Claire met Tony on a dating app in 2023. She’s Jewish, involved in Boston’s Jewish community. He’s not Jewish. When Claire first suggested that she and Tony participate on Honeymoon Israel, Tony’s response was immediate: he didn’t want to go. Tony was nervous about safety and security. His concern was entirely reasonable. He and Claire had just found each other and had just built something precious, and he wanted to protect it.

But nine days in Israel, in January 2026, changed everything. Not just for Claire and Tony as a couple, but for how they understand themselves as participants in Jewish life.

Since its founding in 2015, Honeymoon Israel has brought more than 3,300 couples to Israel. The cohorts reflect the growing reality of Jewish life in America. Approximately 70% of participants are multi heritage, the demographic least likely to maintain connection to Jewish life without deliberate engagement. And more than half of them are visiting Israel for the first time.

Most critically, the cohorts are built of 20 couples from the same city, all in a committed relationship, with the goal of creating lasting Jewish community and connection.

Today, nearly 75% of non-Orthodox young American Jews are in multi heritage relationships. For many of these young Jewish adults – especially with a non-Jewish partner – connection to Judaism and Israel is no longer inherited or socially reinforced. After October 7, navigating these diverse relationships has become even more complicated.

Ava’s family is Catholic. Her husband Perry is Jewish and had spent time in Israel previously. They got engaged in October 2023 and just days later, October 7th happened. Suddenly the country Perry loved was under attack. Ava watched her new fiancé navigate deep grief and anxiety about his extended family. She wanted to understand what he was experiencing. Her friends asked why Perry was so invested in Israel. Some questioned how he could support it at all.

Ava’s hesitation to participate was about more than just safety. It was social. “There is definitely a social cost to traveling to Israel,” she noted. For new friends and colleagues, she framed it as an “international trip.” In today’s environment, the barrier facing young couples isn’t what might happen to them in Israel. It’s what their friends, colleagues, and social circles will think of them for going. According to the Greater Boston Jewish Community Study of 2025, 40% of Americans ages 18-29 identify as somewhat or strongly anti-Zionist.

For both Tony and Ava, once they landed in Tel Aviv, their fears evaporated and their understanding of Israel and Jewish life transformed completely.

The Impact on Young Families and Jewish........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)