Joyce Zeff Israel Study Tour (IST)

Registration is Open for Summer 2025!

IST 2025: June 8-July 13, 2025

Here are a few important deadlines:

  • Register by November 1, 2024, for early bird pricing.
  • Please complete your registration as soon as possible to receive at least $4000 in scholarships and grants from JEWISHcolorado, RootOne, and synagogues. For an additional need-based scholarship, the FACTs application must be completed by December 1, 2024.
  • We can only guarantee the current price of IST until February 1st, 2025.
  • Review the Know Before You Go section for more details

Support this or any JEWISHcolorado program or initiative by using our Donation Form and choosing your preferred designation. 

For More Info

Contact us at IST@JEWISHcolorado.org

Or reach out to Jillian Feiger, Director of IST, at jfeiger@jewishcolorado.org or 303-321-1371 with any questions.

For IST Families:

Check out IST 2023’s journey to Poland and Israel!

Thank You to Our Sponsor

RootOne Logo

Know Before You Go

How do I sign my child up for IST?

Visit the CampMinder site to set up a CampMinder account, register, and get ready for the summer of a lifetime!

Registration, all payments, and trip documents must be made through the CampMinder Parent Portal.

After your deposit is paid, an additional IST Enrollment Form in CampMinder must be completed to be fully enrolled in IST 2025.

Safety & Security

The safety and security of our participants and staff is our top priority. 

We work closely with Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), Secure Community Network (SCN), FBI in Israel, Situation Room, Israel Ministry of Tourism, Authentic Israel, and others to ensure the safety of our participants and staff. In addition, there is also at least one guard/medic with us at all times.

Is there pre-trip programming?

Yes! We host programs prior to the trip and send the dates to each registered participant. Pre-trip programming happens prior to departure starting in November. Pre-trip programs build our IST community and are part of the requirement to receive your $3000 RootOne voucher.

*Participants Only*

November 7th, 2024*
December 12th, 2024*
January 9th, 2025*
February 6th, 2025*
March 13th, 2025*
April 3rd, 2025*
April 24th, 2025*
May 16th, 2024 – Family Shabbat for parents and participants

Additional programs will be added as opportunities arise. 

Exact time and location of programs will be sent via email to registered participants.

What scholarships are available to everyone?

JEWISHcolorado’s Joyce Zeff Endowment Fund provides $1000 per participant.

RootOne

As an IST 2025 participant, you will be able to to apply for the RootOne Voucher to receive $3,000 towards your overall trip cost. Voucher recipients are required to complete pre- and post-trip educational programs. See below for our pre-trip program dates. Learn more about RootOne. *Note, funds will be deducted from your invoice prior to first payments. If you do not meet RootOne requirements by May 1st for the voucher, you will need to pay JEWISHcolorado the remaining $3000 balance by May 2nd.

Synagogue Scholarships

To receive this money, you will contact your Synagogue directly to see eligibility. The money will then be sent directly to JEWISHcolorado. Upon receipt of payment, the scholarship will be credited to your IST tuition.

 

What additional scholarships are available?

FACTs applications can be filled out to qualify for additional funds that were generously donated to JEWISHcolorado for IST. To receive this money, fill out the FACTs application by December 1, 2024.

FACT’s application

Additional scholarships may be available from local Synagogues, JCC, etc. To receive this money, reach out to other local organizations and see if they have additional funds for Israel trips

**We want to ensure everyone can attend IST regardless of financial ability. Please reach out to ist@jewishcolorado.org or 303-321-1371 if you have questions about grants/scholarships**

What is the cost of IST 2025?

IST 2025 price is $9,950 per person for registration. Register before November 1, 2024 to receive early bird pricing of $9,850. Outstanding balances must be paid in full on or before April 5, 2025.

A $500 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration to guarantee your spot.

What is included in the cost of IST 2025?
  • Flights
  • Land costs (i.e., accommodation, activities, buses)
  • Health and medical insurance while on the trip
  • Three meals per day
  • Staff, including tour guides, Israeli counselors, American counselors, bus drivers, security guards, etc.
  • A full array of daily programming and activities
How do I pay for IST?

Upon registering for IST through the CampMinder application, you will pick your payment options. All payments must be made electronically through the system.

Upon registration, you will be required to pay a $500 deposit. All remaining payments will be made via the payment plan you select in the registration process.

Payments can be made via credit card (3% fee), eCheck (1% fee), or debit card (0% fee).

Is there a payment plan?

Yes. The CampMinder application will offer you a choice of payment plan and type. Payments must be paid in full on or before April 5, 2025.

Payment with Registration: $500 deposit

Final payment due by April 5: Must be paid in full**

**$100 fee will be incurred for past due payment

Program costs are subject to change and are not guaranteed until registration is complete and the deposit is received.

You will not be fully enrolled in IST until the deposit is received by JEWISHcolorado.

What if I need to withdraw from IST?

February 1, 2025 is the last day to cancel and receive a full refund, less the $500 non-refundable registration fee.

From February 2 – April 5, 2025 families may cancel their registration, but will not be refunded any fees already paid for IST.

Beginning April 5, 2025, all funds must be paid in full and are non-refundable. Participants are welcome to purchase a travel insurance policy. Insurance policies must be purchased prior to final payment and will be completely dealt with through the third-party insurance company.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance?

We recommend but do not require travel insurance. Your CampMinder account contains more information on the type of travel insurance recommended by our travel provider (under Forms). Travel insurance is through a third-party organizer, please see their terms and conditions for any information. If you purchase travel insurance, it must be purchased to cover the whole cost of the trip ($9950). Travel insurance is billed directly from and managed by the travel insurance provider. Travel insurance must be purchased within 15 days of initial deposit.

What should I pack?
How much money should my teen take to Israel? In what form?

We advise teens to allot $75-$100 for each week of travel. We recommend teens come with $100 in US dollars for exchange and a debit or credit card for the rest of their money.

Does my teen need cell phone service?

Teens are required to have cell phone service during our time in Israel. We will send information about various ways to purchase a SIM Card prior to departure. For a SIM card to work, your phone must be unlocked by your cell phone provider.

What are the accommodations like on IST?

IST teens stay in a variety of locations, including hotels, youth hostels, kibbutzim, and the wilderness (camping). Refer to the sample itinerary for previous accommodations used by IST.

What are the laundry services on IST?

We send laundry out three times during the trip. Teens receive a plastic bag for dirty laundry; clothing is returned clean and folded. Items can be shrunk or lost, so we recommend you leave your favorites at home. JEWISHcolorado and its tour provider partners are not responsible for any clothing lost or damaged by the laundry service.

Will my IST participant be able to see family while in Israel?

IST teens have an opportunity to see friends or family in Israel during designated times within our itinerary. We will let families know prior to departure when these times will occur.

 

The summer of a lifetime.

For fifty years, IST has helped young Jewish Coloradans broaden their knowledge about Israel, its neighbors, and Jewish heritage and history. ISTers have brought home souvenirs and memories. They’ve made lifelong friends and even, in some cases, met the people they would go on to marry. It’s a lifetime of learning in just five weeks.

From the Jewish quarter in Krakow to sunrise on Masada to Shabbat at the Western Wall and so much more, IST combines extraordinary adventure, exceptional leaders with years of experience, and a commitment to education and Jewish values. It’s the perfect opportunity for your teenager to become more independent, learn about themselves and Israel, and strengthen their Jewish identity.