Passport to Israel

Temple Israel and the Passport to Israel Program

A Savings Plan for the Experience of a Lifetime

 

What is the Myra and Robert Kraft Passport to Israel program?
Passport to Israel is a unique savings plan to help parents send their children on a life-changing teen trip to Israel. You contribute money to a fund for your child, which will be matched in part by Combined Jewish Philanthropies and Temple Israel. Children can enroll in their third or seventh grade year.

Why enroll in Passport to Israel?
Passport to Israel encourages and enables our students to participate in a high school experience in Israel by helping them save for the trip over the next 4 or 8 years.  Temple Israel views such an experience as being an invaluable part of your child's Jewish education.  Participation in the program is a win-win situation.  The long-term investment will result in participation in a summer or longer-term trip to Israel that will make an indelible impact on their lives. 

Who is eligible?
Any child in third or seventh grade enrolled in a formal Jewish education program whose family is a member of Temple Israel.  In order to receive the full CJP and congregational contributions, a student must be continuously enrolled in a program of Jewish education through Grade 10.

How much are the contributions?


The contribution for the regular eight-year program (beginning in 3rd grade) is:
- $125 per year for 8 years = from your family
- $75 per year for 8 years = from Temple Israel
- $700 from CJP ~ which will be contributed at the end of the program

The contribution of the four-year option (beginning in 7th grade) is:
- $325 per year for 4 years = from your family
- $75 per year for 4 years = from Temple Israel
- $700 from CJP ~ which will be contributed at the end of the program

How much money will the fund be worth by the end of 10th grade?
Based on current economic conditions, contributions plus interest should total approximately $2,500 for eight-year participants and $2,400 for four-year participants.

When can my child travel on a Passport to Israel-supported trip?
Teens can use their Passport funds anytime after 10th grade and before college.

Will the accumulated amount pay for the entire trip?
No, but it is a good start towards saving for a program. Closer to the trip, you can also apply for scholarships from the program your child has chosen, your congregation, CJP and national organizations.

What kinds of trips qualify for the Passport to Israel funds?
The money may be used for any post-10th grade Israel trip of four weeks or longer approved by your congregation's Passport to Israel Committee.

What if my family leaves Temple Israel or my child decides not to go on an Israel trip?
You will receive a full refund of all of your contributions to the fund. Any interest will remain with the Passport fund. If your child transfers to another participating congregation, he/she may continue in the program with the new congregation.

How do I know when to send in my yearly contribution?
Each family participating in the program will receive a yearly bill from the Temple Israel Education office.  Bills are normally sent out in late January to early February.

What do I do when it's time to have the money we've saved applied to the program our family has chosen?
Once you have applied and been accepted to a Temple Israel approved Israel program, you only need to contact Naomi Sobel in the Education office.  She will make the arrangements to have your contributions, the Temple's contributions and the CJP contribution sent to the program you have chosen.

How is the program supported at Temple Israel?
The Sherman family, through the George and Beatrice Sherman Family Charitable Trust, has enabled Temple Israel to participate in this savings program.  Their constant support is greatly appreciated.