Tag Archive for Taglit Birthright

| October 22, 2018
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Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin calls to establish a ‘Reverse Birthright’

In bid to strengthen Israel-Diaspora ties, President Rivlin says a ‘Reverse Birthright’ will facilitate truly honest conversations between Israelis and the Jewish diaspora communities worldwide, “We need to talk, we have to talk, and we need to listen. We are not ‘strategic allies’; we are family.”

By i24NEWS

 

Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin at JFNA GA, 22. October 2018 – Photo: Mark Neiman (GPO) the establishment of a ‘Reverse Taglit-Birthright’ program during his address to the General Assembly (GA) of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) on Monday, in what appeared to be an effort to bolster ties with Jewish diaspora communities abroad. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| May 15, 2018
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Birthright Israel selected as one of 2018’s Jerusalem Unity Prize winners

For the first time in the history of the Jerusalem Unity Prize, and in honor of the 70th anniversary of the State of Israel, a Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Birthright Israel for their significant work and contribution to the connection between Israel and world Jewry.

By Susanna Bargman

 

Birthright Israel was announced as one of 2018’s recipients of the Jerusalem Unity Prize, chosen from among hundreds of candidates.

For the first time in the history of the award and in honor of the 70th anniversary of the State of Israel, a Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Birthright Israel for their significant work and contribution to the connection between Israel and world Jewry. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| June 25, 2017
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VIDEO: Birthright brings Indian Jews to Israel, with ‘Bollywood Production’ in Jerusalem

WATCH The group’s 19 Birthright participants hailing from various areas of India take Jerusalem by surprise with their flash mob rendition of a Bollywood production.
– “I got goosebumps,”  admired Hebron Bamnolkar, 22, from Mumbai, when telling of his visit to the Western Wall.

By TAMARA ZIEVE

 

Bollywood flash mobs are not a feature of your average Birthright group, but the annual Indian group that traveled to Israel this month made sure to share part of their culture with the locals, as well as soaking up Israeli culture and having meaningful first-time experiences of the Holy Land.

Birthright participants from India dancing the night away in Jerusalem. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News, Jewish News | Tags: , , , ,
| May 15, 2017
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Israel’s Taglit-Birthright launches greatest season in its history

Around 33,000 Jewish youngsters from over 30 countries are expected to visit Israel this summer, with 131 groups expected to arrive this week.
• Birthright CEO Gidi Mark, “This summer we will celebrate 600,000 participants.”

By Yori Yalon

 

The Taglit-Birthright Israel program is launching the largest season in its history, with 33,000 Jewish youngsters from 33 countries expected to visit Israel this summer.

20 year old Birthright students visit a border outpost to meet Israelis their age – Photo: IsraelandStuff PP

The program offers free 10-day trips to Israel in an effort to strengthen the connection between young Diaspora Jews and Israel. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News, Mid-East News | Tags:
| March 11, 2014
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1000 Jewish New Yorkers at Times Square to talk about aliyah

 

Over 1,000 Jews & Israelis from New York area show up to Aliyah Mega Event to get information & advice about moving to Israel.

The event focused on making aliyah to the Galilee and Negev. One fairgoer said, ‘I was moved by Israel after going on Birthright.’

By Yori Yalon

 

NEW YORK — Some 1,500 Jewish New Yorkers and Israelis showed up to the Nefesh B’Nefesh Aliyah Mega Event in Times Square on Sunday.

Young Jews at the Nefesh B’Nefesh Aliyah Mega Event in Times Square on Sunday – Photo: Shahar Azran

The fair, organized by Nefesh B’Nefesh in collaboration with the Jewish Agency, the Jewish National Fund, and the Immigrant Absorption Ministry, was one of seven taking place in major cities across North America.

Continue Reading »
Category: Jewish News, The Diaspora | Tags: , , ,
| January 17, 2014
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A guitar maker becomes a paratrooper

 

A guitar maker from South Carolina, Louis Berman came on Birthright to Israel & fell in love with the country, “A strong Israel & a strong IDF will guarantee the safety of the Jews in the Diaspora. I want to help & contribute,” he says.

By Danny Brenner

 

What prompts a young guitar maker and music major to make aliyah, enlist in the Israel Defense Forces and strap a different kind of instrument on his shoulder? Taglit-Birthright Israel, an initiative that brings Jewish youths on short trips to Israel.

Louis Berman left his job and music career to join the Israel Defense Forces – Photo: Courtesy

Louis Berman, a 24-year-old from South Carolina, didn’t know much about Israel until his 10-day trip to Israel.

Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| January 9, 2014
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Taglit-Birthright: The most successful Jewish program in the world

 

In Birthright’s 13 years, the program brought more than 350,000 participants to Israel from 64 different countries & infused $825 million into Israel’s economy.

By

 

Since it was launched in 2000, the Taglit-Birthright program has injected more than $825 million into the Israeli economy, according to the findings of an independent study conducted by the global accounting firm Ernst & Young, which were published on Wednesday.

A Birthright Mega Event in Jerusalem, May 9, 2012.

A Birthright Mega Event in Jerusalem, May 9, 2012. – Photo: Emil Salman

The State of Israel contributes $35 million a year to the program’s $110 million budget. The rest of the funding comes from private philanthropists, most prominently casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, the Jewish federations of North America, Keren Hayesod and the Jewish Agency. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News, Jewish News | Tags: , , , ,
| December 31, 2013
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With 1,600 participants arriving in one day, Birthright breaks record

 

1,600 Jewish young adults in 39 groups, from across the globe, land at Ben-Gurion Int’l Airport on Monday.

Uzi Landau, Tourism Minister, tells participants: “Israel will always be your home as tourists, Jews, Zionists and immigrants.”

By Yori Yalon

The Taglit-Birthright Israel program has broken its own record: 39 groups, totaling 1,600 Jewish young adults from across the globe, landed at Ben-Gurion International Airport on Monday and were greeted with a special welcoming ceremony.

1,600 Jewish young adults from around the world were greeted at Ben-Gurion International Airport on Monday – Photo: Yossi Zeliger

The ceremony was attended by Tourism Minister Uzi Landau and Taglit-Birthright CEO Gidi Mark, who met the 39 different groups hailing from Australia, Argentina, Russia, the United States, Germany and Canada.

Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News, Jewish News | Tags:
| May 2, 2013
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Israel must ensure a new generation of supporters

The Foreign Ministry has already learned that the far majority of those who actually visit Israel turn out to be Israel’s greatest advocates.

 

Israel, as I noted last week, is blessed with many staunch supporters overseas. But given its legion of detractors, it has an obvious interest in expanding this support base; the question is how to do so.

Nicky Larkin

Irish filmmaker, Nicky Larkin – Photo: Deborah Danan

Some factors that contribute to pro-Israel sentiment aren’t in Israel’s power to influence. For instance, evangelical Christianity often correlates with support for Israel, but Christian belief is beyond Israel’s purview. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| April 17, 2013
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The Taglit-Birthright flip side: Fewer high school students coming to Israel

Spending $7,000 – $8,000 on a 2-week trip for your teen child, or nothing for a 10-day trip a year or two down the road “it’s a no-brainer.”

By Gil Shefler

 

NEW YORK (JTA) — With the summer travel season fast approaching, providers of Israel programs for teenagers are bracing themselves for what several say could be a season of historically low travel in a year unaffected by major security concerns.

Taglit-BirthrightOver the past decade, Israel travel among those aged 13 to 18 has seen a dramatic falloff. Though exact figures are difficult to come by, leaders of several leading North American teen programs say they have seen drops of 30 percent to 50 percent in participation in their Israel trips since 2000. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News, Jewish News | Tags:
| April 10, 2013
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Birthright enhances Jewish identity & may even unite couples

No data exists on exactly how many participants have met their spouses on a trip. Birthright knows of several dozen marriages, although anecdotal evidence suggests the number could be much larger.

By Gil Shefler ·

 

NEW YORK (JTA) — Meredith Ross will never forget when she first laid eyes on Lior, her partner for the past seven years.

Birthright visiting a border outpost - IsraelandStuff PP

Birthright visiting a border outpost – IsraelandStuff/PP

Lior, an infantryman in the Israel Defense Forces, was escorting Ross’ Birthright Israel group on a free tour of the Jewish state when his friend, a fellow soldier, was killed. Lior was leaving to attend his funeral and had come to say goodbye. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News, Jewish News | Tags:
| August 21, 2012
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Leftist NGO Takes Taglit Youths on Pro-Arab PA Tours

Makor Rishon: NGOs take Birthright groups to Palestinian Authority villages and providing an anti-“occupation” narrative.

By Gil Ronen

 

Pro-Arab NGOs have been taking advantage of the Taglit-Birthright program that brings young Jewish people on tours of Israel – to take the tourists on their own tours and provide them with a pro-Arab perspective on Israel, according to the Makor Rishon newspaper.

Birthright group arrives in Israel

Birthright group arrives in Israel
Israel news photo: Birthright PR

Taglit-Birthright brings thousands of young Jews to Israel every year, for 10-day tours in which they learn about Israel, meet Israelis and strengthen their Jewish identity. Many of the participants choose to lengthen their stay in Israel and use the time to visit relatives, hike or just have fun before they take the free flight home. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News, Jewish News | Tags: