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 subsidized price per participant will be announced soon. 

We invite any family in a position to do so to cover JUF’s contribution. The additional payment will go towards scholarships for IsraelNow and is fully tax deductible. A receipt will be provided upon request. 

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 israelexperience@juf.org.
• 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.

IsraelNow Chicago collects a 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. 

If a participant withdraws from the program, please see our cancellation timeline below: 

Cancellation on or Before September 9, 2024
A family that gives Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago (JUF) and IsraelNow Education Foundation (INEF) written notice of cancellation on or before  September 9, 2024, and completes the IsraelNow withdrawal form will be eligible for a full refund, excluding the nonrefundable deposit. 

Cancellation between September 9- November 1, 2024
A family that gives JUF/INEF written notice of cancellation between September 9- November 1, 2024, and completes the IsraelNow withdrawal form, will be eligible for a refund of all money paid to JUF less $500. 

Cancellation after November 1, 2024
No refunds will be granted after November 1, 2024. 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.
  
  
• In addition, our staff arranges a family conference with the teen and parents/guardians to learn more about our participants and answer any questions.
  
  
• 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.

To withdraw from IsraelNow please complete this form and send it to israelnowchicago@juf.org . Refer to our FAQ about our cancellation policies for more information.