Study or Volunteer in Israel

Want to travel to study or volunteer? We can’t help you get everywhere, but we can give you grant money to get to Israel.

The Jewish Federation of Detroit’s Get There! program provides funding to help you take part in a life-changing Israeli experience. For Jewish Detroiters between 13-28, Get There! is an ideal source of extra funds to help pay for gap year opportunities, study abroad, volunteer work, internships and other qualifying programs.

To get there, get started today. The Get There! applications are fully online. The links below will take you to the online portal where you can make an account, edit, view and share your application in one easy place.

Two kinds of grants are available from the Get There! fund — an Incentive Grant and a Need Based Grant. You can only be awarded one, not both. Please find the eligibility requirements below.

» Questions? Email Olivia Berlin at oberlin@jewishdetroit.org or call (248) 203-1498.

Supported by the Ben Teitel Israel and Overseas Teen Travel fund and the Joseph & Rebecca Friedman Memorial Scholarship

  • Jewish resident of metropolitan Detroit (Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties)
  • Age Requirements: Applicants must be between the ages of 13 and 26
  • First time organized peer trip or educational program
  • Program of one year or less
  • Recognized program to Israel or overseas approved by Federation’s Israel & Overseas Department
  • Not eligible: JFMD subsidized trips (including Taglit-Birthright Israel, NEXTGen and Teen Mission), and previous Get There! Recipients

Based on funding availability applications will be reviewed for longer trips, non-first-time trips and for applicants through age 28.

  1. Up to 42 days: $1,250*
  2. 43 days to 1 year: $1,750*

*- based on length of program and funding availability

  • Jewish resident of metropolitan Detroit (Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties)
  • Ages 13-28
  • Trip must provide a Jewish educational experience. Does not have to be your first time to Israel
  • Internships & volunteer programs do not qualify at this time. See Ben Teitel Incentive Grant above for volunteer and internship programs.
  • Program 12 months or less
  • Recognized program to Israel or overseas approved by Federation’s Israel & Overseas Department
  • Proven financial need*
  • Not eligible: Taglit-Birthright Israel and previous Get There! Recipients

*All applicants will be required to complete a Personal Financial Statement and submit their most recent tax forms to the Israel & Overseas Department including: 1040(s) and State and Business Schedules (C, D, E), if applicable. Consideration may be given to extenuating circumstances.

  • Up to $10,000 based on a variety of circumstances. 

Due to our scholarship approval process, please allow 4-16 weeks to hear back from us. Please see dates below to know when to expect an answer.

  • Applications received between January and May will hear by the beginning of June.
  • Applications received between June and September will hear by the beginning of October.
  • Applications received between October and January will hear by the beginning of February.

Interest-Free Loans

In addition to Get There! travel grants, Hebrew Free Loan (HFL) can provide interest-free loans up to $10,000 to help cover costs for Israel experiences. Please click here for next steps.