Now is the time to apply for grants for trips to Israel

Applications for grants for Rhode Islanders and nearby Bay Staters to travel to Israel, as well as for RootOne vouchers for eligible teen summer trips to Israel, are now being accepted.

Visiting Israel is a great way to meet new friends, enjoy the summer and deepen one’s Jewish identity. A short video that describes the impact of a trip to Israel on a teen can be viewed at  www.streamisrael.tv/videos/fly-with-us-2-israel.

The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island offers grants for travel in Israel to those 26 or younger for scores of programs of all types, from a few weeks up to a year, including academic programs and internships. Needs-based scholarships are also available for current high school students, including for gap-year programs in Israel.

RootOne’s $3,000 vouchers are available for a few dozen teen summer programs only. More trips are being approved by RootOne on a rolling basis. Check back regularly on its website, www.rootone.org, for your desired trip. If you need help finding a trip, email info@rootone.org and someone on the RootOne team will assist you.

In addition, families may enter a contest to win four Delta Premium Select round-trip tickets to Israel, plus $5,000 toward a vacation package, at www.flywithus2israel.com. The local winner will receive $1,000 and will represent Rhode Island at the regional level, competing for the tickets and $5,000 prize. Local second- and third-place winners will receive prizes worth $250 and $100, respectively.

Families with at least one child ages 7-17 can apply by submitting a video of up to 5 minutes long or an essay or poem of up to 500 words. Each submission must answer one of the following questions: How does your family successfully integrate both tradition and innovation, like Israel and Israelis? How does Israel inspire you to make your dreams possible?

The grand-prize winner will be announced on May 5, which is Yom ha-Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day.

To celebrate Israel at 75, The Jewish Agency for Israel is producing a song with Sha’anan Streett, the frontman of Hadag Nahash, one of Israel’s most popular and influential hip-hop bands. And you can help write the lyrics for chance to win a trip to Israel! The song will be titled, "Voices, Together." All you have to do is record (video or audio) or type 15 words or less to tell us what Israel at 75 means to you. Register at http://bit.ly/3Rcb1NW.

To learn more about grants for residents of Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts, email  IsraelDesk@JewishAllianceRI.org.

Submitted by LARRY KATZ, director of Jewish Life and Learning at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island