver
Grants based on financial need are available from the Israel Affairs Department at the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver. Eligibility is limited to Jewish applicants ages 14-26 and are residents of British Columbia. Priority is given to applicants that are making their first trip to Israel.
The maximum scholarship available is $2,500 per applicant. Applicants are expected to contribute to the cost of the Israel program as much as they are able. Deadline for application is April 2nd.
Each student must sign a pledge of community involvement upon their return from Israel which can include speaking about Israel to a group of students or adults, volunteering for service at a Jewish agency, volunteering for service at a community event or participating in Jewish studies.
Contact:
Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver
Yair Tabenkin
Israel Affairs Department
(604) 257-5100
ytabenkin@jfgv.com