Masa, a program that helps Jewish Diaspora youth study in Israel, recently helped bring parents of such students to the Jewish state, facilitating overdue reunions caused by the wartime disruption of international air travel.
The parents came as part of a delegation of volunteers with the Masa Israel Journey and the Na’ale program, which allows parents in Jewish communities abroad to register their 10th-grade children for three years of tuition-free Israeli high school. All of the parents had children attending the Na’ale program, Masa wrote in a statement Sunday.
For many, the trip marked their first visit to Israel after long separations. Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, massacre and the ensuing war caused many airlines to cancel flights to Israel, dramatically driving up prices of available tickets.
“The decision to come to Israel and assist was natural. It’s amazing that I can help Israel and, at the same time, finally see my children,” said one parent in the delegation.
The parents enjoyed a reunion with their children in Jerusalem, visiting the Western Wall and touring the Old City.
“My son is studying at Kfar Silver. He spoke very highly of Israel, and I wanted to come and see it for myself,” said Roxana from Ukraine. One parent, Alexander from Kazakhstan, is a Masa graduate who enrolled all three of his children in Na’ale. Two are attending and one is a Na’ale graduate living in Israel.
“I meet many groups of volunteers, and I always hear from them how much they want to come and support Israel after October 7. It’s a great way to connect with Israel for those who truly care about this country,” said Masa CEO Meir Holtz.
Na’ale CEO Yeshayahu Yahieli emphasized the program’s commitment to ensuring the experience in Israel remains positive and educational despite recent global and local challenges.
For Natalia and Alexander from Kazakhstan, the experience was especially emotional. The couple has three children connected to Na’ale—two currently in the program and one graduate now living in Israel. Natalia said that after their daughter announced that she wants to stay in Israel, she and her husband decided to make aliyah (Hebrew for immigrating to Israel) under its law of return for Jews and their relatives.
Masa Israel Journey has brought over 200,000 participants from more than 60 countries to the Jewish state. Na’ale was established in 1992, and has brought to Israel close to 20,000 students, most of whom have thereafter formally immigrated.