Argentina
Australia
Brazil
Canada
France
Germany
Israel
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Our Story

Taglit-Birthright Israel's Story

Visiting Israel transforms lives and strengthens our future.

Taglit-Birthright Israel was born from a bold idea: that offering a fully-subsidized, life-changing trip to Israel for Jewish young adults between the ages of 18 and 26 would not only transform their future but would strengthen the future of the entire global Jewish community. Because to travel to Israel is to fall in love — with the land and its people, with the history and culture and with fellow travelers. Today, having provided over 800,000 journeys to our ancestral homeland, Birthright Israel is the largest educational tourism organization in the world — 800,000 unforgettable individual experiences with a global rippling effect.

1999
2000
2002
2003
2006
2010
2015
2019
2020
2022
2023
Taglit-Birthright Israel is founded
The Israeli government joins private Jewish philanthropists and North American Jewish Federations
in launching Taglit-Birthright Israel with 9,500 participants from 10 countries
Mifgash (Hebrew for ‘encounter’) is introduced
Israelis join their peers on Taglit-Birthright Israel trips offering an exchange between those living in and out of Israel.
50,000 participants
from 29 countries have visited Israel with Taglit- Birthright Israel
Taglit-Birthright Israel celebrates its 100,000th participant
Taglit-Birthright Israel celebrates 250,000 participants from 54 countries,
including 50,000 young Israelis who have shared the journey as part of the Mifgash Program. Launch of Birthright Israel Excel fellowship, a 10-week, Israel-based summer internship for undergraduate university students in the areas of business and technology.
Taglit-Birthright Israel welcomes its 500,000th participant
Taglit-Birthright Israel marks over 750,000 participants
from 68 countries, including 115,000 Israelis.
Addressing the challenges imposed by COVID pandemic
launch of Taglit LIVE - virtual stories showcasing the sites and scenes often experienced during a trip, guided by Tour Educators.
Onward Israel joins Taglit-Birthright Israel
offering mid and long-term programs, and post-Taglit programs to Taglit-Birthright Israel alumni. Taglit-Birthright Israel celebrates 800,000 participants, including 125,000 Israelis.
Taglit Volunteer program is established as an immediate response to the needs on the ground in Israel

Taglit-Birthright Israel's Impact in Numbers

72% of Argentinian participants

marry a Jewish spouse.

72% of former participants

from France lead a Jewish life.

70% of Australian participants

feel more connected to their Jewish identity, to Israel and to the Jewish people.

90% of Israelis

say that the Mifgash helped them to better understand Jewish life in the diaspora.

80% of participants from Brazil

say that they feel more connected and closer to the Jewish People.

40% of Argentinian Participants

return to Israel for a second and a third visit.

90% of Australian participants

said they are very likely to return to Israel in the near future.

93% of overseas participants

said they better understand life in Israel.

Why do we do it?

Connection to Israel connects us with each other.

Taglit-Birthright Israel was established in 1999 by a committed group of Jewish philanthropists led by Charles Bronfman and Michael Steinhardt in partnership with the Israeli government.

Founded as a response to increasing intermarriage rates, decreasing Jewish communal life and disassociation from Israel, our organization aims to give every young Jewish person an equal opportunity to explore important questions about identity, community and connection to a homeland. The gift of a Taglit-Birthright Israel trip is made possible thanks to the generous support of many private donors and foundations.

Our Goal

Taglit-Birthright Israel is to build a stronger future for Jews everywhere. One trip at a time.

Taglit-Birthright Israel seeks to ensure the future of the Jewish people — a lofty and noble goal.

Our hope is that our trips motivate young people to continue to explore their Jewish identity, deepen their support for Israel and create and nurture fulfilling life-long connections with the Israelis they meet on their trip. We encourage our alumni to take active roles in Jewish organizations and to participate in follow-up activities wherever they are in the world. And with the love and pride that fills their heart by the time their trip is finished, they do.

When young Jews fall in love with Israel and its people, our future can be transformed.
Help us give this gift of love

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