Invest in your child’s Jewish future with a Trip to Israel

The purpose of the Passport to Israel Program (PIP) is to assist children of congregant families to attend a USCJ approved Israel educational programs or other rabbinically approved programs by covering a portion of the overall cost.

Program Overview

This CBT sponsored program will assist families with a portion of the overall cost of the program by:

  • Providing up to $1,000 of the total cost of the trip via a dedicated fund
  • Assist families to obtain additional matching funds from other organizations such as The Jewsish Federation of New Jersey

Eligibility

To be eligible to receive funds through this program:

  • Congregant families must be in “good standing”
  • Students must be rising 10th graders through 12 grade
  • Students must be enrolled in CBT religious school (Chai) or an approved Hebrew High School OR a board member of the local USY Chapter OR Complete 25 hours annually  of equivalent, non-compensated activities for CBT such as
    • B’nai Mitzvah tutoring (Cantor)
    • Toranim in the Religious School (School Director)
    • Assist in Junior Congregation (JC Facilitator)
    • Speak about your Israel experience during either a High Holiday or Shabbat service (Rabbi or Ritual Activities Chair)
    • Assist Jewish Federation with support activities (Federation Liaison)
    • Assist in coordination and execution of Israeli Programs as CBT
  • Must be a Rabbi approved Israeli Education Program
  • Student must agree to speak about their experience at the following High Holiday services
  • A child/student is only eligible for this program once.
  • Birthright and personal trips to Israel of any sort are not eligible for this program.

Procedure

To obtain funds from this program, applicants must provide the following information to the committee no later than 60-days prior to the due date of the final payment:

  • Completed program application signed by both student and parent
  • Commitment to speak about their experience during High Holiday services signed by the student
  • Details of educational program to be attended including a copy of written acceptance
  • Proof of enrollment of CBT religious school or Hebrew high school OR signed letter from the chapter USY adviser that the student served on the board OR signed completion of volunteer work including hours volunteered accompanied by signed approval from program lead

The Committee will review the application materials and notify the applicant of acceptance/denial or request for more information no later than 20 days after submission.

Distribution of Funds

The Committee will pay the financial assistance directly to the enrolled program after proof of all other payments have been provided to the Committee.

If, after CBT pays the financial assistance to the enrolled program, the program is cancelled, the student does not attend the program, or the student does not speak about their experience during High Holiday services, the student’s family will be responsible for refunding CBT the amount awarded by CBT.

Registration

Complete the application located here to submit a request for a PIP grant and return it with all required information to the Program Chairperson.

Questions

Please contact the Program Chairperson with any questions on either the program or request status.