Israel Programs

One of the most important aspects of Jewish identity is the connection to the people and the State of Israel. An Israel Experience program is an encounter of the realities and dreams that shape the Jewish experience. Participants have the opportunity to experience the land, people, history and a rich culture.

Nothing makes Jewish identity and history come alive for young people like an Israel Experience Program. Start exploring opportunities with the sites below and you’ll be on your way to the experience of a lifetime!

Please note that Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago’s Israel Experience Savings Programs funds (including SKIP, Gift of Israel, Bar/Bat Mitzvah Israel Experience Certificates, Walk With Israel Vouchers and Naftali Steinfeld Israel Experience Certificates) and scholarships are intended to help cover tuition/fees for approved Israel Experience programs. Approved Israel Experience programs are identity-building, peer group programs run by non-profit organizations that allow participants to learn in-depth about the land, culture and people of Israel. The list of approved Israel Experience programs is constantly changing as new programs are developed. Since not every program is approved, please contact us (israelexperience@juf.org) if you have a question about a specific Israel Experience program.

Looking for a trip affiliated with a specific movement?

Check out the organizations below to find the perfect match.

• BBYO
  the youth movement of B’nai Brith; information about their Passport 2 The World programs
• Bnei Akiva
  the religious Zionist youth movement
• Habonim Dror
  the Labor Zionist youth movement
• NCSY
  the Orthodox Union's National Conference of Synagogue Youth movement
• NFTY
  the Reform movement's North American Federation of Temple Youth
• Noar Hadash
  the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation’s youth movement
• USY
  the Conservative movement's United Synagogue Youth
• Young Judaea
  the Zionist youth movement sponsored by Hadassah

Need more ideas? Searching for different opportunities?

Camp Chi Israel Trip
Experience Israel with your Camp Chi friends on this four-week trip for entering high school seniors.

Shorashim
Americans and Israelis travel, live and learn side by side as they explore Israel. The Chicago-based program offers many different Israel adventures.

Alexander Muss High School in Israel
Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI) is the only 8-week, pluralistic, academic English adventure in Israel with sessions offered throughout the year.

Nesiya 
Nesiya offers the Kehilla Experience, a 6-week Israel Experience program that combines outdoor adventure, workshops in the visual, performing and literary arts, community service projects, cultural activities and creative Jewish study.

Israel Scouts
Israel Scouts summer program, Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet is a joint summer teen program of the Tzofim (Israel Scouts) and the Gadna, the Educational Division of the Israel Defense Forces with cooperation of the Ministry of Absorption and the Jewish Agency.

CFJE
Community Foundation for Jewish Education in Chicago sponsors an annual intensive eighth grade Israel trip, Ta'am Yisrael: A Taste of Israel.

Derech HaTeva
The Israel Trail Teen Adventure (ITTA) is a month-long outdoor program for Jewish teens between the ages of 14-18 from North America, Israel and around the world, that emphasizes leadership and wilderness skills as participants explore the famous "Israel Trail."

Matmonim Summer Camp 
Matmonim Foundation's flagship project, Matmonim Summer Camp, is geared for Jewish teens in high school. The 5-week program is an exciting and educational experience, exploring ancient sites from the Tanach like never before. The program explores the earliest parts of Jewish history, including walking the path of Avraham and even climbing Mt. Ararat.

Los Angeles Girls' Israel Torah Tour (LAGITT)
This four-week program was established in 1994 and is led by Rabbi Pesach and Mrs. Debbie Wachsman, former Principal and teacher at Emek Hebrew Academy.

For Students with Special Needs

Israel in a Special Way 
The Reform Movement’s newest summer program in Israel is a 21-day full Israel travel program for teens ages 16 - 19+ with diagnosed issues of attention that may include ADD/ADHD, Asperger’s Syndrome, awkward social skills, verbal or non-verbal learning disabilities and mild social or emotional concerns.

Gap Year Programs

More and more colleges and universities are encouraging teens to take a year between high school and college. Known as the Gap Year, this special year enables high school graduates to volunteer, learn, travel, and expand their horizons. A directory of Gap Year programs in Israel, plus information about a universal $1,000 grant and additional financial need funding, is available at Masa Israel Journey.

Affording Your Program

Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago supports Israel Experiences with a wide variety of savings, incentive, and scholarship programs. Visit the Israel Experience page to learn more.