Passport to Israel

What is Passport to Israel?

As a member of Beth Shalom, you are entitled to sign your children up to participate in a savings and community-funded program to visit Israel on one of several different programs. The costs of these trips continue to rise annually. Beth Shalom and the Jewish Community Foundation are aware of how expensive these trips can be and would encourage each of you to sign your children up for Passport to Israel. Passport to Israel is a saving incentive program designed to help families plan for their children’s high school trips. Congregation Beth Shalom believes very strongly in its support of this program and now offers our members two ways to participate. Outlined below are the 2 ways to participate in this program.

OPTION 1 From 3^rd grade through 8^th grade, families contribute $150, the Congregation contributes $50, and the Jewish Community Foundation will match this combined $200 with another $100 for a combined total of $300. By the time your child is ready to travel to Israel, nearly $3,000 will have accumulated in your Passport to Israel account. Naturally, this amount will vary depending upon when you begin participating in the program and the investment return.

OPTION 2 From 3^rd grade through 8^th grade, Congregation Beth Shalom will contribution $100, families will increase their contributions $200, and the Jewish Community Foundation will match this combined $300 with another $100 for a combined total of $400.

Congregation Beth Shalom will open Option 1 or 2 to Second grade students; however, the Jewish Community will not participate in the Second Grade contribution, but will in all subsequent 3^rd-8^th grade years.

Beth Shalom has established certain criteria to determine the eligibility of our students for this program. The parents of the students participating in this program must be members in good standing in the Congregation in order to receive matching funds.

Some of the trips to Israel that pre-qualify for this program are: (click on each to learn more)

1. Ramah Summer Institute

2. March of the Living

3. USY Israel Pilgrimage

4. Alexander Muss Program

We are NOW collecting contributions to your child’s Passport to Israel account. If you plan on contributing this year, please send us your check (payable to Congregation Beth Shalom) before the deadline of

December 9th, 2023.

Need to enroll in Passport to Israel? Click HERE

Need the participation agreement? Click HERE

Need the rules of participation? Click HERE

Checks/ Enrollment Forms should be sent in a sealed envelope and addressed as follows:

Congregation Beth Shalom

attn: Stefanie Williams (PTI)

14200 Lamar Ave

Overland Park, Kansas 66223

Checks in the amount of $200 will be matched by the Congregation with an additional $100 and checks in the amount of $150 will be matched by an additional $50.

Questions about sending in your contribution?

Please email Stefanie Williams, Beth Shalom’s Executive Director at swilliams@bethshalomkc.org

Questions about the Passport to Israel Program or need to check your balance?

Please email Jewish Federation’ of Greater Kansas City Receptionist & Engagement Administrative Assistant Marsha Cott at marshac@jewishkc.org