THE MIFGASH
The Mifgash, a cornerstone of Taglit Birthright Israel, offers a unique encounter between participants and their Israeli peers, infusing the trip with authentic experiences. Through open dialogue and shared moments, participants delve into diverse themes, fostering deep connections and mutual understanding.
Proven to be transformative, the Mifgash encourages participants to engage in meaningful discussions on complex topics directly with Israelis. This exchange cultivates lasting friendships and broadens perspectives, enriching their sense of Jewish identity and connection to Israel.
For their part, the Israeli peers gain important insights into the global Jewish world and its significance, as well as their own connection to Israel, and forge friendships that extend far beyond their time in Israel. Research also indicates that Israelis return from the Mifgash with a renewed sense of pride and motivation to further contribute to both the Israeli army and the country.
With over 850,000 young Jews, including 130,000 Israelis, benefiting from the Mifgash, it stands as a significant educational initiative in IDF history. Seamlessly integrated into all Taglit programs since the merger with Onward Israel in 2022, the Mifgash continues to evolve, enhancing participant experiences and fostering global Jewish unity.
In 2023 alone, commanders and soldiers from 227 IDF units and young Israeli professionals from dozens of leading Israeli companies and youth centers, joined their peers from abroad, students from 21 campuses, on a journey to gain greater understanding of Israel and their Jewish heritage.
The MIFGASH in Taglit Birthright Israel Classic 10-Day trip
In January – March 2023, the Mifgash Program saw 2,012 Israelis actively participating in the Classic 10-Day trip, holding 182 intensive sessions across 150 groups, making up 46% of all group activities. Additionally, eight specialized officer groups focused on developing leadership skills. In addition, Mifgash partnered with Hillel, executing 24 Birthright Israel Connections Engagement Project (BICEP) groups, fostering even deeper connections.
Summer 2023 saw 2,632 Israelis engaged in Mifgash programs, with 210 intensive sessions within 179 groups. Additionally, seven officer groups were formed for leadership development. Continuing the partnership with Hillel, Mifgash held 34 BICEP group initiatives, expanding the reach and fostering meaningful connections.
The MIFGASH in Birthright Israel Onward
Following the merger in May 2022, Birthright Israel initiated a pilot Mifgash program specifically tailored for Onward participants. This program included the creation of the Onward Israeli profile, establishing relationships between participants, designing the Mifgash framework, defining the staff’s role for a successful encounter, and organizing preparatory conferences. The pilot involved Onward participants, predominantly, although not exclusively from the USA. Feedback from this pilot initiated adjustments that were implemented for the winter of 2023.
In the winter of 2023, 34 Israelis participated in the revised pilot, leading to further refinements for the subsequent summer pilot of 2023. During the summer of 2023, 115 Israelis from nine IDF units took part, with additional improvements made post-pilot for the 2024 program.
For international participants, these meetings offer a unique opportunity to connect with young Israelis of similar age and life stage, fostering long-term relationships both with Israeli peers and the broader Israeli community.
For Israeli participants, the meetings offer the chance to engage with young Jews from the Diaspora, who often share similar professional interests. This encounter provides an avenue to shape the image of Israel and fosters connections between young Jews from the Diaspora while also contributing to the development of participants’ professional and personal network.
The MIFGASH in Birthright Israel Excel
A total of 60 Israelis participated in the Excel Mifgash program, consisting of students from eight campuses and personnel from four military units. This participation ratio was equally balanced with participants from abroad. Insights gathered from interactions with the Israeli participants revealed several significant findings. The main drivers for Israeli involvement included their desire to foster community and a sense of belonging among participants, and gaining opportunities for networking. Additionally, Israeli participants brought considerable value to the program through their inherent connection to Israel, enriching the community’s cultural diversity and depth. Engaging in meaningful conversations facilitated self-discovery and prompted shifts in perception, particularly regarding Judaism, benefiting participants from Israel.
The discernible high caliber of participants positively influenced the program’s overall effectiveness. Moreover, participants established meaningful connections, fostering a spirit of friendship and collaboration. Ultimately, the program effectively nurtures future leaders by offering valuable experiences and resources for personal and professional development.