Dear IETA Community,
Shanah Tovah! As we welcome 5787, we’re wishing you and your communities a Shanah Yoter Tovah — a better year ahead.
We’re also excited to begin the year with some big IETA news: Rabbi David Levy has joined us as Executive Director. More on David below, along with updates on air travel, the return of our weekly community conversations, and upcoming Israel election learning opportunities.
L’shana tova umetuka,
Team IETA
Welcoming Rabbi David Levy!
We’re thrilled to welcome Rabbi David Levy as IETA’s new Executive Director.
David’s own path was shaped by Israel educational travel: a 2001 Taglit-Birthright Israel trip deepened his connection to Jewish peoplehood and ultimately helped lead him from a corporate career to the rabbinate.
David brings deep experience in Jewish education, professional learning, field building, and relationship-driven leadership — alongside a strong belief in the power of immersive Israel experiences to shape Jewish identity and connection to Israel and Israelis.
Please join us in welcoming David - and schedule time to introduce yourself and your work.
Kol tuv,
Anna
Airline Carrier Update
International connectivity to Israel continues to improve.
International air connectivity to Israel continues to improve as several major carriers restore service. American, IsraAir, Delta and United all have daily flights along with El Al have New York to Tel Aviv, and we are starting to seeing a normalization across other markets. SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) will resume flights to Israel beginning in October, joining a growing list of airlines returning to the market. In August, KLM resumed its Amsterdam-Tel Aviv route, restoring a key European gateway, while United Airlines announced the return of its direct San Francisco-Tel Aviv service on March 28, 2027, reestablishing an important link between Israel and the U.S. West Coast. Together, these developments mark another significant step in the ongoing restoration of international air travel to Israel.
Restarting Weekly Community Conversations
Wednesdays at 12pm ET/9am PT/19:00 Israel
Starting on Wednesday, 9/23 our Weekly Community Conversations will be back with a new date & time.
These conversations are:
- Off the record
- Peer-driven
- Grounded in real-time operational and safety updates
These are ongoing conversations that matter to you in your planning and implementation.
Please sign up here for the zoom link, and we will also send you a calendar invitation.
Israeli Election Webinar Series
In the run-up to election day in Israel, JFNA is offering a 3-part webinar series to help keep you informed. On last Wednesday, September 9 at 2:00pm ET, Haviv Rettig Gur joined us for “Israeli Elections 2026: What Can We Expect?," the first call in this series.
The series will continue on October 19 and October 28, with retired IDF Col. Miri Eisin and again with Haviv Rettig Gur. Click here for information and to register for all three sessions.
Help Us Build Future Newsletters
Have content, opportunities, or resources to share with the field? Reply to this email.
Wishing you a strong, safe, and meaningful summer season.
 |