The Oregon Board of Rabbis and the Jewish Federation of Portland have restructured the Teen Israel Scholarship Program! See full details here.
If your teen plans to participate in a High School Program in Israel between June 2024 – April 2025, you need to complete this Online Application between Sept. 2, 2023 and March 1, 2024.
This one online application* can provide up to $4000 in scholarship funds from a combination of these sources:
*additional requirements for sources #2 and #3
- Portland Jewish Federation’s “CHAI Israel Fund” provides up to 18% of eligible Israel Program costs (not to exceed $1800)
- The Oregon Board of Rabbis “Teen Israel Fund” will provide additional funds (from the A.P. Krichevsky Memorial Scholarship & OJCF) (approx. $1800).
- Teens who regularly attend a weekly synagogue youth group qualify for an extra $500 (funded 50/50 between the Jewish Federation and the teen’s synagogue), in celebration of their commitment to formal Jewish education.
As stated above, Scholarship Funds from #2 and #3 require that students meet additional qualifications:
- 9th Grade: Submit the Letter of Agreement to the Oregon Board of Rabbis through your Synagogue Youth Education Director or Rabbi.
- During grades 9, 10 and 11: Maintain a Community Service Log to demonstrate scholarship merit. We ask teens to average 30 hours of community service per year, attendance at the synagogue high school program 80% of the time (or 50% at a reduced award), and attending synagogue services an average of 20 times per year.
- In February of the Scholarship award year: submit your community service logs to your Youth Education Director or Rabbi. By March 1, s/he will endorse your scholarship application, at the same time you submit the Online Application.
Remember, you can also seek additional funding from Jewish Free-Loan of Greater Portland.