This article from eJewishPhilanthropy reports on how Israel travel programs adapted after the Israel–Iran 12‑day war disrupted summer travel plans. Initially it appeared that educational trips to Israel would be cancelled entirely, but after a ceasefire and the reopening of airports, many programs resumed at a reduced scale. Roughly half of the expected 60,000 participants are now projected to travel this year. According to Anna Langer of the Jewish Federations of North America and the Israel Educational Travel Alliance (IETA), thousands of participants returned to Israel programs shortly after flights resumed, reflecting strong demand for these experiences despite the security concerns.
Trip providers also demonstrated significant flexibility by rapidly adjusting their programming. Organizations such as RootOne, BBYO, and others offered alternative trips in Europe, Asia, and the Americas for participants who could not travel to Israel, while some programs resumed Israel trips once conditions improved. Leaders reported that many families remained committed to Israel travel, with fewer voluntary cancellations than expected, especially among Modern Orthodox programs. While participation numbers remain lower than originally planned, organizers say the field’s ability to pivot quickly helped limit financial losses and maintain engagement with thousands of teens and young adults eager to participate in Jewish travel experiences.
Read the full article here:
https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/israel-trip-providers-pivot-after-war-with-iran
