Waiting and waiting to go to Israel

Students are raring to get to Israel to begin their gap-year programmes, but until Ben Gurion Airport reopens fully, they have no choice but to wait for their long-anticipated flight.

Like many others, they are stuck in South Africa because of the closure of the Israeli airport which began in January.

On Tuesday, 2 March, Israel’s coronavirus cabinet approved the partial reopening of the airport, beginning on Sunday, allowing a limited number of Israeli citizens to enter and leave the country aboard authorised flights.

Foreigners, however, still have to apply for special permission to enter the country, and flights remain limited to New York, Paris, Frankfurt, and Kiev.

According to Livnat Katz, the regional representative of Masa Israel Journey, gap-year programmes are on track in spite of the delays, with some having already departed in January prior to the closure of Ben Gurion. The umbrella organisation is responsible for many of the gap years popular amongst South Africans.

“Some groups left in January, but for others, it’s a matter of waiting for the skies to open again,” she says. “We’ve been told that flights could resume in early March, but nothing has been confirmed.

“We are working closely with the Israeli government and the Jewish Agency. Masa programme organisers are in close contact with participants and are keeping them up to date with any changes.”

According to Katz, 80 South African youngsters have signed up for the gap-year programmes, most of them from Bnei Akiva.

“The programmes are still running as before, with some adjustment,” says Katz. “We are being creative to keep the programme as normal as possible, ensuring safe and comfortable 14-day quarantine conditions for all incoming fellows. During quarantine, they will have an opportunity to stay engaged and active through virtual enrichment activities like orientations, Hebrew-language courses, and educational seminars.”

Nonetheless, those stuck in South Africa remain in limbo, their suitcases packed and ready but unable to get to the holy land to commence their gap-year programmes.

“I was supposed to leave on 10 January, but due to the closure of the airport, this date has been postponed many times,” says Ruby Gimpel, who signed up for the Aardvark Israel programme. “I’m not sure when I will be leaving.”

“Initially, my family and I were refreshing our emails for updates every five minutes as everything felt so up in the air. We then moved on to weekly email check-ins which never gave any satisfactory information due to the restrictions in place in Israel and in South Africa.”

While programme organisers are doing their best to keep participants informed, the situation is extremely volatile, says Liron Horowitz, who is waiting to go on Bnei Akiva’s Limmud programme.

“It’s difficult to get information regarding when the airport will open as it’s a state matter,” he says.

The wait has caused understandable frustration, with students waiting to leave at a moment’s notice but unable to plan anything in the meantime.

“I feel like my friends are getting their lives together by starting university while I feel stagnant at the moment,” says Daniel Rome, a participant of Habonim Dror’s Shnat programme.

“I’ve been able to keep myself busy by going to gym and seeing my friends. Unfortunately, I expect to leave only after the next Israeli election because I believe Bibi won’t be taking any COVID-19-related risks until the election.”

Shayna Goss, who hopes to spend the year on Ohrsom’s Israel programme, agrees.

“Because our departure has been imminent, I haven’t been able to commit to doing something productive. Although the uncertainty is frustrating, I’m thankful to have been home to receive my matric results and to have celebrated with my school.”

Some programmes have enabled students to begin activities from South Africa, including shiurim and ulpan classes.

Erin Midzuk, who is waiting to attend the Bnei Akiva MTA programme at Midreshet Harova, has for the past two weeks attended online shiurim and training sessions hosted by the institution and Bnei Akiva.

“We have also had shiurim with local rabbonim and teachers, and learning opportunities with fellow MTA participants,” she says. “While having a packed suitcase stare at me for almost a month has been frustrating, I know that this frustration is being felt by all students attending various programmes, including the programme organisers themselves.

“The taste of MTA I’ve got from online and in-person classes has given me the inspiration needed to keep my levels of excitement and optimism high enough.”

Horowitz says Bnei Akiva has also organised activities for the Limmud group, including hiking, mini golf, food making, as well as a daily shiur.

“It makes up for lost time in Israel as well as keeping us busy while we wait,” he says.

Apart from starting some classes, Gimpel has used the time to obtain her driver’s licence. She and others have also spent much time with their families.

“My parents have been dealing with their own frustration,” says Midzuk. “From their perspective, I know that they want the best for me and for my gap year, yet they also try and see things realistically, with concern that I may be waiting around for far longer than planned.

“In spite of this, the additional time has meant more time with my family, time that was especially limited during my gruelling matric year.”

In spite of the frustrations and lost time, participants remain positive that they will enjoy their time in Israel when it finally starts.

“I’ve always looked forward to celebrating chaggim in Israel, having heard about how much more impactful they were in Israel and on MTA,” says Midzuk. “Spending Purim at home this year definitely left me feeling slightly defeated, and I found myself swiping through the HaRova page with longing. However, my hopes of being in Israel for Pesach haven’t faded.”

“We’re hopeful that the time we missed on the programme will be added on,” Rome says. “I’m looking forward to finding a lot of new ideals and making great connections.”

“Purim in Israel has always been something I have looked forward to and the programme was meant to commence with skiing on Mount Hermon,” says Goss. “The delay has brought some disappointment, but as the class 2020, we’re used to it!”