Chai Travel, co-founded by Rebecca Liben Levy, Michael Liben, and Daniella Liben Pally, has deep family ties in Israel, which often results in relatives visiting the region. Recently, their mother, Sindy Liben, arrived in Tel Aviv on June 8, just days before tensions escalated with an Israeli strike on Iran.
Upon the closure of Israeli airspace, the family swiftly recognized the need to ensure Sindy’s safe return home since she was traveling alone. They immediately contacted their partner, the destination management company [Pomegranate Travel](https://pomegranate-travel.com/), to arrange her passage.
Pomegranate Travel efficiently facilitated Sindy’s evacuation, picking her up from her hotel and escorting her to the Jordanian border. They assisted with necessary border procedures, ensuring an easy transition. A representative awaited her on the other side and seamlessly transported her to the Ritz-Carlton in Amman. The next day, she flew from Amman to London before finally arriving at New York JFK. In total, the journey took approximately 44 hours, a wait that left Rebecca feeling anxious despite her confidence in their expertise. “When you love someone, and you are surrounded by experts, you feel a sense of competency. But you’re still nervous,” she remarked, acknowledging the teamwork that contributed to a successful operation.
Chai Travel operates under the umbrella of [First in Service Travel](https://www.travelweekly.com/Power-List-2025/First-In-Service-Travel), a New York-based company recognized as No. 44 on Travel Weekly’s Power List. CEO Fernando Gonzalez noted that they had been assisting ten different groups in Israel to safely return home using local DMCs.
In a notable example of cooperation, Michelle Gross, an advisor based in Nashville, received a call about a client’s daughter stranded in Israel amid escalating conflict. She quickly mobilized to assist a group of seven young professionals who found themselves caught in the turmoil while traveling through Europe. Partnering with [Conexion Travel](https://www.conexiontravel.com/), she arranged for their transport to Jordan, where they joined an expedited line at the border before heading to the airport in Amman. “It was a bit nerve-wracking, but everyone was safe,” she confirmed, despite noting the sleepless nights caused by the time difference between the U.S. and Israel. “That’s just the nature of our business, especially during a crisis,” she added.
Gonzalez outlined the collective mindset of advisors during recent emergencies: a strong sense of responsibility. “It was all about helping those in a desperate situation,” he said, highlighting how advisors like Gross acted purely out of a desire to lend support.
First in Service has established an internal crisis committee, composed of team members dedicated to monitoring global emergencies. Born from the challenges of the pandemic, the committee is always prepared to respond during crises. They began coordinating immediately after Israeli airspace was closed, identifying affected clients and reaching out through their advisors.
Gonzalez emphasized the importance of effective communication and collaboration among advisors, particularly during emergencies. “This is foundational to our ‘fanat1cal service’ approach, which aims to deliver exceptional client care consistently,” he stated. Moving forward, First in Service plans to enhance this crisis committee’s impact by forming partnerships with preferred DMCs worldwide to improve responsiveness during emergencies.
