San Diego Couples Explore Israel Through a Meaningful Lens with Honeymoon Israel

From November 6-16, 2025, seven couples from San Diego explored Israel through a meaningful lens with Honeymoon Israel (HMI). This particular trip brought together couples whose plans were postponed in summer 2025, as well as new couples eager to experience Israel.

HMI designs immersive experiences in Israel for locally based cohorts of couples who are early in their committed relationship and have at least one Jewish partner. The goal is to create a welcoming community of couples who are building families with meaningful connections to Jewish life and the Jewish people. Rather than defining a singular path to Jewish life, HMI supports couples in integrating Jewish values and traditions into their homes in ways that are personally significant.

“HMI isn’t just a trip—it’s the beginning of something deeper. Couples leave Israel with friendship, meaning, and a sense of belonging in the Jewish community,” said Wendy McCreary, Applicant Experience Coordinator at Honeymoon Israel. “The HMI trip creates space for open, honest conversations—without expectations or judgment—so couples can explore what being Jewish means to them as a couple, with the support of people who truly get it.”

Throughout the ten-day experience, the San Diego cohort engaged deeply with Israel’s history, culture, and present-day realities. They explored the Old City of Jerusalem, participated in cross-cultural conversations, visited the site of the Nova Music Festival to bear witness, remembered at Yad Vashem, volunteered in the spirit of tikkun olam, and experienced Tel Aviv through its vibrant food scene during a guided culinary tour. The multifaceted experience offered participants a broader understanding of Israel and the people who call it home. It also emphasized the value of shared learning and the relationships that developed during their time together.

“This trip deepened my connection to Israel because I feel more knowledgeable about the war and the events that took place on Oct. 7, as well as the history prior to Oct. 7 of the conflict, and what it will take to move forward,” shared Amanda Storch, November 2025 HMI participant. “Every time I have gone to Israel, I come home feeling a stronger connection to Judaism and the land of Israel. It makes me want to get together with the other San Diego couples or our other Jewish friends to hold events at our house, meet new Jewish couples, or celebrate holidays together.”

She also reflected on the broader impact of the experience, sharing, “I hope the community understands the value of this trip, the learning experience every day that we encountered, and the relationships that were made between the couples, with Israelis that we met on our trip, and in general.”

A Partnership That Continues at Home

Honeymoon Israel, in partnership with Jewish Federation of San Diego, ensures the impact of the trip extends well beyond the time spent in Israel. Through alumni events and programs, couples deepen the relationships formed abroad and stay connected to Jewish life in San Diego in ways that feel authentic and lasting.

Eligibility

To be eligible for Honeymoon Israel, couples must:

• Have at least one Jewish partner (defined broadly!)
• Be between the ages of 25-40
• Be early in their marriage or lifelong committed relationship
• Have one partner who has not previously been to Israel on a peer trip

For more information on upcoming trips, visit Honeymoon Israel or contact Janese Cassel, Program Manager, Israel & Global Peoplehood, at [email protected].