The Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay is experiencing a 300 percent increase over last year’s figures in the number of teens signed up for this summer’s Israel trip. And that’s with the deadline still a month away.
At this time last year — when the war with Iraq was in progress — nine were signed up to go on the one-month program, and 13 ended up going. Right now, 59 are signed up to go.
While the East Bay federation is taking the lead on the “Let’s Go: Israel!” trip, it is working in conjunction with the Bureau of Jewish Education, the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation and the Jewish Federation of Greater San Jose.
Before the outbreak of the second intifada, the Bay Area agencies used to send hundreds of teenagers to Israel each summer. All such trips were canceled in the summer of 2001. In 2002, the East Bay federation was the only one to offer a trip, with 12 teen participants. Last year, 13 went.
“People are just getting used to what’s going on in Israel,” said Talia Liebler-Gabay, director of the teen trip. “I think they’re having less fear about it. It’s either that, or the realization that, well, it’s very unfortunate, but world peace isn’t right around the corner. It might take awhile.”
Nevertheless, Liebler-Gabay is used to fielding questions from anxious parents about security concerns.
“We’re traveling on El Al, and we’ll have a security chaperone and medic with us 24/7,” she said. In addition to that, she said, the group leader must call three times a day into a situation room that monitors all such trips, overseen by army intelligence, police and the Israeli government.
“If they tell us to change the route, of course we will,” she said. In addition, group leaders all have cellular phones so parents can call their children at night.
Liebler-Gabay added that her colleagues across the nation say their numbers are up, too.
The trip, which leaves Wednesday, June 23, and returns Wednesday, July 21, will be similar to last year’s, with nearly two weeks in the north and nearly two weeks in the south. A few days in Jerusalem are included too, though that could change depending on security considerations.
There will also be opportunities for social action, like working in an absorption center. The teens will also be joined by some Israeli teens from the various federations’ Partnership 2000 sister cities.
The deadline to sign up is May 1. For information, call Liebler-Gabay at (510) 839-2900, ext.255.