The Passages trip in 2019 posing in Jerusalem. Courtesy | Josiah Leinbach

Despite the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Passages Israel will take a group of 10 Hillsdale students to Israel this December to January.

According to its website, Passages Israel is a Christian organization that takes Christians to Israel multiple times a year. Assistant Professor of Religion Don Westblade, the point of contact for Passages, said the itinerary for the trip is subject to change based on the ongoing war between Israel and Gaza.

“Passages has had to adjust almost by the day,” Westblade said. “Passages is very careful about taking people to safe and secure places. If something flares up in one place, Passages is able to adjust the trip to take students to safe places.”

The sample itinerary includes a visit to Bethlehem to hear Palestinian speakers and to visit the Church of the Nativity, where many believe Jesus was born.

“Some of the trips have been able to go to Bethlehem, but that was not available the year that I went. It all depends on the security of the sites,” Westblade said.

Passages provides students with various perspectives on Israeli politics, culture, and the war in Gaza, according to Westblade.

“In the evenings, Passages has lined up an array of speakers who will talk about the politics of Israel,” Westblade said. “There will be both Jews and Palestinians who will speak — journalists, Maronite Christians, and maybe even members of the Knesset.”

Junior Turner Callaghan attended the Passages trip this past summer after it was rescheduled due to the war. It was the first Passages trip since the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7. 

Despite the tumultuous circumstances in the region, Callaghan said he felt safe.

“Security is higher than ever in Israel,” Callaghan said. “I could not have felt safer on the trip, even when we visited the border communities.”

Callaghan also said he enjoyed the speakers.

“We got to hear Israeli nationals speak about their experience on October 7, and we visited communities on the border that were hit the hardest,” Callaghan said.

Given the Christian focus of Passages, the trip will include various Christian holy sites. According to Westblade, Passages always visits the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

This December, the Passages trip will be $1000 less than it was last year. Passages will cost $980 this December. Callaghan said the lower costs were a factor in his decision to go on the trip.

“Passages is well subsidized, particularly after the Hamas attacks seized the attention of donors,” Callaghan said.

The deadline to apply for Passages is 5:00 p.m. Oct. 1. Applications for the trip are accepted on a rolling basis.