HARTFORD – The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford (JCF) has announced the launch of its Israel Experience Scholarship Program aimed at aiding high school students to participate in an immersive Israel travel experience.

The newly created program offers a limited number of scholarships valued up to $6,000 per student; making the magnitude of the program among the largest in the nation. Rising 10th-, 11th- and 12th-grade Jewish students residing in the Greater Hartford area who wish to participate in an immersive Israel travel experience ranging in length from four weeks to one semester are eligible to apply. First priority will be given to students with a demonstrated financial need and who are first-time travelers to Israel.

The Israel Experience Scholarship Program is the result of a year of research by the Innovative Grants Subcommittee of JCF. The creation of the program is in response to studies which show travel to Israel as being one of the most impactful Jewish educational experiences teens can have in developing and solidifying their Jewish identity. To further encourage a strong connection to the Greater Hartford Jewish community, the program includes both a pre- and post-educational component as well as requisite volunteer service hours at local Jewish organizations.

Participation in this program will not exclude students from eligibility in traveling with Birthright Israel in the future.

Initial funding for this new program is provided by the estate of Louis and Virginia Cohen and will enable the Jewish Community Foundation to send seven to 10 students to Israel in the first year. In the long term, the Foundation’s goal is to fund an immersive Israel travel experience for every Jewish high school student in the Greater Hartford community wishing to go.

For additional information, visit the “Grants” section of the website at www.jcfhartford.org.