Israel Progam 2025/6 FAQs

General FAQs

When will the trip be?

The trip will start in Dec 2025 and finish 4 weeks later, in January 2026. Exact dates to be confirmed early in 2025.

Who is eligible?

Participants must:

• Have at least one Jewish parent
• Be in Year 10 or 11 in 2025
• Attend a non-Jewish school in VIC, SA, TAS, NT, or WA (government or independent)

When is the official launch (registrations open)?

The day after the Information Session happens in March 2025.

Who will supervise the group?

The trip is supervised by a team that includes:

• Australian team: UJEB senior staff (Israel Program Manager, Executive Principal) and Australian madrichim/ot, who travel with the group.
• Israeli team: Tour educator, madrichim/ot, a medic, and a security guard.

What level of observance do you have to have to go on Ketsev?

Ketsev is open to all eligible students, regardless of religious background or knowledge. Religious services, including Kosher food, are available based on individual preferences.

Safety and Security

What security measures are put in place for the program?

The safety and security of participants is the top priority to all staff and all service providers.

Ketsev is a supervised program where participants travel together as a group, and adhere to strict security measures and protocol, in accordance with the Israeli Government’s policies and intelligence. Every program is accompanied by security staff. When needed, additional security will be provided.

Safety measures:

• UJEB is in regular contact with Australian government authorities as well as Community Security Group in Australia; 
• Our Tour Provider in Israel is in regular contact with Israeli security and public safety authorities, and in particular with the Situation Monitoring Room (SMR), which is a service run by the Israel Ministry of Education in conjunction with the IDF, Police and other security authorities. The SMR operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and issues guidelines about where it is safe to travel in Israel and the best routes to use; 
• Ketsev uses only one private bus operator for the entire Israeli trip; 
• Armed escorts accompany the group during the entire trip;
• All hotels and hostels that will be accommodating the participants to have effective security systems; 
• Avoid public transport; and 
• There is no unstructured free time. Participants are not permitted to leave the group, unless in exceptional circumstances with the written approval of the Ketsev Manager.

Program Characteristics

What’s the nature of the program like?

It is important to understand some key characteristics of the program to ensure all participants and families know what to expect on the trip and we can have the best experience for everyone. 

Social Environment: Participants will be living in a communal environment and will be required to undertake international travel (supervised). They will be sleeping in shared living quarters with other participants and eating in communal dining facilities. 

Activities: Participants will be expected to participate in extensive tours of Israel, which will include walking long distances, lots of travelling on a bus, climbing, hiking and other strenuous physical activities.

What impact does Ketsev have on participants?

Ketsev will have a profound impact on shaping, building and ensuring a strong Jewish identity for our future community. International research also shows that participation in Israel Programs for Jewish teens give them closer connections to the Jewish community, and to Israel.

On Ketsev, our students will connect to:

• The Sounds of Israel’s Dreams, and foster awareness about the idea of Israel as the home of the Jewish people
• The Beat of Generations, and strengthen students’ Jewish consciousness, commitment and values
• The Vocals of the Locals, and learn about to Israeli society and create ties with Israeli people
• The Rhythm of the Land, and familiarise students with Israeli History, Geography, and Culture.

We have family/relatives in Israel. Can my child visit them?

There will be a free weekend where students are able to go to their family. They are also welcome to take friends with them if their family agrees. The local Israeli family member must sign out and in. 

For those without friends/family to visit they are able to stay in a hotel where the staff will be.

Finance/Payment FAQs

What is the cost of Ketsev?

The full Program Cost will be advised on the Information session.

For reference, in 2023, the cost of the program was $5,040 AUD + $6,200 USD

Subsidies:

• Thanks to UJEB’s partnership with BBYO, we were able to secure $1,000 USD per student from Mosaic United, to reduce the cost of the program – This will be offered to the first 30 students who sign up.
• Discretionary grants of up to $5,000 AUD are available thanks to the generosity of the Israel for Youth Foundation. That funding will be deducted from the total cost of the Program. If a family receives a partial or full discretionary grant from the Israel for Youth Foundation, that funding will be deducted from the total cost of the Program.

What is the Israel For Youth Foundation (I4Y)?

The Israel for Youth Foundation generously provides discretionary grants of up to $5,000 AUD to eligible students taking part in Ketsev.

Who is eligible for the I4Y discretionary grant?

The I4Y discretionary grant is available based on eligibility criteria for participation in Ketsev explained above.

The discretionary grant is not an entitlement. There are families who cannot afford the cost of the program and genuinely require financial help, many above the discretionary grant amount. If you can afford the full cost of the program, or only require part of the discretionary grant,  you are encouraged to indicate this on the I4Y form. In doing so you will allow I4Y to extend their assistance to those who genuinely need it.

How do I apply for a I4Y discretionary grant?

Complete the I4Y questionnaire: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/23X8P6J 

What If I don’t need the discretionary grant or only need part of it?

All families must complete the I4Y form. If you only need part of the grant, please indicate this, allowing I4Y to assist other families in need.

What if additional assistance is required for the cost of the program?

Additional means-tested support may be available for families with greater financial need. More details are provided in the Information Session.

When will I need to make payments?

Due to the situation, we built a payment timeline that aims to avoid non-refundable payments as much as possible. Families will be asked to pay an initial (refundable) deposit to show a real interest in the program. After that, the payment timeline will look as follows (with different non-refundable components according to the payment schedule and conditions)

Payments are divided in:

1. Deposit (April)
2. Payment 1 (June)
3. Payment 2 (August)
4. Payment 3 (October)

Can I arrange a payment plan?

Yes, payment plans can be arranged to assist you. This will have to be coordinated with the UJEB finance department.

Will participants need to take extra money?

Everything is included in the cost of the program (airfare, accommodation, group transport, all meals, entries to museum, organised activities and touring, etc.). It really depends on each participant and the family as to how much extra money to take. Not included in the cost of the program is all personal purchases (e.g. ice-cream, drinks, chocolate, souvenirs).