Taglit
Birthright Israel - Ten Days in Israel that will change their lives forever
“I participated on a Taglit-Birthright Israel trip with my university and consider it the best experience of my life. The trip awakened in me a deep sense of connection to Israel, renewed my faith in the Jewish Diaspora and inspired me to further explore my own Jewish identity.” (Sandrine Cohen, Canada)
Today, many Jewish young adults around the world are drifting away from their Jewish heritage, and have no real connection or identity with Israel. As a result, inter-marriage rates in Europe, Eastern Europe, the FSU and North America are soaring and assimilation has become a major threat for the continuity of the Jewish People.
Taglit- Birthright Israel is a unique program created to give Jewish young adults, aged 18-26, the gift of an incredible 10-day Israel experience. The program was born of a bold vision to make an educational trip an integral part of the life of every young Jew. The goals of the program are to cultivate an increased commitment to Jewish values and the Jewish community worldwide, and to give young Jewish adults the opportunity to strengthen their Jewish identity and awareness and their knowledge of historical and contemporary Israel.
Taglit-Birthright Israel is an unprecedented collective effort by world Jewish leadership. It is a unique partnership between the people of Israel through their government, local Jewish communities in the United States, Keren Hayesod around the world and the Jewish Agency, and a large number of Jewish philanthropists.
Taglit-Birthright Israel has been an extraordinary success, with almost 147,000 young Jewish adults taking advantage of the gift from over 52 countries worldwide. The program was originally envisioned for five years, but has now been extended, and additional funding is being sought in order to continue providing this extraordinary opportunity to the next generation of Jewish adults.
Extensive academic research of Taglit – Birthright Israel participants had shown that a 10-day educational tour of Israel has a striking impact on young Jewish adults and enhances their Jewish identity and sense of belonging to the Jewish People. Following their Birthright Israel experience, many participants have gone back to their local communities and become active in Jewish causes, Jewish studies, Israeli advocacy and synagogue activities.
There are thousands of young adults who have had limited opportunity to learn about and connect to their Jewish culture and heritage. Giving these young adults the gift of an Israel experience will strengthen global Jewish identity and People hood and the connection between the next generation of Jewish adults and their homeland – Israel.