Most Jewish educators would agree that one of the best ways to instill a love of Israel is to travel to Israel. Which is the goal of “Fly With Us,” a contest for Jewish families around New England presented by the Boston-based educational nonprofit Returning the Sparks and several Jewish organizations including the Consulate General of Israel to England and the Israel Ministry of Tourism. This contest is supported by our own Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, as well as Federations in Stamford, Central Massachusetts and Western MA.

One family will be awarded four Delta Premium Select round trip tickets from the United States to Tel Aviv, and $5,000 which can be used towards a trip with the tour operator, Authentic Israel. The grand-prize winner will be selected by a panel of Returning the Sparks and Consulate General of Israel to New England staff and advi - sors and announced on the website on Yom Ha’atzmaut—April 26.

The Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven is working with all local Hebrew schools and Jewish day schools to encourage their families to take part in this program. The Federation will also offer a special gift to the local “winner” of this program, as judged by a team of local panelists, said Interim CEO Amy Holtz. “We chose Fly With Us because it is an opportunity to take part in a regional program with partners across the Federations throughout New England, providing a great opportunity to collaborate with our neighboring communities,” she noted. “We are trying to keep Israel engage - ment high on our list of communal educational priorities, particularly for our young families,” added Rabbi Josh Pernick, director of the New Haven Federations Jewish Community Relations Council. “Israel’s 75th birthday provides a natural opportunity to engage families in conversations about Israel, as often conversations about Israel, when they happen, take place within formal educational programs.