We are here to answer your questions!
Top questions asked about IsraelNow by teens and families.
- Our education team crafts intentional educational experiences that allow them to reach our three main goals. These goals are:
- Increasing Jewish self-confidence and knowledge
- Strengthening connection to Israel and the Jewish people and
- Expanding Jewish social networks and connections
- Experiencing and learning more about Israel and building stronger Jewish social networks equips our participants to better respond to antisemitism and antizionism in the future.
- The IsraelNow educational team recognizes the need to create a safe space for teens to explore all facets of Israel, including the events of October 7th, the ongoing war with Hamas, and the current situation.
- Age-appropriate experiences and conversations will be crafted to allow all participants, regardless of knowledge level, to engage in a meaningful dialogue.
- IsraelNow has no political affiliation or viewpoint. We allow for a wide range of narratives with the goal of enabling each participant to develop a personal relationship with Israel.
Any eighth-grade student who identifies as Jewish and lives in a partner community is eligible to apply for IsraelNow.
- Once registration is open, select your local community page and click “register now”.
- Complete the application and submit all required documents by the designated dates outlined in the IsraelNow registration timeline.
- All information provided to IsraelNow must be truthful, complete, and accurate. Submitting inaccurate or incomplete information or omitting health or medication information may place acceptance at risk or be grounds for early dismissal from the program.
- Each teen, together with their parent/guardian, will have a personal conference with an IsraelNow representative and must participate in all orientation programming (see your community trip page).
- Teens are required to abide by the IsraelNow Code of Conduct.
The IsraelNow program fees are all-inclusive, including airfare. Through generous contributions from our partners and supporters, we are able to offer IsraelNow trips at a highly reduced subsidized fee. Visit the FAQ section on your local trip page to learn more about program costs and any financial aid opportunities.
Program Protection (trip protection insurance) is independent from the IsraelNow cancellation policy. Program Protection plans are optional, fees are not included in the total trip cost. You may only sign up for Program Protection through a 3rd party provider. There are a number of 3rd party insurance providers available, here is just one example of a 3rd Party Travel Insurance Plan you may choose to opt into
For U.S. citizens www.teentravelinsurance.com/now
For Toronto www.teentravelinsurance.com/canada
- If IsraelNow National cancels the trip families will receive a full refund.
- Please visit the FAQ section on your local trip page for specific details related to your city’s cancellation policy.
- IsraelNow recommends that all participants purchase travel insurance that covers cancellation for any reason.
We suggest following this Packing List.
Yes! More importantly, our studies show that eighth grade is an important time for teens to visit Israel. The impact IsraelNow has on Jewish identity will inform decisions made throughout their adolescence – from studying Hebrew to including engagement in Jewish activities and social circles in High School, college, and beyond.
Yes! While family trips to Israel are a wonderful experience to share with your children, the peer experience provides a different type of immersive educational experience, much like camps and retreats. Experiencing Israel with peers and friends opens teenagers’ hearts and minds to absorb the experience in an entirely new way, which leads to a long-term impact on their Jewish identity.
IsraelNow trip staff comprises healthcare professionals and a combination of local synagogue clergy, educators, community program youth professionals and staff. All IsraelNow staff participate in extensive training on safety protocols, adolescent development, Israel education, and more.
IsraelNow commissioned Rosov Consulting to conduct a study of the program’s current high school-aged alumni— including a comparison group of local teens— to explore the longer-term impact produced by the trip. Please click here to view.
From continued Jewish education to community involvement, there are many ways to stay involved and connected after returning from Israel! Please visit your community trip page to learn about these opportunities.
- Families will receive updates from IsraelNow through text notifications and emails on the progress and activities of the experience from departure to return home.
- An emergency phone number will be provided to families prior to departure. To allow for a fully immersive experience, teens are not permitted to bring cell phones on the trip.
- Passport (must be valid for at least six months from trip return date)
- Health Insurance Card (front and back)
- Health History (to be completed by participant’s parent or guardian)
- Physician’s Exam & Immunization Records (to be completed by participant’s physician)
- If indicated, a mental health form (to be completed by the treating clinician)
- Photo of Teen
- Personal Profile “About Me!” (to be completed by the participant)
- Letter of recommendation from an adult who knows your child well, for example:
- Synagogue Rabbi
- Education Director
- Hebrew School Teacher
- Middle School Teacher
- Camp Counselor
- Coach
- Youth Director
- Both in advance and once on the ground IsraelNow partners with an Israeli company to provide security throughout the experience.
- All IsraelNow groups are divided into buses and will always be escorted by several staff members, a Tour Educator, at least one security guard, and a bus driver at all times.
- Our travel partner in Israel is in contact with Israel’s leading field trip advisory organization – Moked Teva (AKA “Situation Room”)
- The Situation Room consults with the Israel Defense Force, police, education ministry, and other agencies as needed. We take full direction from them regarding possible modifications to the itinerary.
- We will never compromise on security and have always been and will continue to be responsive to even mild concerns.
The health and safety of all participants is our highest priority. Each teen has the benefit of:
- A mishpacha (family) comprised of teen participants with a staff member who is responsible for their health, safety and educational experience
- At least two doctor on every trip
- A mental health professional on every bus
- A security guard on each bus
- Local educators and communal professionals
- A tour educator, licensed by the Israeli government, on each bus
- IsraelNow will not travel to Israel if there remains an active state of war. As of now, we remain hopeful that the war will end and stability will return to the region, allowing our program to run uninterrupted.
- We continue to monitor the situation, including US State Department guidance, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, Airline policies, and our internal partners on the ground in Israel to get regular updates.
IsraelNow continually monitors healthcare developments from the CDC, states, local regulatory bodies, our own healthcare advisors and from authorities in Israel. Protocols will be updated as required.
Achieving our core outcomes of broadening peer networks, strengthening Jewish Identity, and building relationships with Israel can only happen if we are confident that individual safety and public health remain at the center of our decision-making. We appreciate your understanding and compliance with this policy. Failure to do so will result in the applicant being denied participation on the trip. These guidelines follow the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
REQUIRED VACCINATIONS (routine schedule)
- Tdap – One dose at 11–12 years (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)
- MMR (Measles–Mumps–Rubella) – Two documented doses after 1st birthday (critical because of global and regional measles activity)
- Seasonal Influenza – Annual flu vaccine is required for everyone; especially important for travel and group settings.
- Polio (IPV) – Completed childhood series (usually 4 doses, with one on or after age 4), due to global and regional polio concerns
RECOMMENDED VACCINATIONS:
- COVID‑19 Vaccine – An age‑appropriate, up‑to‑date COVID‑19 dose is recommended for adolescents, particularly before international travel.
- Hepatitis A and B (Program expectation) – Recommended for most travelers to Israel because of possible food and water exposure.
Exceptions to this policy are granted only in limited circumstances where there is a substantiated and significant risk of severe harm to an individual if the vaccine is administered.
To qualify for an exemption, the participant must provide appropriate documentation from a licensed physician who has examined the patient demonstrating that vaccination is medically contraindicated due to the potential for serious adverse effects. Each request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with established medical guidelines.
IsraelNow travels with doctors and mental health clinicians from our communities. For trips to Israel, we also take out health insurance for all our participants, have an Israeli medic on every bus, and full access to the Israeli healthcare system.
Our staffing structure includes Mishpacha leaders (small group leaders), bus captains, Israeli tour educators, doctors, mental health clinicians, and full time IsraelNow employees.
Our staff members must have a passion for working with teens, for Israel, and for the Jewish people. Most have a background in Jewish education, formal and/or experiential (federation employees, clergy, teachers, camp counselors, youth group advisors, synagogue professionals etc.) Our staff are mentors and educators who can support teens from diverse backgrounds in a pluralistic setting.
We have a comprehensive job description and intentionally bring trip staff that can engage 8th graders and bring the itinerary to life. We seek staff that can help participants to remain connected and involved in community post trip participation.
Applicants apply through our website and are interviewed by an employee of the local federation. Before being hired, trip staff submit to a background check.
IsraelNow provides training for our trip staff to prepare them for the experience. This training includes preparation for our itinerary and reflection sessions, best practices in supporting 8th graders, and ongoing professional development. All IsraelNow staff are also trained on safety protocols, adolescent development, Israel education and much more.
If you would like to staff a trip with IsraelNow as a Mishpacha Leader, Doctor or Mental Health Professional, please email Sam Rodin at samuel[email protected].