‘True Grit’ and ‘Bumblebee’ Actress Hailee Steinfeld’s First Trip to Israel Was ‘So Special’

Academy Award-nominated actress and multiplatinum recording artist Hailee Steinfeld traveled to Israel for the first time July 22-July 29 and said “It is so special here… A trip I will never forget.”

Steinfeld’s trip was organized by entertainment executive Traci Szymanski in partnership with CharityBids. The trip was made possible by philanthropist and media mogul Haim Saban.

After visiting Israel for her first time in 2003 with Birthright, Szymanski made it her mission to share the gift of Israel with others. Szymanski partnered with CharityBids in hopes of encouraging celebrities and influencers to experience Israel for themselves.

To date, Szymanski has traveled to Israel with multiple celebrities including The Backstreet Boys, Jason Derulo, Paula Abdul, Joanna Krupa, Jeremy Piven and NBA stars.

Traveling alongside her parents, Pete Steinfeld, who is Jewish, and Cheri Steinfeld, who is Christian, the family started the trip with dinner on the rooftop of Aish HaTorah overlooking the Western Wall. They visited the Western Wall and tunnels, the City of David, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Yad Vashem and Shalva National Children’s Center. They were seen riding ATVs around Jerusalem, visiting a winery, horseback riding and boating in the North, camel riding in the South, floating in the Dead Sea, touring Caesaria, shopping in Jaffa and enjoying the nightlife in Tel Aviv.

During her stop in Mahane Yehuda, Jerusalem, Steinfeld was spotted with Israeli superstar, Noa Kirel, director Michael Bay (“Transformers”) and Michael Strahan (former New York Giants defensive, co-host of “Strahan and Sara“). She also attended Jon Bon Jovi’s concert in Tel Aviv where she met master mentalist Lior Suchard backstage.

שלום ישראל

— Hailee Steinfeld (@HaileeSteinfeld) July 23, 2019

Steinfeld wrote, “Shalom Israel” in Hebrew on Twitter on July 23 to let others know she has entered the holy land. She also posted photos on her Instagram story on a camel with her “camel license” and a photo overlooking the Dead Sea with the caption, “It’s so Special Here. Love. Israel.”

As Steinfeld departed Israel, more celebrities arrived for their concerts, including Jennifer Lopez with fiancé Alexander Rodriguez and J. Balvin.