Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren praised the Taglit-Birthright Israel program Monday as an essential element in fighting anti-Israel myths on American college campuses.
Taglit-Birthright Israel offers the gift of a free, 10-day educational trip to Israel for Jewish adults between the ages of 18 to 26. The trip aims to strengthen the Jewish identity of the participants and their connection to Israel and with each other worldwide.
“Taglit-Birthright Israel is performing an amazing service for both the State of Israel and the Jewish people,” said Oren. “The opportunity to experience first-hand the energy, beauty, and spirit of Israel is one which will stay forever with all the participants, and dispel the anti-Israel myths they may encounter on college campuses.”
There were 10,526 registered students hailing from schools ranging from large universities with substantial Jewish populations to small colleges participating this summer in the program from more than 712 schools in the U.S. and Canada.
A total of nearly 20,000 young adults participated in the program this summer.
“With Israel's reputation very much in jeopardy on many college campuses, the fact that so many students from so many schools were in Israel this summer – and are able to relate their personal experience of being there – will hopefully change the climate on North American college campuses,” said Taglit-Birthright Israel International CEO Gidi Mark.
More than 40,000 Jewish young adults from the continent had applied for the nearly 15,000 summer trip spots, a record number of North American applicants, filling available openings in the shortest registration period ever.
There was also a significant number of registrants from other countries as well, including Russia (1,006), Argentina (449) and Germany (439). All told, participants this summer came from 45 different countries, including 35 young adults from India, three from Finland and five from Cuba.
Registration for the Taglit-Birthright Israel winter trips will begin Tuesday, September 13 for young adults who have already applied once before, and the next day, September 14, for new applicants.