Colorado’s Joyce Zeff Israel Study Tour has been cancelled for 2025 due to Iran’s missile barrage against Israel.
Denver travelers en route to Israel on June 13 — the day Israel attacked Iran — have been stranded in Europe — from Cyprus to Bulgaria. Their flights to Israel were cancelled as Israel closed down Ben Gurion Airport. The participants arrived back in Colorado on June 18 per a JEWISHcolorado post on Instagram. A substitute program is being planned.
For the same reason, Jewish camps face the cancellation of many of their staffers, as counselors from Israel cannot leave the country.
The war found some 2,800 Birithright participants in Israel. Their trip was cancelled — with a twist. Rather than being stuck in Cyprus, they found themselves on a cruise ship escaping to Cyprus, engineered by Birthright, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the government of Israel.
In a remarkable and unprecedented emergency operation, the approximately 1,500 program participants were evacuated on June 17 aboard the Crown Idris, a Israeli cruise ship operated by Mano Maritime, sailing from Ashdod Port to Larnaca, Cyprus.
The 13-hour voyage (more or less) was conducted under the close protection of the Israeli Navy, which escorted the vessel across the Mediterranean to ensure the participants’ safety amid Israel’s war with Iran.
Priority on the voyage was given to participants nearing the end of their 10-day educational experience, ensuring their safe and timely return to their home countries. Upon arrival in Cyprus, the participants were flown to their hometowns. Transportation costs, including sea and air travel, were covered by Birthright Israel.
From Cyprus, four wide-body planes chartered by the State of Florida — led by Gov. Ron DeSantis — flew all US participants to Tampa, Fla. From there, they were able to continue on to their respective hometowns.
Participants from all other countries will have separate travel arrangements coordinated by Birthright Israel.
Israel’s Ministry of Tourism said on June 17 that it was assisting tourists stuck in Israel.
Some 1,300 Birthright participants remain in Israel — with very limited tour options — and the remainder of the 20,000 Birthright participants anticipated this summer face the cancellation or postponement of their free trips. Birthright’s “mega-event”on June 23 to mark the organization’s 25th anniversary has been cancelled.
Israel’s Ministry of Tourism said on June 17 that it was assisting tourists stuck in Israel.
Grace Gilson reports from JTA:
One of the largest Jewish camp operators in the United States, NJY Camps, was expecting to host over 100 Israeli counselors this summer. Half cannot leaveIsrael.
“Who knows when they will be here,” says Michael Schlank, CEO of the network of the NJY camps in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
At Jewish camps in the United States, hosting Israelis as counselors has become a standard practice to strengthen campers’ relationship with Israel.
The travel shutdown has plunged many camps into crisis — and caused some of them to reopen hiring with just days before campers are set to arrive.
“We know there are college students and recent graduates whose travel plans to Israel have been disrupted — we’d love to talk to you,” says Rabbi Eytan Kenter of Ramah Berkshires.
