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Frequently Asked Questions

  • 3 days ago
  • 4 min read

How the RAJE Fellowship works, what "free* Israel trip" really means, deposits and refunds, Shabbatons, eligibility - plain answers to real questions.


The Fellowship

What does the RAJE Fellowship actually involve?

A semester of ten weekly evening sessions with the RAJE community, plus a few things that make it real: three one-on-one meetings with a RAJE educator (we call them BARR sessions), two Shabbatons - in-person weekend retreats - and a pre-approved volunteer event (minimum 3 hours). It's built for college students and young professionals; no prior Jewish background is needed.

Basic = the requirements above, with no more than two missed weekly sessions (make-ups available). Advanced = attendance at all sessions, five BARR sessions total, weekly evaluations, and participation in two additional community options (for example, a Passover Seder with RAJE staff, an extra volunteer event with RAJE, the Israel Parade, or the Shavuot program). Your completion level affects how much of your trip deposit is refunded - Advanced gets you more.

Shabbatons are in-person weekend retreats with the community - many fellows call them the highlight of the semester. Two are required if you live within a two-hour drive of a RAJE branch (or when RAJE can arrange a local option). Dates are offered several times per semester so you can pick the two that fit.

Life happens - there's a make-up system. Each missed or late session requires one group make-up class or one private make-up session, booked through our scheduling system. Missing more than two weekly sessions means Basic completion is no longer possible, so plan ahead.


The Trips

Is the Israel trip really free?

For full-time college students who complete the Fellowship at the Advanced level - yes: the trip deposit ($599) is fully refunded after the trip. Everyone pays the same deposit up front; your student status and completion level determine the refund, not the deposit. Either way, no participant ever pays anywhere near the real cost - a RAJE Euro/Israel trip runs around $7,000 per person, covered by the organization and its sponsors.

Your flight (standard ticket), all hotels, all transportation during the trip, all scheduled activities, travel guides and security, all meals in Europe and on Shabbat, and at least two meals per day in Israel.

A $100 semester programming fee; $125 (cash) / $135 (card) for tips, medical insurance in Israel and basic travel insurance; luggage if your airline doesn't include it; some meals in Israel; and - only for the Euro/Israel route - a $450 non-refundable Europe ground fee. If you'd rather avoid that fee, choose the Israel-only trip.

The Level 1 Israel trip is for fellows aged 18–30 at the time of the trip who have never received a trip grant from Olami or the Israeli government. If you've already taken a similar trip, or you're 31+, a partial subsidy may still be available - worth asking, since even a partial subsidy is worth thousands of dollars.

One year from the start of your fellowship. If you can't travel this season, request an extension in writing from the financial office during the semester you're taking classes - extensions of up to a year can be granted.

Email the financial office before the deposit due date and you get a full, immediate refund. After the due date, the deposit is no longer refundable; once tickets and ground arrangements are booked, the participant is responsible for those basic costs - the sponsors who fund the trips don't reimburse them.

Yes, as a courtesy: you can request changes to the standard ticket or arrive early / stay later (up to two change requests). You cover the difference from the standard ticket price, and you should arrive no later and depart no earlier than the group. Prices are set by airlines and travel agents in real time, so confirm and pay quickly once you get a quote.

Yes. Standard tickets are provided from JFK, Newark and Washington DC; if you need a different airport, RAJE covers up to the standard ticket cost and you pay the difference. A limited number of scholarships are available for proven financial hardship. Since 2018 the RAJE Online Academy also connects students far from our branches - though live participation is required, because community is the point.


Still have a question? Email finances.rajeusa@gmail.com for anything money- or trip-related (replies within 3 working days, Mon–Thu; mark truly urgent emails "TIME SENSITIVE" in the subject) or ilana@rajeusa.com for everything else.


Exact prices, dates and conditions are set per semester and confirmed in your acceptance email. Deviations from official rules are recognized only if approved in writing by the Comptroller via finances.rajeusa@gmail.com - verbal agreements are invalid.

 
 
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