Studies show the formative high school years are a powerful time to visit Israel with other teens, an experience that forges a lifelong bond to Israel and the Jewish people. With a wide variety of Israel programs to choose from, the staff at the CJP Israel Programs Desk can help you find the perfect match for your teen, and answer any questions about financial need-based scholarships. Want to learn more? Contact Will, Senior Israel Programs Associate, at 617-457-8556, or e-mail him at willc@cjp.org.

The Myra and Robert Kraft Passport to Israel Program

A unique savings plan to help parents send their children on a life-changing teen trip to Israel. Parents contribute money to a fund for their child, which is matched in part by CJP and the family's synagogue.  Children can enroll in the third or seventh grade.  The money can be used to help pay for a post-tenth grade Israel trip for four weeks or longer, approved by the Passport to Israel Committee of the family's congregation.  For more information, visit the Passport to Israel website.

Summer Programs

Unaffiliated Programs

Alexander Muss Institute for Israel Education
The Alexander Muss High School in Israel is a summer program, approximately seven weeks long geared to academically oriented students looking for a more intensive experience. For more information, visit www.amiie.com.

Nesiya (Kehillah Experience)
A program combining outdoor adventure, workshops in the visual, performing and literary arts, community service projects, cultural activities and creative Jewish study in Israel with Israelis. For more information, visit www.nesiya.org or call 212-951-7128.

Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) - Israel Trail Teen Adventure
A month-long program with small single-sex groups. It focuses on outdoor skills and leadership while backpacking through Israel. For more information, visit www.derechhateva.org or call 212-537-6280.

Travel4Teens (ORANIM)
Teens can choose from Israel-only programs as well as Israel programs with European extensions. For more information, visit www.travel4teens.com or call 1-888-281-1265.

Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet (Friends of the Israeli Scouts)
A joint summer teen program with the Tzofim (Israel Scouts) and Gadna, the Educational Division of the Israel Defense Forces, in cooperation with the Ministry of Absorbtion and the Jewish Agency for Israel. Teens choose English or Hebrew-speaking tracks and participate in an army training componant. For information, visit www.chetz-vkeshet.org.il or call 1-877-IL-SCOUT (457-2688).

Israel Association of Baseball Camp
A one-week summer baseball camp to be held in Israel in July for children ages 8-13. The program is designed for beginners and advanced players. Participants will play against Israeli teams. The camp is kosher and Shabbat observant, will all denominations welcomed. For more information, visit www.iab.org.il/camp06.htm or email info@israelbaseballleague.com.

Bronfman Youth Fellowship in Israel
Every year, twenty-six outstanding North American teenagers are selected for The Bronfman Youth Fellowships in Israel. The Fellows come from all over the United States and Canada, from the widest possible range of Jewish backgrounds, and are selected based on merit, and not financial need. In their five weeks together, the Fellows encounter the land and people of Israel, study Judaism and major issues in contemporary Jewish life, and learn about themselves and each other. The summer is the beginning of a long-term association for the Fellows, which continues through our extraordinarily active alumni network. High School Juniors from the United States and Canada who will be sixteen by the time the fellowship begins (June 1st) are eligible for the Fellowship. Fellowships cover round-trip transportation between New York and Israel, educational programming, and room, board and travel while in Israel. Room and board at orientation and the fall Follow-Up Seminar in New York City are also included.  For more information, visit http://www.bronfman.org.

Prozdor Community Hebrew High School
Prozdor runs an Israel trip for high school seniors who have been part of Prozdor during the year.  For more information, visit www.prozdor.org.

Havaya International
Havaya International is a 4 week long life-changing opportunity to travel like a local in both Israel and across the United States, while making a positive difference in our global village. Made up of fifteen American teens and fifteen Israeli teens, going into 10th-12th grade, Havayaniks will spend two weeks traveling throughout Israel with local Israelis from the 92nd Street Y's sister city in Ramat Hasharon and two weeks in the U.S. getting the opportunity to share their lives with their Israeli counterparts.  For more information, visit www.92y.org/Havaya

Local synagogues
A number of Boston area synagogues have developed Israel programs for their teenage populations.  For more information, please contact your temple.

University Programs

InnovationIsrael: A four-week summer experience in Israel for creative academically-oriented high school students.  Teens engage in imagination-driven courses of their choice at Tel Aviv University in the Arts and Sciences (all taught in English), and travel throughout Israel for interactive visits at many of the most innovative facilities in the world, including environmental, hi-tech, bio-tech, medical, university labs, art and film studios. They will participate in nature trips, archeological digs, visit diverse communities, enjoy cultural and beach outings, and have extraordinary opportunities to experience Israeli creativity and friendship. For more information or to request an info-session, please visit www.innovationisrael.org or call Monica Cooper at 781-862-4624.

Young@Science, the International Sunner Science Institute: A month-long program at The Weizmann Institute where you will study and explore problems in all of the sciences, including laboratory and field work in addition to touring of Israel. For more information contact the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science at 212-895-7906 or visit www.weizmann.ac.il.

Legacy Heritage Internships for Young Scientists: A program for high school juniors and seniors who are high achievers and who are interested in career discovery through hands-on scientific research, immersion into Israeli culture, and who are looking for a greater connection to their Jewish heritage and the Jewish world. For more information, please visit www.legacyheritage.org/lhiys_intro.html.

SciTech: Housed at the Technion in Haifa, SciTech is an international science and technology live-in research camp. For more information, contact 516-466-9500 or visit www.technion.ac.il/~scitech/.

Youth Movement Trips

Involvement in youth movements is not a prerequisite to participate in their Israel trips.Many groups offer "national" buses with kids from around the country, creating a fresh social environment for everyone and some offer "regional" buses for students who already know each other through theit affiliation with the group.

NFTY (Reform)
The NFTY Adventure Program is a unique and challenging four-and-a-half week summer experience created especially for teens who seek a meaningful and exciting journey to Israel filled with amazing memories and friendships which will last a lifetime. NFTY L'Dor V'Dor Exodus program includes one week in Prague and Poland and four weeks in Israel. With the Czech Republic and Poland as an introduction, teens arrive in Israel with an intimate understanding if the importance of Eretz Yisrael - the Land of Israel in our time, ready to enjoy four wonderful weeks discovering your personal connection to our people and our history. For more information, visit www.nftyisrael.org or call 212-452-6517.

USY (Conservative)
USY offers many different experiences throughout Israel and Europe for teens and parents. Students are exposed to the history and contemporary realities of Judaism and Israel. They will climb the fortress of Masada, explore the stalactite caves of Netifim, swim in the waters of the Kinneret, pray at the Kotel, and drink tea in a Bedouin tent on the sands of the Negev Desert.  For more information, visit www.usy.org/programs/escape or call 212-533-7800, ext. 2314, or the New England Region United Synagogue of Conservative Jadaism office at 617-964-8210.

Noar Hadash (Reconstructionist)
After building community together at Camp JRF, participants will travel to Israel for a month long interactive experience of the land and the people. Based on a civilizational approach, teens move through history as they find ways in which Jews have lived their lives in Israel throughout the generations. They spend time in all parts of the country climbing, swimming, singing, hiking, learning and exploring their way through the land. Participants experience Shabbat in Jerusalem, see the sunrise over Masada, participate in tikkun olam projects with their Israeli peers, marvel at the natural wonders of the land, discuss the realities of life in contemporary Israel, and connect with Reconstructionist rabbis living and working in Israel. They bring their learning back to the Reconstructionist youth community in the United States - spending Shabbat at Camp JRF to share their experiences,their stories and their excitement. For more information please visit http://noarhadash.org/Israel/index.htm or call 215-782-8500, ext. 13.

Orthodox Youth Movement Programs:
NCSY: NCSY, the National Conference of Synagogue Youth, offers a wide variety of summer programs in Israel. For information, visit www.ncsysummer.com.

Mach Hach: Bnei Akiva is a Zionist, modern Orthodox international youth movement. For more information please visit www.bneiakiva.org/programs/machhach.

Achva: Part of the National Council of Young Israel movement, Achva includes a number of summer program options. For information, visit www.youngisrael.org/achva.

BBYO - Passport2Israel: This program features a variety of add-on extentions within Israel and in Europe. For information, visit www.passport2israel.org or call 1-800-698-1002.

Habonim Dror - MBI: This is for post tenth-graders interested in the Labor Zionist Youth Movement is a unique teen tour. While MBI is open to those who have not been involved in Habonim Dror before, participants are expected to be involved in the movement after the summer is over.  For more information, visit www.habonimdror.org/programs/mb.html or call 212-255-1796.

Hashomer Hatzair - Yedid: Hashomer Hatzair is a youth movement based on the principles of Progressive Zionism, social justice, progressive Judaism and self-actualization, and committed to peace and equality. For information, visit www.hashomerhatzair.org/israelprograms.asp or call 212-627-2830.

Young Judaea
For over 50 years, Young Judaea has been offering summer programs in Israel for teens in grades 9-12.  Giving teens the opportunity to experience Israel with their peers and explore their Jewish identity is our specialty.  Start your journey in Spain, Italy or Morocco, or fly straight to Israel.  Sign up for Israel MD, our new medical track or learn Hebrew on our Ulpan program.  We have a new volunteer and social action program called Tikun Olam.  Volunteer for various causes including conserving the environment, marking trails for nature education, assisting children with disabilities, volunteering among recent immigrants, and more.  Earn college credits and community service hours on all of our programs.  For more information, visit:  www.youngjudaea.org or call 1-800-725-0612.

Boston area Camp Trips

Almost all of the local area Jewish overnight summer camps offer an Israel extension once your child’s camping years are complete but before they transition into staff.  Generally, these trips are for participants who have been attending camp for a few years.  For more information, contact your local camp directors.  Here is a list of our area camps that have Israel trips: Camp Ramah New England, JCC Camp Kingswood, the Cohen Camps (Tevya, Tel Noar, Pembroke), Camp Young Judaea in New Hampshire, Camps Eisner and Crane Lake, and Camp Micah.

Na'alah (Camp Yavneh)
A six-week summer in Israel program sponsored by Camp Yavneh and open to the public. Teens, currently in grade 11 travel around Israel in a small group setting. The program, which is educational in nature and strictly kosher, includes plenty of hiking, interaction with Israeli teens, the use of Hebrew daily. It is a great opportunity for teens to see all sides of Israeli life. For more information, call Debbie Sussman 617-559-8862 or email debbi@campyavneh.org.

Camp in Israel

A new trend is developing where Jewish teens can attend a Jewish/Israeli style summer camp in Israel.  In general, these options are more appropriate for students looking for a shorter term experience and who might be a bit younger than post-10th grade.

Camp Kimama
Camp Kimama is a summer camp with a full range of activities, whose population comes from all over the world.  Camp Kimama is a community where campers, students, and families learn more about themselves, their heritage, their culture and each other’s communities. Camp Kimama is committed to providing a caring and supportive environment, in which children can grow, explore, build self-confidence and gain independence; all while having fun and making new friends.  For more information, visit www.campkimama.org. 

eCamp Israel
eCamp Israel is an International Technology Summer Camp, opening the gates to the #1 success story of Israel – Technology Innovation.  eCamp Israel introduces the campers to an enriching experience that touches their deepest emotions and spur creative energies in their minds. We provide an original, creative and fascinating program, matching worldwide youth with Israeli peers in a unique way using universal language – Technology.  eCamp Israel program was developed to meet today's kids needs and wishes and to challenge them with a whole new adventure of Technology innovation and Summer fun activities. Combining the best of technology with the meaningful Israeli experience, eCamp Israel gives campers more choice and creativity than ever before.  For more information, visit www.ecampisrael.com.

Camp Shachar
Camp Shachar is a Torah-observant,with separate boys and girls tracks, summer tour program bringing together teenagers throughout North America together with teenagers throughout Israel, creating lifelong friendships and an unforgettable summer of pure fun. The Camp Shachar "Israel Experience" covers all aspects of Israel's beauty and excitement- from all kinds of water sport activities on the beaches of Eilat, hikes ending at waterfalls, banana boats and snorkeling in the Red Sea to relaxing on the beaches of the Mediterranean, mountain climbing, survival/wilderness training, rappelling, and many other once-in-a-lifetime adventures.  For more information, visit www.campshachar.org.

Camp Sdei Chemed
Camp Sdei Chemed is a religious summer camp experience in Israel, with separate tracks for boys and girls.  For more information, visit www.campsci.com.

Long Term (High School Programs and Gap Year Programs)

Elite Academy
Elite Academy offers students who have finished ninth grade the opportunity to go to high school in Israel. For more information, please click here.

Alexander Muss High Institute for Israel Education
The Alexander Muss High School in Israel (High School) is similar to the summer program from Muss, but the time frame is a bit longer.  In addition, if you participate in Muss during the academic school year, you are also able to maintain your school work from you home school.  For information on the Alexander Muss High School in Israel programs, visit www.amhsi.com.

SIACH (Gap Year): The Alexander Muss Institute for Israel Education has developed a new gap year program that combines the value of using Israel as a classroom with pluralist Jewish learning.  For information on SIACH, the AMIIE gap year program, visit www.siach.org. 

Union for Reform Judaism
EIE (High School) - Yhe Eisendrath International Exchange High School in Israel is a four-month accredited high school nestled in the Judean Mountains. Students live together, learn together and grow together as a community exploring four thousand years of Jewish history, learning Hebrew, and getting to know Israel as their second home. EIE also offers a 45-day summer program for students who are not able to spend a full school semester in Israel. For more information, please visit www.nftyisrael.org/eie/index.html or call 212-452-6517.

Carmel (Gap Year) - is a college level study program in Israel for progressive Jewish youth from around the world.  Carmel offers an intense program of formal and informal learning opportunities, and graduates of the proigram are uniquely prepared to serve as leaders in the progressive Jewish Community and to continue their college studies successfully. Participants complete academic coursework and intensive Hebrew instruction at the University of Haifa, and study in a Beit Midrash at the Progressive Movement's Lokey International Academy of Jewish Studies at the Leo Baeck Education Center. Participants live as a progressive Jewish community within Israeli society, travel the country and volunteer in tikkun olam projects. For more information, please visit www.carmelisrael.org/index.cfm or call 212-452-6572.

United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
High School:
Tichon Ramah Yerushalayim (TRY) - is a secondary school program in Israel that offers students an academic curriculum of high-level general studies combined with intensive Hebrew instruction and Israel studies. For more information, click here or contact 212-678-8883, Fax: 212-749-8251, e-mail: ramahisrael@jtsa.edu.

USY High - is a shorter program similar to TRY. For more information, visit www.usy.org/programs/high.

Gap Year:
Nativ - Designed to create Conservative Jewish leaders of the future, the first semester of the program is spent studying at Hebrew University or the Conservative Yeshiva and the second semester is spent living on a kibbutz or performing community service in a developing community. For more information visit www.nativ.org or call 212-533-7800, ext. 2314, or the New England Region United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism office at 617-964-8210.

Habonim Dror - Workshop
Habonim Dror North America (HDNA) is the progressive Labor Zionist youth movement. Workshop is a 10-month Kibbutz and Irbutz (urban kibbutz) based work/study program for high school graduates. Workshop is the oldest running Israel program for North American youth. For more information, visit www.habonimdror.org/programs/workshop.html or call 212-255-1796.

Young Judea Year Course
Young Judaea's Year Course in Israel is a 9-month program for recent high school graduates who spend an unforgettable year living, volunteering, and studying in Israel. New from Year Course are Specialty Tracks including: Design, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Culinary Arts, Athletics, and Medicine. Also newly introduced is Year Course Olami: travel the world at different points throughout your year in Israel to such countries as: Uganda, Morocco, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, India, South Africa and more! Check out Year Course at http://www.yearcourse.org.

Hashomer Hatzair - Shana Tova
Hasomer Hatzair is a youth movement, based on the principles of Progressive Zionism, social justice, Progressive Judaism and self actualization, and committed to peace and equality. Shana Tova is a 10-month program for students just graduating high school. For information, visit www.hashomerhatxair.org/israelprograms.asp or call 212-627-2830.

Kivunim
Kivunim is a new program for students in their first year out of high school. The program is based in Israel but the itinerary includes travel throughout the world. For more information, visit www.kivunim.org.

Yeshivot and Midrashot

There are many yeshiva programs in Israel designed for the gap year between high school and college which differ for boys and girls. For more information, talk to a teacher or rabbi who is familiar with your learning style or consult sites like www.bneiakiva.net for information.

Tochnit Tzion (Bnei Akiva)
Bnei Akiva is a Zionist, modern Orthadox international youth movement. For more information, visit, www.bneiakiva.org/programs/tzion/default.asp.

University Gap Year - for high school graduates
Bar-Ilan University: Tochnit Torah V'Derech Eretz -- a university experience within a Torah environment. For more information, visit www.biu.ac.il/overseas/programs/torahvederech/torahvederech.htm.
Ben Gurion University:
Freshman Year Program -- academic courses, including Ulpan, and a required volunteer component. For more information, visit www.bgu-osp.org.
Hebrew University: Freshman Program - academically accredited courses at Rothberg International School in a specially designed framework for first-year students that includes an Ulpan option. For more information, visit overseas.huji.ac.il.
Mechina Program: A preparatory program for students who plan to continue their undergraduate studies in Israel. For more information, visit overseas.huji.ac.il.

Kibbutz Ulpan
This program features five months of Ulpan study and 24 hours per week on a kibbutz. For more information, contact the Israel Aliyah Center in Boston at bostonaliyah@jazo.org.il.

MASA
MASA, a new initiative between the Government of Israel and the Jewish Agency for Israel, serves as an umbrella organization for more than 100 programs ranging from a semester to a year long. Need-based scholarships are available. For a complete list of programs, visit www.masaisrael.org.