SHALOM! nice to meet you
OUR MISSION Birthright Israel seeks to ensure that every eligible young Jewish adult around the world, especially the less connected, is given the opportunity to visit Israel on this educational journey. Birthright Israel Foundation raises funds in the United States to support Birthright Israel. The Birthright Israel program aims to give the gift of an educational trip to Israel to 50,000 young Jewish adults each year.
OUR VISION Birthright Israel aims to ensure a vibrant future of the Jewish people by strengthening Jewish identity, Jewish communities and connections with Israel. Birthright Israel began with a bold idea — offer the gift of a life-changing trip to Israel to young Jewish adults between the ages of 18 and 26 — and in doing so, transform the Jewish future. Founded in 1999 by a remarkable group of committed Jewish philanthropists, Birthright Israel Foundation has given this gift to more than 800,000 young Jewish adults.
Read firsthand the impact of your investment on Birthright Israel Foundation’s blog. It’s your inside scoop to what’s happening on the ground in Israel and the effects of the trip when participants are back.
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IT'S ALL IN TH BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL PROVIDES AN INCREDIBLE
Since the inception of Birthright Israel, Brandeis University has conducted res upon their return home. The studies measure the long-term impact of Birthri those that did not participate.
Jewish future:
Participants are 41% more likely to marry someone Jewish.
84% of participants who are parents are raising Jewish children.
Connection to Israel:
Participants are 93% more likely to feel a very strong connection to Israel.
HE NUMBERS INVESTMENT
search through the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies with participants ight Israel and the participants’ choices as they relate to Jewish life compared to
Community involvement:
Birthright Israel alumni are 41% more likely to participate in Jewish social events often. Participants are 53% more likely to have mostly all Jewish friends. Contributions to the Israeli economy:
The program has contributed more than $1.5 billion to Israel's economy, providing employment to thousands of Israelis and boosting the tourism industry. (information provided by EY)
The
MIFGASH FACTOR The impact on Israelis is equally profound. Over 115,000 young Israelis, to date, have participated in the Mifgash and their experience has had a transforming effect on next-generation Israel.
Mifgash means encounter in Hebrew. Thanks to feedback from trip participants, it has become one of the most meaningful aspects of the Birthright Israel trip. In the Mifgash, young Jews from around the world meet their Israeli peers, most of whom are soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Forces, and together they create bonds of understanding that can last a lifetime. On a typical Birthright Israel trip, six to eight Israelis join a Birthright
Israel group for at least half of the 10-day trip. These young Israelis are full participants and become an integral part of the trip experience. For North Americans, participation of the Israelis shifts the character of the Birthright Israel trip by bursting the “bubble” of the typical bus tour, turning it into something more profound. The interaction and conversation with Israeli peers — on the bus, during visits to historical sites, in group and one-on-one discussions — allows young adults from abroad to learn first-hand about military service, Israeli society, politics, culture and family life as seen through the eyes of Israelis who are their age.
95% were extremely happy with the program
78% felt “very strongly” that Birthright Israel strengthened the importance of their army service
83% felt that Birthright Israel contributed to their understanding of Jewish life in the Diaspora
88% reported that it is “extremely” important to continue the Birthright Israel program
The IDF recently conducted a survey with former Mifgash participants The results solidified the importance of this program. When asked why they wanted to join the program, the most common answers were:
To meet Jews from abroad To strengthen the trip participants’ identity with Israel To help the participants understand the importance of the Israeli army To strengthen their own Jewish identity
QUOTES FROM “The single most critical decision I made in my life was to apply for a Birthright Israel trip in the summer of 2004. Almost everything that is important to me in my current life can be traced back to that moment.” - Elizabeth Savetsky, 2004 Alumna
“The serious side of me thinks that the biggest takeaway from the trip is that it doesn’t necessarily matter how Jewish you are, Israel welcomes everyone.” - Andrew Skidmore, 2018 Alumnus
“Before recovery, I felt different and like I didn’t belong. Because of Birthright Israel, I blended Judaism with a sense of community, a major life moment for me.” - Rachel Kessler, 2015 Alumna
“Your generosity helped me realize I don’t have to be anyone but myself and I can be lit up by the beauty of Israel and the Jewish people.” - Eve Karlin, 2016 Alumna
“From the first steps on Jerusalem stone to where I am today, my whole life path was changed because of Birthright Israel, and for that, I am forever grateful.” - Tori Greene, 2014 Alumna
“Going on Birthright Israel opened my eyes to a deeper meaning of what it is to be Jewish. It made me confident enough to come to a college where the Jewish population is practically non-existent and know that I can stand my ground for the Jewish people and the State of Israel.” - Tori Shiver, 2018 Alumna
“BDS came to my campus right after I got back from Birthright Israel. The language they were using was off script. They were calling out Jewish people, and weren’t even being anti-Israel, just straight up antisemitic. My first-hand experience in Israel gave me confidence to join the pro-Israel group.” - Cole Keister, 2015 Alumnus
PARTICIPANTS “I think that this trip should become a staple for Jewish life in order to preserve our traditions, identity, and beliefs as a tribe.” - Samuel Meller, 2018 Alumna
“Since coming home, I have not only become prouder of my Jewish identity, but of all my identitiesQueer, Black, Jewish and a Person of Size. Every one of my unique identities had space to exist together on this trip, and they were expressed through my Jewishness.” - Jordan Daniels, 2019 Alumnus
“I can see the difference in my peers who have participated in this program and those who haven’t. In a time of extreme antisemitism and anti-Zionism, this program is nothing short of crucial.” - Jenna Pfeffer, 2009 Alumnus
“The Nazis did not win, I am proof of that, we are all proof of that. Being on Birthright Israel is proof of our community’s strength!” -Morgane Klareich, 2019 Alumna
“It was important to me, not only to learn the history of Israel and its culture, but also to gain an authentic outlook of what it means to be Israeli. Without these intimate oneon-one conversations with the soldiers, I would not have had the chance to see things from their perspective.” - Alexis Vance, 2019 Alumna
“The trip wouldn’t have been the same without our soldiers. They were passionate, intellectual, hardworking and inspiring to say the least. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to travel with Birthright Israel.” - Ariana Sloan, 2018 Alumna
“Birthright Israel Fellows taught me how to lead without being pushy, how to help teach Israel without dominating the conversation, and most importantly, how to be a pillar of support in the learning process without being intrusive.” - Jason Miller-Goodman, Alumnus
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