Birthright Israel’s Summer of Jewish Connection

After June’s disruption, Birthright Israel has fully rebounded. In this challenging year for Jewish communities, giving young adults pride, connection, and resilience has never been more important.

This summer, 10,000 young Jews from North America, Europe, Latin America, India, Australia, South Africa, and the former Soviet Union participated in our 10-day trips. They join our global family of more than 900,000 alumni — bringing us ever closer to one million.

Among the 8,000 Volunteers serving this summer was a special group of parents of Lone Soldiers from the U.S., Russia, and Argentina. Some had not seen their children in over a year. In an emotional ceremony at an IDF base, we reunited these families to honor their extraordinary courage.

Birthright Israel Onward saw 1,650 participants complete internships in fields from healthcare and biotech to law and digital media. Birthright Israel Excel concluded with 78 Fellows returning after a July restart, joining a global network of more than 1,500 leaders.

We also launched Storytellers, bringing together 44 Jewish activists and influencers from 10 countries for training in geopolitics and communication, culminating in digital campaigns to shift public discourse on Jews and Israel.

This year was far from ordinary, yet together we have transformed tens of thousands of young lives, strengthening their connection to Israel and Jewish peoplehood. This is the generation that will bring hope and healing into the world, and there is no greater investment we can make.