Birthright Israel Trips

Birthright Israel (known as Taglit in Israel) was founded 25 years ago with the goal of giving every young Jewish adult (ages 18-26) the chance to experience a free 10 day trip to Israel.  Long term studies have proven that experiencing an organized, educational trip like this with your peers in Israel will make you more likely to identify Jewishly and raise children who will do the same.  This is very important now more than ever as anti-semitism and anti-Israel sentiments abound. Birthright/Taglit educators lead each bus-full of participants (about 30) and carefully and sensitively communicate the history of the land and people, the current state of affairs and help the group process the very emotional journey they experience.  A highlight for many is getting to know the IDF soldiers who join their bus for 5 of the 10 days. My son Ethan, freshly back from his trip, was struck by how 21 year old Israelis, who have been in war and buried friends who died fighting for their country, just don’t obsess about the “stupid little things” like their American counterparts.  Everyone’s perspective shifts after a Birthright trip in the most enlightening way.  I am proud to be a leader and donor on behalf of this life-changing and life-affirming organization.