Birthright Israel Foundation

Birthright Israel was founded in 1999 by Charles Bronfman, a funder of the Slingshot project, and Michael Steinhardt, who were concerned about the growing schism between Israel and Diaspora Jews and the concomitant decline in interest and engagement in Jewish life. They set out to engage and support Jews between 18 and 26 years of age by offering an opportunity to explore and discover their cultural heritage, their “birthright,” through a free, 10-day trip to Israel. Having had an enormous impact on the Jewish community with over 215,000 participants from around the world and over 30,000 from Israel, Taglit-Birthright Israel will mark its 10th anniversary in 2010. Among young adults born in 1985 and 1986, 15 to 20% have participated, as well as nearly 25% of their Canadian counterparts. While nearly three-quarters of trippers come from North America, the remaining 25% come from more than 50 countries around the world, making Birthright Israel the largest Jewish communal education project in history. 

Each group includes Jews from different backgrounds, providing a richness of experience through being able to interact with others who have varying levels of knowledge, connection and observance. The most popular element of the program remains the mifgash, an encounter that gives participants the chance to travel and connect with Israeli young adults, many of whom are soldiers, for at least five days of the trip. 

Even though Birthright’s impact is already being felt beyond the trip itself – past participants are more likely to marry another Jew, raise a Jewish family and stay connected to Israel – Birthright NEXT is a formal effort to engage alumni after they return. While financial support comes from a trifecta of private Jewish philanthropy, communal bodies (including federations) and the Israeli government, a top priority for Birthright Israel is for its funding to keep pace with the level of enthusiasm so as not to have to reject any of those who apply. With a decade behind it, one evaluator claims, “Birthright has transformed the Jewish community and energized a new generation of Jews who may have been disenfranchised or apathetic if not for their Birthright experience.”