Joyce Zeff Israel Study Tour

JEWISHcolorado’s Joyce Zeff Endowment Fund provides $1000 per participant. To receive this money, check the box while filling out your CampMinder application

As in years past, JEWISHcolorado is once again applying for funding from RootOne LLC., an organization aimed at helping teens travel to and experience Israel. RootOne may help offset costs for eligible trip participants only. JEWISHcolorado is actively applying for our RootOne grant, and we encourage you to take part today! Learn more at RootOne.org and be in touch with us (RootOne) directly with any questions. (Note, Vouchers are subject to participant eligibility and are not guaranteed. JEWISHcolorado’s prior RootOne funding is no guarantee of future funding.) You can apply for your RootOne Voucher here. 

Synagogue Scholarships. To receive this money, you will reach out directly to your Synagogue 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

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^st.

FACT’s application will be open from September 15^th – December 1^st.

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

Jewish teens or teens who are connected to the Colorado Jewish community and who are currently juniors in high school.

IST 2023 price is $9,950 per person for registration. Register before November 1^st, 2022 to receive early bird pricing of $9,850. Outstanding balances must be paid in full on or before April 5, 2023.

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

• 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

Visit http://www.jewishcolorado.org/joyce-zeff-israel-study-tour, 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.

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 non-refundable deposit. All remaining payments can be made in 4 payments or 3 payments starting in January or February.

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

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, 2023.

**$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 deposit is received by JEWISHcolorado.

February 1, 2023 is the last day to cancel and receive a full refund, less the $500 non-refundable registration fee. From February 2 – April 5, 2023 families may cancel their registration, but will not be refunded any fees already paid for IST. Beginning April 5, 2023, 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.

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 prior to final payment.

View the IST 2023 Itinerary.

(This itinerary only shows daily highlights and is subject to change.) 

Gadna (Israeli Army Experience): A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about the Israel Defense Force (IDF) and experience an Israeli army base. Wear a uniform, learn about different IDF jobs, gain experience in team building, and participate in boot camp. Are you up for the challenge? See just how many push-ups you can do and become part of a cohesive IST unit.

Volunteering: Groups volunteer in communities in the northern region of Israel. Past activities have included working at a food distribution center, interacting with adults with disabilities, creating murals for schools, building eco-friendly facilities, working on an agricultural farm, playing with animals at a shelter, and more.

Sea-to-Sea Hike: A three-and-a-half day, twenty-five-mile hike from the Mediterranean Sea to the Sea of Galilee. Explore nature, camp under the stars, get a little dirty, and create lifelong friendships and memories.

You can view the packing list here.

Yes! We host programs prior to the trip and send the dates to each participant. Pre-trip programming happens once a month prior to departure starting in October. Pre-trip programs are part of the requirement to receive your $3000 RootOne voucher.

Dates for Pre-Trip Programs for participants

February 23^rd

March 12^th

April 18^th

April 27^th

May 12^th – Family Shabbat

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.

Teens do not need cell phone service. In past years, about half of our ISTers have opted to have service; the rest rely on Wi-Fi to use their phones. We will send information on how to purchase an Israeli SIM card closer to departure. For a SIM card to work, your phone must be unlocked by your cell phone provider.

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.

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.

IST teens have an opportunity to stay with friends or family in Israel. Host families pick the teens up from designated locations to be determined prior to the trip. Hosts must be over the age of 21 and be able to provide a bed for any participant(s) that stay with them, as well as meals throughout the weekend.

Dates: Afternoon July 6^th – Morning July 9^th

If an IST teen does not have a place to stay, we will make arrangements to house them in JEWISHcolorado’s partner region Ramat HaNegev, where they can relax by the pool, meet Israeli teens, and enjoy life on a kibbutz.