Birthright Israel set to hit Israel this summer with 13,500 participants

• Published date: 07 May 2024
• Author: JERUSALEM POST STAFF
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The enthusiastic participants, mostly from the United States and Canada, will be visiting from mid-May until September

All Birthright Israel trips and programs will operate under strict safety and security standards amid the ongoing war with Hamas and escalating tensions with Hezbollah on the northern border.

"In light of the activities on college campuses, it is imperative, now more than ever, for Jewish students to have a strong sense of community through Birthright," says Birthright Israel CEO Gidi Mark.

"Birthright Israel is committed to providing participants with a safe and a meaningful experience. In light of the recent escalation on college campuses, in which Jewish students are being threatened daily, it is imperative, now more than ever, for young Jews – and especially Jewish students – to have a strong sense of community through Birthright programs," said Mark.

"We want them to visit the must-see sites, engage in open dialogues about the global surge in anti-Semitism within a secure environment, interact with Israelis and witness firsthand our society's resilience amidst adversity, and having come to Israel with questions, they will leave with a deeper understanding."

Birthright Israel participants will "return to their communities more educated and connected to Israel, more involved in Jewish life, prouder of who they are as Jews, now part of a new supporting community of like-minded peers," Mark added.

Addressing the current conflict and its impact on Israel, each group will participate in civic volunteering, meet with a grassroots organization that was created to address local needs and will hear first-hand testimonies from October 7 survivors.

Who will be exploring Israel and what will they be getting up to?

Some 9,000 of the participants will be joining a 10-day program and a further 3000 will spend the summer volunteering through the Birthright Israel Onward Volunteer Program.

An additional 1,400 participants will join Onward internships and fellowships; and 64 in the prestigious Birthright Israel Excel fellowship program.

Each program employs a...