Jewish Camp / Israel Experience Scholarship Program

The Jewish Camp / Israel Experience Scholarship Fund is comprised of monies contributed by the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County and some very generous private donors in our community.

We offer partial scholarships for educational programs and experiences in Israel and Jewish summer camps, available for Jewish children residing in Orange County. We have a set amount of money budgeted each year, while the number of applicants varies from year to year. The amount of each scholarship depends on individual need as well as the number of children requesting scholarships. It is our goal to make scholarships available to all eligible applicants.

We consider applications for admission to Jewish not for profit camps and approved Israel experiences, such as, but not limited to; USY, NFTY, Young Judea and Hadassah. The Foundation for Jewish Camp, www.jewishcamp.org, is a great resource to find a camp.

To be considered for a Camp or Israel scholarships, you must be an active member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County. You can become a member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County with a yearly donation of $36 or more to the Annual Campaign.

The application deadline is March 31st

All incomplete or applications received after this date will not be considered.

We must know up front the maximum amount that you are able to contribute. This amount should be based on the child, parents and other relatives who are willing to contribute. The committee feels it is important that each child contribute. This amount can be based on money the child has already saved, or what they anticipate earning between now and camp, the amount they will be able to earn doing chores, baby-sitting, etc.

In return for the scholarship money, each recipient, ages 8 and above will be asked to write a one-page essay about their camp/Israel experience that may be published on the Jewish Federation website and/or in other printed materials. Each recipient, ages 8 and above will also be asked to give back three hours of Jewish Community Service for summer camp or fifteen hours for an Israel Scholarship(Y2I) as a volunteer at their respective congregation, Jewish Family Service, the Newburgh JCC or within an approved organization or with the Federation. This project must include some sort of mitzvah (good deed) component that would not otherwise happen unless the applicant made it happen.

THERE IS ONE FULL SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE EACH YEAR, COVERING THE COST OF ONE FREE TRIP TO ISRAEL. This award is given to one special 11th or 12th grade student, based on need AND merit. The criteria for Jessica & Jack N. Blinkoff scholarship application can be found on our website, www.jewishorangeny.org.

If you have questions please call the Federation at 562-7860. Applications must provide complete information for scholarship consideration.

Application Checklist

Completed Scholarship Application
Extenuating Circumstance Explanation (optional)
Copy of last two year’s 1040 Income Tax Returns with social security numbers blacked out
Personal Statement
Financial Summary
Minimum $36 Membership Donation to the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County’s current Annual Campaign

Jewish Camp / Israel Experience Scholarship Program

Jewish Camp - Israel Experience Scholarship Application

Family Information

Camp - Israel Program Information

Prior Camp - Israel experience

Applicant's Jewish Involvement

Camp - Israel Financial Summary

Jewish Summer Camps and Israel Experience Programs routinely offer scholarships through the sponsoring agency. Applicants are required to apply for all additional scholarships.

Each item on the application must be completely filled out. Incomplete applications or applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Interviews with the YOUTH TO ISRAEL SCHOLARSHIP applicant and parent(s) will be set up after the application deadline. Jewish summer camp scholarships do not require an interview.

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