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International Handbook of Jewish Education pp 615–631Cite as

Travel as a Jewish Educational Tool

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Part of the book series: International Handbooks of Religion and Education ((IHRE,volume 5))

Abstract

This chapter briefly outlines some of the major sociological trends in the general field of educational travel, and then explores in depth the use of travel as an educational tool in contemporary Jewish education. Types of Jewish educational travel covered include tours to Israel from the Diaspora, Shoah-related tourism, visits to Jewish communities (past and present) in other Diaspora countries, Jewish summer camps, and Israeli travel within Israel and the Diaspora. Key challenges and issues in Jewish educational travel are discussed. Many parameters of the subject are addressed, including the impact of age, nationality, previous educational background, level of religiosity, the framework of the tour, and the role of the staff and the guides. Also explored are the ways that preconceived images of the destination and goals of the travel impact on the experience. The chapter draws on empirical research conducted by experts in the field of educational tourism, including recent research on specific educational programs. Directions for future research in the field are indicated.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    See, for example, among the numerous articles on the impact on educational travel of these subjects: age (Cohen, 2005; Desforges, 1998; Gibson and Yiannakis, 2002; Reisman, 1993) nationality (Boniface and Fowler 1993; Burns 2005; Reisinger and Turner, 2003); previous education (Cohen, 1999, 2004); level of religiosity (Jutla, 2006); the framework of the tour (Anderson, Lawton, Rexeisen, & Hubbard, 2006; Richards and Wilson, 2003) and the role of the guide and staff (Fine and Speer, 1985; Katz, 1985; Reisinger and Steiner, 2006).

  2. 2.

    This refers to a comment of Maimonides on the Chapter 5 item 4 in Pirkei Avot (Sayings of the Fathers): “Our forefather Abraham was tested with ten trials….”

  3. 3.

    Lee Shulman’s presentation (during the closing session of the Multiple Identities Conference in Jerusalem, January 8, 2008) referred to Jewish identities. But his remarks are equally relevant to the issue of Jewish educational travel.

  4. 4.

    The Western Wall or Wailing Wall, the only remnant of the Jews’ Temple built during the era of the Israelite kingdom in Jerusalem and destroyed by the Romans in 60 C.E.

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Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Allison Ofanansky for helping me to organize and edit this manuscript.

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  1. Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel

    Erik H. Cohen

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  1. United Jewish Israel Appeal (UJIA), Kentish Town Road 37, London, NW1 8NX, United Kingdom

    Helena Miller

  2. Jewish Inst. Religion, Brookdale Center, Hebrew Union College, West 4th St. 1, New York, 10012, New York, USA

    Lisa Grant

  3. Melton Centre for Jewish Education, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91905, Israel

    Alex Pomson

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Cohen, E.H. (2011). Travel as a Jewish Educational Tool. In: Miller, H., Grant, L., Pomson, A. (eds) International Handbook of Jewish Education. International Handbooks of Religion and Education, vol 5. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0354-4_35

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