Teachers look forward to July Israel tour

IT’S back on! The JNF Educators Tour – which has taken more than 200 Australian teachers and principals to Israel on three previous trips – has overcome the blow of travel restrictions cancelling its January 2022 edition, by rescheduling it to July 4-12.

Two busloads of educators from public, private and independent schools will head to Israel on the immersive nine-day tour, which will for the first time happen during summer in Israel.

The delegation will travel across the Jewish state to explore historical, cultural and religious sites, learn from Israeli experts in their fields, meet principals and head teachers at several schools, and get a first-hand look at the work that JNF does through the projects it supports.

Participants will also get to meet JNF Educators Tour groups from the USA, Canada and South Africa, providing an amazing networking opportunity.

The study tour has been designed to enrich the resources and skills of the educators, and to spark their students’ interest in Israel’s history, environment and Zionism.

Upon their return, tour members are encouraged to utilise and incorporate their experiences when designing new programs for their students.

Reflecting on the 2017 tour, Gita Smith said she gained so much from “this unique experience to explore the Jewish heritage and culture – it really gave me a new understanding of the true meaning of Zionism and mishpachah”.

“This really allowed me to understand the students in my classroom so much better.”

JNF education shaliach Yigal Nisell said, “The tour is not only about the teachers who attend the trip, but more importantly it is about the 20,000 students they represent – those they will teach now, and in the future.”

Applications for July’s JNF Educators Tour close on March 14.

To register your interest, go to jnf.org.au/educators-tour-2022 and for more information, email tour@jnf.org.au