Israel Trip for Jewish Teen Gamers
New Israel travel experience for teens bridges Jewish identity and gaming culture. ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
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new Israel travel Tech & Gaming will take place experience made spe- July 5-26, 2022, and is catered cifically for teens will to teens in ninth, 10th and 11th give young Jewish individuals a grades. Both Lost Tribe Esports chance to learn about gaming and BBYO are closely monitorculture, new media and content ing the COVID-19 pandemic creation. to ensure the trip meets health Lost Tribe’s Israel guidelines in the U.S. Journey: Tech & and Israel. Gaming is the first “We’re going to keep trip of its kind. The adapting and adjusting partnership between as needed,” Nodel says. Lost Tribe Esports, Nodel also believes an organization for the trip offers a unique Jewish youth that experience for teens creates connections to see Israel through through gaming, and a different lens. “The BBYO, a Jewish teen Michal Nodel goal is to bring teens movement, offers a new Israel who maybe wouldn’t have contravel opportunity that includes sidered a trip to Israel, to appeal the fun of gaming culture while to their interest in gaming and encouraging teens to build digital media and say, ‘Hey, Jewish identity and lasting here’s an Israel trip. And we’re friendships. also going to show you really “We’re seeing a trend everycool things that have to do with where where the interest in your passion for gaming.’” gaming has increased,” says Participants are eligible for a Bloomfield Hills-based Michal $3,000 travel voucher through Nodel, director of Israel operRootOne, which aims to lower ations and partnerships at Lost financial barriers so more peoTribe Esports. “We’re seeing ple can participate in immermore of a movement to online sive summer trips to Israel. gaming.” Prior BBYO participation or Nodel says the COVID-19 membership isn’t required to pandemic has brought online attend the trip, and program gaming to the same level as costs include housing accomsports like basketball and socmodations, meals, program cer because gaming can often experiences, ground transporbe done at home and through tation and security. virtual channels. “The trip will generally Lost Tribe’s Israel Journey: follow the BBYO Passport
A group of Lost Tribe gamers
itinerary,” Nodel explains. The three-week experience is slated to include visits to sites in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, the Golan and the Negev, among others. Participating teens will also have a chance to meet Jewish professional esports players, advance their skills in games, explore tools and innovations used by gaming experts and platforms, and compete with Israeli teens in popular video game titles at live events. “A lot of amazing tech innovations are coming from Israeli startups,” says Nodel, who explains that Israel is often called Start-Up Nation. “There’s one startup that focuses their technology on making you a better Fortnite player, and they do things like analyze your end-game statistics and help you with strategy.” For Jewish teens with an interest in gaming, the new Israel trip offers both personal and professional perks, especially for those who want to pursue careers in the industry. “It’s an old city, new games,” Nodel says of the blend of traditional Israel experiences combined with modern gaming initiatives. “There’s a juxtaposition between heritage, history and technology.” Find out more about the trip at https:// losttribeesports.org/2022/01/05/losttribes-israel-journey-tech-gaming. FEBRUARY 3 • 2022
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