Visiting tropical beaches, hiking through rustic landscapes and touring a city rich with history is just a glimpse of what one can expect on a trip to Israel. For young Jews across the globe, a trip to Israel is an exciting opportunity. This trip is, however, a pricey endeavor, and soaring travel costs prevent a lot of Jews from making the journey. To those who aren’t blessed with a hefty bank account, there is an alternative to saving for years in order to travel abroad. The non-profit organization Taglit-Birthright provides a trip to Israel for students, absolutely free.
Taglit-Birthright, more commonly known as Birthright, has been a huge success since its inception in the year 2000. 150,000 travelers from 52 countries have gone to date, and that number is steadily rising. Any Jewish person between the ages of 18 and 26 who has at least one Jewish parent is eligible. Founded by two private philanthropists, Charles Bronfman and Michael Steinhardt, the program has sky rocketed to unprecedented popularity. From riding camels in the desert, to celebrating the Jewish Sabbath in Jerusalem, participants can get a taste of every aspect of the Jewish culture. The goal of the founders was to create a sense of “solidarity” between the Israeli youth and Jewish communities around the globe.
In the year 2000, all 9,462 that signed up attended the inaugural trip, and over 36,000 will travel this year alone. According to the Jewish News Weekly, only half of North American Jews that apply are granted the opportunity to attend. The application process includes filling out a registration form and having an interview with a Birthright trip organizer.
Since a completely free trip to Israel for thousands of Jews every year is not exactly cheap, financing the trip is a concern. Deborah Goldberg, Director of Communications for Birthright says, “We are almost always short on spots for the number of people who apply. There is not a bottomless supply of availability.”
The massive amount of money required to send participants, all expenses paid for, quickly adds up. “The pledges [of donations] to Birthright are generally only for a year or so at a time, so we can never be 100 percent sure that the program is financially secure beyond one or two years,” says Goldberg. “So, yes, the program, like all other non-profits, could close due to lack of funding.”
When Birthright first began, the founders, the Israeli government, and private philanthropists split the $210 million start-up costs. Birthright views this trip as a “$2,000 gift.” The flights, hotels, meals, transportation, and much more are all included. The necessity to continually fund these trips is a concern that many are looking to remedy.
Many of the philanthropists that began Birthright and originated the funding are now asking the United Jewish Communities (UJC) to donate more money. Bronfman is personally setting aside $1.5 million to help train professionals that will lobby organizations such as the UJC to donate. According to the Jewish Federation, philanthropists and UJC are discussing an endowment fund of over $500 million.
Bronfman has voiced his disappointment that the UJC only donates less than one percent of its budget to Birthright. Eric Levine, UJC’s Senior Vice President commented, “In all honesty, everyone wants to fund Birthright further. The fact is, we don’t want to pull money from a poor person’s mouth to pay for a free trip to Israel.”
The Israeli government has also made large donations to Birthright but is often restricted by financial budgeting. Birthright experienced the first major blow to its endowment in September, 2000 after Palestinian activists ramped up violent efforts to gain independence from Israel. This particular conflict, which is known as the Second Intifada, forced the Israeli government to slow their financing, and it deterred many people from signing up. Palestinians consider the Intifada, literally meaning “uprising” or “shake-off,” a campaign to liberate their homeland, while Israelis view it as acts of terrorism.
“In the past, the Government of Israel had to reduce their pledge due to their many security commitments… but that was only for one year during the Second Intifada,” says Goldberg in reference to the decline in funding during this time period. Since the Six Day War in 1967, those two Intifadas have been the two largest violent breakouts.
With the number of young participants increasing steadily, the challenge to maintain the level of funding has proven tricky. In 2004, Birthright had enough money to send only 3,500 people on the trip. Luckily, the Avi Chai foundation donated a $7 million “challenge” donation. This challenge donation basically called out other organizations to match or surpass their donation amount. This donation allowed another 4,700 young Jews to experience Birthright.
Lisa Greene, a sophomore speech and hearing sciences major at the University at Buffalo experienced Birthright last summer and discussed her surprise about the complementary trip. “I really couldn’t believe that it was available for free. When they say free, they mean free!” Rumors have been spread of Birthright’s lack of funding, but somehow every year they receive more to ensure this opportunity remains, and aim to continue doing so for years to come. “I just think it’s great that so many people care enough keep donating to Birthright,” said Greene.
Kim BenTovim, a senior business marketing major, couldn’t say enough about her Birthright expedition. Her parents are originally from Israel, so going back to her homeland left a lasting impression. “It’s amazing how much you can see in that small time. I made great connections when I was there with people and with Israel itself.”
She explains how connected she began to feel with Israel, a country halfway around the world. “I got to meet people from Brazil, Argentina… everywhere. I’ve been trying to send people over ever since I’ve gotten back.”
Considering the volatile nature of the Middle East, security threats continue to be the number one deterrent to those considering the trip. Birthright recognizes the threats that exist when traveling to this particular region of the Middle East and takes the proper precautions. “They make phone calls every single day and carry GPS systems to track our every move,” says BenTovim. “They are up 24/7 to confirm our safety. We even had our itinerary changed to make sure nothing happened.” Israel assigns soldiers to accompany the groups throughout their stay, and an armed guard is assigned to each different group. “There was a lot of interaction with the soldiers. They were 18, 19 years old and it was amazing to hear their experiences,” says Greene.
Israeli citizens are required to serve in the army for two to three years beginning at the age of 18. “It’s really cool to get a perspective from someone your age that has served in the army,” says Greene. She says she never once felt threatened or unsafe during her stay in Israel. “Once I got off that plane, there wasn’t a time that I feared for my safety during those ten days.”
At UB, Hillel, The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, is active in promoting the trip and encouraging people to pursue this opportunity. BenTovim and Rachel Elzufon, a senior dance major, both help in the Hillel office and generate enthusiasm about the Birthright trips. Students interested in making the trip can sign up at the Hillel office.
“I had never been there before. I never had the opportunity,” says Elzufon about her trip. “There was an incredible amount of diversity in Israel. The landscapes, people, and activities you did.” Birthright jam-packs the trip to ensure that its participants experience everything to the fullest extent.
“Anyone that has said ‘I haven’t gone yet,’ I just look at them like they’re crazy. What’s holding them back? It’s free!” BenTovim asserts.
Some highlights of the trip include wine tasting in the Golan hills, enjoying Tel Aviv’s beaches and nightlife, praying at the Western Wall, and swimming in the Dead Sea. People that go have their own cultural exposure and upbringing. “Visiting Jerusalem was a great experience,” says Greene. “The Western Wall…being able to pray there even if you aren’t religious, there’s something that you can feel. It’s one of the holiest places for Jews.”
On a Birthright trip, everyone becomes connected with the people they travel with. “They become lik e your family, staff included,” Greene continues. “You’re traveling with them all the time and you become very close. I still go visit people that were on my trip.”
Registration is already in progress for this summer’s trips and spots fill up extremely quickly. Greene, a recruiter for the Mayanot trip of Birthright, is already trying to go back to Israel. “I tell people about my experience and that alone should convince them.”
Elzufon had an interesting way of describing her trip to Israel. “Birthright just did so much for us. It was like putting a little kid in Disney World. She is still reminded every day of her trip, “I met my best friend on my Birthright trip. I still talk to her almost daily on the phone.”
