Our Programs

Taglit Birthright Israel’s Classic 10-day trip offers Jewish young adults a transformative encounter with Israel. Designed to educate and inspire, the program facilitates meaningful exploration of Israel’s rich history, cultural achievements, and innovative spirit, while addressing its current realities and challenges. For most, it’s an unparalleled experience – with 80% of participants describing the trip as life-changing. It fosters authentic connections to Jewish identity and community, deepens understanding of Jewish heritage, and creates a lasting bond with Israel.

2024 Achievements

2024 marked a unique chapter in Taglit Birthright Israel’s story – a testament to our resilience, adaptability, and innovation in the face of significant challenges. Amid tremendous uncertainty posed by the ongoing war, the program successfully resumed its operations in January 2024, reviving our vital mission.

Nearly 1,000 participants joined the program in the first quarter alone, from January through March, despite intense fighting in the south. The summer season welcomed an additional 7,600 participants, and December trips brought together another 1,200 young Jews. These accomplishments, achieved under constant threat of broader escalation, underscore the program’s ability to navigate turbulent times while delivering impactful experiences to Jewish young adults who seek them now more than ever.

The events of October 7 have undeniably had a profound impact on Jewish communities worldwide. As their needs evolve in the face of this new reality, Taglit Birthright Israel has risen to the challenge, making thoughtful adaptations to our educational programming.

This year’s participants attended powerful testimony sessions, hearing firsthand accounts from Israelis affected by the war – including stories of heroism and tragedy and the stories of the hostages and the struggle to bring them home. They engaged in thought-provoking discussions, deepening their understanding of the events of October 7, the ensuing war, and the broader significance of Jewish identity in today’s world. Encounters with Israeli civic organizations at the forefront of the crisis offered both insight and inspiration, showcasing their remarkable achievements. Additionally, participants took part in diverse volunteer activities that fostered a sense of solidarity and unity, reinforcing their connection to Jewish identity and values – core pillars of our mission.

Sustainability was central to our 2024 trips, reflecting our commitment to environmental responsibility. Participants explored Israel’s environmental innovations, took part in local, sustainability-focused volunteer activities, and enjoyed eco-conscious programming aimed at minimizing our operational footprint.

Launched in the immediate wake of October 7, the Volunteer in Israel initiative began as part of Birthright Israel Onward and quickly expanded into a separate core program. By the end of 2024, it had engaged more than 8,000 participants, partnered with hundreds of organizations, and provided thousands of impactful volunteer placements across Israel.

Rooted in a deep sense of Jewish mutual responsibility, the program was inspired by the wave of volunteerism that swept through Israeli society at large. It provided young Jews with a meaningful, tangible, and immediate way to support Israel during its time of crisis. Birthright volunteers contributed to critical areas, including:

• Food Security: Supporting Israeli agriculture
• Logistics Centers: Distributing aid to vulnerable populations
• Social Solidarity: Helping displaced families and supporting soldiers

While participants arrived to help Israel, they themselves left transformed. Through their experiences, they found their voice, formed a community, and left rededicated to their core Jewish and Zionist identity.

Evolving to Meet the Moment

What began as a month-long model quickly adapted to include 8-day and 14-day options, allowing for greater accessibility. By the year’s end, all Birthright organizers had incorporated volunteer programs into their offerings and expanded eligibility criteria to welcome thousands of new participants into the Birthright Israel family.

For alumni, this initiative provided a unique opportunity to return to Israel – not just as visitors, but as active contributors. Throughout 2024, participant evaluations remained consistently high, with volunteers finding the experience deeply meaningful. The program’s educational and social framework further enhanced their understanding of contemporary Israel at this critical moment in history.

2024 Achievements

Leadership Initiatives

Over the years, extended stays in Israel have been shown to deepen participants’ knowledge about Israel, build confidence, and drive long-term, post-program engagement. In 2024, we introduced two targeted initiatives to enhance alumni impact in educating, engaging, and advocating for Israel:

• The Geo-Politics and Public Diplomacy Fellowship, developed in collaboration with Reichman University, offered an intensive four-week experience covering topics such as geo-politics, counter-terrorism, communication, public diplomacy, and social media. The program culminated in mentor-led, pro-Israel campaign development.
• The Back to Campus Forum provided Onward interns with additional content, networking, and leadership training, strengthening their ability to effectively advocate for Israel on campus.

Given the success of these two initiatives, we plan to expand both in 2025.

Platform Enhancements

This year also marked the full integration of Onward into the Birthright Israel organizational structure. The launch of a new house of brands, an updated Onward website, and the implementation of a streamlined registration process through a single participant account reflect Taglit Birthright Israel’s evolution into a multi-program platform, designed to create and sustain long-term engagement of young Jewish people with Israel and Jewish identity.

Designed for exceptional Jewish young adults with a passion for business and entrepreneurship, Birthright Israel Excel is a prestigious fellowship that cultivates top Jewish talent through high-impact business internships, mentorship, and lifelong networking opportunities. Fellows gain hands-on experience at leading companies, guided by industry mentors who support their growth. Our aim is to build a global community committed to shaping the future of Jewish business leadership.

2024 Achievements

• Expanded Reach and Recognition

This past year saw a significant increase in global engagement, applications, and participation, furthering Excel as a premier global leadership development program. Applications increased by 28%, driven by digital marketing, virtual info sessions, and strategic content partnerships. Our 2025 cohort will be the largest yet, with 80 Fellows from 13 countries, and first-time participants from Belgium, Hong Kong, and Russia.

• Summer 2024

This past summer, 64 global Fellows and 64 Israeli counterparts – including a new cohort of combat officers from the Air Force, Navy, and Yahalom – completed a 10-week immersive program. Fellows completed internships at top global firms and participated in active community work through our new partnership with Kibbutz Re’im. In addition, the program featured meetings with inspiring figures, including Moran Stella Yanay, a returned hostage, and Masab Youssef Hassan, known as the “Son of Hamas.”

A Thriving Global Community