• 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 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.

• 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

We are optimistic that it will be safe for our 2024-2025 trips to run as scheduled. We are always evaluating security and will communicate with our families directly about any updates or changes to the trip. 

If travel to Israel is not possible due to the security situation, we are prepared to pivot to an alternative, meaningful and rich experience, as we did in February and March of 2024. 

The security, health, and overall well-being of participants is always our top priority. 

• 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, Tour Educators, 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.  

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.

The health and safety of all participants is our highest priority. Each teen has the benefit of:

• A mishpacha (family) of students with a staff member responsible for their health, safety and educational experience
• A doctor on each bus
• A behavioral healthcare professional
• A security guard on each bus 
• Local educators and communal professionals
• A tour educator, licensed by the Israeli government, on each bus

• 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.

IsraelNow continually monitors COVID-19 developments from the CDC, states, and local regulatory bodies and from authorities in Israel. Protocols will be updated as required.

Per current CDC guidelines, IsraelNow strongly recommends staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines which significantly lowers the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, or death from COVID-19.

CDC recommends that everyone over the age of 5 should have at least 1 of the newest bivalent booster vaccines. INEF reserves the right to expand on our vaccination policy.

This information will be updated closer to the trip departure date. 

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.