CAJE AND YOUNG AMERICANS BANK PARTNER
TO CREATE NEW ISRAEL SAVINGS PLAN

DENVER—February 1, 2005—Families hoping one day to be able to send their children on a life-changing Israel experience now have a new way to save for that teen Israel trip. The Colorado Agency for Jewish Education (CAJE) has partnered with Young Americans Bank to create the Israel Savings Plan. The joint venture was developed to help families save for a teen Israel travel program, teach young people the importance of financial planning, and ensure that they connect with their homeland, their Jewish identities, and their Jewish peers.

The plan offers family and friends the opportunity to contribute to each child’s account. “The Israel Savings Plan is a great way to give your child the gift of Israel,” says Daniel W. Bennett, CAJE executive director. “It also offers family and friends the opportunity to make gifts to each child’s account. We think that parents, grandparents, family friends and others would love to contribute to the future Israel trip of a newborn or a child celebrating Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Whether your child is an infant or already in high school, there is no better time than right now to begin saving.”

The Colorado Israel Study Tour is recognized as the premier community-based teen Israel program in North America. Over 1800 people have participated in Colorado IST over its 30 year history. CAJE is a partner in creating the savings plan, so the funds are available for – though not limited to --the Colorado Israel Study Tour.

This program marks the first collaboration between CAJE and Young Americans Bank. Young Americans Bank is the first and only state-chartered FDIC insured bank in America dedicated to providing a hands-on learning experience for children and young adults under the age of 22. This bank, the only one of its kind in the world, has served more than 50,000 youth since it opened and presently has nearly 15,000 customers in all 50 states and several foreign countries.
Information: Shira Zimmerman, CAJE development director, 303-321-3191 ext. 227 or szimmerman@caje-co.org or Young Americans Bank, 3550 East First Avenue, Denver.