Birthright Israel

File:Grupo de Taglit.JPG

The Birthright Israel program was founded in 1994 by philanthropists Charles Bronfman and Michael Steinhardt in cooperation with the Israeli government, the Jewish Agency for Israel, and Jewish diaspora communities,{{Cite web|url=https://www.brandeis.edu/cmjs/publications.html|title=Publications|website=www.brandeis.edu}} with the first program trip in 1999.{{cite news |title=Birthright participants feel closer to Israel, Judaism after trip - Pew |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-722413 |access-date=13 August 2023 |work=Jerusalem Post |date=2022-11-15}} The purpose of Birthright was to strengthen diaspora Jews' connection to Israel and increase a sense of Jewish identity, in response to the 1990 National Jewish Population Survey.

By 2007, annual capacity had increased to 20,000 participants a year.{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3361888,00.html|title=Richest US Jew pledges USD 25 million to Taglit – birthright israel|newspaper=Ynetnews|date=2 June 2007}} That year, the late Sheldon Adelson pledged $25 million to Birthright Israel to take applicants off waiting lists and to increase annual capacity to 37,000 for 2007 and 2008.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

Birthright launched Birthright NEXT in 2007 as a post-trip follow-up program. One NEXT initiative was I.D., in which Birthright Israel alumni would perform monologues based on their experiences.{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishexponent.com/birthright-alumni-raw-on-the-stage|title=Birthright Alumni: Raw on the Stage|publisher=Jewish Exponent|first=Robert|last=Leiter|date=25 April 2013}} Ultimately, a lack of funding for alumni programs in the face of an increased emphasis on youth Israel trips led NEXT to shut down by 2015.{{cite web|url=http://forward.com/articles/165277/birthright-reshuffles-follow-up-effort/?p=all|title=Birthright Reshuffles Follow-Up Effort|date=November 6, 2012|first=Seth|last=Berkman|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623170601/https://forward.com/news/israel/165277/birthright-reshuffles-follow-up-effort/|archive-date=June 23, 2015}}{{cite news |last1=Ain |first1=Stewart |title=New Program Will Replace NEXT |url=https://jewishweek.timesofisrael.com/new-program-will-replace-next/ |access-date=2 August 2021 |work=New York Jewish Week |date=April 30, 2015}}

In 2010, Birthright launched an extension program called Birthright Excel.{{cite web|url=http://taglitww.birthrightisrael.com/sites/excel/Pages/Default.aspx|title=Excel|last=www.proteam.co.il|website=taglitww.birthrightisrael.com|access-date=2017-08-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815030332/http://taglitww.birthrightisrael.com/sites/excel/Pages/Default.aspx|archive-date=2017-08-15|url-status=dead}} Birthright Excel is a 10-week summer program where students can either create a venture or intern with a business.{{Cite web|url=http://taglitww.birthrightisrael.com/sites/excel/Pages/Default.aspx|title=Taglit – Birthright Israel|website=taglitww.birthrightisrael.com|language=en-us|access-date=2017-08-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815030332/http://taglitww.birthrightisrael.com/sites/excel/Pages/Default.aspx|archive-date=2017-08-15|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news |date=2016-08-30 |title=Manufacturing Innovation: Birthright Excel Ventures |language=en-US |work=Jewlicious |url=http://jewlicious.com/2016/08/manufacturing-innovation-birthright-excel-ventures/ |access-date=2017-08-14}}

The number of participants averaged approximately 45,000 per year, with about 80% from the United States and Canada. After peaking at more than 48,000 participants in 2018, only 35,000 participants attended a Birthright Israel trip in 2022. Due to budgetary cuts, only 23,500 participants were anticipated to participate in the program in 2023.{{Cite news|url=https://www.jta.org/2022/11/21/israel/birthright-israel-to-scale-back-again-slashing-number-of-free-trips-by-up-to-a-third|title=Birthright Israel to scale back again, slashing number of free trips by up to a third|last=Lapin|first=Andrew|date=2022-11-22|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}

In 2022, Birthright Israel merged with Onward Israel, part of the Jewish Agency, which offers programs for young adults to travel to Israel for 6 to 10 weeks to live, work and study.{{Cite web|url=https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/onward-israel-merges-with-birthright-to-magnify-reach-and-increase-impact/|title=Onward Israel merges with Birthright to magnify reach and increase impact|date=2022-01-07}}

In 2023, Birthright had its first second-generation participant.{{cite news |title=Birthright Israel welcomes first second-generation participant |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/israel/birthright-israel-welcomes-first-second-generation-participant-6nuOUnbUDIIYf826ZFxWVi |access-date=13 August 2023 |work=Jewish Chronicle |date=2023-05-16}}

Since the program's first trip in 1999, more than 900,000 young Jews from 68 countries in the Jewish diaspora have participated in Birthright Israel.{{cite news |last1=Smilk |first1=Carin |title=New study details impact of Birthright Israel trips on children of participants |url=https://www.jns.org/new-study-details-impact-of-birthright-israel-trips-on-children-of-participants/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |work=Jewish News Syndicate |date=2025-03-11}}{{cite news |last1=Zieve |first1=Tamara |title=Jewish group pumps $1m. into Birthright to boost participation of Russian-speakers |url=https://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Jewish-group-pumps-1m-into-Birthright-to-increase-participation-of-Russian-speakers-520229 |access-date=4 August 2021 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=December 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403043459/http://www.birthrightisrael.com/Pages/Default.aspx |archive-date=April 3, 2015}}

To participate, individuals must have at least one parent of recognized Jewish descent or who have converted to Judaism through a recognized Jewish movement, and who do not actively practice another religion. They must also be between the ages of 18 and 26,{{Cite news|url=https://www.jta.org/2022/03/08/israel/birthright-israel-to-lower-its-age-limit-back-to-26|title=Seeking to spur college student travel, Birthright Israel to lower its age limit back to 26|last=Lapin|first=Andrew|date=2022-03-08|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}{{Cite web |title=Birthright Israel to lower its age limit back to 26 |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-700729 |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=Jerusalem Post|date=9 March 2022 |language=en-US}} have completed high school, have never traveled to Israel on a peer educational trip or study program after the age of 18, and have not lived in Israel for more than 3 months after the age of 12.{{cite web|url=http://www.birthrightisrael.com/site/PageServer?pagename=trip_faq#19|title=Taglit-Birthright Israel: Frequently Asked Questions|access-date=2008-02-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228043840/http://www.birthrightisrael.com/site/PageServer?pagename=trip_faq#19|archive-date=2008-02-28|url-status=dead}}

Between 2017 and 2022, Birthright raised the upper age limit for eligibility to 32 to reflect the broader cultural shift of young adults delaying major life decisions like getting married and having children.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/birthright-israel-raises-eligibility-age-to-32-1512600935|title=Birthright Israel Raises Eligibility Age to 32|last=Lovett|first=Ian|date=2017-12-06|work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=2017-12-07|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660}}

Trips are organized by different organizations and companies accredited by Birthright Israel, which sets the logistical, educational, and security standards. All groups are led by licensed Israeli tour guides and are accompanied by an armed security guard. Tours may vary according to age group and the religious background of the participants. Trips may be geared for graduate students, undergraduates at a particular university, participants from a particular city, participants who identify with a particular stream of Judaism, tours for hiking or music enthusiasts,{{cite web|title=Niche Trips|url=http://www.birthrightisrael.com/visitingisrael/Pages/Niche-Trips.aspx|website=Birthright Israel|publisher=The Birthright Israel Foundation|access-date=2 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226125926/http://www.birthrightisrael.com/visitingisrael/Pages/Niche-Trips.aspx|archive-date=26 February 2015|url-status=dead}}{{better source|date=March 2025}} and a diverse array of other interests, such as trips for the LGBTQ community, campus trips and accessibility trips.{{cite news|last1=Zelaya|first1=Ian|title=Taglit-Birthright offers 12-day Tech Challenge|publisher=Washington Jewish Week|date=16 January 2014|id={{ProQuest|1492727606}}}}{{cite news|last1=Elis|first1=Niv|title=Despite sirens, visiting techies keep coding. 'I'm more worried about getting lost in TA than rockets,' hacking competitor says|publisher=Jerusalem Post|date=24 July 2014|id={{ProQuest|1551320897}}}}

El Al, Israel's largest airline company, is the major operator of the trips' flights.{{cite news|last=Zohar Blumenkrantz|title=El Al to fly in 5,000 under Birthright project|url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/el-al-to-fly-in-5-000-under-birthright-project-1.96325|access-date=27 October 2013|newspaper=Haaretz|date=August 6, 2003}}

File:TelGezerTaglit.jpg with Birthright tourists, February 2013]]

A Birthright Israel trip lasts for 10 days, including travel to and from Israel. Tours travel throughout Israel and Jerusalem to religious and cultural sites, including the Western Wall and the Dead Sea. Trips also often include a Mega Event for all participants featuring speeches by dignitaries, including the Israeli Prime Minister, and musical performances by popular Israeli artists.{{cite web|url=http://www.birthrightisrael.com/site/PageServer?pagename=trip_howchooseto|title=Taglit-Birthright Israel How to Choose a Trip Organizer?|access-date=2009-01-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219131723/http://www.birthrightisrael.com/site/PageServer?pagename=trip_howchooseto|archive-date=2008-12-19|url-status=dead}}

File:Taglit.jpg

The tours also include a 5- to 10-day mifgash (Hebrew for 'encounter') with Israeli peers, usually soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Forces. The stated purpose for the mifgash is for the participants and the soldiers to get to know each other and to better understand each other's worldview and Jewish identity. Guided discussion sessions explore topics such as the Jewish tradition in the modern world, how Jewish life in Israel differs from Jewish life abroad, and how mandatory military service impacts young Israelis' perceptions of service and commitment to their country.{{cite magazine|last1=Feldman|first1=Kiera|title=The Romance of Birthright Israel|date=15 June 2011|url=http://www.thenation.com/article/161460/romance-birthright-israel#|magazine=The Nation|access-date=2 March 2015}} More than 115,000 Israelis have participated in the mifgash program since 2000.Taglit-Birthright Israel CEO Report (2001)

The cost for each participant, approximately $4,500 as of 2020, is covered by a variety of funding sources. According to Birthright Israel, 67% of funding comes from individual donors, 27% from the Israeli government, 3% from Jewish federations, and 3% from the Jewish Agency.{{cite web |title=The Cost of a Priceless Trip to Israel for Jewish Young Adults |url=https://birthrightisrael.foundation/blog/the-cost-of-a-priceless-trip-to-israel-for-jewish-young-adults/ |website=Birthright Israel Foundation |access-date=2023-01-30}}

The program's largest individual donors have included Sheldon Adelson and Miriam Adelson, who gave more than $250 million to Birthright Israel by 2015.{{cite web|title=Adelson, Azrieli Foundations Award $45 Million to Birthright Israel|url=http://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/adelson-azrieli-foundations-award-45-million-to-birthright-israel|website=Philanthropy News Digest (PND)|publisher=The Foundation Center|access-date=2 March 2015}}[http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/150285#.Ty658CPJcSV Adelson Foundation Gives Taglit An Extra $5 Million Boost], by Elad Benari, Israel National News, December 1, 2011 Other major donors include prominent philanthropists Charles Bronfman, Edgar Bronfman Sr., Daniel Och, Marlene Post, Lynn Schusterman, and Michael Steinhardt. The program also receives funding from the German government through the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.

Participation in Birthright Israel has been called a rite of passage for young Jews.{{cite news |last1=Stockman |first1=Farah |title=Birthright Trips, a Rite of Passage for Many Jews, Are Now a Target of Protests |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/11/us/israel-birthright-jews-protests.html |access-date=13 August 2023 |work=New York Times |date=2019-06-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426113106/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/11/us/israel-birthright-jews-protests.html |archive-date=2024-04-26}} Pew Research estimated that by 2020, around 20% of American Jews ages 18–46 had participated in Birthright.{{cite journal |last1=Saxe |first1=Leonard |title=The Reach and Impact of Birthright Israel: What We Can Learn from Pew's "Jewish Americans in 2020" |journal=Contemporary Jewry |date=2022-12-02 |volume=43 |issue=2 |pages=321–341 |doi=10.1007/s12397-022-09467-6 |s2cid=254219231 |doi-access=free }} Birthright has been called the most influential organization in relations between Israel and the Jewish diaspora.{{cite news |title=Taglit-Birthright 'most influential organization' in Diaspora-Israel relations |url=https://www.israelhayom.com/2023/02/23/birthright-israel-most-influential-organization-in-diaspora-israel-relations/ |access-date=13 August 2023 |work=Israel Hayom |date=2023-02-23}}

Leonard Saxe of Brandeis University's Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies has evaluated the program's impact since its inception in 1999. As of 2020, findings include:{{cite web |last1=Saxe |first1=Leonard |title=Jewish Futures Project. Birthright Israel's First Decade of Applicants: A Look at the Long-term Program Impact |url=https://www.brandeis.edu/cmjs/birthright/jewish-futures/jewish-futures-2018.html |website=Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies |publisher=Brandeis University |access-date=2023-01-30}}

• Birthright participants were 16 percentage points more likely to have a Jewish partner than similar nonparticipants.
• Birthright increased participants’ likelihood of engagement in Jewish life.
• One out of four Birthright participants marry another Birthright participant.{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/.premium-1.529422|title=Birthright Alumni Marry Later – and Are More Likely to Marry Jewish|first=Judy|last=Maltz|date=12 June 2013|newspaper=Haaretz}}

Birthright has been called the most influential organization in relations between Israel and the Jewish diaspora. Sociologist Shaul Kelner of Vanderbilt University described Birthright Israel as a "diaspora-building enterprise" to "ensure the continued existence of vibrant, Israel-oriented Jewish communities abroad".

According to a Pew Research study in 2020, there was an 85% increase in American participants who reported attachment to Israel after the trip, a 54% increase in feelings of belonging to the Jewish people, and a 58% increase in feeling closer to their Israeli counterparts. In addition, there was an 160% increase in participants' desire to have a Jewish spouse.

Birthright trips have been described as a form of propaganda.{{cite news |last=Byck Mlyn |first=Noah |date=2017-10-02 |title=Why I Refuse To Go On Birthright — And You Should, Too. |url=https://forward.com/community/384016/why-i-refuse-to-go-on-birthright-and-you-should-too/ |access-date=5 November 2023 |work=Forward}} Jewish Currents wrote, "Birthright has served as one of the most effective propaganda campaigns on behalf of the Israeli government and its occupation of the Palestinian territories."{{cite news |date=2019-11-21 |title=Roundtable: The Ethical Response to Birthright |url=https://jewishcurrents.org/roundtable-the-ethical-response-to-birthright |access-date=5 November 2023 |work=Jewish Currents}} The organization has been scrutinized for the large proportion of its funding coming from major Trump and Netanyahu backer Adelson.

In 2006, Salon.com alleged that Birthright Israel screened out applicants for political reasons.[http://www.salon.com/2006/06/05/birthright/ Come, see Palestine! Upstart tours of Palestine are challenging fully paid "See Israel" holidays in a battle for the hearts and minds of young American Jews] Rachel Shabi, Salon.com, Jun 5, 2006 Birthright Israel claims it does not ask applicants for their political views.{{cite web |title=FAQ |url=https://www.birthrightisrael.com/faq |access-date=13 August 2023 |publisher=Birthright Israel}}

The pro-Palestinian Jewish Voice for Peace runs a campaign called Return the Birthright, which criticizes the Birthright Israel program and urges young Jews to boycott it, stating: "it's unjust that we get a free Birthright trip, while Palestinian refugees can't return to their homes."{{cite news |date=2017-09-04 |title=Jewish Voice for Peace urges young Jews to reject Birthright trips |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-voice-for-peace-urges-young-jews-to-reject-birthright-trips/ |access-date=13 August 2023 |work=Times of Israel}}{{cite web |date=2017-09-02 |title=Jewish Voice for Peace urges young Jews to boycott Birthright Israel |url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/jewish-voice-for-peace-urges-young-jews-to-boycott-birthright-1.5447614 |access-date=2018-10-04 |website=haaretz.com}}

In recent years, Birthright has added optional activities involving Israeli Arabs.

According to a study by Ernst and Young, Birthright Israel had contributed more than $1.1 billion to the Israeli economy by 2016, including $840 million in hotel, tourism, and flights revenue, and $325 million in participant spending. During the two main period when Birthright trips are operating, Birthright participants make up as many as 12% of tourists in the country.{{cite news |last1=Ziri |first1=Danielle |title=Birthright program contributed over $1 billion to Israeli economy, study shows |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/birthright-program-contributed-over-1-billion-to-israeli-economy-study-shows-470628 |access-date=13 August 2023 |work=Jerusalem Post |date=2016-10-21}}

The cancellation of Birthright and other heritage trips due to COVID-19 cost the Israeli economy $200 million, according to Calcalist.{{cite news |last1=Reich |first1=Aaron |title=Cancellation of Masa, Birthright due to COVID-19 to cost Israel $200m. |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/cancellation-of-masa-birthright-due-to-covid-19-to-cost-israel-200m-631489 |access-date=13 August 2023 |work=Jerusalem Post |date=2020-06-15}}

Birthright Israel has inspired similar heritage programs for other diasporas, including Birthright Armenia for the Armenian diaspora, ReConnect Hungary for young adults of the Hungarian diaspora in the U.S. and Canada, Birthright Greece for the Greek diaspora, and Domovina Birthright Program for Croatians.{{cite news |title=National Hellenic Society Develops Heritage Greece Program |url=https://www.goarch.org/-/national-hellenic-society-develops-heritage-greece-program |agency=Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America |publisher=Orthodox Observer |date=2 February 2017}}{{Cite web |url=http://newvoices.org/features/birthright-israel-meet-birthright-armenia-2.html |title=Birthright Israel, Meet Birthright Armenia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512150217/http://newvoices.org/features/birthright-israel-meet-birthright-armenia-2.html |archive-date=12 May 2008 |author=Jeremy Gillick |date=5 May 2008}}{{cite news |last1=Compton |first1=Natalie |title=Birthright to Israel and beyond: 7 trips to explore your roots |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/tips/birthright-trips-israel-europe-africa/ |newspaper=Washington Post |date=2022-03-09}} Birthright also loosely inspired CubaOne Foundation for Cuban-Americans and Birthright Africa for young Americans of African descent, which was founded in 2015.{{cite web |title=Our Story |date=12 September 2020 |url=https://birthrightafrica.org/our-story/ |publisher=Birthright Africa |access-date=2023-01-27}}

In 2022, college basketball coach Bruce Pearl launched "Birthright for College Basketball," a 10-day trip bringing American college men's basketball teams to Israel. In 2023, the trip included a stop in the UAE.{{cite news |last1=Gurvis |first1=Jacob |title=Arizona and Kansas State men's basketball teams are headed to Israel and the UAE for Abraham Accords-inspired trip |url=https://www.jta.org/2023/08/08/sports/arizona-and-kansas-state-mens-basketball-teams-are-headed-to-israel-and-the-uae-for-abraham-accords-inspired-trip |access-date=13 August 2023 |work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |date=2023-08-08}}

• Jamie-Lynn Sigler, actress{{cite news|last= Kraft|first=Dina|title='Sopranos' star on birthright discovers her Jewish spirit|url=http://www.jpost.com/Jewish-World/Jewish-Features/Sopranos-star-on-birthright-discovers-her-Jewish-spirit|access-date=March 10, 2014|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date= January 22, 2008}}
• Ethan Klein, podcaster{{cite news |last1=Lapin |first1=Andrew |title=Prominent Jewish YouTuber Ethan Klein makes Holocaust joke about Ben Shapiro, leading to his suspension |url=https://www.jta.org/2022/10/21/culture/prominent-jewish-youtuber-ethan-klein-makes-holocaust-joke-about-ben-shapiro-leading-to-his-suspension |access-date=13 August 2023 |work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |date=2022-10-21}}
• Jonathan Lipnicki, actor{{cite news |last1=Spiro |first1=Amy |title=Child movie star finds faith in Israel |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/child-movie-star-finds-faith-in-israel-501806 |access-date=13 August 2023 |work=Jerusalem Post |date=2017-08-07}}
• Abbi Jacobson, actress[https://forward.com/news/353678/abbi-jacobson/ Abbi Jacobson] The Forward. 14 November 2016
• Max Steinberg, IDF soldier killed during the 2014 Gaza war{{cite news |title=Birthright honors lone soldier who fell in Gaza war |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/birthright-honors-lone-soldier-who-fell-in-gaza-war/ |access-date=22 April 2025 |work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |date=2015-07-16}}

{{div col |colwidth=30em}}

• Diaspora politics
• Jewish diaspora
• Jewish education
• Love Boat{{snd}}Analogous program for the Republic of China and Overseas Chinese youth
• Nefesh B'Nefesh
• Tourism in Israel
• Heritage tourism
• Genealogy tourism
• Hakhshara
• Youth village

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