07/13/2026
Responding Swiftly During Crisis to Bring Cleveland Teens Home
Sirens, uncertainty, and constant updates became the backdrop of what was supposed to be a 10-day educational journey across Israel. Last June, 26 Cleveland Jewish teens traveled to Israel with israel.cleveland.next (icnext), but on June 13, as fighting escalated across multiple fronts, their experience shifted dramatically. Bringing them home immediately became the top priority. While awaiting evacuation, icnext staff and chaperones created engaging programming and provided support to keep teens calm amid the backdrop of war.
“I will never forget this trip and the intensity of being in Israel during war time,” said icnext teen Maya. “I am grateful to our chaperones, the hostel that allowed us to stay in safety, and especially to the Cleveland Jewish Federation that took care of us and arranged for our return back home.”
Behind the scenes, the Federation worked around the clock, developing multiple evacuation plans as conditions rapidly changed. An initial plan included special permission to fly out of Ben Gurion Airport to Paris. That plan was abandoned when the perimeter of the airport was struck by a cluster missile fragment, forcing a last-minute pivot. Within hours, a new plan was secured: a chartered flight from Aqaba, Jordan to Europe.
Throughout the crisis, Federation leadership remained in constant contact with families, providing steady communication, reassurance, and ultimately, a safe journey home.
“I have no words to thank you and everyone who worked with the Federation to shepherd the kids out of Israel and work to bring them home,” said one icnext parent. “We truly appreciated the calm and collected Zoom calls and the transparency. Thank you doesn’t begin to cover it.”
TOGETHER, we help save and change tens of thousands of lives in Cleveland, Israel, and around the world. Thank you!
