birthright israel

Taglit-Birthright Israel (also Birthright Israel or Birthright) is a Zionist Jewish organization that sponsors free 10-day trips to Israel for Jewish young adults. Birthright Israel's goals are to diminish the division between Israel and Jewish communities around the world; to strengthen the sense of solidarity among world Jewry; and to strengthen participants' personal Jewish identity and connection to the Jewish people. As of Fall 2008, over 190,000 individuals from fifty-two different countries have participated since the trips began in the winter of 2000. 70% of trip participants come from the United States. Contents [hide] 1 History 2 Eligibility 3 Trip Organizers 4 Itinerary 4.1 Security Measures 5 Funding 6 Criticism 6.1 Political Selection of Participants 6.2 Propagandizing by Group Leaders 6.3 Diverting Money from Other Programs 7 Similar trips 8 See also 9 References 10 External links //

History

Founded in 2000 by Charles Bronfman and Michael Steinhardt in cooperation with the Israeli government, private philanthropists, the Jewish Agency for Israel, and Jewish communities around the world, the Birthright Israel program has invested $200 million on educational trips to Israel. Top educators, historians and tourism professionals were recruited to plan the program, for which demand is very high. Registration is conducted on a first-come-first-served basis. Since the Second Intifada, all groups are accompanied by an armed security guard.

Tours are held in the winter and summer, and bring in some NIS 130 million to the Israeli tourist industry. Over 190,000 young people from 52 countries have visited Israel through the Birthright program. On the business side, this has generated tourism revenues of NIS 1.5 billion for services such as hotels, food, security, guides, entrance fees, buses and flights. [1]

Eligibility

Birthright Israel is open to all Jewish young adults, ages 18 to 26, post high-school, who have neither traveled to Israel before on a peer educational trip or study program nor have lived in Israel past the age of 12. Eligible individuals are those recognized as Jewish by the Jewish community or by one of the recognized denominations of Judaism; or if either parent is Jewish and the applicant does not actively practice another religion.[2]

A Taglit-Birthright Israel trip includes airfare from major cities, hotels, most meals, all transportation within Israel, and costs associated with touring the country for the ten-day trip. A $250 USD deposit is required ($250 in Canada); the deposit is refunded upon return from the trip. Airfare or transportation from a participant's home to the gateway city is not included, although the trips depart from multiple cities.

Trip Organizers

Trips are organized by different organizations and companies accredited by Taglit-Birthright Israel, which sets the logistical, educational and security standards. All groups are