Birthright Israel: Why Our Community’s Support Matters Now More Than Ever

Reprinted from The Jewish Link.

For decades, Birthright Israel has strengthened Jewish communities throughout the world. Since its founding in 1999, more than 900,000 young Jewish adults from 70 countries have traveled to Israel on life-changing educational journeys. And although the world has changed dramatically since those early years, Birthright Israel’s core mission has not: to give young Jews the opportunity to experience Israel, connect to their Jewish identity, and return with a renewed sense of pride.

But here in Bergen County, a troubling misconception often keeps families from supporting the program: the belief that Birthright Israel is fully funded, permanently endowed, or somehow financially guaranteed by a handful of mega-donors or the Israeli government.

The truth is very different. In fact, Birthright Israel is not perpetually funded, and our support is crucial. Each trip costs approximately $5,000 per participant, and those costs rise every year with inflation, travel prices, and higher security needs. Birthright Israel Foundation must raise tens of millions of dollars annually to keep the program running.

For many years, the program relied heavily on a few large benefactors. But this model is no longer sufficient or stable. In 2022, one major donor family significantly reduced its annual contribution. As a result, thousands of young Jewish adults hoping to visit Israel were left on waiting lists.

Despite the tumultuous events of 2023 and 2024, including war, antisemitism on campus, and uncertainty across the Jewish world, demand for Birthright Israel has increased. This year, 28,000 Jewish young adults traveled to Israel with Birthright Israel. Undeterred, they were determined to understand for themselves the reality on the ground, affirm their Jewish identity and deepen their connection to the land and its people. It seems clear that young adults are desperate for connection, understanding, community, and pride. But without expanded donations, the Foundation cannot keep pace with this need.

A common refrain from some local families is: “My children already went on an Israel trip,” or “My child aged out, so why does Birthright Israel need my support?” But Birthright Israel today is no longer just a single 10-day trip; it is a gateway to an entire ecosystem of programs designed to engage Jewish young adults at multiple stages of life.

Many young adults from our community are already ineligible for the classic trip because they went to day school, summer camp, or traveled with family. However, Birthright Israel’s extended family of programs—including Onward (internships), Excel (elite business fellowship), and Volunteer (opportunities for adults ages 18-50 to support Israel’s recovery efforts)—provides the next steps in Jewish identity-building, resume-building, and Israel engagement.

Supporting Birthright Israel means ensuring that families in our own community have access to these programs. But it’s not just about finding opportunities for our own kids. By supporting Birthright Israel Foundation, Bergen County families ensure that other young Jews—many without day schools, synagogue life, or family trips—also have a chance to connect deeply with Israel and Judaism. This is communal responsibility at its best: paying it forward so every Jewish young adult can stand proudly within our shared story.

Families often refer to the “Birthright bounce”—the glow, gratitude, and confidence their children bring home from their trip to Israel. As it turns out, that “bounce” is more than just anecdotal. It is measurable. Since 2009, Brandeis University has tracked the long-term outcomes of Birthright Israel alumni, and the findings reveal a powerful ripple effect across generations. Data reveals that Birthright Israel alumni are far more likely to celebrate their children’s bar or bat mitzvahs and provide them with Jewish education. In fact, 84% of alumni with children are raising them exclusively Jewish regardless of whether their spouse is Jewish.

In other words, Birthright Israel alumni live Jewish lives, build Jewish homes, and pass on Jewish identity because Birthright Israel gave them a foundation strong enough to share. This is not just a trip. It is generational transformation.

Finally, part of supporting Birthright Israel is embracing a healthier relationship with Israel—one that goes beyond crisis response or constant defense. It may sometimes feel like Israel could use a public relations consultant, but the reality is that Israel is a source of innovation, courage, creativity, and morality—Or la’Goyim, or, a light unto the nations. From cutting-edge medical breakthroughs to environmental technologies, from lifesaving disaster-relief missions to global humanitarian innovations, Israel’s contributions embody tikkun olam. Birthright Israel helps young Jews see this firsthand—without filters, without hashtags, and without apology.

At a time when Jewish young adults face isolation, fear, and unprecedented demoralization, Birthright Israel remains one of the most effective antidotes. It builds resilience, confidence, community and pride.

But none of this is guaranteed. And none of it can continue without us. Our donation protects Birthright Israel trips for thousands of young adults, including local teens and college students; supports the pathway of programs like Onward and Excel, upon which today’s young professionals increasingly rely; and strengthens the Jewish future, ensuring a vibrant, proud, connected generation long after ours. That is why this year, Birthright Israel Foundation launched its Generations Campaign, a bold goal to bring 200,000 new participants to Israel by 2030. Achieving this vision will require $650 million in philanthropic investment.

In a fractured world, supporting Birthright Israel Foundation is a tangible, powerful way to uplift the next generation of Jews and to affirm that we believe in Israel; we believe in Jewish identity; and we believe in each other. It’s our responsibility and our privilege.

For more information and to donate, see https://birthrightisrael.foundation/.

For more information about each of the programs mentioned, including applications and deadlines, see https://www.birthrightisrael.com/.

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Orit Gribetz is a retired attorney, mother of four and a proud Birthright Israel ambassador. She lives in Englewood and can be reached at obenitah@yahoo.com.