For Israel & Oversees
Passport to Israel
Passport to Israel is a savings investment incentive program that helps families plan ahead and make it easier for their child to participate in a life-changing educational trip to Israel.
Traveling to Israel as a teen or young adult is a powerful way to build Jewish identity, strengthen personal connections, and deepen understanding of Jewish life around the world. Jewish Federation is committed to helping families and students make these experiences accessible, through long-term savings and direct financial support. Passport to Israel helps families plan for this experience for their child.
Passport to Israel
Start saving early. We’ll help you get there.
Passport to Israel is a savings investment incentive program to help families plan ahead and make it easier for your child to participate in a life-changing educational trip to Israel as a teen or young adult. These trips are not just travel, they are meaningful journeys that build Jewish identity, connection to Israel, and lifelong friendships.
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Who it’s for: Jewish students in grades 3–10
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How it works: The Jewish Federation of St. Louis will contribute $200 per year, for up to eight years, when families and participating congregations contribute a combined minimum of $200 annually to a dedicated Israel savings fund.
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What it funds: The program supports participation in a peer-based educational experience from the completion of 9th grade through age 26.
Passport to Israel
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Do These Outside Matching Sources Come From?
The Jewish Federation of St. Louis provides the matching for up to eight years of contributions.
Partial or matching funds may also be available from participating congregations.
Who is Eligible to Enroll?
All Jewish students in grades 3rd-8th are eligible to enroll in Passport to Israel.
How Does It Work?
- Jewish Federation of St. Louis will earmark $200 a year, for up to a maximum of eight years, when families and participating congregations contribute a combined minimum yearly total of $200 to a special Israel savings fund.
- Families that participate the full eight years will receive an additional $360 bringing the total saved to over $3,500 for an educational Israel experience.
- Additional gift deposits can be put into a participant’s account by family and/or friends.
- All contributions to a child’s Passport to Israel account will be invested by Jewish Federation of St. Louis.
- Families will receive reports annually on the status of their accounts.
- Jewish Federation and synagogue matching funds cannot be transferred from one family member to another family member.
When Can Passport Funds Be Used?
Students are eligible to use their Passport funds on educational peer-based Israel program upon the conclusion of 9th grade through age 26.
What happens if we withdraw from the program?
Families may withdraw at any time without losing their initial contribution. Upon withdrawing, a family forfeits its rights to the contributions of Jewish Federation of St. Louis, congregation and all accrued earnings.
What happens if we discontinue congregation membership and join another congregation?
The congregation’s contributions from the previous years remain in the child’s account. You may continue in the program pursuant to the terms agreed upon by the new congregation. Savings cannot be transferred from one family member to another family member.
What happens if we move out of town?
The account can remain open until the participant is ready to go to Israel. Although no additional matching fund can be added to the account, it will continue to accumulate interest.
I would like to use my Passport to Israel Funds
When you are ready to use ALL OF your Passport to Israel savings for an approved program in Israel, please complete this form. If you are using only a portion of the funds, contact Karen Rader at KRader@jfedstl.org or 314-442-3756.
What are the allowable expenses and reimbursements?
Post High School Participants
Birthright Israel Participants:
If you are participating in a Birthright Israel trip, your Passport to Israel funds can be used for the following:
- Domestic airfare or transportation expenses to gateway departure city
- Luggage fee, if applicable
- $250 stipend to cover miscellaneous expenses (i.e. tip for guide and meals not covered on the trip)
Forward the e-ticket to Karen Rader at krader@jfedstl.org along with who the check should be made payable to and the correct mailing address.
Onward Israel Participants:
If you are participating on an Onward Israel summer program, your Passport to Israel funds can be used for the following:
- Tuition
- Airfare to Israel
- Luggage fee, if applicable
- $300 stipend to supplement funds allocated by the program
- Change flight fee if you are participating on Birthright Israel
- Forward the e-ticket to Karen Rader at krader@jfedstl.org along with who the check should be made payable to and the correct mailing address.
Post-Birthright Travel:
Passport to Israel funds can be used for the following:
- Airfare to Israel
- Meals (excluding liquor)
- Hotels/Hostels (up to $200 per day)
- Transportation in Israel
- Travel insurance
- Entrance fees to museums
- Extension fees (applies to Birthright participants)
Passport to Israel funds cannot be used for the following:
- Personal purchases or gifts for friends/family
- Cell phone rental and usage
- Internet charges
- Liquor
Reimbursement:
- Airfare can be reimbursed prior to the trip. Forward the eticket to Karen Rader at krader@jfedstl.org.
- All other expenses will be reimbursed upon your return. A detailed summary of expenses along with copies of all receipts will be needed for reimbursement. If you are traveling with someone, it is not necessary to get a separate receipt. The total bill will be divided by the number of people on the receipt unless otherwise noted.
