Program Cost

The cost of LIFE for 2008-9, before scholarships, is US$14,000 or equivalent in your currency. (Yes, reduced from the higher cost LIFE was first advertised at). The shorter track ending  April 7th, 2009 costs $10,000.

This an almost inclusive cost because, while there are some living costs and incidentals to pay for (see next section), the four month period in India (where food costs are extremely cheap) makes these very low.

If you qualify for scholarships, the actual cost will be lower (see ‘Grants and Scholarships’). 

There is a non-refundable application fee of US$50.

A check for $300 will need to be deposited with LIFE in the first week of the program as a deposit against damage to the living quarters or equipment in it; we fully anticipate returning the check at the end of the program.

All sums are in US$, or the equivalent on the day of payment.

Individuals – or their families – wishing to contribute to the LIFE scholarship fund are invited to do so as a tax-deductible donation to B’Tzedek.

What is, and is not, Covered

The cost of the program does not include flights to/from Israel for the start and at the end of the program (it does include the flights to/from India).

In Israel (first period):

Included

• 4 week educational and training program prior to going to overseas placement, including  housing, meals when we are out of town on seminars, and transport

• Medical insurance

Assignment in India:

Included

• Return flight, flight taxes, visa, necessary health shots,
• All internal travel related to internships and Life programs (weekends, seminars).
• Housing
• Orientation and closure seminars, weekend programs during the period
• Arrangement of internships with local NGOs
• Ongoing support and educational programming
• Medical Insurance

Not included: Food expenses, personal (non-program) travel

In Israel (second period)

Included

• Medical Insurance
• Housing
• Internship placement
• Learning program – seminars, workshops, trips, meetings, guided research, educational programs
• Hebrew study program (for longer program)
• Transport to and from internship

• Food expenses, personal (non-program) travel. Based on the experience of participants in similar programs, you should budget US$400-$600/month for these expenses (though this will vary according to lifestyle and taste).

Grants and Scholarships

There are several grant and scholarship possibilities:

LIFE (the full program ending June) is a MASA recognized program and offers scholarships of $3,000 to qualifying North American participants and varied amounts to participants from other countries. For details, see MASA grants and scholarships. 

LIFE can assist you with ideas for how to fundraise part of the fee and, where, possible, assist you in that effort. Some initial ideas appear below.

LIFE is actively seeking to secure its own scholarships and will keep applicants informed if these become available.

Fundraising ideas:

In addition, we suggest you consider approaching the following kinds of organizations. They may respond well especially if you offer to partner with them – writing a blog for them while away, offering to meet community groups visiting Israel while you are there and speaking when you return. Consult with professionals and lay leaders in the community to think of other ideas. Be sure they understand that you are not the only one benefiting here; you are going to be helping promote social justice and sustainable societies in Israel and in India. You are also going to return to your community with greater capacity to contribute there. Also look towards agencies where your family or family friends belong. Use the web and people you know to find out about additional organizations and use all personal links – even once or twice removed – you have to open doors to them.

Your local Jewish Federation and/or the Jewish Endowment Fund Foundation: The Jewish Federation of each city is the fundraising and allocations body of the local Jewish community. The Jewish Federation may have sources of funding of which you are unaware. In particular, try the Jewish Community Relations Council connected to the Federation.

Your local synagogue: Many synagogues provide funding for visits to Israel. Even if there isn’t a specific fund, your Rabbi may choose to spend a portion of his/her “Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund” to help you. Even if you have not been an active member of the synagogue, it is a good idea to speak with your Rabbi about your desire to participate in LIFE.

Hillel: Though you completed your University studies, the Hillel Director, Program Director, or JCSC Fellow may be worth consulting with. They are well connected to the community.

The Bureau of Jewish Education: While their main mission is to provide resources for Jewish Education, the BJE is a good place to look for additional funding because LIFE is a Jewish learning experience. Larger cities have a local BJE.

Jewish organizations and agencies in your hometown: Hadassah, B’nai B’rith lodges, Jewish Women International (formally B’nai B’rith Women), Temple/Synagogue men’s clubs/sisterhoods -- all of them care about the Jewish community! They are often able to only cover a small portion of your costs, take advantage of their hospitality.

Hebrew Free Loan Society: For interest free loans. You must apply in person while in the U.S. but can often receive significant funds which can be paid back free of interest.

General Community Organizations: Because of the community volunteer component of LIFE, in Israel and especially in India, you are eligible to approach non-Jewish service organizations like Rotary to ask for assistance.

Contact local Israel-related organizations: ARZA, Hadassah, the local Embassy or Consulate, the Israel-(your country) Chamber of Commerce if there is one.

Contact also India-related organizations: The Embassy, any Indian communal organization – perhaps bringing them together with a Jewish organization to co-sponsor you.

Think also about what you can do in the more traditional fundraising area – people might want to help you but need a framework and an ‘excuse’ to give. Reach out to different circles of friends and acquaintance – your friends, your old college classmates, your parents’ friends, your synagogue, old work colleagues. For example, you can hold a garage sale towards your trip, a bake-off or a marathon (reading, running, etc) and ask people to sponsor you.

No doubt a lot of work is required here, but it will pay off. Remember that a few smaller amounts can help you as much as one larger sum.

Payment Schedule and Method

Payment is according to the following schedule. Larger payments combining the amounts can be made at your convenience: 

For fast-tracked applicants applying close to the program start date, we require 50% down payment after aceptance and 50% before arrival.

* In US$ or equivalent on the day of payment.

** This may be lower due to MASA grant or LIFE scholarship. If such a scholarship/grant is acquired by the participant, LIFE receives ‘vouchers’ from MASA it can bank at different times during the program.

MASA scholarship or grant: Should a participant receive a MASA grant and should for any reason the MASA funding become unavailable to cover the anticipated proportion of the cost (such as, but not only if, the participant does not complete the program), the participant will be and remain obligated to pay for the full cost of LIFE. For this reason, participants receiving MASA grants will need to deposit checks to the value of the MASA grant with LIFE in the first week of the program. These will be held in a safe and returned to the participant as the MASA vouchers/checks become available to LIFE. Should the need arise, LIFE will bank (some of) the checks in accordance with the above.

Payment can be made by the following methods:

Please notify us directly - to yonatan@btzedek.org.il - when payments are made so we can track them and send you a receipt.

1. Direct Bank Transfer:

This is the highly prefered method of payment for LIFE. Rather than building credit card fees into the cost of LIFE, we hope that most people will be willing to pay by direct bank transfer.

• This is the account name because B’Tzedek is an initiative operated within the social-educational incubator called ‘Topaz’.

2. Payment by Credit Card

   Other than the LIFE Application Fee, which is a small amount, we would greatly appreciate payment of the LIFE fee being made through direct bank transfer(s). We do, however, include Credit Card payment as an option for those for whom this is not convenient. 
   Payment by credit card.

Refunds

LIFE will make decisions about refunds at its sole discretion.

If someone leaves LIFE before the end of the program, a refund will be considered upon receipt of a written request by the participant, or someone authorized by him/her. Decisions pertaining to refunds will be made at the sole discretion of LIFE.

Should someone finish the program before its end due to overwhelming circumstances not in his/her control (such as own or family illness), a partial refund will be considered by LIFE. It will be relatively small due to high fixed costs and the difficulty of getting refunds for services booked.

If someone is removed from the program or leaves LIFE voluntarily, LIFE reserves the right to decide, depending on the circumstances, whether to grant a refund at all. Financial considerations will not be the only ones taken into account.