Since October 7, 2023, traveling to Israel carries new significance, and new challenges. HMI invites couples to witness the resilience, complexity, and hope of Israeli life, not just through headlines, but in real moments of connection. Together with a cohort of local peers, couples step into a country navigating extraordinary challenges, and return home with a community that lasts far beyond the trip.
HMI 2024 alum Andrew Heber reflected, “HMI provided us with an astoundingly deep connection to Israel, the Jewish people, and to each other. We travel a lot, and we’ve never had an experience like this before. There were so many reasons not to go and we’re so glad we ignored all of them. The best part is that we now have a whole new community of amazing people at home who experienced the same thing.”
Why Now Matters
This moment is complicated. And it is meaningful. With safety as a top priority, HMI trips invite couples to show up, to listen, and to engage deeply with Israel’s diversity. At home, couples are navigating rising antisemitism, a social cost for supporting Israel or traveling to Israel, and big questions about Jewish identity today. Couples return from the trip with new perspectives, stronger relationships, and a community ready to walk alongside them through Jewish life at home.
HMI is more than a trip. It’s an experience of connection – to each other, to Israel, and to a community that lasts a lifetime.
Beyond the Headlines
HMI’s updated itinerary brings couples into Israel’s living story highlighting the diversity of the people and nuance of history and culture. The trips include a full-day volunteer experience with opportunities like helping families rebuild homes in the north, planting in Arab-Jewish gardens in Haifa, or working on renewal projects with border communities in the south. Throughout the trip, couples meet Arab Israelis and Jewish Israelis, hear from survivors of the October 7th attacks, and sit with geopolitical experts, artists, and grassroots leaders.
For 2024 alum Joanna Felsenstein, whose partner had never been to Israel, this was transformative: “The opportunity to share my love for Israel and experience the tumultuous times of October 7th’s impact together was incredibly meaningful. Through HMI, we gained profound insights into the perspectives of Palestinian Israelis and Jewish Israelis, allowing us to develop a deeper understanding of the country’s and region’s complexities.”
Building Bonds That Last
For most alumni, the trip sparks a connection to Jewish life that continues at home. 2024 alum Kirsi Kuutti shared, “Israel is no longer a concept to me, it is a reality… I am so thankful that during this experience I was able to build a community that I will feel supported by back home. My husband and I had never been to Israel and now there are tangible sights, aromas, and experiences to tie to the Jewish life we are building.”
That sense of belonging is echoed by 2024 alum Te’Asia Yearby, who said, “Through this experience, I have gained a deeper understanding of what it means to be Jewish and how to integrate that into my own life. Most importantly, it helped [us] form a supportive community of couples, all navigating their own Jewish journeys together.”
HMI’s support doesn’t end when the plane lands back home. Alumni are welcomed into a robust community with opportunities to gather for Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, and cohort reunions. Couples can apply for Alumni Micro Grants to host their own events, access resources to help navigate Jewish life, and join programs that deepen learning and community. Whether it’s finding friends to celebrate with, exploring Jewish traditions in new ways, or tapping into a support system during big life transitions, HMI alumni know they’re not alone on their Jewish journeys.
Learn More & Apply Today
Curious about what HMI could look like for you and your partner? Know a couple who would benefit from this experience? Join an upcoming virtual info session to hear directly from HMI alumni and staff, ask your questions, and get a feel for this meaningful journey. Applications are currently open in many cities, with more opening soon. Now’s the time to explore if this experience is right for you.
Contact info@honeymoonisrael.org with questions.
