Access & Affordability for Israel Experiences

Applicant must be enrolled in grades 9-12 (this includes graduating seniors who are going on a post-high school program).

Applicant must demonstrate financial need.

Applicant must reside in metropolitan Chicago. Applicants living outside Illinois but attending school in the Chicago area are not eligible to apply.

Applicants presently in school outside of the United States are not eligible to apply.

Applicant must have applied to an approved Israel program which does not begin until after the application deadline.

Participation in Jewish communal activities after returning from Israel is strongly encouraged.

Families may apply for only one JUF Israel experience financial need scholarship in any one academic year, except in the instance of twins or other multiples. Applicants must wait a full year before applying for a second JUF Israel experience financial need scholarship, and are only eligible to do so if the second program is substantially different from the previous program.

Please keep in mind that our funds are limited, and requests always greatly exceed demand. We work hard to make sure that the neediest families are given priority. While we do take into account the family’s total financial picture, not just income, families with an annual adjusted gross income of $150,000 or higher (including all sources—salary, parsonage, kollel, etc.) are not permitted to apply and will be withdrawn.

Scholarship priority is given to applicants who have never been to Israel, although those who have been to Israel before may still apply. JUF Israel experience scholarships cannot be used to extend a current program or for programs that are substantially similar to a program in which the applicant has already participated.

Prior involvement in Jewish communal activities is not a requirement for receiving a financial need scholarship.

No full scholarships are awarded.

Scholarship applications for summer programs are due March 15. Applicants can apply online at FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment — please choose JUF Israel Experience Program (Summer/Fall) as the school/institution and 2026 Summer/Fall as the term — and will be notified by early May, following the meeting of the Scholarship Committee. Applications are not considered on a rolling basis, so early submission of a scholarship application will not change the notification date.

Please read the Scholarship Guidelines for summer programs before applying.

Scholarship applications for fall semester and academic year programs are due June 1. Applicants can apply online at FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment — please choose JUF Israel Experience Program (Summer/Fall) as the school/institution and 2026 Summer/Fall as the term — and will be notified by mid-July, following the meeting of the Scholarship Committee. Applications are not considered on a rolling basis, so early submission of a scholarship application will not change the notification date.

Please read the Scholarship Guidelines for fall semester and academic year programs before applying.

Scholarship applications for winter and spring programs are due November 1. Please refer back to this page for more information and the application link in mid-September.

Applicant must have already graduated from high school at the time of application.

Applicant must be between the ages of 17 and 28.

Applicant must demonstrate financial need.

Applicant must reside in metropolitan Chicago (but may attend school elsewhere). Applicants living outside Illinois but attending school in the Chicago area are not eligible to apply.

Applicants presently in school outside of the United States are not eligible to apply.

Applicant must have applied to an approved Israel program which does not begin until after the application deadline.

Participation in Jewish communal activities after returning from Israel is strongly encouraged.

Families may apply for only one JUF Israel experience financial need scholarship in any one academic year, except in the instance of twins or other multiples. Applicants must wait a full year before applying for a second JUF Israel experience financial need scholarship, and are only eligible to do so if the second program is substantially different from the previous program.

Please keep in mind that our funds are limited, and requests always greatly exceed demand. We work hard to make sure that the neediest families are given priority. While we do take into account the family’s total financial picture, not just income, families with an annual adjusted gross income of $150,000 or higher (including all sources—salary, parsonage, kollel, etc.) are not permitted to apply and will be withdrawn.

All applicants under age 26 must submit their parents’ most recent federal income tax returns as well as their own.

Parents are urged to contribute according to their financial ability even if applicant is legally independent, and applicants are expected to make an appropriate and meaningful contribution toward the cost of the program.

Scholarship priority is given to applicants who have never been to Israel, although those who have been to Israel before may still apply. JUF Israel experience scholarships cannot be used to extend a current program or for programs that are substantially similar to a program in which the applicant has already participated.

Prior involvement in Jewish communal activities is not a requirement for receiving a financial need scholarship.

Israel experience scholarships may not be used toward any expenses associated with Birthright Israel trips, including but not limited to: travel to/from NY or any other departure city, hotels the night before the flight to Israel, or spending money.

No full scholarships are awarded.

Please note: If you are currently in high school and have not yet graduated (even if you are applying to go on an Israel program after you graduate from high school), you must fill out the high school scholarship application, not the college student/young adult application.

Scholarship applications for summer programs (June-July) are due March 15. Applicants can apply online at FACTS Financial Aid Management — please choose JUF Israel Experience Program (Summer/Fall) as the school/institution and 2026 Summer/Fall as the term and will be notified by early May, following the meeting of the Scholarship Committee. Applications are not considered on a rolling basis, so early submission of a scholarship application will not change the notification date.

Please read the Scholarship Guidelines for summer programs before applying.

Scholarship applications for fall semester and academic year programs are due June 1. Applicants can apply online at FACTS Financial Aid Management — please choose JUF Israel Experience Program (Summer/Fall) as the school/institution and 2026 Summer/Fall as the term and will be notified by mid-July, following the meeting of the Scholarship Committee. Applications are not considered on a rolling basis, so early submission of a scholarship application will not change the notification date.

Please read the Scholarship Guidelines for fall semester and academic year programs before applying.

Scholarship applications for winter and spring programs are due November 1. Please refer back to this page for more information and the application link in mid-September.

Applicant must be at least a sophomore in high school up to age 23 years old.
Applicant must reside or attend school in metropolitan Chicago.
Applicant must have applied to or be in the process of applying to an approved Israel program which does not begin until after the application deadline.
Applicant must demonstrate leadership abilities.
Participation in Jewish communal activities after returning from Israel is strongly encouraged.
Previous merit scholarship winners are not eligible to reapply. However, previous applicants who did not receive a merit scholarship may apply again.

Applicants must submit an online application and letter of recommendation.
Programs must begin during the summer or fall.
Please read the Scholarship Guidelines before applying.

Scholarship applications are due March 15 for summer, fall, and academic year programs. The selection process is extremely competitive. Financial status is not considered in the merit scholarship process. Applicants will be notified in early May, following the meeting of the Scholarship Committee. Applications are not considered on a rolling basis, so early submission of a scholarship application will not change the notification date. Apply today!

Contributions can be made for students whose families belong to participating congregations. Students in 3rd through 6th grade are eligible to enroll in SKIP; families are eligible to contribute to their children’s SKIP account for a maximum of 7 years (3rd through 9th grade). Each year that a student is eligible to participate, a total of $255 is added to his or her savings account. This money includes an annual contribution of $85 from JUF and a combined contribution of $170 from the family and participating congregation. The congregation must donate a minimum of $25 per year.

Again, in order to enroll your child in SKIP you need to belong to one of the participating congregations in the list below. You may enroll your child in SKIP during the annual enrollment process (done each fall) by contacting your synagogue directly.

Students enrolled in SKIP can use their SKIP funds toward any approved Israel experience program of their choice any time between the end of 9th grade* and when they turn 27. A full refund of your family portion (contributions plus interest) is available upon completion and submission of the withdrawal form at any time. Please note: When a participating student turns 27, the family will have one year from the student’s 27th birthday to notify Federation in writing that they would like to withdraw their unused funds. During a one-year grace period, the Federation will send one communication to the family using the contact information on file. It is the family’s responsibility to ensure that the Federation has accurate contact information. After the one-year grace period, if the family has not contacted the Federation, the account will be withdrawn by Federation staff and treated as an administrative charge against that share. The family’s portion of the account will become Federation property, and the Federation will return the congregation’s portion to the congregation.

*Families may use their Israel experience funds (SKIP, Gift of Israel, B’nai Mitzvah Certificates, and Walk With Israel Vouchers) for 8th grade Israel programs, such as IsraelNow or day school trips. Please contact our office at [email protected] to make sure that your trip is eligible and then use the 8th grade Israel Experience Savings Request Form (for day school trips) to redeem your funds.

SKIP savings will not cover the full cost of most Israel experience programs. SKIP families can alsouse other JUF Israel experience savings, including Gift of Israel funds, B’nai Mitzvah Certificates, and Walk With Israel Vouchers. In addition, SKIP families are encouraged to apply for scholarships from other sources, including the program sponsor, congregation, and JUF.

When you are ready to use your Israel experience savings for an approved program in Israel, please visit our website for more information on how to redeem your funds.

Participating Congregations:

Aitz Hayim The Center for Jewish Living

Am Shalom Congregation

Am Yisrael Congregation

Anshe Emet Synagogue

Anshe Sholom B’nai Israel Congregation

B.H.H. Kesser Maariv A.L.

Beis Hamedrash Mikor Hachaim

Beth Emet the Free Synagogue

Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah

Beth Tikvah Congregation

Congregation Adas Yeshurun Anshe Kannesses Israel

Congregation Beth Am

Congregation Beth Judea

Congregation Beth Shalom, Naperville

Congregation Beth Shalom, Northbrook

Congregation B’nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim

Congregation B’nai Tikvah

Congregation Ezras Israel

Congregation Etz Chaim of DuPage County

Congregation Hakafa

Congregation K.I.N.S.

Congregation Or Shalom

Congregation Or Torah

Darchei Noam of Glenbrook

Congregation Yehuda Moshe

Emanuel Congregation

Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation

K.A.M. Isaiah Israel Congregation

Kehilat Chovevei Tzion

Kehillat Shalom

Kol Sasson

Lincolnwood Jewish Congregation/A.G. Beth Israel

Makom Solel Lakeside

Moriah Congregation

Ner Tamid Ezra Habonim Egalitarian Minyan

North Shore Congregation Israel

North Suburban Synagogue Beth El

Northbrook Community Synagogue

Oak Park Temple

Congregation Rodfei Zedek

Sephardic Congregation

Sha’arei Tzedek Mishkan Yair

Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Congregation

Shir Tikvah

Skokie Valley Augdath Jacob Synagogue

Sukkat Shalom

Temple Anshe Sholom A Beth Torah

Temple Beth Israel

Temple Beth-El

Temple Chai

Temple Jeremiah

West Suburban Temple Har Zion

Young Israel of Skokie

At participating synagogues, a $120 certificate is presented as a gift from JUF. This certificate can be used toward one of the many Israel experience programs sponsored by not-for-profit youth serving organizations and educational institutions. Certificate funds are held in reserve until the time a teen or young adult travels to Israel. The funds will be distributed in the form of a check made payable to an approved Israel program. No interest is earned on these funds; there is no cost to the synagogue or the family.

B’nai Mitzvah Certificates can be used to in conjunction with SKIP funds, Gift of Israel savings, and/or with scholarships provided through the Jewish Federation scholarship funds, by the program sponsor, or by the synagogue. Funds can be used for a wide variety of approved Israel programs between 8th grade until the participant’s 23rd birthday.

Participating Synagogues

Aitz Hayim The Center for Jewish Living

Am Shalom

Am Yisrael Congregation

Anshe Emet Synagogue

Anshe Motele Congregation

Anshe Sholom B’nai Israel

Anshe Tikvah Jewish Congregation

B.H.H. Kesser Maariv A. L.

Beis Hamedrash Mikor Hachaim

Beth Emet the Free Synagogue

Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah

Congregation Adas Yeshrun

Congregation B’nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim

Congregation B’nai Tikvah

Congregation Beth Am

Congregation Beth Judea

Congregation Beth Shalom, Naperville

Congregation Beth Shalom, Northbrook

Congregation Beth Tikvah

Congregation Etz Chaim of DuPage County

Congregation Hakafa

Congregation Kneseth Israel

Congregation K.I.N.S.

Congregation KJBS

Congregation Or Shalom

Congregation Or Torah

Congregation Rodfei Zedek

Congregation Sha’arei Tzedek

Congregation Solel

Congregation Sukkat Shalom

Congregation Yehuda Moshe

Darchei Noam of Glenbrook

Emanuel Congregation

Ezra-Habonim, the Niles Township Jewish Congregation

Har Shalom Synagogue

Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation

K.A.M. – Isaiah Israel Congregation

Kehillat Chovevei Tzion

Kehillat Shalom

Kol Hadash Humanistic Congregation

Kol Sasson

Lakeside Congregation for Reform Judaism

Lincolnwood Jewish Congregation/A.G. Beth Israel

McHenry County Jewish Congregation

Moriah Congregation

Ner Tamid Ezra Habonim Egalitarian Minyan

New Reform Congregation Kadima

North Shore Congregation Israel

North Suburban Synagogue Beth El

Northbrook Community Synagogue

Oak Park Temple

Ohel Shalom Torah Center

Or Tikvah

Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue

Shir Tikvah

Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob Synagogue

Temple Anshe Sholom A Beth Torah

Temple Beth Israel

Temple Beth-El

Temple B’nai Israel

Temple Chai

Temple Jeremiah

Temple Sholom of Chicago

West Suburban Temple Har Zion

Young Israel of Skokie

JUF establishes a special interest-bearing savings account in the participant’s name and will provide a one-time $180 matching gift when a minimum of $1,000 is deposited into the account.

For more information please download an enrollment packet. Questions? Contact the Israel Experience Department at [email protected].

B’nai mitzvah celebrations are a wonderful time for friends and relatives to give a Gift of Israel. One way to notify guests that the celebrant is saving for an Israel experience is to use special insert cards provided by JUF.

Over the years, additional gifts can be added to mark birthdays, holidays, graduations, and other special occasions. Participants also are encouraged to contribute to their Gift of Israel account through job earnings, portions of their allowance, and monetary gifts they may receive.

Gift of Israel funds can be used for a wide variety of approved Israel experience programs from the summer following 9th grade* through age 26. Contributions can continue until funds are used or refunded.

Gift of Israel is a perfect complement to the SKIP program. Like the family portion of SKIP, all funds deposited to the Gift of Israel account, plus interest, can be refunded without penalty at any time upon completion of the withdrawal form (fillable PDF).

*Families may use their Israel experience funds (SKIP, Gift of Israel, B’nai Mitzvah Certificates, and Walk With Israel Vouchers) for 8th grade Israel programs, such as IsraelNow or day school trips. Please contact our office at [email protected] to make sure that your trip is eligible and then use the 8th grade Israel Experience Savings Request Form (for day school trips) to redeem your funds.

JUF’s Israel Experience Savings Programs funds (including SKIP, Gift of Israel, B’nai Mitzvah Certificates, and Walk With Israel Vouchers) and scholarships are intended to help cover tuition/fees for approved* Israel experience programs. However, we understand that sometimes it makes more sense to use your funds for your airfare if it isn’t included in the cost of the program already. Therefore, we have created the following guidelines for use of Israel experience funds and scholarships:

In order to use your funds towards your tuition/fees for your approved* Israel experience program, you must submit a completed Israel Experience Savings Request Form (fillable PDF). PLEASE NOTE: Checks will be made payable to the Israel program of your choice (except in cases of airfare reimbursement) and mailed to your home address. It is then YOUR responsibility to pass the check along to the appropriate person from your Israel program.

Israel experience funds and scholarships may not be used toward any expenses associated with Birthright Israel trips, including but not limited to travel to/from NY or any other departure city, hotels the night before the flight to Israel, or spending money.

With regard to low- or no-cost programs and programs that provide airfare stipends: Israel experience funds can only be used to cover the difference between the cost of airfare/program and the stipend provided.

8th grade Israel programs: Families may use their Israel experience funds (SKIP, Gift of Israel, B’nai Mitzvah Certificates, Walk With Israel Vouchers) for 8th grade Israel programs, such as IsraelNow, Solomon Schechter’s trip, or Akiba Schechter’s trip. Please use the 8th grade Israel Experience Savings Request Form to redeem your funds (for day school trips ONLY–NOT for IsraelNow). Please note: If you plan to only use a portion of the funds and would like to contribute to your child’s SKIP account in 9th grade, you must leave a minimum balance of $1 in his/her account to keep the account open and active (this is due to the technical restrictions of our database).
Please note that funds used towards airfare cannot be issued prior to the start of your Israel program. Furthermore, funds for airfare may only be used towards basic airfare expenses (an economy seat plus taxes and fees), not towards any cabin upgrades, extra legroom, bulkhead premium seats, extended layovers, etc.

In order to use your funds for airfare reimbursement, you must submit the following after you’ve started your program:

-a completed Israel Experience Savings Request Form
-a copy of the flight itinerary
-proof of purchase of the airfare (either a receipt from the airlines or a copy of your credit card statement with your credit card number covered)
-a letter (print or email are acceptable) from your approved* Israel program confirming that you have in fact started your program

Israel experience funds (including SKIP, Gift of Israel, B’nai Mitzvah Certificates, and Walk With Israel Vouchers) and scholarships may not be used toward travel insurance, spending money, cell phone, or other expenses associated with your approved* Israel experience program.
If you’ve made aliyah, you are no longer eligible to use your Israel experience Funds. You must close and withdraw your SKIP and/or Gift of Israel accounts using the Savings Withdrawal Form.

*What is an approved Israel experience program? Approved Israel experiences 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 ([email protected]) if you have a question about a specific Israel program.