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Teens : Israel Experience Center

Things to consider when choosing an Israel Trip Summer Programs
High School Academic Programs Post High School Programs
Links to Teen Programs in Israel  Links to Grants Passport to Israel
Support Israel Israel Teen Fellows  Attractive Land Israel 30'X13' Floor Map
18'x6' Flat Vinyl Israel Floor Map

DOWNLOAD BROCHURE   pdf file

Teen Israel Expereince Save a Summer for Israel CAJE St. Louis

 

Things to Consider When Choosing
A Teen Israel Experience

Sponsor and Program Philosophy

  • What organization sponsors this program? What is the sponsor's primary mission and philosophy?
  • What are the sponsor's "teaching objectives" for the program? What components of the itinerary and other aspects of the program are designed to accomplish these objectives?
  • How comfortable am I with this sponsor?

CAJE St. Louis Teen Health and Safety - Trip to IsraelHealth and Safety

  • What kind of medical services are available?
  • What provisions are made to accommodate individuals with disabilities or chronic conditions?
  • Is any special insurance coverage needed or advisable?
  • How are emergencies handled? How are parents contacted?
  • What safety standards do subcontractors like bus companies meet?
  • What arrangements are made to ensure security?
  • What modes of travel, other than bus, are used?

Religious Observance

  • Is kosher food always available? Required? (Are there vegetarian menu options?) Are all food arrangements handled by the program?
  • What is the level of religious observance? How are Shabbat and other holidays observed?
  • What are the arrangements and expectations regarding prayer?
  • Are there opportunities to attend services in settings compatible with participants' background and practice?
  • Are participants exposed to diverse cultures and approaches to Judaism?

Program Rules

  • What are program policies on alcohol, drugs, physical intimacy, smoking, and being away from the group during time that is not "free"?
  • Under what circumstances are participants sent home?

Keeping in Touch with Home

  • Does the program have offices in the U.S. and Israel for easy communication with parents?
  • How do parents contact participants if there is an emergency at home?
  • How does the program communicate with parents during the trip? How are participants encouraged to communicate with parents?
  • If participants have friends or relatives in Israel, can arrangements be made for getting together?

The Group

  • What is the age range of participants?
  • How many participants (and groups of participants) are in the program? In each group? Where do most participants come from? New York? Nationwide? International?
  • Is everyone from similar religious and ideological backgrounds?
  • Are men and women together or separated?

Staffing

  • What is the staff/participant ratio?
  • Will a tour educator travel with the group?
  • How have counselors, tour guides or tour educators been trained?

Itinerary

  • What sites are visited in Israel?
  • Will the group go to the West Bank? Jordan?
  • Does the trip include travel to Eastern Europe?
  • What makes this trip special? The arts..science..archaeology..sports..outdoor adventure..intellectual challenge..leadership development?
  • Does everyone stay together, or are there options for small groups/individual choices?
  • Are there formal classes? Scholars-in-residence? Special speakers?
  • Does the program include volunteer work experiences? What kind? For what portion of the trip?
  • Does the group spend time with Israeli teens? Israel families? New immigrants?
  • How are evenings programmed?
  • Is there free time? How much? Where? Will it be supervised?

Accommodations

  • What is the program's home base? Are there overnights away? Where and for how long?
  • In what types of facilities is the group housed?
  • Do participants have single rooms? Doubles? More than two to a room? How are roommates selected?
  • Is there home hospitality?

Other Important Things to Know

  • What is the complete cost of the program (air, land arrangements, special fees, recommended spending money)?
  • Is financial aid available from the program or sponsoring movement?
  • What is the screening process for applicants?
  • Is the program sensitive to the needs (cultural and other) of all teens, including New Americans?
  • Can I get names and phone numbers of trip alumni in my area, so I can call and ask about the program?
  • What kind of pre- or post-trip programming does the program sponsor offer? Is pre-trip study or follow-up activity required?

Israel Teen Fellows

2011
Israel Teen Fellows

From Left:  Jacob Weisman, Alyssa Guller, Ethan Lang, Isabella Russo, Samantha Weil and Jacueline Elkin

View photos of latest Israel learning experience (dancing with Rachel Armosa)

Related article in Jewishinstlouis

Six St. Louis teens went to Israel during the summer 2011 after receiving merit-based Israel scholarships. CAJE calls this group Israel Teen Fellows.  To prepare for their trip, teens learn about cultures that contribute to the makeup of Israel's society through dance, food, music and discussion. 

Recipients of the 2011 Israel Teen Fellows  Award are Jacqueline Elkin, Alyssa Guller, Ethan Lang, Isabella Russo, Samantha Weil and Jacob Weisman.

The merit-based funds complement the existing Israel teen scholarship program that is administered by CAJE and funded by the Jewish Federation of St. Louis.

Merit-Based Scholarship Information

The following is a selection of Israel Experience programs that teens from
St. Louis have attended in the past.

Summer Programs

Discover Israel during the summer months.  There are over one hundred trips to choose from that range in length from 3-8 weeks.  Are you interested in the arts, sports, volunteering?  There’s a trip that’s just right for you.  Explore the endless possibilities for spending an unforgettable summer in Israel.

Click here veiw information about these Summer Programs
on our web site.

High School Academic Programs

Continue your academic studies as you experience your "classroom without walls," the land of Israel.  Over five thousand years of history will come alive as you travel throughout the country with this hands-on approach to learning.  Half and full semester options are available. 

Explore Israel for either 8 or 16 weeks during the school year.  In addition to completing regular course work, these fully accredited high school programs will immerse each student in the culture and history of Israel.  The entire country becomes your classroom.   

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Post High School Programs

Consider spending a year in Israel while earning college credit.  Take a semester or year in Israel and take back more than just memories.  Nothing else can put a lifetime of Jewish education into context as well as a long-term Israel program in which participants can unpack their bags, study, volunteer and experience the country in an authentic, genuine way. 

Visit www.masaisrael.org for information on the myriad of opportunities available to post high school students.  Project Masa is a joint initiative of The Jewish Agency for Israel and the Government of Israel.  Masa provides need-based scholarship funds for long-term programs in Israel.  Visit their web site for additional information

An Israel Experience is a journey that lasts a lifetime! The Israel Experience Center is a resource for Jewish teens, families, educators and the entire Jewish community.

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The Israel Experience Center provides:

Funding Opportunities for St. Louis Area Teens

•  Scholarships for St. Louis Jewish teens needing financial assistance are
    available through a generous grant from the Sam, Charles and Mamie Rich
    Education Fund of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis

•  Participation in the Passport to Israel Saving Plan

•  Brochures and applications for a wide variety of teen programs

•  In-house experts to answer questions about all aspects of the Israel
    experience for teens

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR ST. LOUIS AREA TEENS

Education

•   Variety of educational programs and workshops for youth, teens,
     families, adults and teachers

•   Teaching resources that include: videos, games, curricula, text
     books, stickers, posters, maps and more

•   CAJE consultants who will present a variety of Israel educational
     programs for all ages

•   Attractive Land super size floor map of Israel

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Links to Teen Programs in Israel

Israel – What an Experience!

There are a myriad of ways to “experience” Israel – hiking and rafting in the Galilee, camping in the desert, visiting the old city of Jerusalem, working on a kibbutz, climbing Masada, placing a message in the Kotel – and much, much more! Contact the Israel Experience Center for information about the wide variety of Israel Experience programs for teens or go to www.jewishagency.org (click Israel Experience on the left side) to learn about all the available short term programs.

Also check the Complete Guide to the Israel Experience web site for a full listing of teen and college programs in Israel.

For more information about the Israel Experience Center, contact Karen Rader at (314) 442-3756 or krader@cajestl.org.

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Links to Grants

Grants are also available for Israel experience programs. For more information about these grants you can contact Karen Rader at (314) 442-3756 or krader@cajestl.org.

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Passport to Israel

We can help you start saving now for your child’s teen Israel experience. Now is the time to enroll in Passport to Israel, a savings plan that helps you save money for the journey that lasts a lifetime.

Passport to Israel ...
•   enables your high school students to have an Israel experience as part of their Jewish education.

•   is a cooperative program of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, congregations, and families, with each congregation determining its own level of financial support.

•   allows matching funds to be contributed from third until tenth grade. Federation will earmark $100 a year, up to a maximum of eight years, while families and congregations will contribute a combined minimum total of $200 each year to a special Israel trip fund.

•   helps families accumulate a minimum of $3,000 over an eight-year period of contribution. Additional “gift deposits” can increase that amount.

Even at the age of nine, your child will begin to develop a connection to Israel by looking forward to receiving this extraordinary gift.

Application: Passport to Israel is administered through the St. Louis Israel Experience Center of the Central Agency for Jewish Education.

 

Read more about PASSPORT TO ISRAEL.

 

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WE HAVE TWO LARGE MAPS OF ISRAEL
AVAILABLE FOR LOAN

"Attractive Land" Israel Super-Map

A 380 square foot Israel "Attractive Land" super-map is available for
groups to use as part of their educational activities about Israel.

CAJE St. Louis Huge Super Map of Israel

CAJE St. Louis Israel Super-Map

The huge 30' x 15' (380 sq. foot) floor map of Israel emphasizes the connection between the participant, the land and the people of Israel. The vivid color of the map details many significant religious and historical sites as well as details Israel's attractions, current events, and geography.

The Attractive Land map is an excellent tool that provides a perfect starting-point for Israeli history, Bible studies as well as current events, trips, and more. The map folds easily into a rolling duffle bag for transportation.


Attractive Land is a versatile activity kit that transforms community activities into a shared educational experience.  Offering a wide range of educational activities, Attractive Land enriches the enjoyment and knowledge of Israel for communities and classroom participants. Most games and activities are available.

(Click on activities below to see the variety
of games and activities  to use with the map.)

CAJE St. Louis Israel Super Size Floor Map

CAJE St. Louis Israel Super-Map

CAJE St. Louis Game Poster to use with Israel Super-Map

For further information about this map, please
contact Karen Rader at (314) 442-3756 or krader@cajestl.org.
18' x 6' Flat Vinyl Map of Israel

We have an 18'x6' flat vinyl Israel map available for groups to use as part of their educational activities about Israel.

For further information about this map, please contact Karen Rader at
(314) 442-3756 or krader@cajestl.org.

 

Support to Israel

There are many ways to support Israel. Click here to find out about various Educational Sites, Israeli Products and Advocacy opportunities that can assist you find ways to support the State of Israel.

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