Israel Programming

Click here to see "The Top 65 Ways Israel is Saving Our World" pamphlet. 

Hakafa's Israel Committee

Hakafa's Israel Committee develops and promotes programs that educate Hakafa members about Israel, nutures discussion about Israeli society, and instills a love for the Jewish homeland.  For more information about Hakafa's Israel Committee, contact Bob Rifkin or Josh Kahn.

SKIP (Send a Kid to Israel Partnership) 

The SEND-A-KID-TO-ISRAEL PARTNERSHIP (SKIP) program is a special savings plan that helps Chicago area Jewish youth visit Israel as an integral part of their Jewish education. Young people who participate in the program for the full seven years (grades 3 through 9) will have approximately $2,000, including interest, saved to help meet the cost of an Israel Experience program. SKIP funds can be used beginning the summer after 9th grade through age 26. Furthermore, SKIP contributions, plus interest, are FULLY REFUNDABLE at any time should your son or daughter not participate on an Israel Experience program.

SKIP GOAL - an Israel Experience program as part of each child's Jewish education. SKIP funds can be used for your
family’s choice of a wide variety of approved high school or college Israel Experience programs.

SKIP PARTNERS - your family, your congregation, and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago each contribute to the SKIP savings plan.

SKIP ENROLLMENT - enroll in school grades 3-6 and continue to make contributions through 9th grade.

SKIP FACTS – More than 4,200 participants are currently enrolled in SKIP through more than 51 participating congregations, and more than 1,625 teens and young adults have used their SKIP funds to help them participate on an Israel Experience program.

SKIP INFORMATION - for more information on the SKIP program or enrollment in SKIP, contact Hakafa volunteer, Jenny Patterson.

ARZA (Association of Reform Zionists of America)

Hakafa is a proud member of ARZA (pronounced AHR-tzah), the national membership organization that connects Reform Jews with Israel.  ARZA's mission is to strengthen and enrich the Jewish identity of Reform Jews in the United States by ensuring that a connection with Eretz Yisrael is a fundamental part of that identity. It develops support for and strengthens the Reform movement in Israel and promotes advocacy for a Jewish, pluralistic, just and democratic society in the State of Israel.  It also links the people and institutions of the Reform Movements in Israel and the United States, informed by a love of Israel and a belief in K’lal Yisrael – Jewish peoplehood.  ARZA works in partnership with the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ), and their affiliates. ARZA represents United States Reform Jews in national and international Zionist organizations.

Taglit-Birthright Trips to Israel

Registration for Summer 2013 free Birthright Trip to Israel opportunities for 18-26 year-olds with URJ Kesher will open February 13, 2013.  Click here for details.