The Summer We Went Back to Israel

After two years of adjusted programming due to Covid-19, this summer we were back!

UJIA facilitated thousands of young British Jews taking their first steps on The Journey Home, thanks to your support, and we are on target to reach our goal of sending 10,000 young people to Israel in the next three years.

For the first time in three years, this critical rite of passage for so many of our community’s young people took place throughout July and August, with the final group having touched down in London just last week. UJIA supported each of the 37 tours, with madrichim training, welfare and safeguarding support, and provided bursaries for those who needed financial support to travel to the Jewish homeland. Of the 1,356 teenagers who went to Israel on Tour this year, some are synagogue regulars, and some have never been inside one before. Some go to Israel on family holidays every summer, and for others this was their first opportunity to reach out and touch the Kotel.

Click here to find out why Ilana Alford from Kingston described Israel Tour as “the experience of my life.”

Nine of our youth movement partners offered residential summer camps in the UK and Europe in July and August. This year they helped over 1,500 young people aged between 4-16 to explore their identities, learn about their heritage and, of course, to have fun. Camps are a vital part of the Youth Movement journey in other ways too; they are a key step along the leadership (hadracha) journey for madrichim (leaders), who take responsibility for delivering fun and educational activities, and supporting participants’ physical and emotional wellbeing on camp.

UJIA is the exclusive UK partner and UK funder of Taglit-Birthright Israel trips. Birthright Israel is the gift of a 10 day experience in Israel for young adults, many of whom may not have been to Israel before. This year many participants were school-leavers whose Israel Tour was cancelled in 2020, and many were young professionals who come from outside the traditional Jewish population hubs and may not have had the opportunity to explore their heritage and build Jewish friendships before. For more information about Birthright, how to register or to become a madrich, email ietaguk@israelexperience.org.

UJIA was proud to partner with Maccabi GB on their Jewish Identity Programme for UK athletes in the days leading up to the opening of the Maccabiah Games. 175 athletes spent the day at Carmiel Children’s Village (pictured), Nirim Youth Village and with Equalizer footballers – encountering their Israeli peers where they live, learn and play. Maccabi GB athletes went on to win an impressive 57 medals at the games. You can read more about the Jewish Identity Programme here.

If you agree with us that it’s vital that every young Jewish person should have access to a life-changing educational experience in Israel, why not consider donating to our Israel Experience bursary fund here.