10 Things You Didn't Know About Birthright Israel Foundation

1) WE LIVE TO GIVE.

Birthright Israel Foundation exists in order to help support Birthright Israel. While the trip itself is a gift to Jewish young adults around the world, someone has to foot the bill.

As Birthright Israel’s fundraising arm, we have helped give this gift to more than 750,000 eligible Jewish young adults over the past two decades. As for our participants, we don’t discriminate based on economic status, upbringing, or level of Jewish involvement. In fact, we are constantly searching for the less connected. We won’t rest until every eligible Jewish young adult in the world claims their birthright.

2) WE DON’T DO IT ALONE.

Raising funds in the U.S. is a year-round job for Birthright Israel Foundation. Some of our sources include the State of Israel and Jewish organizations like the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and Jewish Agency for Israel.

Nearly 70 percent of our donations come from individual donors and philanthropists around the world. These generous donors are lighting the way for the next generation of Jews.

3) OUR WORK NEVER STOPS.

4) OUR MISSION CHANGES LIVES.

Thanks to the educational framework and values of Birthright Israel, the trip is a transformational experience for its participants. In fact, 85 percent of Birthright Israel alumni consider it a life-changing experience.

At the ages when young adults are eligible for Birthright Israel, 18-32, they are often full of questions about life. Birthright Israel helps them find answers and purpose by encouraging their Jewishness and creating a bond with the Jewish State.

5) WE OFFER SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

While we aim to send tens of thousands of participants to Israel every year, it’s just a tiny fraction of the Jewish population as a whole. There are 1.4 million US Jews age 18-34, and another estimated 1.6 million who are children under the age of 18.

Israel isn’t necessarily the most desirable destination for Jewish young adults, but their interest is often piqued by the chance to go there for free. Eliminating the financial burden makes it easy for them to embrace their roots.

6) WE’RE THE ULTIMATE MATCHMAKERS.

The statistics surrounding Birthright Israel and matrimony make Jewish bubbies everywhere jump for joy. Not only are our participants 41 percent more likely to marry someone Jewish, but of those who become parents, 84 percent are raising their kids Jewish.

7) WE’RE ALSO KINDA FAMOUS.

Birthright Israel often intersects with popular culture and has even been parodied in US television comedies like Broad City and the Israeli equivalent to Saturday Night Live, Eretz Nehederet. Married couple Loren Goldstone and Alexei Brovarnik, who appeared on Season 3 of the reality TV show 90 Day Fiancé, met during the former’s Birthright Israel trip.

8) WE‘RE TRENDSETTERS.

You’ve probably heard the 19th century proverb that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Well, color us flattered.

Since our inception, Birthright Israel’s model has grown into a template to connect various Diasporas to their cultural homelands. Similar programs can be found for the communities of Armenia, Greece, Hungary and Cuba, as well as Christian students.

9) OUR ALUMNI ARE HEALING THE WORLD.

Tikkun Olam, or healing the world, is a significant theme of Birthright Israel. The trips we help fund create opportunities for everyone to contribute to the vibrancy of the Jewish people worldwide. Our alumni often carry this lesson back home, finding new and creative ways to contribute to the well-being of society long after the trip.

1O) WE CAN'T IMPROVE THE FUTURE WITHOUT YOU.

The strength of Birthright Israel comes from your support. We couldn’t continue to create life-changing experiences without the help of generous Jews like you. Your tax-deductible contribution is an investment in the future of the Jewish people, now and for generations to come. Give today at birthrightisrael.foundation/journeys2020.