
<!– Google Tag Manager (noscript) –>

<!– End Google Tag Manager (noscript) –>

 <a href=»#main-content» class=»visually-hidden focusable skip-link»>
 Skip to main content
 </a>
 
 <div class=»dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas» data-off-canvas-main-canvas=»»>
 





<div class=»layout-container»>



 
 
 
 
 <div class=»l-page»>
 
 <header class=»feature-main-header» role=»banner»>
<div class=»utility»>
 <div class=»l-region l-region–branding»>
 <div id=»block-uva-today-blocks-uva-today-branding-header-logo» class=»block block–uva-today-blocks block–uva-today-blocks-uva-today-branding-header-logo»>
 <div class=»block__content»>
 <a href=»http://www.virginia.edu» target=»_blank» id=»uva-branding-logo»>University of Virginia Logo</a>
 </div>
 </div>

 

 <button class=»btn-search uvaSearch-processed»>Search News</button>
 <div class=»search-wrapper» aria-hidden=»true»>
 <div id=»block-search-form» role=»search» class=»block block–search block–search-form»>
 <div class=»block__content»>

 <form action=»/content/caught-conflict-uva-couples-journey-home» method=»post» id=»cludo-search-block-search-form» accept-charset=»UTF-8″>
 <div class=»js-form-item form-item js-form-type-textfield form-type-textfield js-form-item-search-keys form-item-search-keys»>
 <label for=»edit-search-keys»>Enter the terms you wish to search for.</label>
 <input title=»Enter the terms you wish to search for.» autocomplete=»off» data-drupal-selector=»edit-search-keys» type=»text» id=»edit-search-keys» name=»search_keys» value=»» size=»60″ maxlength=»128″ class=»form-text»/>

 </div>
<input data-drupal-selector=»edit-submit» type=»submit» id=»edit-submit» name=»op» value=»Search» class=»button js-form-submit form-submit»/>
<input autocomplete=»off» data-drupal-selector=»form-j9md0u3v-su-ziojqehjhwwc5bgghetitfabbhpsbqk» type=»hidden» name=»form_build_id» value=»form-J9MD0U3v_su-zIojQEHJHWWC5BggHeTiTfAbbHPSBqk»/>
<input data-drupal-selector=»edit-cludo-search-block-search-form» type=»hidden» name=»form_id» value=»cludo_search_block_search_form»/>

</form>

 </div>
 </div>
 </div>

 </div>
</div>
<div class=»row row-branding»>
 <div class=»l-branding»>
 <button aria-label=»Sections» class=»btn-menu-mobile mobileMenu-processed mobileMenuIllimitable-processed» tabindex=»0″>Sections</button>
 <button aria-label=»Search» class=»btn-search-mobile» tabindex=»0″>Search</button>
 <div class=»site-name»>
 <a href=»/» title=»Home» rel=»home»><span>UVA Today</span></a>
 </div>
 <div class=»l-region l-region–supplemental-menu»>
 <div class=»block block–menu block–menu-menu-uva-today-supplemental»>
 <nav role=»navigation» aria-labelledby=»block-cohesion-theme-uvatodaysupplemental-menu» id=»block-cohesion-theme-uvatodaysupplemental»>
 
 <div class=»visually-hidden» id=»block-cohesion-theme-uvatodaysupplemental-menu»>UVA Today Supplemental</div>
 


 
 
 <a href=»/subscribe-form» title=»» data-drupal-link-system-path=»node/264826″>Subscribe</a>
 
 
 


 </nav>
</div>
 </div>
 </div>
</div>
<div class=»row-navigation» aria-hidden=»true»>
 <div class=»nav-wrapper» tabindex=»-1″>
 <button aria-label=»Close Section Menu» class=»btn-menu-close» tabindex=»-1″>Close</button>
 <div class=»l-region l-region–navigation»>
 <!– block–system–main-menu.tpl.php–>
 <nav role=»navigation» aria-labelledby=»block-cohesion-theme-main-menu-menu» id=»block-cohesion-theme-main-menu»>
 
 <h2 class=»visually-hidden» id=»block-cohesion-theme-main-menu-menu»>Main navigation</h2>
 

 


<nav id=»block-system-main-menu» role=»navigation» class=»block block–system block–menu block–system-main-menu»>
 <h2 class=»block__title»>Main menu</h2>

 <ul>
 

 <li class=»first leaf»>
 
 <a href=»/content/all-news» tabindex=»-1″ title=»All News» data-drupal-link-system-path=»taxonomy/term/1261″>All News</a>
 </li>
 

 <li class=»leaf»>
 
 <a href=»/news-topic/arts-%26-culture» title=»Arts &; Culture» tabindex=»-1″ data-drupal-link-system-path=»taxonomy/term/104″>Arts &; Culture</a>
 </li>
 

 <li class=»leaf»>
 
 <a href=»/news-topic/business-%26-government» title=»Business &; Government» tabindex=»-1″ data-drupal-link-system-path=»taxonomy/term/102″>Business &; Government</a>
 </li>
 

 <li class=»leaf»>
 
 <a href=»/news-topic/research-%26-discovery» title=»Research &; Discovery» tabindex=»-1″ data-drupal-link-system-path=»taxonomy/term/666″>Research &; Discovery</a>
 </li>
 

 <li class=»leaf»>
 
 <a href=»/news-topic/student-experience» title=»Student Experience» tabindex=»-1″ data-drupal-link-system-path=»taxonomy/term/103″>Student Experience</a>
 </li>
 

 <li class=»leaf»>
 
 <a href=»/news-topic/university-news» title=»University News» tabindex=»-1″ data-drupal-link-system-path=»taxonomy/term/100″>University News</a>
 </li>
 

 <li class=»leaf»>
 
 <a href=»/» tabindex=»-1″ title=»Home» data-drupal-link-system-path=»<;front>;»>Home</a>
 </li>
 

 <li class=»last leaf»>
 
 <a href=»/subscribe-form» tabindex=»-1″ title=»Subscribe» data-drupal-link-system-path=»node/264826″>Subscribe</a>
 </li>
 </ul>
 
</nav>

 </nav>

 <!– block–menu–menu-uva-today-branding.tpl.php–>
 <nav role=»navigation» aria-labelledby=»block-uvatodaybranding-menu» id=»block-uvatodaybranding»>
 
 <h2 class=»visually-hidden» id=»block-uvatodaybranding-menu»>UVA Today Branding</h2>
 

 

 <nav id=»block-menu-menu-uva-today-branding» role=»navigation» class=»block block–menu block–menu-menu-uva-today-branding»>
 <h2 class=»block__title»>UVA Today Branding</h2>


 <ul>
 
 <li class=»first leaf»>
 
 <a href=»/news-category/faculty-spotlight» tabindex=»-1″ title=»Faculty Spotlight» data-drupal-link-system-path=»taxonomy/term/1111″>Faculty Spotlight</a>
 </li>
 
 <li class=»leaf»>
 
 <a href=»/news-category/hoo-what-where» tabindex=»-1″ title=»Hoo? What? Where?» data-drupal-link-system-path=»taxonomy/term/1311″>Hoo? What? Where?</a>
 </li>
 
 <li class=»leaf»>
 
 <a href=»/content/inside-uva» tabindex=»-1″ title=»Inside UVA Podcast» data-drupal-link-system-path=»node/355026″>Inside UVA Podcast</a>
 </li>
 
 <li class=»leaf»>
 
 <a href=»/news-category/made-usa» tabindex=»-1″ title=»Made for the USA» data-drupal-link-system-path=»taxonomy/term/1416″>Made for the USA</a>
 </li>
 
 <li class=»leaf»>
 
 <a href=»/news-category/music-beat» tabindex=»-1″ title=»The Music Beat» data-drupal-link-system-path=»taxonomy/term/1356″>The Music Beat</a>
 </li>
 
 <li class=»leaf»>
 
 <a href=»/news-category/so-hoos-asking» tabindex=»-1″ title=»So Hoos Asking?» data-drupal-link-system-path=»taxonomy/term/1351″>So Hoos Asking?</a>
 </li>
 
 <li class=»leaf»>
 
 <a href=»/headlines» tabindex=»-1″ title=»UVA In The News» data-drupal-link-system-path=»taxonomy/term/1266″>UVA In The News</a>
 </li>
 
 <li class=»last leaf»>
 
 <a href=»/content/video-landing» title=»Video» tabindex=»-1″ data-drupal-link-system-path=»node/260396″>Video</a>
 </li>
 </ul>
 

 </nav>

 </nav>

 <!– block–uva-today-social–uva-today-social.tpl.php–>
 
 </div>
 <a href=»http://virginia.edu/» target=»_blank» title=»UVA Home» class=»sections-menu-logo» tabindex=»-1″>UVA Logo</a>
 </div>
</div>



</header>


 
 

 <div class=»l-main»>
 <div class=»l-content» role=»main»>
 <div data-drupal-messages-fallback=»» class=»hidden»/><div id=»block-cohesion-theme-system-main» class=»block block-system block-system-main-block»>
 
 
 <div class=»content»>
 











 
 





<article data-history-node-id=»387591″>


 <div class=»paragraphs-items paragraphs-items-field-main-feature-hero paragraphs-items-field-main-feature-hero-full paragraphs-items-full»>
 <div class=»field field–name-field-main-feature-hero field–type-paragraphs field–label-hidden»>
 <div class=»field__items»>
 <div class=»field__item even item-0″>
 <div class=»entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-standard-feature clearfix»>
 <div class=»content»>
 <div class=»text-container»>
 <label class=»term»>
 Business &; Government
 



</label>

 
 <h1>Caught in conflict: A UVA couple's journey home</h1>
 
 <div class=»meta-share»>
 <div class=»article-meta»>
 <ul class=»authors»>
 <li class=»author»>By</li>

 
 
 <li class=»author list»>
 <a href=»/content/alice-berry» style=»text-decoration:none;color:#141E3C;»>Alice Berry,</a>
 <a href=»mailto:aberry@virginia.edu» class=»author-email»>aberry@virginia.edu</a>
 </li>
 </ul>
 
 
 
 
 <div class=»date»>March 31, 2026</div>

 <div class=»share-wrapper»>
 <button data-network=»facebook» class=»st-custom-button»>
 <img src=»/themes/custom/images/social-blue/social-facebook-blue.png» alt=»Facebook Icon»/>
 <span>Facebook</span>
 </button>
 <button data-network=»twitter» class=»st-custom-button»>
 <img src=»/themes/custom/images/social-blue/social-x-blue.png» alt=»X Icon»/>
 <span>Twitter</span>
 </button>
 <button data-network=»linkedin» class=»st-custom-button»>
 <img src=»/themes/custom/images/social-blue/social-linkedin-blue.png» alt=»LinkedIn Icon»/>
 <span>LinkedIn</span>
 </button>
 <button data-network=»email» class=»st-custom-button email»>
 <svg version=»1.1″ id=»icon-mail» xmlns=»http://www.w3.org/2000/svg» xmlns:xlink=»http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink» x=»0px» y=»0px» viewbox=»0 0 20 13″ enable-background=»new 0 0 20 13″ xml:space=»preserve»>
 <path id=»icon-mail_1_» d=»M1.5,0C1.3,0,1.1,0,0.9,0.1l8.5,7.4c0.4,0.3,0.8,0.3,1.1,0L19,0.1C18.9,0,18.7,0,18.5,0&#10; H1.5z M0,1.3c0,0.1,0,0.1,0,0.2v10C0,12.3,0.7,13,1.5,13h17c0.8,0,1.5-0.7,1.5-1.5v-10c0-0.1,0-0.1,0-0.2l-8.4,7.4&#10; c-0.9,0.8-2.2,0.8-3.1,0L0,1.3z»/>
 </svg>
 <span>Email</span>
 </button>
 </div>
 </div>

 <div class=»field field–name-field-featured-image field–type-image field–label-hidden»>
 <div class=»field__items»>
 <div class=»field__item even item-0″>
 <span class=»caption none» style=»width: 1536px;»>
 
<img class=»file-default» alt=»Couple smiling by the sea, overlaid on a collage of Egypt-themed images including pyramids, a map, birds, and an empty room.» src=»/sites/default/files/Header-SF-Dooley-JU.jpg»/>

 <p>(Contributed photos; illustration by Johnny Utterback, University Communications)</p>
 </span>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 
 
 <div id=»main-content»>
 <div class=»main-content-container»>
 <div class=»new-content-container»> 
 

 <div>
 <div class=»sidebar»>
 <div class=»views-element-container block block-views block-views-blocknodequeue-views-block-8″ id=»block-views-block-nodequeue-views-block-8–2″>
 
 
 <div class=»content»>
 
<div class=»view view-nodequeue-views view-id-nodequeue_views view-display-id-block_8 js-view-dom-id-e1325d0ca733c700d0c2f1b7fe147e8cd5d74d054308c85b327f5c75ce79116b»>

	
<div id=»block-views-uva-news-block-4_2″ class=»block block–views block–views-uva-news-block-«>
 <div class=»block__content»>
 <div class=»view view-uva-news view-id-uva_news view-display-id-block_4 «>
 <div class=»view-content»>

 
<div class=»view view-nodequeue-views view-id-nodequeue_views view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-a98f2e08e0332fc9f1a5c575528532f94dd54b357b384140e5852774522f937a»>
 
 
 
 <div class=»view-content»>
 

<article data-history-node-id=»372031″>

<div>

 <div class=»side-block uvatoday-promo-image»>
 <a class=»side-ad-promo» href=»https://www.virginia.edu/follow-us?utm_campaign=socialgrowth&;utm_medium=owned&;utm_source=houseada&;utm_content=followus&;utm_term=logos» title=»Follow Us on Social»>
 
 <article>
 
 

<div class=»media media-element-container media-default»>

 <div class=»file file-image file-image-jpeg»>
 <div class=»content file-default» style=»line-height: 0;»>
 
<img loading=»lazy» src=»/sites/default/files/1208164731309854.uRLwxEem1a6qi2aZ2zg9_height640.png» width=»480″ height=»480″ alt=»Follow us on Social» class=»file-default»/>


 </div>
 </div>
 </div>



 </article>

 




 </a>
 </div>












 </div>
 
 </article></div>


 
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
</div>


	 <div class=»view-content»>
 



 <div class=»paragraph paragraph–type–targeted-ad paragraph–view-mode–default»>
 

 <div class=»personalized-ad chroniclehighered » agg_term=»» style=»display:none;»>

 
<article data-history-node-id=»354491″>

<div>

 <div class=»side-block uvatoday-promo-image»>
 <a class=»side-ad-promo» href=»https://news.virginia.edu/content/be-great-and-good-all-we-do?utm_campaign=greatandgood_uva-affinity&;utm_medium=owned&;utm_source=houseadb&;utm_content=excellence&;utm_keyword=rotundafront» title=»https://news.virginia.edu/content/be-great-and-good-all-we-do?utm_campaign=grea…»>
 
 <article>
 
 

<div class=»media media-element-container media-default»>

 <div class=»file file-image file-image-jpeg»>
 <div class=»content file-default» style=»line-height: 0;»>
 
<img loading=»lazy» src=»/sites/default/files/GnG_Excellence_1080×850_BSet.jpg» width=»1080″ height=»850″ alt=»Excellence here goes everywhere. To be great and good in all we do. Find out more.» class=»file-default»/>


 </div>
 </div>
 </div>



 </article>

 




 </a>
 </div>












 </div>






 </article></div>






 <div class=»paragraph paragraph–type–targeted-ad paragraph–view-mode–default»>
 

 <div class=»personalized-ad insidehighered » agg_term=»» style=»display:none;»>

 
<article data-history-node-id=»354491″>

<div>

 <div class=»side-block uvatoday-promo-image»>
 <a class=»side-ad-promo» href=»https://news.virginia.edu/content/be-great-and-good-all-we-do?utm_campaign=greatandgood_uva-affinity&;utm_medium=owned&;utm_source=houseadb&;utm_content=excellence&;utm_keyword=rotundafront» title=»https://news.virginia.edu/content/be-great-and-good-all-we-do?utm_campaign=grea…»>
 
 <article>
 
 

<div class=»media media-element-container media-default»>

 <div class=»file file-image file-image-jpeg»>
 <div class=»content file-default» style=»line-height: 0;»>
 
<img loading=»lazy» src=»/sites/default/files/GnG_Excellence_1080×850_BSet.jpg» width=»1080″ height=»850″ alt=»Excellence here goes everywhere. To be great and good in all we do. Find out more.» class=»file-default»/>


 </div>
 </div>
 </div>



 </article>

 




 </a>
 </div>












 </div>






 </article></div>



 </div>
 
</div>



 </div>
 </div>

 
<div id=»block-uva-today-stats-uva-today-stats-weekly» class=»side-block block block–uva-today-stats block–uva-today-stats-uva-today-stats-weekly»>
 <div class=»block__content»>
 <div id=»block-views-uva-news-block-1″ class=»uva-today-stats-weekly uva-today-stats-weekly-processed»>
 <h2 class=»block__title»>Trending</h2>
 <div class=»view-content»>

 
<div class=»view view-nodequeue-views view-id-nodequeue_views view-display-id-block_2 js-view-dom-id-5638ad08d97c0280989c2185c08d3d9b9d20a438ce88b4a77eda8113b42632ed»>
 
 
 
 <div class=»view-content»>
 

 <div>
 <div>





<div class=»views-row»>
 <div class=»views-field views-field-field-image»>
 <div class=»field-content»>
 <a href=»/content/uva-alum-wants-reinvent-your-morning-cereal-bowl»>
 
<img class=»file-default» alt=»Holt Walker pouring milk over a bowl of Tribute Provisions cereal with a variety of cereal boxes spread out behind him» src=»/sites/default/files/styles/small/public/Header-SF-Cereal-Alum-MR.jpg?itok=NJypKSsy» width=»417″ height=»278″ loading=»lazy»/>


 </a>
 </div>
 </div>
 <div class=»views-field views-field-title»>
 <span class=»field-content»>
 <div class=»news-topic»>
 Business &; Government
 



</div>
 <a href=»/content/uva-alum-wants-reinvent-your-morning-cereal-bowl»>This UVA alum wants to reinvent your morning cereal bowl</a>
 </span>
 </div>
</div>
</div>
 <div>





<div class=»views-row»>
 <div class=»views-field views-field-field-image»>
 <div class=»field-content»>
 <a href=»/content/world-just-stopped-one-womans-response-life-altering-diagnosis»>
 
<img class=»file-default» alt=»A portrait of Rita Lam looking towards a window.» src=»/sites/default/files/styles/small/public/Header-SF-BRCA1-LNG.jpg?itok=8A9B4REt» width=»417″ height=»278″ loading=»lazy»/>


 </a>
 </div>
 </div>
 <div class=»views-field views-field-title»>
 <span class=»field-content»>
 <div class=»news-topic»>
 Research &; Discovery
 



</div>
 <a href=»/content/world-just-stopped-one-womans-response-life-altering-diagnosis»>‘The world just stopped': One woman's response to a life-altering diagnosis</a>
 </span>
 </div>
</div>
</div>
 <div>





<div class=»views-row»>
 <div class=»views-field views-field-field-image»>
 <div class=»field-content»>
 <a href=»/content/tattoos-bond-uva-star-kymora-johnson-and-her-no-1-fan»>
 
<img class=»file-default» alt=»Jessica Thomas-Johnson and Kymora Johnson together on a basketball court showing their matching tattoos» src=»/sites/default/files/styles/small/public/Header-SF-Kymora-Johnson-MR-v2.jpg?itok=OmTR2gQt» width=»417″ height=»278″ loading=»lazy»/>


 </a>
 </div>
 </div>
 <div class=»views-field views-field-title»>
 <span class=»field-content»>
 <div class=»news-topic»>
 Student Experience
 



</div>
 <a href=»/content/tattoos-bond-uva-star-kymora-johnson-and-her-no-1-fan»>The tattoos that bond UVA star Kymora Johnson and her No. 1 fan</a>
 </span>
 </div>
</div>
</div>
 </div>
 






 </div>
 
 </div>


 
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
</div>

 </div>
 <div class=»entity-container»>
 <div class=»entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-intro-text paragraphs-item-body-text intro-text clearfix»>
 <div class=»content»>
 <p>When the first sirens sounded, Pastor Gabe Turner of the Point Church in Charlottesville was reading the Olivet Discourse on the Mount of Olives, a holy site for Christians in Jerusalem.</p><p>The passage reads, in part, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled.â€Â </p><p>Moments later, the words felt less distant. The sirens on Feb. 28 signaled the beginning of a new war in the Middle East following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Among those caught in the unfolding crisis were Matt and Brittany Dooley, a married couple working at the University of Virginia, traveling with the church group.</p>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>





 <div class=»views-element-container block block-views block-views-blocknodequeue-views-block-7″ id=»block-views-block-nodequeue-views-block-7″>
 
 
 <div class=»content»>
 
<div class=»view view-nodequeue-views view-id-nodequeue_views view-display-id-block_7 js-view-dom-id-a73c2e44e679ea89bd9bccc5a72ac4a95f7f57ad1430ed977d87df17f5e78f87″>
 
 
 
 <div class=»view-content»>
 


<div class=»paragraphs-items paragraphs-items-field-dr-webform paragraphs-items-field-dr-webform-full paragraphs-items-full»>
 <!– INLINE –><style type=»text/css»><![CDATA[#inline-video-desktop, #inline-video-mobile {height:0;overflow:hidden;padding-bottom:18.5567%;position:relative;width:100%;}

#inline-video-mobile {display:none;padding-bottom:100%;}

#inline-video-desktop video, #inline-video-mobile img {height:100%;left:0;position:absolute;top:0;width:100%;}

@media screen and (max-width: 600px) and (orientation: portrait) {

	#inline-video-mobile {display:block;}

	#inline-video-desktop {display:none;}

}

.contextual-region.view-nodequeue-views {width:100%;}

@media screen and (min-width: 960px) {

#inline-ad-view .paragraphs-item-daily-report .content {display:block;}

#inline-ad-view .paragraphs-item-daily-report {width:74.16667%;margin-left:2.5%;}

.news-article #inline-ad-view .paragraphs-item-daily-report {width:100%;margin-left:auto;}

}

@media screen and (min-width: 2426px) {

#inline-ad-view .paragraphs-item-daily-report {margin-left:auto;}

}

]]></style><div id=»inline-frame»><div id=»inline-video-desktop»><a href=»https://news.virginia.edu/news-category/made-usa?utm_campaign=va250&;utm_medium=owned&;utm_source=inlinead&;utm_content=celebratehistory&;utm_term=generic» title=»Made for the USA – VA250″><img class=»no-lazy» alt=»Celebrating Our Shared History – VA250″ src=»/sites/default/files/2526DGC-VA250-Generic-Ad-970×180.jpg»/></a></div><div id=»inline-video-mobile»><a href=»https://news.virginia.edu/news-category/made-usa?utm_campaign=va250&;utm_medium=owned&;utm_source=inlinead&;utm_content=celebratehistory&;utm_term=generic» title=»Made for the USA -VA250″><img class=»no-lazy» alt=»Celebrating Our Shared History – VA250″ src=»/sites/default/files/2526DGC-VA250-Generic-Ad-1080×1080.jpg»/></a></div></div>
</div>



 </div>
 
 </div>


 </div>
 </div>

 





 <div>
 <div>
 <div class=»entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-intro-text paragraphs-item-body-text intro-text clearfix»>
 <div class=»content»>
 <p>They first sensed something was wrong when they heard a military jet fly overhead. Once the sirens sounded, the Dooleys and their church group were escorted to a shelter built into a hillside.</p><p>“The closest area was the bathrooms, so they separated the men into the men's rooms, and the women into the women's restrooms. The ladies started praying, and the men were laughing and telling jokes,†Brittany Dooley, a physician assistant at UVA Health, said.</p><p>Shortly afterward, the group returned to their hotel, where they sheltered for days as church leaders weighed their options and the war evolved.</p><article>
 
 

<div class=»media media-element-container media-default»>

 <div class=»file file-image file-image-jpeg»>
 <div class=»content file-default» style=»line-height: 0;»>
 
<span class=»caption none media-element file-default»>
<img loading=»lazy» src=»/sites/default/files/Inline-01-DooleyME-Contributed.jpg» width=»2000″ height=»1333″ alt=»Portrait of Matt and Brittany Dooley pose for a photo on the Mount of Olives.» class=»file-default»/>
<p>Matt and Brittany Dooley pose for a photo on the Mount of Olives. Not long after, they would hear sirens signifying that the war with Iran had begun. (Contributed photo)</p>
</span>


 </div>
 </div>
 </div>



 </article>
<p>In some ways, the couple had prepared for something like this. When they arrived in Tel Aviv, Matt even asked a local person what would happen in the event of an attack, since there were already reports of growing tension in the region.</p><p>“We went a day early and landed in Tel Aviv, and I struck up a conversation with our cab driver. I asked him, ‘If something were to happen, what's the plan?'†Matt recalled. “He said, ‘The government has a plan. They would get you to Jordan and fly you home from there.'â€</p><p>For the next several days, however, the Dooleys enjoyed a perfectly ordinary trip. Their church plans annual trips to Israel to visit places mentioned in the Bible, though it paused the trips for the last three years due to the Israel-Gaza war.</p><p>The Dooleys spent a day and a half exploring Tel Aviv and Jaffa, an ancient port city in southern Tel Aviv. On Feb. 25, the official church trip began. A group of 57 people, ranging in age from 10 to 89, toured Caesarea Maritima (built by Herod the Great), Mount Carmel and Megiddo, where the Battle of Armageddon is said to take place. They floated in the Dead Sea before arriving in Jerusalem on Feb. 27. The next morning, they visited the Mount of Olives.</p><p>Despite the violence and uncertainty of their situation, the Dooleys remembered a sense of relative calm.</p><p>“There were soldiers staying in the hotel for a training or a conference, so even though we didn't know what was going to happen, we felt pretty safe,†said Matt Dooley, who works as a limited submissions coordinator in the Office of the Vice President for Research.</p><article>
 
 

<div class=»media media-element-container media-default»>

 <div class=»file file-image file-image-jpeg»>
 <div class=»content file-default» style=»line-height: 0;»>
 
<span class=»caption none media-element file-default»>
<img loading=»lazy» src=»/sites/default/files/Inline-02-DooleyME-Contributed.jpg» width=»2000″ height=»1333″ alt=»Empty room with colorful chairs arranged in a circle under bright ceiling lights.» class=»file-default»/>
<p>This safe room inside an Israeli hotel has reinforced walls and a steel door. The Dooleys sheltered here while their church group formulated evacuation plans. (Contributed photo)</p>
</span>


 </div>
 </div>
 </div>



 </article>
<p>They saw the effects of the war up close. An Israeli family was staying in the hotel after three of their four children were killed in a strike.</p><p>“I, myself, am not a very emotional person usually. … I held myself together and did OK until I saw that family in the lobby,†Brittany Dooley said.</p><p>It took days to develop a plan to leave. The airspace was immediately shut down, and traveling across a land border became impossible as well.</p><article class=»align-right»>
 
 

<div class=»media media-element-container media-default»>

 <div class=»file file-image file-image-jpeg»>
 <div class=»content file-default» style=»line-height: 0;»>
 
<span class=»caption none media-element file-default»>
<img loading=»lazy» src=»/sites/default/files/Inline-03-Right-DooleyME-Contributed.jpg» width=»1000″ height=»1333″ alt=»Brittany Dooley riding a camel in the desert with the Great Pyramid in the background.» class=»file-default»/>
<p>The Dooleys ride camels in Egypt, where they ultimately caught a flight back to the United States. (Contributed photo)</p>
</span>


 </div>
 </div>
 </div>



 </article>
<p>“Things were changing by the minute. Someone would come up with one plan, and they'd check on it, and a minute or two later, that plan was no longer good. So, someone would come up with another idea, and the same thing would happen, and that was Sunday night into Monday morning,†Matt Dooley said. “When Hezbollah started firing from Lebanon, our tour guide's exact words were, ‘Your window of escape is quickly closing.'â€Â </p><p>They decided to travel south, to Egypt, since Iran was sending missiles from the east and Hezbollah from the north. A member of their congregation, Peter Snyder, a former Republican candidate for governor, had been working through various government channels to help the group get out safely. Eventually, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner arranged for officials from the U.S. Embassy in Cairo to meet the church group at the border crossing.</p><p>The drive to Cairo was estimated to take 11 hours, following the route the State Department suggested.</p><p>“Our bus drivers got us there in nine hours,†Brittany Dooley said.</p><p>After a couple of days in Cairo, they took time to visit the pyramids, then hopped on a flight to begin their journey back to the United States, stopping first in London.</p><p>“The second the wheels touched the ground, all of that emotion in me just released,†Brittany Dooley said.</p><p>The journey wasn't over, however. From London, they flew to Chicago, where customs agents briefly stopped Matt Dooley before being released. They finally made it to Charlottesville at 4 a.m. on March 7, a Saturday. They took the weekend to recuperate and were back to work on Monday.</p>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>





 </div>
 

 
 <div class=»paragraphs-items paragraphs-items-field-media-contacts-field paragraphs-items-field-media-contacts-field-full paragraphs-items-full»>
 <div class=»field field–name-field-media-contacts-field field–type-paragraphs field–label-hidden»>
 <div class=»field__items»>
 <div class=»field__item even item-0″>
 <div class=»entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-media-contacts clearfix»>
 <div class=»content»>
 <div class=»media-contacts»>
 <div class=»media-contacts-inner»>
 <h3>Media Contacts</h3>

 
 <div class=»contact»>
 <p class=»name»>
 <a href=»/content/alice-berry»>Alice Berry</a>
 </p>
 <p class=»title-org»>
 <span class=»title»>University News Associate</span> <span class=»organization»>Office of University Communications</span> </p>
 <p class=»email-phone»>
 <span class=»email»><a href=»mailto:aberry@virginia.edu»>aberry@virginia.edu</a></span>
 <span class=»phone»>434-924-6861</span>
 </p>
 </div>
 </div>

 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 
 <div class=»sidebar-mobile» style=»display:none;»>
 <div class=»views-element-container block block-views block-views-blocknodequeue-views-block-8″ id=»block-views-block-nodequeue-views-block-8–2″>
 
 
 <div class=»content»>
 
<div class=»view view-nodequeue-views view-id-nodequeue_views view-display-id-block_8 js-view-dom-id-e1325d0ca733c700d0c2f1b7fe147e8cd5d74d054308c85b327f5c75ce79116b»>

	
<div id=»block-views-uva-news-block-4_2″ class=»block block–views block–views-uva-news-block-«>
 <div class=»block__content»>
 <div class=»view view-uva-news view-id-uva_news view-display-id-block_4 «>
 <div class=»view-content»>

 
<div class=»view view-nodequeue-views view-id-nodequeue_views view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-a98f2e08e0332fc9f1a5c575528532f94dd54b357b384140e5852774522f937a»>
 
 
 
 <div class=»view-content»>
 

<article data-history-node-id=»372031″>

<div>

 <div class=»side-block uvatoday-promo-image»>
 <a class=»side-ad-promo» href=»https://www.virginia.edu/follow-us?utm_campaign=socialgrowth&;utm_medium=owned&;utm_source=houseada&;utm_content=followus&;utm_term=logos» title=»Follow Us on Social»>
 
 <article>
 
 

<div class=»media media-element-container media-default»>

 <div class=»file file-image file-image-jpeg»>
 <div class=»content file-default» style=»line-height: 0;»>
 
<img loading=»lazy» src=»/sites/default/files/1208164731309854.uRLwxEem1a6qi2aZ2zg9_height640.png» width=»480″ height=»480″ alt=»Follow us on Social» class=»file-default»/>


 </div>
 </div>
 </div>



 </article>

 




 </a>
 </div>












 </div>
 
 </article></div>


 
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
</div>


	 <div class=»view-content»>
 



 <div class=»paragraph paragraph–type–targeted-ad paragraph–view-mode–default»>
 

 <div class=»personalized-ad chroniclehighered » agg_term=»» style=»display:none;»>

 
<article data-history-node-id=»354491″>

<div>

 <div class=»side-block uvatoday-promo-image»>
 <a class=»side-ad-promo» href=»https://news.virginia.edu/content/be-great-and-good-all-we-do?utm_campaign=greatandgood_uva-affinity&;utm_medium=owned&;utm_source=houseadb&;utm_content=excellence&;utm_keyword=rotundafront» title=»https://news.virginia.edu/content/be-great-and-good-all-we-do?utm_campaign=grea…»>
 
 <article>
 
 

<div class=»media media-element-container media-default»>

 <div class=»file file-image file-image-jpeg»>
 <div class=»content file-default» style=»line-height: 0;»>
 
<img loading=»lazy» src=»/sites/default/files/GnG_Excellence_1080×850_BSet.jpg» width=»1080″ height=»850″ alt=»Excellence here goes everywhere. To be great and good in all we do. Find out more.» class=»file-default»/>


 </div>
 </div>
 </div>



 </article>

 




 </a>
 </div>












 </div>






 </article></div>






 <div class=»paragraph paragraph–type–targeted-ad paragraph–view-mode–default»>
 

 <div class=»personalized-ad insidehighered » agg_term=»» style=»display:none;»>

 
<article data-history-node-id=»354491″>

<div>

 <div class=»side-block uvatoday-promo-image»>
 <a class=»side-ad-promo» href=»https://news.virginia.edu/content/be-great-and-good-all-we-do?utm_campaign=greatandgood_uva-affinity&;utm_medium=owned&;utm_source=houseadb&;utm_content=excellence&;utm_keyword=rotundafront» title=»https://news.virginia.edu/content/be-great-and-good-all-we-do?utm_campaign=grea…»>
 
 <article>
 
 

<div class=»media media-element-container media-default»>

 <div class=»file file-image file-image-jpeg»>
 <div class=»content file-default» style=»line-height: 0;»>
 
<img loading=»lazy» src=»/sites/default/files/GnG_Excellence_1080×850_BSet.jpg» width=»1080″ height=»850″ alt=»Excellence here goes everywhere. To be great and good in all we do. Find out more.» class=»file-default»/>


 </div>
 </div>
 </div>



 </article>

 




 </a>
 </div>












 </div>






 </article></div>



 </div>
 
</div>



 </div>
 </div>

 
<div id=»block-uva-today-stats-uva-today-stats-weekly» class=»side-block block block–uva-today-stats block–uva-today-stats-uva-today-stats-weekly»>
 <div class=»block__content»>
 <div id=»block-views-uva-news-block-1″ class=»uva-today-stats-weekly uva-today-stats-weekly-processed»>
 <h2 class=»block__title»>Trending</h2>
 <div class=»view-content»>

 
<div class=»view view-nodequeue-views view-id-nodequeue_views view-display-id-block_2 js-view-dom-id-5638ad08d97c0280989c2185c08d3d9b9d20a438ce88b4a77eda8113b42632ed»>
 
 
 
 <div class=»view-content»>
 

 <div>
 <div>





<div class=»views-row»>
 <div class=»views-field views-field-field-image»>
 <div class=»field-content»>
 <a href=»/content/uva-alum-wants-reinvent-your-morning-cereal-bowl»>
 
<img class=»file-default» alt=»Holt Walker pouring milk over a bowl of Tribute Provisions cereal with a variety of cereal boxes spread out behind him» src=»/sites/default/files/styles/small/public/Header-SF-Cereal-Alum-MR.jpg?itok=NJypKSsy» width=»417″ height=»278″ loading=»lazy»/>


 </a>
 </div>
 </div>
 <div class=»views-field views-field-title»>
 <span class=»field-content»>
 <div class=»news-topic»>
 Business &; Government
 



</div>
 <a href=»/content/uva-alum-wants-reinvent-your-morning-cereal-bowl»>This UVA alum wants to reinvent your morning cereal bowl</a>
 </span>
 </div>
</div>
</div>
 <div>





<div class=»views-row»>
 <div class=»views-field views-field-field-image»>
 <div class=»field-content»>
 <a href=»/content/world-just-stopped-one-womans-response-life-altering-diagnosis»>
 
<img class=»file-default» alt=»A portrait of Rita Lam looking towards a window.» src=»/sites/default/files/styles/small/public/Header-SF-BRCA1-LNG.jpg?itok=8A9B4REt» width=»417″ height=»278″ loading=»lazy»/>


 </a>
 </div>
 </div>
 <div class=»views-field views-field-title»>
 <span class=»field-content»>
 <div class=»news-topic»>
 Research &; Discovery
 



</div>
 <a href=»/content/world-just-stopped-one-womans-response-life-altering-diagnosis»>‘The world just stopped': One woman's response to a life-altering diagnosis</a>
 </span>
 </div>
</div>
</div>
 <div>





<div class=»views-row»>
 <div class=»views-field views-field-field-image»>
 <div class=»field-content»>
 <a href=»/content/tattoos-bond-uva-star-kymora-johnson-and-her-no-1-fan»>
 
<img class=»file-default» alt=»Jessica Thomas-Johnson and Kymora Johnson together on a basketball court showing their matching tattoos» src=»/sites/default/files/styles/small/public/Header-SF-Kymora-Johnson-MR-v2.jpg?itok=OmTR2gQt» width=»417″ height=»278″ loading=»lazy»/>


 </a>
 </div>
 </div>
 <div class=»views-field views-field-title»>
 <span class=»field-content»>
 <div class=»news-topic»>
 Student Experience
 



</div>
 <a href=»/content/tattoos-bond-uva-star-kymora-johnson-and-her-no-1-fan»>The tattoos that bond UVA star Kymora Johnson and her No. 1 fan</a>
 </span>
 </div>
</div>
</div>
 </div>
 






 </div>
 
 </div>


 
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
</div>

 </div>
 
 




<div class=»entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-you-may-also-like clearfix»>
 <div class=»content»>
 

 <div class=»field field–name-field-title field–type-text field–label-hidden»>
 <div class=»field-items»>
 <h2 class=»field-item even»>The Latest From 
 Business &; Government
 



</h2>
 </div>
 </div>
 
 
 <div class=»you-may-also-like»>
 <div class=»stories»>

 
 

 


 
 
 
 <article class=»story»>
 <a aria-label=»read more about: Q&;A: What do landmark ‘addiction' rulings mean for social media? » href=»/content/qa-what-do-landmark-addiction-rulings-mean-social-media»>
 <div class=»story-image intermediate_news_article»>

 
<img class=»file-default» alt=»Illustration of a judges gavel smashing a phone with the Meta and YouTube logos on it» src=»/sites/default/files/styles/uva_3_2/public/Header-SF-Meta-TobiasWilbur.jpg?h=41f55a5b&;itok=2rlHIzLu» width=»900″ height=»600″ loading=»lazy»/>


 
 </div>
 </a>
 <div class=»text-container»>
 <h3 class=»title»>
 <a href=»/content/qa-what-do-landmark-addiction-rulings-mean-social-media»> Q&;A: What do landmark ‘addiction' rulings mean for social media?</a>
 </h3>
 </div>
 </article>





 
 
 
 <article class=»story»>
 <a aria-label=»read more about: Think you know olive oil? Think again » href=»/content/think-you-know-olive-oil-think-again»>
 <div class=»story-image intermediate_news_article»>

 
<img class=»file-default» alt=»Claudia Hanna-Veysel picking olives. » src=»/sites/default/files/styles/uva_3_2/public/Header-SF-OiliveOil-JU.jpg?h=41f55a5b&;itok=zOhlp4fq» width=»900″ height=»600″ loading=»lazy»/>


 
 </div>
 </a>
 <div class=»text-container»>
 <h3 class=»title»>
 <a href=»/content/think-you-know-olive-oil-think-again»> Think you know olive oil? Think again</a>
 </h3>
 </div>
 </article>





 
 
 
 <article class=»story»>
 <a aria-label=»read more about: Q&;A: It's the 20th ‘Hannaversary' of ‘Hannah Montana.' Why is Disney making a big deal? » href=»/content/qa-its-20th-hannaversary-hannah-montana-why-disney-making-big-deal»>
 <div class=»story-image intermediate_news_article»>

 
<img class=»file-default» alt=»Collage of headshots of Hannah Montana from past and present.» src=»/sites/default/files/styles/uva_3_2/public/Header-SF-HM20-Disney-JU.jpg?h=41f55a5b&;itok=bJBsoH89″ width=»900″ height=»600″ loading=»lazy»/>


 
 </div>
 </a>
 <div class=»text-container»>
 <h3 class=»title»>
 <a href=»/content/qa-its-20th-hannaversary-hannah-montana-why-disney-making-big-deal»> Q&;A: It's the 20th ‘Hannaversary' of ‘Hannah Montana.' Why is Disney making a big deal? </a>
 </h3>
 </div>
 </article>





 </div>
 </div>

 </div>
</div>

 




 </div>
 </div>


 </div>
 </div>


 </div>

 <footer role=»contentinfo»> 

<div class=»container-pre-footer»>
 <div class=»l-region l-region–pre-footer»>
 <div id=»block-uva-today-blocks-uva-today-footer» class=»block block–uva-today-blocks block–uva-today-blocks-uva-today-footer»>
 <div class=»block__content»>
 <div id=»uva_today_footer»>
 <a href=»http://www.virginia.edu/» target=»_blank» id=»uva_today_logo» aria-label=»UVA Logo»><span>University of Virginia Logo</span></a>
 <a href=»http://www.virginia.edu/» id=»uva_today_logo_print»><img src=»/sites/all/themes/custom/uva_today/images/uva_horiz_rgb.png» alt=»UVA Logo»/></a>

 <div id=»uva_today_social_links»>
 <ul id=»aetni-social»>
 <li id=»aetni-social-youtube» class=»social-icons-aetni-youtube-gry»>
 <a class=»social» href=»https://www.youtube.com/user/UniversityofVirginia» target=»_blank»>
 <img src=»/themes/custom/images/social-white/social-youtube-white.png» alt=»Linkedin Icon»/>
 <span>YouTube</span>
 </a>
 </li>

 <li id=»aetni-social-twitter» class=»social-icons-aetni-twitter-gry»>
 <a class=»social» href=»https://twitter.com/uva» target=»_blank»>
 <img src=»/themes/custom/images/social-white/social-x-white.png» alt=»X Icon»/>
 <span>X</span>
 </a>
 </li>

 <li id=»aetn-social-facebook» class=»social-icons-aetni-facebook-gry»>
 <a class=»social» href=»https://www.facebook.com/UniversityofVirginia» target=»_blank»>
 <img src=»/themes/custom/images/social-white/social-facebook-white.png» alt=»Facebook Icon»/>
 <span>Facebook</span>
 </a>
 </li>

 <li id=»aetni-social-instagram» class=»social-icons-aetni-insta-gry»>
 <a class=»social» href=»https://instagram.com/uva» target=»_blank»>
 <img src=»/themes/custom/images/social-white/social-instagram-white.png» alt=»Instagram Icon»/>
 <span>Instagram</span>
 </a>
 </li>

 <li id=»aetn-social-facebook» class=»social-icons-aetni-facebook-gry»>
 <a class=»social» href=»https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-virginia/» target=»_blank»>
 <img src=»/themes/custom/images/social-white/social-linkedin-white.png» alt=»Linkedin Icon»/>
 <span>Linkedin</span>
 </a>
 </li>

 <li id=»aetn-social-threads» class=»social-icons-aetni-threads-gry»>
 <a class=»social» href=»https://www.threads.net/@uva» target=»_blank»>
 <img src=»/themes/custom/images/social-white/social-threads-white.png» alt=»Threads Icon»/>
 <span>Threads</span>
 </a>
 </li>
 </ul>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 <nav id=»block-menu-menu-uva-today-footer» role=»navigation» class=»block block–menu block–menu-menu-uva-today-footer»>
 <ul class=»menu»>
 <li class=»first leaf»>
 <a href=»/content/about-us» title=»»>About Us</a>
 </li>
 <li class=»leaf»>
 <a href=»/articles» title=»»>News Releases</a>
 </li>
 <li class=»leaf»>
 <a href=»http://www.virginia.edu/siteinfo/privacy» title=»»>Privacy Policy</a>
 </li>
 <li class=»last leaf»>
 <a href=»/content/contact-us» title=»»>Contact</a>
 </li>
 </ul>
 </nav>
 </div>
</div>
<div class=»container-footer»>
 <div class=»l-region l-region–footer»>
 <div id=»block-uva-today-blocks-uva-today-copyright» class=»block block–uva-today-blocks block–uva-today-blocks-uva-today-copyright»>
 <div class=»block__content»>©
 2026
 By The Rector And Visitors Of The University Of Virginia</div>
 </div>
 </div>
</div>
</footer>
 </div>

 
 
 </div>


 </div>

 
 














 <!–Parse.ly–>
 
 <!– –>
 </article></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

#inline-video-mobile {display:none;padding-bottom:100%;}

#inline-video-desktop video, #inline-video-mobile img {height:100%;left:0;position:absolute;top:0;width:100%;}

@media screen and (max-width: 600px) and (orientation: portrait) {

	#inline-video-mobile {display:block;}

	#inline-video-desktop {display:none;}

}

.contextual-region.view-nodequeue-views {width:100%;}

@media screen and (min-width: 960px) {

#inline-ad-view .paragraphs-item-daily-report .content {display:block;}

#inline-ad-view .paragraphs-item-daily-report {width:74.16667%;margin-left:2.5%;}

.news-article #inline-ad-view .paragraphs-item-daily-report {width:100%;margin-left:auto;}

}

@media screen and (min-width: 2426px) {

#inline-ad-view .paragraphs-item-daily-report {margin-left:auto;}

}

]]></style><div id=»inline-frame»><div id=»inline-video-desktop»><a href=»https://news.virginia.edu/news-category/made-usa?utm_campaign=va250&;utm_medium=owned&;utm_source=inlinead&;utm_content=celebratehistory&;utm_term=generic» title=»Made for the USA – VA250″><img class=»no-lazy» alt=»Celebrating Our Shared History – VA250″ src=»/sites/default/files/2526DGC-VA250-Generic-Ad-970×180.jpg»/></a></div><div id=»inline-video-mobile»><a href=»https://news.virginia.edu/news-category/made-usa?utm_campaign=va250&;utm_medium=owned&;utm_source=inlinead&;utm_content=celebratehistory&;utm_term=generic» title=»Made for the USA -VA250″><img class=»no-lazy» alt=»Celebrating Our Shared History – VA250″ src=»/sites/default/files/2526DGC-VA250-Generic-Ad-1080×1080.jpg»/></a></div></div>
</div>



 </div>
 
 </div>


 </div>
 </div>

 





 <div>
 <div>
 <div class=»entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-intro-text paragraphs-item-body-text intro-text clearfix»>
 <div class=»content»>
 <p>They first sensed something was wrong when they heard a military jet fly overhead. Once the sirens sounded, the Dooleys and their church group were escorted to a shelter built into a hillside.</p><p>“The closest area was the bathrooms, so they separated the men into the men's rooms, and the women into the women's restrooms. The ladies started praying, and the men were laughing and telling jokes,†Brittany Dooley, a physician assistant at UVA Health, said.</p><p>Shortly afterward, the group returned to their hotel, where they sheltered for days as church leaders weighed their options and the war evolved.</p><article>
 
 

<div class=»media media-element-container media-default»>

 <div class=»file file-image file-image-jpeg»>
 <div class=»content file-default» style=»line-height: 0;»>
 
<span class=»caption none media-element file-default»>
<img loading=»lazy» src=»/sites/default/files/Inline-01-DooleyME-Contributed.jpg» width=»2000″ height=»1333″ alt=»Portrait of Matt and Brittany Dooley pose for a photo on the Mount of Olives.» class=»file-default»/>
<p>Matt and Brittany Dooley pose for a photo on the Mount of Olives. Not long after, they would hear sirens signifying that the war with Iran had begun. (Contributed photo)</p>
</span>


 </div>
 </div>
 </div>



 </article>
<p>In some ways, the couple had prepared for something like this. When they arrived in Tel Aviv, Matt even asked a local person what would happen in the event of an attack, since there were already reports of growing tension in the region.</p><p>“We went a day early and landed in Tel Aviv, and I struck up a conversation with our cab driver. I asked him, ‘If something were to happen, what's the plan?'†Matt recalled. “He said, ‘The government has a plan. They would get you to Jordan and fly you home from there.'â€</p><p>For the next several days, however, the Dooleys enjoyed a perfectly ordinary trip. Their church plans annual trips to Israel to visit places mentioned in the Bible, though it paused the trips for the last three years due to the Israel-Gaza war.</p><p>The Dooleys spent a day and a half exploring Tel Aviv and Jaffa, an ancient port city in southern Tel Aviv. On Feb. 25, the official church trip began. A group of 57 people, ranging in age from 10 to 89, toured Caesarea Maritima (built by Herod the Great), Mount Carmel and Megiddo, where the Battle of Armageddon is said to take place. They floated in the Dead Sea before arriving in Jerusalem on Feb. 27. The next morning, they visited the Mount of Olives.</p><p>Despite the violence and uncertainty of their situation, the Dooleys remembered a sense of relative calm.</p><p>“There were soldiers staying in the hotel for a training or a conference, so even though we didn't know what was going to happen, we felt pretty safe,†said Matt Dooley, who works as a limited submissions coordinator in the Office of the Vice President for Research.</p><article>
 
 

<div class=»media media-element-container media-default»>

 <div class=»file file-image file-image-jpeg»>
 <div class=»content file-default» style=»line-height: 0;»>
 
<span class=»caption none media-element file-default»>
<img loading=»lazy» src=»/sites/default/files/Inline-02-DooleyME-Contributed.jpg» width=»2000″ height=»1333″ alt=»Empty room with colorful chairs arranged in a circle under bright ceiling lights.» class=»file-default»/>
<p>This safe room inside an Israeli hotel has reinforced walls and a steel door. The Dooleys sheltered here while their church group formulated evacuation plans. (Contributed photo)</p>
</span>


 </div>
 </div>
 </div>



 </article>
<p>They saw the effects of the war up close. An Israeli family was staying in the hotel after three of their four children were killed in a strike.</p><p>“I, myself, am not a very emotional person usually. … I held myself together and did OK until I saw that family in the lobby,†Brittany Dooley said.</p><p>It took days to develop a plan to leave. The airspace was immediately shut down, and traveling across a land border became impossible as well.</p><article class=»align-right»>
 
 

<div class=»media media-element-container media-default»>

 <div class=»file file-image file-image-jpeg»>
 <div class=»content file-default» style=»line-height: 0;»>
 
<span class=»caption none media-element file-default»>
<img loading=»lazy» src=»/sites/default/files/Inline-03-Right-DooleyME-Contributed.jpg» width=»1000″ height=»1333″ alt=»Brittany Dooley riding a camel in the desert with the Great Pyramid in the background.» class=»file-default»/>
<p>The Dooleys ride camels in Egypt, where they ultimately caught a flight back to the United States. (Contributed photo)</p>
</span>


 </div>
 </div>
 </div>



 </article>
<p>“Things were changing by the minute. Someone would come up with one plan, and they'd check on it, and a minute or two later, that plan was no longer good. So, someone would come up with another idea, and the same thing would happen, and that was Sunday night into Monday morning,†Matt Dooley said. “When Hezbollah started firing from Lebanon, our tour guide's exact words were, ‘Your window of escape is quickly closing.'â€Â </p><p>They decided to travel south, to Egypt, since Iran was sending missiles from the east and Hezbollah from the north. A member of their congregation, Peter Snyder, a former Republican candidate for governor, had been working through various government channels to help the group get out safely. Eventually, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner arranged for officials from the U.S. Embassy in Cairo to meet the church group at the border crossing.</p><p>The drive to Cairo was estimated to take 11 hours, following the route the State Department suggested.</p><p>“Our bus drivers got us there in nine hours,†Brittany Dooley said.</p><p>After a couple of days in Cairo, they took time to visit the pyramids, then hopped on a flight to begin their journey back to the United States, stopping first in London.</p><p>“The second the wheels touched the ground, all of that emotion in me just released,†Brittany Dooley said.</p><p>The journey wasn't over, however. From London, they flew to Chicago, where customs agents briefly stopped Matt Dooley before being released. They finally made it to Charlottesville at 4 a.m. on March 7, a Saturday. They took the weekend to recuperate and were back to work on Monday.</p>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>





 </div>
 

 
 <div class=»paragraphs-items paragraphs-items-field-media-contacts-field paragraphs-items-field-media-contacts-field-full paragraphs-items-full»>
 <div class=»field field–name-field-media-contacts-field field–type-paragraphs field–label-hidden»>
 <div class=»field__items»>
 <div class=»field__item even item-0″>
 <div class=»entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-media-contacts clearfix»>
 <div class=»content»>
 <div class=»media-contacts»>
 <div class=»media-contacts-inner»>
 <h3>Media Contacts</h3>

 
 <div class=»contact»>
 <p class=»name»>
 <a href=»/content/alice-berry»>Alice Berry</a>
 </p>
 <p class=»title-org»>
 <span class=»title»>University News Associate</span> <span class=»organization»>Office of University Communications</span> </p>
 <p class=»email-phone»>
 <span class=»email»><a href=»mailto:aberry@virginia.edu»>aberry@virginia.edu</a></span>
 <span class=»phone»>434-924-6861</span>
 </p>
 </div>
 </div>

 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 
 <div class=»sidebar-mobile» style=»display:none;»>
 <div class=»views-element-container block block-views block-views-blocknodequeue-views-block-8″ id=»block-views-block-nodequeue-views-block-8–2″>
 
 
 <div class=»content»>
 
<div class=»view view-nodequeue-views view-id-nodequeue_views view-display-id-block_8 js-view-dom-id-e1325d0ca733c700d0c2f1b7fe147e8cd5d74d054308c85b327f5c75ce79116b»>

	
<div id=»block-views-uva-news-block-4_2″ class=»block block–views block–views-uva-news-block-«>
 <div class=»block__content»>
 <div class=»view view-uva-news view-id-uva_news view-display-id-block_4 «>
 <div class=»view-content»>

 
<div class=»view view-nodequeue-views view-id-nodequeue_views view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-a98f2e08e0332fc9f1a5c575528532f94dd54b357b384140e5852774522f937a»>
 
 
 
 <div class=»view-content»>
 

<article data-history-node-id=»372031″>

<div>

 <div class=»side-block uvatoday-promo-image»>
 <a class=»side-ad-promo» href=»https://www.virginia.edu/follow-us?utm_campaign=socialgrowth&;utm_medium=owned&;utm_source=houseada&;utm_content=followus&;utm_term=logos» title=»Follow Us on Social»>
 
 <article>
 
 

<div class=»media media-element-container media-default»>

 <div class=»file file-image file-image-jpeg»>
 <div class=»content file-default» style=»line-height: 0;»>
 
<img loading=»lazy» src=»/sites/default/files/1208164731309854.uRLwxEem1a6qi2aZ2zg9_height640.png» width=»480″ height=»480″ alt=»Follow us on Social» class=»file-default»/>


 </div>
 </div>
 </div>



 </article>

 




 </a>
 </div>












 </div>
 
 </article></div>


 
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
</div>


	 <div class=»view-content»>
 



 <div class=»paragraph paragraph–type–targeted-ad paragraph–view-mode–default»>
 

 <div class=»personalized-ad chroniclehighered » agg_term=»» style=»display:none;»>

 
<article data-history-node-id=»354491″>

<div>

 <div class=»side-block uvatoday-promo-image»>
 <a class=»side-ad-promo» href=»https://news.virginia.edu/content/be-great-and-good-all-we-do?utm_campaign=greatandgood_uva-affinity&;utm_medium=owned&;utm_source=houseadb&;utm_content=excellence&;utm_keyword=rotundafront» title=»https://news.virginia.edu/content/be-great-and-good-all-we-do?utm_campaign=grea…»>
 
 <article>
 
 

<div class=»media media-element-container media-default»>

 <div class=»file file-image file-image-jpeg»>
 <div class=»content file-default» style=»line-height: 0;»>
 
<img loading=»lazy» src=»/sites/default/files/GnG_Excellence_1080×850_BSet.jpg» width=»1080″ height=»850″ alt=»Excellence here goes everywhere. To be great and good in all we do. Find out more.» class=»file-default»/>


 </div>
 </div>
 </div>



 </article>

 




 </a>
 </div>












 </div>






 </article></div>






 <div class=»paragraph paragraph–type–targeted-ad paragraph–view-mode–default»>
 

 <div class=»personalized-ad insidehighered » agg_term=»» style=»display:none;»>

 
<article data-history-node-id=»354491″>

<div>

 <div class=»side-block uvatoday-promo-image»>
 <a class=»side-ad-promo» href=»https://news.virginia.edu/content/be-great-and-good-all-we-do?utm_campaign=greatandgood_uva-affinity&;utm_medium=owned&;utm_source=houseadb&;utm_content=excellence&;utm_keyword=rotundafront» title=»https://news.virginia.edu/content/be-great-and-good-all-we-do?utm_campaign=grea…»>
 
 <article>
 
 

<div class=»media media-element-container media-default»>

 <div class=»file file-image file-image-jpeg»>
 <div class=»content file-default» style=»line-height: 0;»>
 
<img loading=»lazy» src=»/sites/default/files/GnG_Excellence_1080×850_BSet.jpg» width=»1080″ height=»850″ alt=»Excellence here goes everywhere. To be great and good in all we do. Find out more.» class=»file-default»/>


 </div>
 </div>
 </div>



 </article>

 




 </a>
 </div>












 </div>






 </article></div>



 </div>
 
</div>



 </div>
 </div>

 
<div id=»block-uva-today-stats-uva-today-stats-weekly» class=»side-block block block–uva-today-stats block–uva-today-stats-uva-today-stats-weekly»>
 <div class=»block__content»>
 <div id=»block-views-uva-news-block-1″ class=»uva-today-stats-weekly uva-today-stats-weekly-processed»>
 <h2 class=»block__title»>Trending</h2>
 <div class=»view-content»>

 
<div class=»view view-nodequeue-views view-id-nodequeue_views view-display-id-block_2 js-view-dom-id-5638ad08d97c0280989c2185c08d3d9b9d20a438ce88b4a77eda8113b42632ed»>
 
 
 
 <div class=»view-content»>
 

 <div>
 <div>





<div class=»views-row»>
 <div class=»views-field views-field-field-image»>
 <div class=»field-content»>
 <a href=»/content/uva-alum-wants-reinvent-your-morning-cereal-bowl»>
 
<img class=»file-default» alt=»Holt Walker pouring milk over a bowl of Tribute Provisions cereal with a variety of cereal boxes spread out behind him» src=»/sites/default/files/styles/small/public/Header-SF-Cereal-Alum-MR.jpg?itok=NJypKSsy» width=»417″ height=»278″ loading=»lazy»/>


 </a>
 </div>
 </div>
 <div class=»views-field views-field-title»>
 <span class=»field-content»>
 <div class=»news-topic»>
 Business &; Government
 



</div>
 <a href=»/content/uva-alum-wants-reinvent-your-morning-cereal-bowl»>This UVA alum wants to reinvent your morning cereal bowl</a>
 </span>
 </div>
</div>
</div>
 <div>





<div class=»views-row»>
 <div class=»views-field views-field-field-image»>
 <div class=»field-content»>
 <a href=»/content/world-just-stopped-one-womans-response-life-altering-diagnosis»>
 
<img class=»file-default» alt=»A portrait of Rita Lam looking towards a window.» src=»/sites/default/files/styles/small/public/Header-SF-BRCA1-LNG.jpg?itok=8A9B4REt» width=»417″ height=»278″ loading=»lazy»/>


 </a>
 </div>
 </div>
 <div class=»views-field views-field-title»>
 <span class=»field-content»>
 <div class=»news-topic»>
 Research &; Discovery
 



</div>
 <a href=»/content/world-just-stopped-one-womans-response-life-altering-diagnosis»>‘The world just stopped': One woman's response to a life-altering diagnosis</a>
 </span>
 </div>
</div>
</div>
 <div>





<div class=»views-row»>
 <div class=»views-field views-field-field-image»>
 <div class=»field-content»>
 <a href=»/content/tattoos-bond-uva-star-kymora-johnson-and-her-no-1-fan»>
 
<img class=»file-default» alt=»Jessica Thomas-Johnson and Kymora Johnson together on a basketball court showing their matching tattoos» src=»/sites/default/files/styles/small/public/Header-SF-Kymora-Johnson-MR-v2.jpg?itok=OmTR2gQt» width=»417″ height=»278″ loading=»lazy»/>


 </a>
 </div>
 </div>
 <div class=»views-field views-field-title»>
 <span class=»field-content»>
 <div class=»news-topic»>
 Student Experience
 



</div>
 <a href=»/content/tattoos-bond-uva-star-kymora-johnson-and-her-no-1-fan»>The tattoos that bond UVA star Kymora Johnson and her No. 1 fan</a>
 </span>
 </div>
</div>
</div>
 </div>
 






 </div>
 
 </div>


 
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
</div>

 </div>
 
 




<div class=»entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-you-may-also-like clearfix»>
 <div class=»content»>
 

 <div class=»field field–name-field-title field–type-text field–label-hidden»>
 <div class=»field-items»>
 <h2 class=»field-item even»>The Latest From 
 Business &; Government
 



</h2>
 </div>
 </div>
 
 
 <div class=»you-may-also-like»>
 <div class=»stories»>

 
 

 


 
 
 
 <article class=»story»>
 <a aria-label=»read more about: Q&;A: What do landmark ‘addiction' rulings mean for social media? » href=»/content/qa-what-do-landmark-addiction-rulings-mean-social-media»>
 <div class=»story-image intermediate_news_article»>

 
<img class=»file-default» alt=»Illustration of a judges gavel smashing a phone with the Meta and YouTube logos on it» src=»/sites/default/files/styles/uva_3_2/public/Header-SF-Meta-TobiasWilbur.jpg?h=41f55a5b&;itok=2rlHIzLu» width=»900″ height=»600″ loading=»lazy»/>


 
 </div>
 </a>
 <div class=»text-container»>
 <h3 class=»title»>
 <a href=»/content/qa-what-do-landmark-addiction-rulings-mean-social-media»> Q&;A: What do landmark ‘addiction' rulings mean for social media?</a>
 </h3>
 </div>
 </article>





 
 
 
 <article class=»story»>
 <a aria-label=»read more about: Think you know olive oil? Think again » href=»/content/think-you-know-olive-oil-think-again»>
 <div class=»story-image intermediate_news_article»>

 
<img class=»file-default» alt=»Claudia Hanna-Veysel picking olives. » src=»/sites/default/files/styles/uva_3_2/public/Header-SF-OiliveOil-JU.jpg?h=41f55a5b&;itok=zOhlp4fq» width=»900″ height=»600″ loading=»lazy»/>


 
 </div>
 </a>
 <div class=»text-container»>
 <h3 class=»title»>
 <a href=»/content/think-you-know-olive-oil-think-again»> Think you know olive oil? Think again</a>
 </h3>
 </div>
 </article>





 
 
 
 <article class=»story»>
 <a aria-label=»read more about: Q&;A: It's the 20th ‘Hannaversary' of ‘Hannah Montana.' Why is Disney making a big deal? » href=»/content/qa-its-20th-hannaversary-hannah-montana-why-disney-making-big-deal»>
 <div class=»story-image intermediate_news_article»>

 
<img class=»file-default» alt=»Collage of headshots of Hannah Montana from past and present.» src=»/sites/default/files/styles/uva_3_2/public/Header-SF-HM20-Disney-JU.jpg?h=41f55a5b&;itok=bJBsoH89″ width=»900″ height=»600″ loading=»lazy»/>


 
 </div>
 </a>
 <div class=»text-container»>
 <h3 class=»title»>
 <a href=»/content/qa-its-20th-hannaversary-hannah-montana-why-disney-making-big-deal»> Q&;A: It's the 20th ‘Hannaversary' of ‘Hannah Montana.' Why is Disney making a big deal? </a>
 </h3>
 </div>
 </article>





 </div>
 </div>

 </div>
</div>

 




 </div>
 </div>


 </div>
 </div>


 </div>

 <footer role=»contentinfo»> 

<div class=»container-pre-footer»>
 <div class=»l-region l-region–pre-footer»>
 <div id=»block-uva-today-blocks-uva-today-footer» class=»block block–uva-today-blocks block–uva-today-blocks-uva-today-footer»>
 <div class=»block__content»>
 <div id=»uva_today_footer»>
 <a href=»http://www.virginia.edu/» target=»_blank» id=»uva_today_logo» aria-label=»UVA Logo»><span>University of Virginia Logo</span></a>
 <a href=»http://www.virginia.edu/» id=»uva_today_logo_print»><img src=»/sites/all/themes/custom/uva_today/images/uva_horiz_rgb.png» alt=»UVA Logo»/></a>

 <div id=»uva_today_social_links»>
 <ul id=»aetni-social»>
 <li id=»aetni-social-youtube» class=»social-icons-aetni-youtube-gry»>
 <a class=»social» href=»https://www.youtube.com/user/UniversityofVirginia» target=»_blank»>
 <img src=»/themes/custom/images/social-white/social-youtube-white.png» alt=»Linkedin Icon»/>
 <span>YouTube</span>
 </a>
 </li>

 <li id=»aetni-social-twitter» class=»social-icons-aetni-twitter-gry»>
 <a class=»social» href=»https://twitter.com/uva» target=»_blank»>
 <img src=»/themes/custom/images/social-white/social-x-white.png» alt=»X Icon»/>
 <span>X</span>
 </a>
 </li>

 <li id=»aetn-social-facebook» class=»social-icons-aetni-facebook-gry»>
 <a class=»social» href=»https://www.facebook.com/UniversityofVirginia» target=»_blank»>
 <img src=»/themes/custom/images/social-white/social-facebook-white.png» alt=»Facebook Icon»/>
 <span>Facebook</span>
 </a>
 </li>

 <li id=»aetni-social-instagram» class=»social-icons-aetni-insta-gry»>
 <a class=»social» href=»https://instagram.com/uva» target=»_blank»>
 <img src=»/themes/custom/images/social-white/social-instagram-white.png» alt=»Instagram Icon»/>
 <span>Instagram</span>
 </a>
 </li>

 <li id=»aetn-social-facebook» class=»social-icons-aetni-facebook-gry»>
 <a class=»social» href=»https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-virginia/» target=»_blank»>
 <img src=»/themes/custom/images/social-white/social-linkedin-white.png» alt=»Linkedin Icon»/>
 <span>Linkedin</span>
 </a>
 </li>

 <li id=»aetn-social-threads» class=»social-icons-aetni-threads-gry»>
 <a class=»social» href=»https://www.threads.net/@uva» target=»_blank»>
 <img src=»/themes/custom/images/social-white/social-threads-white.png» alt=»Threads Icon»/>
 <span>Threads</span>
 </a>
 </li>
 </ul>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
 <nav id=»block-menu-menu-uva-today-footer» role=»navigation» class=»block block–menu block–menu-menu-uva-today-footer»>
 <ul class=»menu»>
 <li class=»first leaf»>
 <a href=»/content/about-us» title=»»>About Us</a>
 </li>
 <li class=»leaf»>
 <a href=»/articles» title=»»>News Releases</a>
 </li>
 <li class=»leaf»>
 <a href=»http://www.virginia.edu/siteinfo/privacy» title=»»>Privacy Policy</a>
 </li>
 <li class=»last leaf»>
 <a href=»/content/contact-us» title=»»>Contact</a>
 </li>
 </ul>
 </nav>
 </div>
</div>
<div class=»container-footer»>
 <div class=»l-region l-region–footer»>
 <div id=»block-uva-today-blocks-uva-today-copyright» class=»block block–uva-today-blocks block–uva-today-blocks-uva-today-copyright»>
 <div class=»block__content»>©
 2026
 By The Rector And Visitors Of The University Of Virginia</div>
 </div>
 </div>
</div>
</footer>
 </div>

 
 
 </div>


 </div>

 
 














 <!–Parse.ly–>
 
 <!– –>
 </article></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
