Israeli hike risks

Trips to Israel are de rigeur among Jewish Americans, especially in the Orthodox community, and there are believed to be between 20 and 30 organizations which cater to youths like Ariel Newman.

Masa-Israel — the government-funded umbrella group for such institutions and tour operators — reports that 120,000 young adults (between ages 18 and 30) have booked gap years and other extended stays in Israel since 2014.

The programs are longer versions of the famous TaglitBirthright Israel, which has been sending 18- to 32-yearolds on a free 10-day trip to the promised land since 1999.

In September 2014, Ariel Newman died from extertional heatstroke while on a hike organized by Machinat Yeud, which shuttered in 2015. Since then, two more deaths have happened on trips led by educational tour organizations.

In May 2015, Florida State University student Briana McHam, 20, died on a trip with International Programs after falling off the path of a hike when she suffered from heatstroke.

In June 2016, 16-year-old Maya Sculder died after becoming dehydrated on a hike during a four-week stay at an Israeli summer camp organized by an Arizona synagogue.

A news report by Israel Army Radio said: “The group had an insufficient amount of water with them amid a heat wave which saw temperatures climb to over 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) in recent days.”