Israel tours for teens will be back this summer for the first time in three years after a pandemic-enforced hiatus.
UJIA Israel Experience will be supporting 12 youth movements and organisations providing Israel tours. As well as offering places to 16-year-olds, there will also be provision for 17-year-olds impacted by the 2021 cancellations.
Although 18-year-olds who missed out in 2020 will be ineligible for Israel tours, UJIA is backing an expanded range of activities in Israel for them, including Birthright trips and a significant investment in gap year programmes and other longer term experiences.
UJIA has set itself the goal of sending 10,000 young British Jews on organised visits to Israel over the next three years as part of its campaign, The Journey Home.
When tours last took place in 2019, more than one-in-six participants benefited from a UJIA bursary.
And announcing the resumption of tours, UJIA also said it was fundraising for a £1 million bursary fund to support participation over the three-year period.
With an extra year group eligible to take part this year, record numbers are expected, with a similar rise in bursaries.
The charity will be holding a matched funding campaign next month to meet the cost.
“We are absolutely thrilled that Israel tours can take place this summer,” said UJIA CEO Mandie Winston.
“Of course, we know from the last two years that plans can change quickly.
“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.
As the tours were “one the best tools we have available to ensure a thriving and dynamic future for our community”, she urged support for its fundraising drive for bursaries.
“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.”
Applications for tour places will open on March 1.
