Taglit-Birthright Israel They go to Israel as young adults. They come back as committed Jews.

Taglit-Birthright Israel offers Jewish young adults 18-26 a free, 10-day educational trip to Israel.
A bold risk that is now transforming a generation through this once-in-a-lifetime journey, Taglit-Birthright Israel is a three-way partnership between local Jewish federations, private philanthropists, and the State of Israel. Since its inception, nearly 1,500 young adults from the MetroWest community have participated in this incredible experience of self-realization and connection to the Jewish homeland. This past year, 29,000 young people worldwide made the trip and their lives were changed forever as a result!

Taglit-Birthright Israel trips create a common meeting ground for young Jews from around the world, reminding them that they are the first generation in 2,000 years to live with a thriving Jewish state.
Israel’s economy also directly benefits: Birthright Israel has been the primary provider of young adult educational trips in recent years, helping boost the sagging tourism industry caused by the intifada. In nearly eight years, Taglit-Birthright Israel has contributed over $300 million to the Israeli tourism industry.

Many of these young adults are unaffiliated with the organized community and roughly 40 percent are children of intermarriage.
In 2007 and 2008, there were more applications to Taglit-Birthright Israel than there were B'nai Mitzvot in North America. For most, this is their first visit to Israel. For all, the result is powerful. After living and breathing their Jewish heritage in Israel, research by Brandeis University proves that they consider themselves more connected to the Jewish people and to Israel, more interested in exploring their identity, have a deeper understanding of the situation in Israel and make plans to return.

More than 190,000 young people from all over the world have traveled for the first time to Israel since the start of Taglit-Birthright Israel in 2000.

Here is what recent Taglit-Birthright Israel alumni have to say:

• “I was overwhelmed with this sense of belonging by being surrounded by so many young Jewish people just like myself. I made so many new friends and was exposed to new and exciting things. The trip was everything that the Birthright Israel organization said it would be, and so much more.”
• “Israel is no longer simply the Jewish homeland, but MY homeland as well.”
• “On this adventuresome conquest I have found, learned and felt my Jewish heritage, my Jewish culture, my Jewish people, my Jewish land and most importantly, my Jewish ME!”
  

For more information about the Taglit-Birthright Israel gift, visit www.birthrightisrael.com.