New Brandeis Data Shows Birthright Israel’s Impact in a Year of Resilience

In this defining moment, Birthright Israel is a guiding force for Jewish resilience. Brandeis University has the data. In 2024, as Israel faced war on multiple fronts and antisemitism surged, especially on college campuses, 18,700 Jewish young adults chose to travel to Israel with us. They weren’t deterred. They were determined — to understand the reality on the ground, affirm their Jewish identity, and deepen their connection to their fellow Jews. 63% of last summer’s participants said Birthright Israel was “one of the best experiences of my life.” Brandeis University researchers asked: how did the trip change them? The results speak volumes. Compared to nonparticipants, summer 2024 alumni are:

• 40% more likely to feel very connected to Israel — whether they identify as liberal, moderate, or conservative
• 31% more likely to post regularly in support of Israel on social media
• 53% more likely to challenge anti-Israel claims with a counterargument
• And 87% of all tourists to Israel under age 30 in 2024 were Birthright Israel participants

All participants, whether their preexisting level of connection to Israel was high or low, experienced significant growth in identity and action. In all cases, Birthright Israel made a measurable impact. But they didn’t just discover Israel — they found community.

• 81% said hearing directly from Israelis about the war was deeply meaningful
• 76% said being part of a Jewish peer group was deeply meaningful
• 66% found experiencing Shabbat in Israel deeply meaningful
• 56% found sharing about their experience as a Jew in their country deeply meaningful

Our participants took action against the misinformation, antisemitism, and anti-Israel prejudice in their communities. After the trip, more reported putting up Israeli flags or posters in solidarity. Many increased their online engagement — expressing support for Israel more frequently and with greater confidence Birthright Israel is creating leaders, advocates, and defenders of Jewish life. And it is doing so at scale, even in the most challenging of times. Now, we must meet the moment. More Jewish young adults are motivated to come to Israel than ever before. The need is real — and the data is clear. [Read the full Brandeis report here.]