Gift of Israel | Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund

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INVITE YOUR FRIENDS

Supporting teen trips to Israel, providing memories to last a lifetime

If you have been thinking about an Israel trip for your daughter or son but have been concerned about the cost, then you should know about the Gift of Israel Program. A cooperative program designed to enhance Jewish continuity and foster love for Israel & the Jewish People, the Gift Of Israel program involves your family, our Congregation and the Jewish Community Federation in making your teen’s Israel trip more affordable.

How Gift of Israel works

Once a child is enrolled in the Gift of Israel program, each of the partners (you, your synagogue, and the Jewish Community Federation) sets aside a minimum dollar amount for a specified number of years. When your child is ready to take his or her teen trip to Israel, you will have sizable savings to help underwrite the cost of that trip.

The Plan

There are two entry points to the Gift of Israel program: Your child’s third grade and seventh grade years in school. We do hold open enrollment, you can sign up between 3-7^th grade and your matching funds will be pro-rated accordingly.

Once you enter the program, contributions continue through 10th grade, as described below.

Third-grade enrollment
(Eight year savings program)

Seventh-grade enrollment
(Four year savings program)

Annual contribution

Family $150 $250

Jewish Community Federation $125 $250

Particpating Synogogue $50 $50

TOTAL Saved $2600 $2000

The Gift of Israel operates on a fiscal year running from July 1 to June 30. Annual contributions can be made in installments throughout the year, but must be completed by May 31 of that same year. Each family must meet the minimum yearly contribution ($150 for third-grade enrollment, $250 for seventh-grade enrollment) to be eligible for synagogue and Federation contributions.

Eligibility

Any child enrolled in Sunday school, Hebrew school, day school, or another approved course of Jewish studies through the 10th grade and lives within the area covered by the JCF (San Francisco, Marin County, Sonoma County, and the Peninsula north of Sunnyvale) is eligible to participate in this program.

Participating synagogues

Congregation B'nai Emunah

Congregation Beth Am

Congregation Beth Ami

Congregation Beth Israel Judea

Congregation Beth Sholom

Congregation Etz Chayim

Congregation Emanu El

Congregation Kol Emeth

Congregation Kol Shofar

Congregation Rodef Sholom

Congregation Sherith Israel

Congregation Shomrei Torah

Congregation Sha'ar Zahav

Jewish Congregation of the San Geronimo Valley

Peninsula Sinai Congregation

Peninsula Temple Beth El

Peninsula Temple Sholom

Temple Beth Jacob

If you do not belong to a participating synagogue but your child is enrolled in a qualified program of Jewish studies, he or she may enroll in this program. You will receive the Federation contribution, but not a synagogue contribution when you make your family contribution.

If you are a synagogue that would like to learn more about the Gift of Israel program please contact our office at 415.369.2873

Claiming your Gift

Synagogue and Federation contributions may be applied towards an approved Israel Experience trip any time between your child’s eight grade and freshman year of college.

An approved Israel trip must be educational in nature, and for a peer group of young people who travel, learn, and experience together. It must be staffed by qualified personnel and structured with a predetermined itinerary. When a trip is selected, please advise the Gift of Israel office at the Federation. Synagogue and Federation contributions are sent directly to the trip provider upon proof of the student’s intended participation in the trip.

Closing your account

You and your family are the exclusive owners of all funds deposited in your Gift of Israel Signature Bank account. If your child withdraws from the program without going on an Israel Experience trip, your contributions to the bank account will be refunded to you. You will not receive the synagogue or Federation contributions.

Donation of Federation contribution

If you do not need the Federation’s Gift of Israel contribution in order to send your child to Israel, you may donate those funds to a special Israel Experience scholarship fund for teens who need additional assistance to make this important journey.