The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester has a variety of need-based scholarships and one-time grant funds established by our generous donors to enable teens and college students to travel to Israel.
Grants are available for teens and college students meeting eligibility requirements, regardless of financial need.
Past participants have used the funding for a variety of programs such as: 8th grade IsraelNow trip, the Federation’s Journey for Identity, Camp Seneca Lake in Israel/BBYO Passport, youth group summer travel, high school study abroad, gap year and Masa internships.
Need-based scholarships are available, so don’t let the cost of a program stop you from applying!
The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester provides need-based scholarship assistance to ease the cost of a quality Israel experience for teens and college students.
All application information is confidential and reviewed by the scholarship committee without seeing names of the applicants. We generally accept scholarship applications in two cycles—near the end of the year and in the spring.
Gift of Israel Grant (For Teens and College Students)
Students between the ages of 14-25 are eligible for a one-time Gift of Israel grant of $540 from the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester.
Freddy Fund 360 Grant (for teens)
Teens between the ages of 15-19 (or in grades 9-12) are eligible for a one-time Freddy Fund 360 Grant of $360. The Freddy Fund was established by the Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation in memory of Fred Silverstein (z’’l), a founding trustee of the Farash Foundation. Fred’s passion was to provide teens with the opportunity to visit Israel.
The Freddy Fund, which provides both need-based scholarships and grants for teen travel, is one of the funds distributed by the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester for Israel travel.
All grants are provided at our discretion. Please see the list of eligibility requirements.
Note: Students applying for a need-based scholarship do not have to submit an additional application for Gift of Israel and Freddy Fund 360 grants. If you are otherwise eligible to receive a scholarship, you will also receive a grant (unless previously received).
RootOne Vouchers
Seeded by a generous grant from the Marcus Foundation, and powered by the Jewish Education Project, RootOne will provide major subsidies (called RootOne Vouchers) for trip participants.
Students entering 10th, 11th or 12th grade in the fall following their Israel journey can register for an Israel summer program with a RootOne affiliated program and receive a $3,000 RootOne Voucher to help finance their trip to Israel. These organizations can change yearly but have previously included BBYO, USY, Ramah Israel, NFTY in Israel, NCSY/JSU Summer, or other qualified summer travel programs. Eligibility requirements are found on the RootOne website.
Applying for a RootOne Voucher is done directly through the trip providers, who will send an email with a link to apply. Vouchers are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis regardless of financial need.
For more information or to find out if the Israel summer program you are interested in is eligible to provide RootOne Vouchers, click here.
Other Funding:
You may be eligible for funding through your local synagogue. Please reach out to your synagogue for details.
To Be Eligible For An Israel Grant Or Scholarship:
- The trip must be organized for students (travel, study or internships). Family travel, independent travel and Birthright trips are not eligible.
- The trip must include at least one week in Israel.
- The family of recipient must currently live in the Greater Rochester Area.
Contact Us
Eric Brandt
Director, Endowments & Planned Giving
585.241.8625
To Be Eligible For An Israel Grant Or Scholarship:
- The trip must be organized for students (travel, study or internships). Family travel, independent travel and Birthright trips are not eligible.
- The trip must include at least one week in Israel.
- The recipient must currently live in the Greater Rochester Area.
*We ask all applicants to support the Federation’s Annual Campaign at some level.*
