Tour returns! Jewish teens can visit Israel for first time since start of pandemic

Jewish teenagers will be able to go on Israel tour for the first time since the start of the pandemic, it has been announced.

Trips to the Jewish state will return in July and August, with thousands who missed out in 2020 and 2021 able to apply for other extended programmes.

The announcement was made by UJIA Israel Experience, as it launched a fundraising bursary to support participation over the next three years.

The Jewish charity will be backing 12 Jewish youth movements to take thousands of 16-year-olds to the Jewish state after the finish their GCSEs.

Israel tour, seen by many young people as a rite-of-passage after exams, was put on hold in 2020 in wake of the pandemic’s travel restrictions.

With most restrictions on international travel now lifted and a widespread vaccination programme in Israel and the UK, tourism is getting back on track.

The 18-year-olds who missed out in 2020 will not able to go on Israel tour this year, but a series of initiatives will be supported, including Birthright trips, and investment in gap year programmes.

Applications for Israel tour will open on March 1, while families can apply for a bursary to help with the cost, which UJIA is looking to raise £1m for, when it holds a match-funding campaign in March.

UJIA CEO, Mandie Winston, said:  “We are absolutely thrilled that Israel Tours can take place this summer”.

“Of course we know from the last two years that plans can change quickly in the current climate. But UJIA Israel Experience and our partners in the Jewish Agency for Israel are working tirelessly to make sure that teenagers will once again have those formative, life-changing experiences in Israel.

“Israel Tour is one the best tools we have available to ensure a thriving and dynamic future for our community so we encourage the community get behind our forthcoming fundraising drive. Families are facing increasing pressure on their finances but we passionately believe that every Jewish teenager should have the chance to go on Israel Tour, regardless of their financial circumstances. No one should be put off because of cost and we are determined to raise over a million pounds over the next three years to support Israel Tour bursaries.”