The U.S. State Department is urging Americans in Israel to “depart now via commercial means due to serious safety risks,” escalating its travel advisory as fighting intensifies across the region.
Israel is now listed at “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” and the department is directing Americans to use commercial transportation to leave immediately if possible. The advisory also encourages Americans in the region to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, monitor embassy alerts and be prepared for disruptions.
There is one complication: Israeli airspace remains closed and commercial flights are not currently operating.
St. Louisans weigh risk and resolve
On Sunday, the Jewish Light reported that St. Louis businessman Rich Wolkowitz and several other local men were in Israel on a Jewish National Fund mission, moving repeatedly into shelter as missile alerts sounded. Another St. Louisan, Rebekah Simmons, is spending the year on a kibbutz in the Megiddo region.
As the U.S. advisory escalated Monday, both said they are staying put.
“Mixed emotions” — Rich Wolkowitz
For Wolkowitz, the advisory landed in layers. His return flight on EL AL has already been cancelled from March 5 and remains unknown for now.
“When I learned of the U.S. State Department’s warning to ‘depart now via commercial means’ I had mixed emotions,” he said. “From a practical perspective, it is irrelevant since all air space is closed… I cannot do anything, so I do not worry.”
But the language itself stood out.
“From a geo-political-military perspective, it means this is heating up and there must be intelligence that Iran may do something extreme — but, again, nothing I can do.”
The emotional layer, he said, sits closer to home.
“From an emotional perspective, I am more worried about my family worrying about me than I am worried about myself and that worries me.”
Within the St. Louis group, the advisory has sparked conversation — but not panic.
“Within our mission group, it’s impossible not to feel pressure when advisories like that come through,” said Todd Greenberg, another St. Louisan. “But our team has been communicating closely, staying grounded in our purpose and making sure everyone feels supported.”
The men have discussed contingency plans, Greenberg said, though none have moved to activate them.
“We talk regularly about contingency plans, so there’s reassurance in having options ready, even if we haven’t had to act on them yet. My strong preference is to leave through Israel.”
For some, the directive does not change their thinking.
“Statistically, it’s safer to be here in Israel than it is to drive a car in America,” said Mark Cantor, a third member of the group. “I will not leave through Egypt or Jordan or Cyprus. I feel no pressure to leave immediately and will fly EL AL when I have a ticket to leave and they open and it is safe to do so.”
Back home, the advisory has made conversations more personal.
“Stephanie [his wife] and I talked last night about how quickly things can shift,” Greenberg said. “The advisory has made those conversations more emotional. It’s personal now — not just headlines, but loved ones asking tough questions.”
“I still don’t feel there’s a reason for me to leave” — Rebekah Simmons
Rebekah Simmons is spending the year in Israel as a “reverse shinshin,” part of a Jewish Federation of St. Louis partnership program that places young adults in communities in the Megiddo region. She is studying Hebrew at Ulpan in Ein HaShofet and living on Kibbutz Ramot Menashe with a host family connected through the Federation’s St. Louis–Israel Partnership.
For Simmons, the advisory did not alter her decision. Simmons said she first saw the advisory after receiving a link from the Jewish Light.
“Honestly, I hadn’t seen the article until you sent it,” she said. “After reading it, my views haven’t changed…”
“Maybe that’s stubborn, but I’m here in Israel to volunteer and support others and I plan to see it through.”
In recent days, she and Rebecca Spiewak — the St. Louis coordinator and education coordinator for the partnership through the Jewish Agency — have focused on Purim programming for the kibbutz community.
“These past two days, with Purim, Rebecca Spiewak and I have been planning activities at her kibbutz, Ramot Menashe, making homemade hamantaschen to share with uplifting music, coloring Purim pictures and playing soccer together,” Simmons said. “We’re just trying to bring the community together and celebrate, especially during a time like this.”
Asked whether she would leave if flights reopened tomorrow:
“No, I would stay,” she said. “I truly don’t feel there’s a reason for me to leave. I’m surrounded by people who take such good care of me and check on me constantly. I feel safe here and I haven’t once felt unsafe during my time in Israel. And I completely understand that at some point in the future, I may be unable to leave Israel.”
