From My Aisle Seat …
Jews in America and around the world have a deep awareness of and concern about the global rise of antisemitism. It is all around us. We see it in the defacement of cemeteries and synagogues. We see and hear it at protests on college and university campuses. We increasingly are fearful with each reported act of violence and terror committed against innocent Jewish victims. With all of this and more, we feel more scared and alone than ever before.
And yet, as of July 2024, thirty-five countries have adopted and committed to following Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism; all with the objective of formulating new public policies to monitor and combat the concerning rise of these and other horrific acts. These governments, along with other international bodies, are working collaboratively to implement “best practices” in a range of local, cultural, and socioeconomic contexts. Ultimately the hope is to create “an interconnected world where hate respects no borders…”
These encouraging initiatives have caused Kenes Tours to reevaluate its own approach to offering mission programs outside of Israel. We no longer will create and operate itineraries for different foreign countries that simply teach about and show “the Jewish world that was” – the typical Jewish Heritage tours. Rather, we also will introduce the resurgence of Jewish communal life today, along with the ways in which Jews in these countries work side-by-side with fellow non-Jews to fight Holocaust denial and antisemitism.
Since October 7th, we have come to understand that Jewish communities around the world want to embrace and support each other. At the same time, however, it also is important to understand that many non-Jewish communities want to include and support us as well. It is through our travels that we have witnessed the growing desire for, and concrete actions being taken to promote inclusion, co-existence, and tolerance between neighbors.
We want you to experience these meaningful and impactful relationships and initiatives by traveling the world with us. While Kenes Tours welcomes the opportunity to journey with you to all thirty-five of these countries, our top picks include:
Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Spain.
Contact us and let’s talk. We’ll find the right destinations for you, your donors, lay leaders, and community to explore. We are committed to making a difference.
Shanah Tovah U’Mitukah,
Cheri Levitan, CEO
