JLI’s Land and Spirit Trip To Israel Cancelled Over Coronavirus
by CrownHeights.info
JLI’s luxurious Israel and Poland experience, “Land and Spirit” has cancelled it’s March 2020 trip over the outbreak of the coronavirus in the US and Israel.
JLI’s unique experience offers an inspiring taste of the land of our heritage for hundreds of Jews from communities around the globe.
The cancellation comes as there have been over 100,000 estimated cases of the novel coronavirus reported globally.
Recently a Jewish Lawyer was confirmed to have the virus, which spread to his family, neighbor and local Rabbi.
Coronavirus deaths have been reported across the globe, but the numbers are expected to remain similar to that of the flu.
According to a letter send to the participants, the trip has been tentatively rescheduled for March 1-8, 2021.
Read the Letter to participants below:
Dear Land & Spirit Participant
JLI and Israel Maven have been planning the upcoming trip to Poland and Israel for the past two years. In recent weeks, with the outbreak and the spread of the Coronavirus, we have been in constant contact with all relevant authorities in Israel to ensure that the trip can go ahead, and that all necessary precautions can be taken to safeguard the health and well-being of all the participants.
As of Thursday, March 5th, we were confident that we would be able to provide the uplifting experience that you have all been anticipating. However, there have since been subsequent developments on the ground. The outbreak of the coronavirus in Bethlehem, the subsequent expelling of all tourists from the city on Friday morning, and the inability of various government ministries to provide help and support to tourists in the moments of the crisis has dramatically changed the situation. In addition, ELAL just announced the canceling of a number of flights between Israel and the US.
Your safety and wellbeing are paramount. We have consulted with the health authorities and with experts in the field and have been strongly advised to postpone the trip. The Israeli government’s updated regulations by its Ministry of Health make it virtually impossible to presently run this trip. Therefore, it is with a heavy heart that we must postpone both Poland and Israel trips until the situation is under control. We have tentatively set dates for an Israel trip from March 1-8, 2021.
We realize that this has many ramifications and, of course, there are many questions and details to be dealt with:
1. Flights – please be in touch with your travel agent, or airline if you booked directly, to either cancel or postpone your flight. To date, most airlines have been very accommodating due to the current global situation. Joy Travel will reach out to all who booked through them.
2. Refunds – we will do our utmost to refund participants or use money paid towards the 2021 trip, if so desired. Please understand that this is a process, as we have already paid millions of NIS to hotels, caterers, transportation companies and other vendors. The situation is unprecedented and, therefore, we do ask for your patience while we work through it. Please refrain from disputing credit card charges, and allow us the breathing space to deal fairly with all.
3. Those who wish to travel to Israel, in any event, or who are already in the country and wish to stay should please contact the Israel Maven office landspirit2020@israelmaven.com.
We thank you for your patience and understanding and will continue to update you and are available to assist wherever needed. We look forward to experiencing the Land & the Spirit with you, when the time is right.
Shabbat shalom,
Yours sincerely
Israel Maven and JLI
