The IsraelNow program fee is all-inclusive, including airfare. The trip is subsidized by both the IsraelNow Education Foundation and The Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago. The total JUF subsidized price per participant is $2,950.

Upon registration families can choose whether to pay in full or opt in to a monthly payment plan. The total price must be paid in full by October 1 (see our cancellation policy).

Chicago’s IsraelNow program, in partnership with Jewish United Fund, offers the following:

• B’NAI MITZVAH JUF CERTIFICATE: Apply the teen’s JUF $120 B’nai Mitzvah Israel Experience Certificate.
• JUF SKIP PROGRAM: Teens enrolled in the JUF’s SKIP (Send a Kid to Israel Program) may use a portion or all of their available funds.  To learn if you are enrolled in SKIP, please contact [email protected].
• NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIP: Families with greater financial need may apply for scholarship AFTER completing the IsraelNow application by clicking on the following link:  FACTS Financial Aid Application. Financial aid applicants will be notified of awards at the end of November, following the meeting of the JUF Scholarship Committee. If you have questions about the FACTS application, please call the FACTS helpline at 866-315-9262, 7AM-9PM Monday-Friday and Saturday 8AM-2PM.

For the 2026 season, IsraelNow has made the decision to fly all participants on EL AL Airlines due to a variety of factors including the unpredictability of flight schedules into Tel Aviv.

Regardless of their departing city, all participants will arrive in and depart from Israel on EL AL flights.

IsraelNow Chicago collects a $300 nonrefundable deposit at the time of registration. If IsraelNow cancels the trip for any reason, at any point before departure, parents/guardians will receive a full refund, including the deposit.

Cancellation on or Before October 1, 2025

A family that gives Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago (JUF) and IsraelNow Education Foundation (INEF) written notice of cancellation on or before October 1, 2025, and completes the IsraelNow withdrawal form will be eligible for a full refund minus the nonrefundable $300 deposit.

Cancellation between October 1 and November 21, 2025

A family that gives Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago (JUF) and IsraelNow Education Foundation (INEF) written notice of cancellation between October 1 and November 21, 2025, and completes the IsraelNow withdrawal form will be eligible for a partial refund: families will be responsible for the $2,200 airfare cost, and any additional amount paid will be refunded.

 Cancellation after November 21, 2025

No refunds will be granted after November 21, 2025. A family must still complete and submit the JUF/INEF withdrawal form to formally withdraw from the program.

Parents may use our letter to help explain the IsraelNow program and educational experience that can be shared with schools and teachers. Please click here for February and here for March’s letters. 

• Yes! As a part of building our IsraelNow community and getting to know your teen, there are three pre-trip orientations for our participants. You can find these dates on the specific trip timeline after you register. Parents/ guardians are expected to attend the final orientation with their teen.
  
  
• There is also a reunion following the trip, which is optional, but a great way to stay connected to IsraelNow friends.

 Our hope is that you build off the amazing experiences you have on IsraelNow when you return from your trip.

• Make sure to check out the Community Calendar regularly and follow Springboard on Instagram, to stay up to date on great programs happening this summer and fall.
• Learn about Access Grants that can help reduce the cost of your first multi-day program like a convention, retreat, or Shabbaton.
• Meet with a member of the Springboard team in person at ice cream or coffee shops or online to have one-on-one conversations and discover the programs are the best fit for you.

Please sign in to our CampInTouch portal to access all your forms to participate in IsraelNow.