Israel Experiences for Teens and Young Adults
Strengthening Jewish identity and personal connection to Jewish history and culture
Recognizing the impact of Israel experiences on Jewish identity development, the Federation provides need-based scholarships for teens and young adult travel to Israel.
Scholarship Requirements for All Applicants
- Participate in an organized teen program, educational program, Masa Journey, or other group-sponsored trips (individual travel is not supported).
- Live or attend school in the Federation's Service Area.
- Identify as Jewish.
Age Eligibility
- Teens 13-18 years (8th-12th grade)
- College students or young adults age 18-26 years in San Francisco, the Peninsula (from Mountain View north), Marin, and Sonoma Counties
- College students or young adults age 18-40 years in Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa, and Solano Counties.
- Scholarship funds are to be used strictly for program fees and travel.
How to apply
- For 2023 winter and spring trips, applications are due by November 16, 2022 (@11:59 pm PT).
- For 2023 summer trips, applications are due by March 2, 2023 (@11:59 pm PT).
- For 2023-2024 gap or academic year programs, applications are due by May 18, 2023 (@11:59 pm PT).
All decisions will be communicated within 3-4 weeks of the application deadlines listed above. If you receive an award, please allow 6-8 weeks after you are notified for the trip organizer to receive and process the funds.
Jewish Day School Trips
Some Eligible Teen Trips
Some Eligible Post High School Trips
Scholarship award process
All application data is kept strictly confidential and reviewed without any identifying information (anonymously) by the Federation. Awards are determined based on financial need. Award checks will be made out to the Israel trip provider sent to the families to forward to the provider.
For more information:
- For application-related questions, please contact help@mykaleidoscope.com. Please identify "Israel trip" in the subject line.
- For all other questions, please contact Eliezah Hoffman at 415.369.2880
Israel Within Reach
Families are also encouraged to apply for Israel Within Reach, which provides need-blind incentive grants to support first-time travel to Israel for young people ages 12–26 years old. For more information, visit Israel Within Reach webpage.
Scholarship funds are provided with support from the Eisner Israel Scholarship Fund, the Goodman Family Israel High School and College Scholarship Fund, Henry and Amalie Schudmak Fund, Stephanie Praszker Memorial Fund, and other generous donors to the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund.
