This one-time IsraelNow high school experience is open to Jewish teens living in the metropolitan Chicago area. Priority will be given to those who were registered for an IsraelNow 8th grade trip that was canceled during the 2024, 2025, or March 2026 program years.

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 $2,800.

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 20th. (Please also see our cancellation policy).

Chicago’s IsraelNow High School Make Up Trip, 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.  Information about applying these resources and submitting a financial aid application will be provided during the registration process.

IsraelNow Chicago collects a $500 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.

• A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to secure a participant’s spot.
• If a family cancels on or before October 20, 2026, all payments made beyond the $500 deposit will be refunded.
• If a family cancels after October 20, 2026, no refunds will be issued.
• If IsraelNow Chicago cancels the trip for any reason, families will receive a full refund of all payments made, including the deposit.

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• Yes! There will be two pre-trip orientations. You will find the specifics dates after registration. Parents/ guardians are expected to attend the second orientation.

While this program is designed specifically for high school students, it will align closely with the traditional IsraelNow model and core outcomes, including:

• Broadening Jewish peer networks
• Strengthening Jewish self-confidence and Jewish identity
• Building meaningful relationships with Israel and Israelis

As a one-time offering, this experience is intended to provide eligible teens with the IsraelNow opportunity they missed during middle school.

Participants will travel in Mishpacha (family) groups, with an approximate ratio of 1 staff member for every 10 teens. This staffing model allows for meaningful relationship-building, personalized support, and close supervision throughout the experience. In addition, our buses will have an IsraelNow bus captain, an Israeli tour educator, an armed guard and a clinician.

No, this is a one-time opportunity for teens who were registered for IsraelNow trips that were cancelled due to the October 7 attack and the following conflicts.

If your teen is unable to attend this onetime trip, but is interested in Israel travel, please reach out to [email protected] for other opportunities.

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