This feature from the Jim Joseph Foundation highlights how major Israel travel organizations are designing meaningful educational experiences that strengthen Jewish identity and connection to Israel across different life stages. Programs such as RootOne, Birthright Israel, and Honeymoon Israel emphasize immersive travel combined with intentional Jewish learning before, during, and after the trip. These programs use approaches tailored to their audiences: RootOne focuses on teen curiosity and pre-trip learning, Birthright centers people-to-people encounters and dialogue around Jewish values and history, and Honeymoon Israel builds lasting local Jewish communities among young couples. Across all programs, the goal is not simply tourism but formative experiences that deepen participants’ understanding of Jewish peoplehood, culture, tradition, and their relationship with Israel.
The article also highlights how the Israel travel field has adapted to repeated crises through collaboration and innovation, particularly through the Israel Educational Travel Alliance (IETA). Formed during the COVID-19 pandemic, IETA created a network of more than 140 organizations that share information, coordinate responses, and strengthen the broader ecosystem of Israel educational travel. Following the October 7 attacks and subsequent regional conflict, organizations quickly adjusted programming, launched volunteer initiatives, created alternative travel experiences, and built new forms of engagement to maintain connection with Israel. The piece argues that Israel travel remains one of the most powerful tools for fostering Jewish identity, global Jewish connection, and long-term engagement with Israel, and that continued innovation and collaboration will shape the future of the field.
Read the full article here:
https://jimjosephfoundation.org/20th-anniversary/israel-travel
