Experience Israel
The Federation engages in several outreach efforts to local teens and young adults to help solidify their Jewish identities through personal and meaningful connections with Israel. It is committed to sending as many young Jews as possible on an educational trip to Israel.
Contact Noah Alhadeff at 404.870.1624.
Financial Support
Passport to Israel
The Passport to Israel gift certificate - only one per person - is valued at $350. Gift certificates may be applied toward an approved Israel Experience program redeemed by recipients who are between ages 15 and 19.
The Passport to Israel gift certificate cannot be applied toward a family or Birthright trip. Upon redemption, a $350 check is sent directly to teh trip program provider. Please note that certificates must be receive at the Bar/Bat Mitvahs. Any certificate submitted after the ceremony date is invalid.
We are no longer issuing new Passport to Israel grants; however, you may redeem a Passport to Israel Certificate previously received. Please contact Lindsey Denton for more information and click here for the application.
Gift of Israel
Established in 1997, the Gift of Israel program presented an opportunity for Jewish Families to ensure that their children experience Israel in their formative teen years either through the Savings Plan or Bar/Bat Mitzvah Registry. The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta is no longer accepting new applications. However, if you are a Gift of Israel account holder and would like to utilize the funds in your account, click here.
Please note that some of the listed organizations offer scholarships. Check directly with your program provider to determine availability.
Travel to Israel
Birthright Israel
A unique partnership between the people of Israel through their government, local Jewish communities (North American Jewish Federations, Keren Hayesod, and The Jewish Agency for Israel), and leading Jewish philanthropists. Birthright Israel provides the gift of a first time, peer-based, educational trip to Israel for Jewish young adults between the ages of 18 and 26. For more information, click here.
March of the Living
The March of the Living is an international, educational program that brings Jewish teens from all over the world to Poland on Yom Hashoah, the Holocaust Memorial Day. Participants march from Auschwitz to Birkenau, the largest concentration camp complex built during World War II, in a show of solidarity and survival of the Jewish people. The group then travels to Israel to observe Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, and Yom Ha'Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. For more information, please click here.
MASA ISRAEL JOURNEY
Masa Israel Journey offers over 200 opportunities, all over Israel, lasting between five and twelve months. All programs connect Jewish young adults (ages 18-30) through life-changing gap year, study abroad, post-college, internship and volunteer experiences. All Masa Israel participants are eligible to apply for universal grants and need-based scholarships towards program costs. Amounts available are based on country of origin, age, length of program, and need. For more information, please visit: www.masaisrael.org/masa/english/
Masa Israel Teaching Fellows is a 10-month service learning program for exceptional college graduates with the opportunity to work as English teachers' aides in underserved classrooms throughout Israel. After an initial training, Fellows quickly become an integral part of the communities in which they live, work, and volunteer. When they are not teaching, they develop professional and leadership skills, learn Hebrew and tour Israel. The first application deadline is December 15th. Please click here for more information.
Please note that all youth groups (i.e. BBYO, NFTY, USY, Young Judaea, etc.) offer some type of Israel Experience. For more information, search the MASA site or the individual youth group’s sites.
ALEXANDER MUSS HIGH SCHOOL IN ISRAEL
AMHSI is a non-denominational, co-educational English language study abroad program for high school students in Israel. AMHSI aims to provide teens the opportunity to spend part of the academic school year or summer in Israel during their sophomore, junior or senior year. For more information, please visit www.amhsi.org or contact Alicia Press, Director of Admissions, by email or by phone at 404.964.0090.