Israel Quest

Israel Quest is a need-based grant program that strives to enhance a teen’s connection to the Jewish community, Israel, and other Jewish teens. Israel Quest encourages teens to stay engaged through Jewish education and social programming to build this connection. Israel Quest provides funding to teens who meet the required criteria for trips that meet the guidelines set by Israel Quest (at the time of the trip). Israel Quest is not a trip provider.

Approved Israel trips are those that meet the current guidelines for Israel Quest at the time a teen is ready to travel to Israel: (1) teen trips must provide a formative Jewish identity educational experience with significant travel throughout the country; (2) the itinerary and activities of qualifying programs must offer participants a well-rounded exposure to the land, its cities, history and historic sites, society, and culture; (3) a trip may include other destinations in addition to spending specified time in Israel; however, only trips with a minimum of 21 days spent in Israel qualify for funding; and (4) family, day school, and congregational family trips are not approved trips.

The deadline to apply for an IQ grant is Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Applications are rolling and grants are administered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Funds are limited; we encourage you to submit an application as soon as possible to secure your grant before all funds are awarded.

Teens can apply for funding under the Israel Quest grant eligibility criteria for that program year. However, funds are limited and we strongly recommend you submit an IQ grant application early. Once all the funding has been awarded, additional Israel Quest grant applicants will not be able to receive funding.

Approved Israel trips are those that meet the current guidelines for Israel Quest at the time a teen is ready to travel to Israel. Teen trips must provide a formative Jewish identity educational experience with significant travel throughout the country. The itinerary and activities of qualifying programs must offer participants a well-rounded exposure to the land, its cities, history and historic sites, society and culture. A trip may include other destinations in addition to spending specified time in Israel, however only days spent in Israel qualify for funding. Family, day school and congregational family trips are not approved trips.

Trips funded last year include:

NCSY Hatzalah Rescue
BBYO ILSI – International leadership Seminar in Israel
Emma Kaufman Camp SIT Israel Experience
NCSY Euro 4G 2023
NCSY TJJ AP
NCSY Next Step
Mach Hach BaAretz
NCSY Israel ID
Ramah Seminar
Camp Harlam/NFTY in Israel
Michlelet NCSY
NFTY L’dor Vador National Session 1
NFTY ADVENTURE – ISRAEL
NCSY Kollel
NCSY Next Step + Kollel
Tichon Ramah Yerushalayim
URJ Heller High School in Israel
Havayah Israel
Camp Yavneh Na’aleh
Alexander Muss High School in Israel

The Israel Quest grant application can be found on our website, or by contacting The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington at 301-348-7330 or  IsraelQuest@shalomdc.org.

Israel Quest funding can be used during 9^th – 12^th grade or the summer thereafter. Year-course programs after high school graduation and programs beginning in the fall following 12^th grade are not eligible.

Yes, Israel Quest funding may be available to local Jewish teens regardless of prior travel to Israel. However, a teen can only use Israel Quest funding one time. Funding is once per teen, not once per family.

Students who attend Jewish day school are eligible to receive IQ funding for travel to Israel providing it’s not a trip that is part of the academic curriculum (e.g., CESJDS’s semester trip) and that meets the trip guidelines.

In the event your trip is canceled, you are expected to cooperate, if needed, to secure a refund from the trip provider back to Federation. Afterwards, you may reapply for IQ funding if you are able to secure a new trip for the 2025 summer that is similar in nature and length. Funds may not be designated for a future summer trip.

If you withdraw from or leave the trip early for any reason, or if you are discharged from the trip, Israel Quest must be notified immediately. Please email us or call 301-348-7330. Please note that Israel Quest funding you have already received must be reimbursed to the Jewish Community Foundation. It is your and your family’s responsibility to work with the trip provider to ensure all funds are returned in a timely manner so that Israel Quest funding is available to other applicants.

Federation is not responsible for conducting or managing the trip arrangements or providing oversight. Its role is solely to offer IQ funding.

Once your application has been approved and we have received your signed liability waiver, Federation will send the funds directly to your trip provider. Please submit your application at least a month prior to when the final payment is due by your trip provider to allow time for payment processing and timely payment to your trip provider. Otherwise, you may incur additional charges from your trip provider, to cover the delayed funds.