WITH $20M SEED GRANT, NEW INITIATIVE LOOKS TO BOOST TEEN ISRAEL TRAVEL

An ambitious new initiative will lower the cost of teen travel to Israel, aiming to help tens of thousands travel there each summer with expertly trained trip leaders, educators, and Israeli teens creating a transformational and meaningful experience. Led by The Jewish Education Project, the initiative, known as RootOne received a $20 million seed gift from The Marcus Foundation to provide major subsidies for trip participants while also investing in trip curricula and experiences, and providing deeper pre and post-trip engagement to strengthen participants’ Jewish identities and connections to Israel before they begin college. Five youth-serving organizations (YSOs) – BBYO, USY, Ramah, Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), and NCSY – are working with RootOne to elevate and increase participation in their Israel travel programs.

Through RootOne, the YSOs will receive subsidies, “RootOne vouchers,” to lower their price point by $3,000 per participant on their trips. RootOne aims to increase teens traveling to Israel on these trips by nearly 40% year over year.

View full article on eJewish Philanthropy.