We have great news to share. Because of you, Birthright Israel will welcome 13,500 participants to Israel this summer. As antisemitism reaches historic levels across the world, our Birthright Israel participants will strengthen their Jewish identity and build relationships with the land and people of Israel when they need it most. They will return home with a renewed sense of pride and determination, ready to stand up for their beliefs on campus and in their communities. This incredible experience will make them part of a generation reclaiming the term "Zionist" with positivity and confidence.
Thousands of our children, grandchildren, and peers will fill the streets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, immersed in Israeli culture and amazed to see the real Israel for themselves. This summer, thanks to your generosity, we are the largest educational tourism provider to Israel. An additional 2,100 Israeli young adults will participate on a Birthright Israel trip, strengthening the bonds between Israel and the Diaspora and sending a message of love and support during this time of war.
Summer 2024 bythe
numbers
4,000 VOLUNTEERS
1,400 ONWARD INTERNS
EXCEL FELLOWS
8,500 CLASSIC 10-DAY PARTICIPANTS
2,100 ISRAELI PARTICIPANTS
222,032
VOLUNTEERING
Every group will participate in rebuilding Israel through various volunteer activities
HOURS SPENT VOLUNTEERING
BEING JEWISH TODAY IN 2024
Conversation between participants and the Israelis joining to discuss their experiences being Jewish in their home countries
MEETING THE MOMENT IN 2024
THE BRING THEM HOME MOVEMENT
Hearing firsthand testimony of the events of October 7th
MEETINGS AT CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS
Introduction to an organization addressing the current needs of Israeli society
ISRAEL IS A BEACON FOR YOUNG JEWS
Imagine you’re a Jewish college student. Your professor asks a lecture hall full of your peers whether they support Hamas, an Islamist terrorist organization dedicated to eliminating Jews, or Israel, the Middle East’s only democracy. Half your classmates raise their hands for Hamas. How safe do you feel?
This is not merely hypothetical, as a recent Harvard CAPS-Harris poll revealed. Nearly half (43%) of 18 to 24-year-olds support Hamas over Israel. Of the same group, 46% believe that Hamas’ murders, rapes, and kidnappings were justified by Palestinian grievances. More than half believe they should be free to call for the genocide of Jews on campus.
Contrast those results with another recent poll from the Israel on Campus Coalition (ICC) that only surveyed Jews. The results flip, with 60% of young Jews supporting Israel’s right to self-defense.
The poll numbers are hard to read. Young adults in that age range have been Birthright Israel’s core constituency since our founding, and I’ve listened to their stories firsthand. Compared with ICC’s findings, this polling data correlates with what we’ve been hearing since October 7th. Young Jews feel isolated amid a sea of antisemitism, surrounded by peers who vocally support antisemitic terrorism or even genocide.
Social media discourse churns out anti-Israel messaging, especially on TikTok, which is dominated by people under the age of 30. College campuses have become hotbeds of antisemitic incidents and rhetoric, and too few administrators have unequivocally stood up for their Jewish students.
When I talk to young American Jews, I frequently sense their disquiet – an uncomfortable restlessness born of watching our brethren be slaughtered for the world to see and not being able to help. In such an environment, where can young Jewish adults take inspiration? The answer is: From Israel. Israel and the Diaspora need each other, make each other stronger.
Since October 7th, I have traveled to Israel several times and I have I visited the sites of some of Hamas’s most heinous atrocities. Confronting the brutal, chaotic violence of October 7th was an excruciating ordeal. By the time I left, however, I was more hopeful than I was fearful. Israeli efforts to heal and rebuild showcase their unique blend of resilient, optimistic determination – qualities that Jewish young adults need now more than ever.
This tragedy has exposed the most foundational truth about the relationship between Israel and the Diaspora: We need each other, and we make each other stronger.
During my visits, I have seen the tenacity and determination of the Israeli people uplift and inspire Jewish young adults who were there volunteering through Birthright Israel’s Onward program. Over 4,000 Jewish young adults have participated in this novel program since November, with thousands more on their way in the weeks and months ahead.
Many of our volunteers are going outside their comfort zone and doing things they’ve never done before – picking grapefruit on an agricultural farm, packing supplies for IDF soldiers risking their lives for the future of the Jewish people, and working in logistic centers across Israel. They were pushed, and they responded with strength.
BEACON JEWS
As seen in
Israeli efforts to heal and rebuild showcase their unique blend of resilient, optimistic determination – qualities that Jewish young adults need now more than ever.
And I saw the looks in the eyes of Israelis who needed to see a friendly face, even one they had never met, who traveled across the world to be there with them.
This symbiotic bond is our people’s future if we make it so: American Jews strong and secure in their Jewish identity, bolstered by the strength and conviction of the Israeli people – a shared responsibility and connection with each other.
This January, Birthright Israel’s hallmark 10-day trips resumed, and the itineraries reflect our new post-October 7th reality. Every trip includes a volunteer component so that all our participants can benefit from the restorative power of active restoration. Our participants will meet with hostage families to hear not only the chilling truth of October 7th but the agonizing reality of every day since. By the end of the summer, we plan to welcome 17,500 participants to date this year, and registration has just opened for our winter round.
These trips will empower young adults with the resilience and hope they need to live proudly Jewish lives as they fight Jewhatred in North America while instilling the love and connection so essential for our shared future. A large Birthright Israel waiting list demonstrates the instinct our young adults have to be in Israel and their need for connection with each other and their homeland.
Through these life-changing trips, my hope is that our children and grandchildren find their voice and place as part of a people with thousands of years of resilience and pride. I believe this is not only possible, but already happening, and Birthright Israel is enabling just that.
President and CEO Birthright Israel Foundation
Birthright Israel BOL D ACTION
My name is Talia Dror. I'm a student at Cornell studying Industrial and Labor Relations, with minors in business and legal policy.
Like many of you who are reading this publication, I'm the child of a brave woman who fled her home country due to religious persecution. A story shared by so many Jewish people. I was raised as a Zionist and shaped by my Israeli and Iranian heritage to become an outspoken pro-Israel campus leader.
Being a Jewish student on campus hasn't been easy since the October 7th terrorist attack in Israel. Jewish students like me face daily trials of intimidation by peers, pressuring proud Jews to cower and hide their identities. Hundreds of chants and graffitied slogans cover campuses throughout the US that call for the elimination of the Jewish state.
BDS resolutions flood student governments from Cornell to The Ohio State University and beyond. Professors use their captive audiences to preach terrorist sympathies and spread lies about the only Jewish state. Targeted physical attacks on Jewish and Zionist students pervade campuses. And that's only the half of it.
I was fortunate enough to go on Birthright Israel in the summer of 2022 and participate in the Birthright Israel Onward internship program in the summer of 2023. Both experiences provided me with the unique opportunity to see Israel through the lens of my peers. But more importantly, since October 7th, I've been able to truly understand the profound impact Birthright Israel's programs have on Jewish students and their importance in combating campus antisemitism and anti-Israel hatred.
When asked to fight in the battle against students supporting Hamas and vilifying Israel, the students I was with on Birthright Israel and Onward have risen to the challenge, in large part due to the experiences offered by both programs. On the classic 10day trip, Jewish American college students met Israeli soldiers, asking them thought-provoking questions about the IDF's training programs and their value of human life.
On Onward, students integrated into Israeli society. They dispelled the myth of apartheid by working hand in hand with Arab Israelis. They saw the pride parades in Tel Aviv and
women in the Knesset and identified the stark contrast between Westernized Israel and its not-so-westernized adversaries.
It was this firsthand experience that enabled Jewish students on campus to confront libelous claims against the Jewish state. Only five days after Hamas' heinous attacks, I watched as Cornell Birthright Israel and Onward alumni bravely defended Israel's right to exist and defend itself, calling out students, faculty, and administration for their blatant Jew-hatred. In the five months since, they have continued to gather for rallies, fight against antisemitism, and provide a sorely-needed voice of moral clarity.
Back in November, I was honored to testify at a congressional hearing about the hostile anti-Jewish and anti-western environment on college campuses. Now, there is a congressional investigation into Cornell, putting the school's endowment on the line.
In this crucial moment, we must not be Jews with trembling knees. As our elected leaders finally examine the poison within our institutions, my generation must rise to the occasion and lead with integrity and moral clarity. We must work to influence legislation, reform our institutions, and foster strong pro-Israel leaders. Because within just a couple of years, the same students currently harboring pro-Hamas sentiments on our campuses will inevitably assume powerful leadership roles.
Creating and empowering pro-Israel advocates and continuing to ignite Jewish pride in the next generation has never been more critical. As colleges increasingly descend into antisemitic academic echo chambers, the strength of the pro-Israel movement relies on programs like Birthright Israel that take students directly to the state their peers villainize, disproving all the lies.
So, as I end this piece, I ask you to consider investing in my generation. Invest in Birthright Israel. Invest in sending one, ten, or a thousand students like me to Israel so we can come back and fight for our home, our heritage, and the future of the Jewish people.
How This Alum Sparked Change with
Capitol Hill Testimony
I ask you to consider investing in my generation. Invest in Birthright Israel. Invest in sending one, ten, or a thousand students like me to Israel so we can come back and fight for our home, our heritage, and the future of the Jewish people.
AMBASSADORS AMBASSADORS ALUM ALUM BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL FOUNDATION BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL
The nearly 25-year impact of Birthright Israel’s programs can be felt through the stories of our 850,000-plus alumni community.
To best showcase the pivotal role Birthright Israel plays in the lives of Jewish young adults, the Foundation has selected the following alumni demonstrating our impact on a generation that is proud to be Jewish and support Israel.
These dedicated individuals, touched by their journeys to Israel, carry a torch of passion and commitment. They are excited to use their voices to showcase the program’s impact and build continued support for our mission.
Meet Birthright Israel Foundation’s 2024 Alum Ambassadors →
Gabriella Guez
2022 Birthright Israel Alum Miami, FL
Mitch 2022 2022 Fair
Julia Pratt
2018 Birthright Israel Onward Alum Miami, FL
Ava 2022 West
Gettoknowour 2024AlumAmb
Adela
Co-Chair,
Michael
Co-Chair,
What inspired you to sign up for a Birthright Israel trip?
“I always knew I wanted to participate in a Birthright Israel trip, since before my Bat Mitzvah in 2013. To get to experience the culture and my religion in a place that accepts me for who I am and what I believe in was the catalyst to my initial desire to attend a Birthright Israel trip. I had thought about going many times throughout college, but life kept getting in the way.
In March of 2023, my father, my best friend, was diagnosed with Stage 4b Pancreatic Cancer. This was the same cancer that my grandmother and his mother, Gail, passed away from 6 months before I was born, hence, Abigail. My father and I had our B’Nai Mitzvah in the same temple in Pacific Palisades and it was always his dream for me to attend a Birthright trip. He passed away on June 26, 2023, and as I tried to cope with the grief and loss of my best friend, I struggled with my spirituality and connection to my Jewish roots. It was a no brainer and turned into an absolute necessity for me to honor my father’s memory in the one place that he regretted not seeing himself."
Did you have any preconceived notions prior to going to Israel?
“As never having been to Israel before January 2, 2024, I only knew Israel from the stories and the epithets that I have heard from others who have taken their Birthright Israel journey and from others who have made the trip themselves. Growing up in an area where being Jewish was not uncommon, Israel was always this golden light that represents where I am from.
Choosing and being chosen for this Birthright Israel experience—the first group to land since October 7th is something that still gives me goose bumps. I had no idea what to expect going to Israel for the first time in one of the country’s hardest times. I shared with close friends and family that this was the perfect time for me to make the trip personally, but I wasn’t sure if it was the right time for the country that, in some capacity, I call home. I was sorely mistaken as we were met with open arms, hugs, thank yous, and pure light from the minute we stepped off the plane. While at hotels, rest stops, and activities, Israel knew who we were, and Israelis profusely thanked us for coming. For us, we were speechless that we were being thanked for coming when we should be thanking Israel and Israelis for welcoming us and allowing us to be a beacon of light.”
My Experience in a Post-October 7th World with Abigail Schleichkorn
Combining her love for sports and a passion for social impact, Abigail Schleichkorn, a Wellesley College graduate, thrives in her role leading global diversity and inclusion initiatives at Nike in Portland, Oregon.
What was your biggest take away from your trip to Israel, and what surprised you most about the country or its people?
“There were so many takeaways from my trip. At a time of such turmoil, Israelis opened their home to us with open arms. We came at a crucial time in the country’s history, and subsequently in my own personal history, that the biggest take away was the incredible resilience of Israel and Israelis. Staying at the kibbutz and hotels with refugees who have lost everything and at times everyone did not go without being noticed, and the ability for our fellow Jews to open their hearts to us was incredible.”
How has Birthright Israel played a role in your life since coming home from the trip?
“Weightless is the word that I have repeatedly used to describe my Birthright Israel experience. While it was a heavy time for the country, I felt so free for the first time since I lost my father. I am learning how to be more confidently Jewish and how to bring the teachings that I learned from my time with my Birthright group into everyday life. From themes such as allowing light in on Shabbat to waking up and saying a prayer, I am yearning to further incorporate my Jewish identity into my everyday life.”
It takes nearly 30,000 donors each year to provide the gift of Birthright Israel to young Jews everywhere. If you could meet the person who made your trip possible, what would you say to them?
“Thank you for letting me honor my father’s memory in one of the first places where I could truly feel for the first time in a long while. Losing my father at 23 was not something that I ever could have imagined happening, but being able to bring back some of the light from the trip has allowed me to move through life. Judaism values life so heavily and that is what I believe Birthright Israel is about—the vibrance of being together with community is an experience I will be forever thankful and grateful to have with me.”
In a Post-October 7th World, Birthright Israel Has Never Been More Crucial
Since our program’s inception, the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University has rigorously evaluated Birthright Israel’s impact on participants once they return home.
New research from the Summer 2023 cohort underscores the transformative impact of Birthright Israel on our participants, particularly after October 7th. Compared to Birthright Israel applicants who did not participate on a trip last summer, the data reveals just how essential Birthright Israel is in the lives of Jewish young adults.
Whether on our classic 10-day trip, Onward, our new volunteer program, or Excel — our programs equip participants with the tools they need to navigate tough conversations with confidence, allowing them to proudly become ambassadors for our people and our homeland, demonstrating the inherent resiliency of our people.
Since October 7th, we have remained committed to our participants, offering them opportunities to connect to their Jewish identity and the land and people of Israel through our new volunteer program. We have welcomed 3,000 volunteers from November 2023 through March 2024, and expect over 7,000 volunteers this year. We re-started our 10-day trip in January and expect thousands of participants throughout this year. Birthright Israel remains a rite of passage for Jewish young adults and an even more critical element in shaping their Jewish identity and connection to Israel.
4x
From April-December 2023, Birthright Israel participants were 4x more likely to be connected to Israel than non-participants.
77%
From April-December 2023, Birthright Israel participants’ involvement in Israel activism increased by 77% compared to non-participants.
2x
Birthright Israel participants are twice as likely to feel a part of the worldwide Jewish community compared to non-participants.
82% believe their Jewish identity is very important after both their Birthright Israel and Onward trip.
Connection to Israel increased regardless of political identification:
∙ Liberal: 23% → 50%
∙ Moderate: 37% → 63%
∙ Conservative: 40% → 76% (pre-trip vs. post-trip)
54% of Birthright Israel participants have been active on social media since the start of the war, 23% more than non-participants.
2x
Birthright Israel participants are twice as likely to draw closer to their Jewish friends and community since the start of the war vs. non-participants.
Birthright Israel is not just a trip; it is a life-changing experience, one that is needed now more than ever.
To view the full Brandeis study, please visit: brif.click/brandeis2023
The Tapper Charitable Foundation
Empowering the Next Generation
Through Jewish Identity and Israel
The Tapper Charitable Foundation, a beacon of philanthropy, is dedicated to inspiring and empowering individuals, particularly students, to connect with their Jewish heritage and advocate for Israel. Focusing on combating antisemitism and Holocaust remembrance is a cornerstone of their giving strategy. Al Tapper, the family patriarch, established one of the first fellowships in Genocide Studies at Clark University, demonstrating their long-standing commitment to education.
Deeply troubled by a perceived lack of awareness among young American Jews about Israel's history and the rise of antisemitism, the Tapper family, in Al's words, felt compelled to prioritize initiatives that educate the next generation. As Lynne Tapper, Al's daughter, recounts, a conversation with a cousin about Birthright Israel sparked the idea for a "landmark gift" to Birthright Israel Foundation.
The Tappers' core objective? To foster deep connections between Jewish young adults, their Jewish heritage, and Israel. "My father sees the absence of Israel as a void, not just for him, but for all American Jews," Lynne explains. "Our mission is to solidify this identity, fostering a sense of belonging among Jewish youth in the States and a powerful link to Israel."
The Tappers hope their passion is contagious, inspiring others to take action. They believe their generosity will motivate others to contribute to the education and empowerment of future generations of Jewish young adults.
The Tapper Charitable Foundation's message is clear: a strong foundation in Jewish history and a connection to Israel are essential for a vibrant Jewish future. Through education and empowerment, they are laying the groundwork for a new generation of informed and passionate advocates.
BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL
Imagine a summer program that ignites the spark of leadership in young Jewish business minds. A program that propels them not just toward successful careers, but toward building a vibrant, global network dedicated to supporting the Jewish future.
This is the reality of Birthright Israel Excel.
This exceptional program brings together outstanding Jewish college students with an interest in business and tech. They spend their summer interning at leading global companies in Israel, a dynamic hub of innovation and culture. But the experience goes far beyond honing skills at world-class firms.
Weekend trips immerse fellows in the rich tapestry of Israeli culture, broadening their perspectives. Here's what sets Excel apart:
Mentorship and Community: Leadership Development: Unforgettable Exploration: Fellows are paired with Israeli peers, fostering cultural exchange and lifelong friendships.
Through weekly sessions with leading professionals, fellows develop a holistic understanding of business, social impact, and Jewish identity.
Excel cultivates a new generation of Jewish business leaders who are as passionate about their careers as they are about their heritage. They become agents of change, connected across borders, shaping a brighter Jewish future.
Get to know our 2024 Excel Fellows Cohort:
45 Companies
Participants were matched for one-on-one mentorship with industry leaders at top companies like PwC, Deloitte, EY, GM, Bloomberg Capital and Mercedes-Benz
Fields of Study
of attendees have been to Israel at least once; 42% have been to Israel 4+ times; 6% have never been
70% of participants are pursuing degrees in Business/Finance, Engineering, Economics, or Computer Science/Data Science
BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL
Help Jewish Young Adults Rebuild Israel
Since October 7th, our alumni have demonstrated their incredible support of Israel and their Jewish pride across social media, through rallies, marches, donations, and messages of love to their Israeli peers. For many, that was not enough. They longed to be in Israel.
In early November 2023, Birthright Israel Onward launched Taking Action: Volunteer in Israel to contribute to the rebuilding of Israel, exemplifying the resilience of Israeli society and global Jewish peoplehood.
Volunteers aged 18 to 40 from around the world are working in agriculture and food rescue operations to fill labor gaps and sort goods at logistical centers for Israelis in eight-day or two-week assignments.
3,0004,000
volunteers from November 2023 through March 2024
70 60
agricultural sites + partner organizations helped by our volunteers
7,100
222K 45%
hours volunteered by the end of the summer
volunteers arriving this summer volunteers expected in 2024 of volunteers are Birthright Israel alumni
We all came back feeling very empowered. A lot of us went in feeling helpless, in a dark place, and we left feeling inspired because of the strength of the Israelis. Someone said to us that Jews are the only people in the world who could go through this type of trauma and come out stronger.
—Alison, Birthright Israel and Onward Alum and Volunteer
BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL
Start Up Your Future
Onward programs provide unique opportunities for young Jewish adults to immerse themselves in Israel’s rich culture on six- to ten-week resume-building experiences. Alongside a global community of other professionals, our Onward participants can take part in internships, academic courses, and fellowships with industry leaders, major corporations, and activities relevant to their professional aspirations. Participants, aged 18 to 35, experience Israeli culture and their own connection to Israel on a deeper level, strengthening their Jewish identity and affirming their place as a member of the global Jewish community.
Participants experience day-to-day life in Israel. The program allows for authentic interaction with Israel and Israelis. Internships can be in one of the many theme-based programs including:
∙ Computer Science and Coding
∙ Engineering and Research
∙ Finance and Economics
∙ Government Media and Social Impact
∙ Law Entrepreneurship and NGOs
NEW THIS SUMMER!
∙ Marketing, Business, and Technology
∙ Science and Health Tech
∙ Social Justice and Community Services
∙ Sustainability and Green Energy
Back to Campus Leadership Forum
This summer participants are coming to Israel after a tumultuous year on college campuses. In an effort to deepen the participants’ ability to face some of the challenges they are dealing with on campus, Onward launched the Back to Campus Leadership Forum. The Forum is based on three principles; deepening knowledge & belonging, strengthening resiliency, and developing skills & tools.
1,500 PARTICIPANTS EXPECTED IN 2024
Geopolitics and Public Diplomacy Fellowship with Reichman University
This program is divided into two weeks focused on geopolitics and two weeks of social media training, empowering students with the tools and confidence to navigate conversations when they return home.
Campus activist leaders are gearing up for the fall semester with a special enrichment program exclusive to Birthright Israel Onward participants. Over four weeks, participants of this Forum will delve into the current situation in Israel, learn skills to effectively engage campus strategies, build public campus administration relations, and strengthen their confidence as leaders for Israel and Jewish students on campus. We can't wait to see them bring their learnings to life this fall.
