Mayanot's Summer 2021 Birthright Israel season has come and gone. Like every Mayanot season in years past, stories have been written, memories have been created and journeys have been traveled. But as you can imagine, there was just something different.
After 15 months without our Birthright groups on the ground, our first group touched down at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport in the early AM hours of May 27. 20 happy campers and their staff members in tow. Smiles. Awe. Excitement. And, perhaps even a little shock at finally being in Israel after the world was turned upside down by Covid 19.
"Right when we got off the plane the Rabbi said 'Welcome home', and I knew I was right where I belong" said Rachel, who participated in that first trip.
That gratitude and appreciation for being in Israel - specifically at this time - permeated the groups throughout the summer. With smaller groups due to restrictions, each participant felt they had the opportunity to personalize their experience even more.
"Being able to provide a personalized experience for each participant is always our goal," said Levi Margolin, who Direct's Mayanot Birthright Israel Division. "But this summer, that was truly highlighted."
All said and done, though the season was far smaller than a normal 4000-participant summer, the product offered was as good as ever. Mayanot is looking forward to continued success and to bringing many thousands more on Birthright Israel, beginning with our Winter session, which starts on December 1st.
After 15 months without our Birthright groups on the ground, our first group touched down at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport in the early AM hours of May 27. 20 happy campers and their staff members in tow. Smiles. Awe. Excitement. And, perhaps even a little shock at finally being in Israel after the world was turned upside down by Covid 19.
"Right when we got off the plane the Rabbi said 'Welcome home', and I knew I was right where I belong" said Rachel, who participated in that first trip.
That gratitude and appreciation for being in Israel - specifically at this time - permeated the groups throughout the summer. With smaller groups due to restrictions, each participant felt they had the opportunity to personalize their experience even more.
All said and done, though the season was far smaller than a normal 4000-participant summer, the product offered was as good as ever. Mayanot is looking forward to continued success and to bringing many thousands more on Birthright Israel, beginning with our Winter session, which starts on December 1st.
