Thank You to Our Donors for a Transformative 2024

This summer, we held our classic 10-day trips, where Jewish young adults from around the world connected with Israeli peers through the Mifgash (encounter), facilitating empathic dialogue and deep insight for both groups. Onward — our "next step" program — offered internships and academic opportunities in Israel to young professionals. And Excel – our highly selective lifelong fellowship program — welcomed outstanding college students to Israel for internships in technology and business.

In the aftermath of October 7th, we launched our Volunteer Program, bringing over 7,000 volunteers to Israel to provide relief to communities in need. Next year, we intend to bring as many as 10,000 volunteers to help Israelis whose lives are disrupted by the ongoing crisis. This essential program instills in Jewish young adults the value of responsibility for their fellow Jews, and the necessity of standing with the Israeli people in their time of need.

As we look forward to Birthright Israel’s 25^th anniversary year, we depend on your continued generosity. Birthright Israel is a gift to Jewish young adults from donors like you, who love being Jewish, and care about the future of the Jewish people.

Our participants come to Israel not as tourists, but as responsible members of a global Jewish family, eager to roll up their sleeves and get involved. They witness firsthand the resilience of the Israeli people, bringing that fortitude back home with them. And they become passionate ambassadors for Israel and devoted advocates for their fellow Jews. As studies have repeatedly shown, Birthright Israel alumni are far more likely to stay engaged in Jewish life, raise Jewish families, donate to Jewish causes, and assume positions of leadership in Jewish organizations.

Last week we celebrated the start of our winter season, as our first volunteer group landed in Israel to join the recovery effort. The season’s first classic 10-day group will arrive on November 5th. Altogether, we anticipate welcoming more than 6,000 classic trip participants to Israel this winter.

Thank you for your support of Birthright Israel. With your continued help, we will shape the next generation of resilient Jewish leaders and plant the seeds of a legacy that will bear fruit for many years to come.