Q. What is Israel Quest?

A. Israel Quest is a need-based grant program that strives to enhance a teen’s connection to the Jewish community, Israel and other Jewish teens.  Israel Quest encourages teens to stay engaged through Jewish education and social programming to build this connection.  Israel Quest provides funding to teens who meet the required criteria and guidelines set by Israel Quest (at the time of the trip). Israel Quest is not a trip provider.

Q. What is an Israel Quest Grant?

A. An Israel Quest grant provides need-based funding to Jewish teens to help offset the cost of an approved Israel trip.  The grant reflects Israel Quest’s funding guidelines at the time when a teen is ready to travel to Israel. 

Q. Is there a deadline for applying for Israel Quest funding?

A. No.  However, there is a finite amount of Israel Quest funding available.We encourage you to submit the Israel Quest grant application as soon as possible to secure your grant before all funds are awarded in a program year and at least a month before the trip provider requires final payment.  Applications are grouped for processing three times per year.  The final date to submit an application is May 15.

Q. Are matching funds available for scholarships offered by Sponsoring Organizations?

A. No, matching funds are no longer available with the Israel Quest grant program; however, applicants are still encouraged to contact other organizations (e.g. congregations, youth groups, trip providers and camps) to inquire about sponsorship and their available funds. 

Q. Do all Israel Quest applicants receive funding?

A. Teens can apply for funding under the Israel Quest grant eligibility guidelines for that program year.  However, after all the funding has been awarded in a program year additional Israel Quest grant applicants will not be able to receive funding. Therefore, it is strongly suggested to submit Israel Quest grant applications as soon as possible.

Q. Are other communal funds available, in addition to Israel Quest, to help subsidize trips to Israel?

A. Additional need-based funding is available for those who qualify under the Israel Experience Scholarship program. Visit www.pjll.org or e-mail info@pjll.org for information.

Q. What is an approved Israel trip?

A. Approved Israel trips are those that meet the current guidelines for Israel Quest at the time a teen is ready to travel to Israel.  Teen trips must provide a formative Jewish identity educational experience with significant travel throughout the country. The itinerary and activities of qualifying programs must offer participants a well-rounded exposure to the land, its cities, history and historic sites, society and culture.  A trip may include other destinations in addition to spending specified time in Israel, however only days spent in Israel qualify for funding.  Family, day school and congregational family trips are not approved trips. 

Q. How does a teen (and his/her parent/guardian) apply for an Israel Quest Grant?

A. The Israel Quest Grant application can be found on our website, www.pjll.org/israelquest or by contacting the Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning at (240) 283-6200 or IsraelQuest@pjll.org.

Q. When can teens travel to Israel using Israel Quest funding?

A. Israel Quest funding can be used during high school or the summers thereafter. Year-course programs after high school graduation and programs beginning in the fall following 12^th grade are ineligible.  A peer trip creates powerful bonds among teens and enables them to develop self-confidence and independence in a structured Jewish environment before they begin the next chapter of their lives after high school. 

Q. If I have been to Israel before, can I still receive Israel Quest funding?

A. Yes, Israel Quest funding may be available to local Jewish teens regardless of prior travel to Israel.  However, a teen can only use Israel Quest funding one time. Funding is once per teen, not once per family.

Q. How can Jewish day school students receive Israel Quest funding?

A. Israel Quest funding does not apply to Israel programs that are part of the academic curriculum of a day school (e.g. CES-JDS’s semester trip.) The grant may be used for a different peer Israel trip.