Trip Goals

Nearly half of the worldwide Jewish community resides in Israel, representing the racial and ethnic diversity of the Jewish people. With well over half the Israeli Jewish population of Middle Eastern, African, and Asian descent, Israel Experience participants are exposed to the many ways in which Jewish identity is expressed. The Israel Experience helps break down stereotypes about what it means to be Jewish and how members of the Jewish community, both inside and outside of Israel, connect with their Jewish identity, Israel, and Zionism. Participants also learn about the impact of historical and contemporary antisemitism and the importance of Israel as a safe haven for Jews worldwide.

By learning about minority communities within Israeli society, including the 20% of the Israeli population that identifies as Arab, Israel Experience participants gain a more nuanced understanding of Israeli society and the country’s rich cultures and diverse communities. Participants learn about the many ways in which coexistence and multiculturalism thrive in Israel, including through meeting with DEI professionals at Israeli colleges and universities.

As the discourse on U.S. college and university campuses about Israel and Palestine becomes more polarized, administrators need to have a deeper appreciation of the complexity of the conflict so that they can more effectively facilitate productive conversations on their campuses. Israel Experience participants learn about the nuances of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, gaining an understanding of the diverse Israeli perspectives on the conflict as well as hearing directly from Palestinians to understand their views and experiences.