War Response

The recent tragedy and conflict in Israel have underscored the profound impact of Taglit Birthright Israel. This program has not only transformed the lives of young participants, fostering a deep connection to Israel and Judaism, but has also cultivated an enduring bond with the land and a sense of responsibility toward the Jewish people.

Amidst the turmoil, Birthright alumni, supported by their Israeli counterparts from the Mifgash Program, many of whom are soldiers, have demonstrated unwavering solidarity, serving as pillars of support for Israel. Their response, spanning social media campaigns, educational sessions, and personal outreach, reflects a deep commitment and connection that transcends fleeting encounters, shaping history and strengthening the global Jewish community.

Through their actions, they uphold not only a sense of responsibility but also the transformative power of lasting connections, laying the foundation for a robust Jewish future grounded in unity and solidarity.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Since October 7, our social media efforts soared, generating a remarkable 437,000 engagements and over 10 million video views. Our success was propelled by a strong collaboration with our alumni, whose amplification of our message significantly broadened our reach.

Notable initiatives included:

• Solidarity Through Images: Over 125,000 individuals, including non-alumni, shared their photos from Israel, fostering a powerful sense of unity.
• Celebrating Jewish Pride: Our “Jewish and Proud” square was shared with an impressive audience of 16.8 million followers, reinforcing our pride and identity.
• “Bring Them Home” Video: In partnership with alumni influencers, our impactful video garnered 559,000 views, effectively highlighting our mission.
• Alumni Advocacy: Engaging alumni in speaking up for Israel, our videos resonated with audiences, further amplifying our message.
• Influential Advocates: Leveraging the substantial reach of alumni influencers with over 31 million followers, our advocacy efforts gained significant traction.
• Creative Expression: Our collection of “Proud Birthright Israel” GIFs captured hearts and minds, accumulating an impressive 366,500 views, showcasing our commitment to innovative storytelling.

BEYOND

Since the war’s onset, Taglit alumni sought reliable updates on Israel and a supportive platform to navigate unfolding events.

• We emailed 340,000 alumni globally, providing a comprehensive overview and links to credible information sources.
• We hosted informative virtual talks with experts on geopolitics and public policy, on combating campus antisemitism, survivors of the Nova party, and the Taglit senior educational staff.
• We facilitated alum reunions with Tour Educators, utilizing their strong connections to offer firsthand perspectives and testimonials.
• Established a hub for reliable information and social media handles, shared across communication channels, which included recordings of Beyond’s info sessions for alumni future reference.

EXCEL

Following October 7, the Excel community responded with unprecedented solidarity for Israel, spearheading a series of impactful initiatives:

• Excel Fellows across the US and internationally have taken proactive measures to combat the surge in antisemitism on campuses. They engaged in various activities such as speaking at rallies, petitioning administrations, liaising with local media, hosting educational events, meeting with legislators, and leveraging their alumni network.
• Excel’s “Sharing & Caring” WhatsApp channel, comprising over 600 Excel Fellows, became a bustling hub for support, resource sharing, and information exchange, with hundreds of messages exchanged daily.
• An Israeli Fellow from the 2013 cohort coined the hashtag #hamasISisis.
• Excel Fellows collectively raised over $1million through fundraising events, featuring distinguished speakers such as NYC Mayor Eric Adams,Congressman Ritchie Torres, Dan Loeb, among others. Additionally, independent virtual fundraising efforts led by Excelers generated several million dollars in support of Israel and emergency response organizations.
• Community-Building & Education: Excel Fellows orchestrated diverse activities, from information sessions to global campaigns like “Shabbat 25k,” which garnered participation from over 800 hosts worldwide, fostering unity and constructive dialogue among Jews and non-Jews alike.

MIFGASH

After October 7, we conducted a comprehensive survey to assess the strength of the connections formed by our Mifgash Program, yielding insightful findings that underscore the strength of our connections.

During the conflict, 96% of respondents reported receiving messages from overseas friends expressing concern for their safety, leading to reciprocal empathy and the sharing of experiences and resources. Additionally, 57% noted their international friends confiding in them about challenges faced abroad, fostering deeper understanding through video exchanges. Moreover, 61% took proactive steps by sharing informational materials to raise awareness. Lastly, 77% observed their overseas friends actively advocating for Israel on social media platforms, promoting unity and solidarity.

These findings reaffirm the pivotal role of Taglit’s Israel trips and the bonds formed therein in strengthening the unity of the Jewish people. They highlight the resilience of our community in times of crisis and underscore the importance of maintaining these connections for mutual support and solidarity.

The many challenges faced by the State of Israel and the Jewish people today are unprecedented. In these critical times, the mission of Taglit Birthright Israel takes on even greater significance and urgency.

Amidst the ongoing conflict, Israeli society has been providing aid and support to those directly affected while strengthening community foundations. There is a strong, shared desire among young Jewish individuals worldwide, especially those with prior experiences in Israel, to play a pivotal role in this critical mission.

In response to this collective sense of responsibility and solidarity, known as Arvut Hadadit, Taglit Birthright Israel issued a heartfelt call to action through the Volunteer in Israel program.

The seamless merger in 2023, of Taglit Birthright Israel’s extensive network with the innovative infrastructure of Birthright Israel Onward, provided us with the ability to have volunteers on the ground within just a few weeks and allowed us to launch one of our most significant initiatives to date, rallying young Jewish adults globally to actively volunteer in crucial civic and agricultural projects on the ground in Israel.

At the heart of the Volunteer Program is the incorporation of Mifgash, fostering profound encounters between participants and Israelis. An astounding 85% of Volunteer Program groups have successfully participated in Mifgash, facilitating enriching exchanges between 575 participants from abroad and 221 Israelis.

The impact of the October 7 events extended even to the Greening Birthright Israel project, redirecting resources towards vital initiatives like agricultural volunteering and urban forestry in southern settlements.

Since its inception, the Volunteer Program has received overwhelming support, with over 5,500 applicants expressing their desire to contribute. Through the end of 2023, over 700 volunteers from various corners of the globe, including the US, Canada, France, Russia, UK, Argentina, Germany, Mexico, Netherlands, and beyond, actively engaged in agricultural fields and logistics centers across Israel, embodying the spirit of unity and solidarity in our collective journey.

The Volunteer Program continues in 2024 with 5,000 volunteers expected to join this important initiative that is uniquely designed to foster solidarity and active involvement in vital civic initiatives across Israel.

Taglit Birthright Israel has a special connection to Israel’s communities in the periphery, with almost every group spending significant time in Israel’s south and north. At this crucial time Birthright Israel is committed to focusing its efforts and dedicating its resources to assist families from Israel’s war-torn communities who were not provided for under government parameters.

To achieve this, we provided a safe and welcoming respite for families in select hotels and hostels with whom Taglit has a long-standing and trusted partnership. Our primary objective was to provide a temporary haven for those affected by recent acts of terrorism, offering them the solace and assistance they urgently required.

Throughout this period, our staff along with a dedicated team of Tour Educators curated a range of activities, specifically designed for families, to assist them in processing the trauma in an effort to look toward a brighter future.

Birthright Israel raised nearly $750,000 in dedicated funding to help 831 people from 272 families from the north and south communities over the course of October, November and December, 2023.

Families came from Talme Yaffe (Hof Ashkelon Regional Council), Kibbutz Mezuva (Matte Asher Regional Council), Moshav Ma’agalim and Moshav Melilot (Sdot Negev Regional Council) and others. Groups stayed in Tiberias and Jerusalem. Programs included multiple planned educational activities as well as many spur of the moment projects, including children’s birthday parties and an unplanned concert from Israeli musical stars Hatikva 6. The project continues in 2024 with more families finding a temporary home away from the affected border communities.

Following the devastating attack on Israel on October 7, and the subsequent war with Hamas, Taglit Birthright Israel organized three Solidarity Missions, uniting over 50 community leaders and supporters from 10 countries. The primary objective of these missions was to gain firsthand insight into the reality on the ground, offer support to affected communities, and demonstrate solidarity with the people of Israel during these challenging times.

Mission participants received detailed briefings on the current situation in Israel and the conflict in Gaza from high-ranking Israeli experts and Government Officials; met with Hostage Families where they had the opportunity to hear their experiences and learn about their efforts to secure the release of their loved ones.

Mission participants also engaged with our Volunteer Program participating in vital civic initiatives within Israel, alongside the young Jewish adults involved in the program.

The missions included visits to Southern communities, where participants met individuals who played heroic roles during the October 7 events. Part of the time in the south included a visit to Sderot, where participants gained insight into the challenges faced by residents in the region and discussed with international and Israeli partners and Board Members the future role of Taglit Birthright Israel in supporting Southern Communities.

These missions underscored the resilience of the human spirit, the importance of unity, and the strength of solidarity. Mission participants emerged from the experience with a renewed dedication to bolstering the Jewish community and supporting Israel and a greater understanding of the importance of Taglit Birthright Israel to the worldwide Jewish community.

Gidi Mark, the International CEO of Taglit Birthright Israel, reflected on the missions’ impact, stating, ‘These moments have showcased the strength of the human spirit, the significance of unity, and the potency of solidarity. Our mission members are more dedicated than ever to supporting Taglit, our Jewish community and our homeland, Israel. Together, we can make a difference.’