$1 million in funding
for security initiatives each year
$382k raised
to support Ukrainian Jews
120+ Columbus kids
sent to overnight Jewish summer camp
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Israel Experience Grants

A trip to Israel will change your life.

Through our Israel Experience grants program, JewishColumbus has sent nearly 700 teens and young adults to Israel since 2005. . Visit Israel to learn about the Jewish homeland, the vibrant people and amazing culture.

Israel Experience grants are available for Columbus residents between the ages of 14-27 who reside and/or whose parents reside within the boundaries of JewishColumbus’ community campaign.

View our grant application for more information about the Israel Experience Grant program, including:

  • additional grant guidelines
  • acceptable programs
  • grant amounts
  • the grant application
Grant Application

Explore different Israel opportunities. 

Teen Israel

Nothing makes Jewish identity and history come alive for teens like an Israel Experience Program. 

An Israel Experience program is an encounter of the realities and dreams that shape the Jewish experience. Participants have the opportunity to experience the land, people, history and a rich culture of Israel through a Teen Israel program.

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Birthright Israel

The gift of a free trip to Israel — with absolutely no strings attached!

Birthright Israel was launched in 1999 with the mission of giving young Jewish adults (ages 18-26) of all backgrounds the chance to visit Israel at least once in their lifetime. With the exception of one meal a day, the program is entirely free, including round-trip airfare from a variety of gateway airports.

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Study in Israel

Spend a semester or year in Israel and experience another culture while earning college credit. There is no better or more effective way to immerse yourself in a culture or learn a language than spending a semester or year abroad.

Studying abroad at an Israeli university will help you develop skills and expose you to experiences a classroom setting could never provide. Take courses you would never have the opportunity to take at your home campus and enhance your degree. Your experience living and studying in Israel, immersing yourself in a foreign culture and acquiring another language will all set you apart and give you skills and experiences that will last a lifetime.

Onward Israel

JewishColumbus, in collaboration with Jewish Agency and a wide array of partners from around the Jewish world, has launched Onward Israel: a framework for six to ten week meaningful experiences for students and young adults in Israel.

The goal of Onward Israel is to provide participants with an immersive and transformative resume building experience in Israel, featuring opportunities such as internships, service learning, academic courses and fellowships.

Onward Israel offers a competitive and attractive venue for young people seeking such experiences at affordable prices, and for time periods ranging from six to ten weeks. While meeting the individual needs of the participants and allowing them to advance their resumes, Onward Israel programs will also feature inspiring educational modules, with special attention dedicated to activism opportunities within local communities and institutions after program completion and to the development of a deeper understanding of Israel and enhanced Jewish identity and commitment.

The Columbus Onward program is made possible by the generous support of The Diamond Family Endowment.

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Questions? Let’s connect.

Abby Harris Holmes

Coordinator, Community Impact