At a news conference in Jerusalem yesterday, Deputy Foreign Minister Rabbi Michael Melchior praised the Birthright Israel program based on participants\' responses given upon their completion of a 10-day, first-time visit to Israel. Birthright Israel is a program created by two North American philanthropists with the goal of diminishing the growing division between Israel and the Jewish communities around the world and promoting the role of Israel as a powerful resource in Jewish learning. The program provides a free, organized trip to Israel for eligible Jewish young adults from around the world.
Melchior said that the survey’s results show that participation in the program does in fact strengthen Jewish identity. One statistic indicated that 38% of those interviewed “very much” felt a connection to the Jewish people before embarking on the trip, while three months after the trip, 64% felt so. In response to a question about feelings for Israel, 22% felt bonds prior to their visit, while 55% felt “very much” connected three months after their visit. In total over 5,800 young people are expected to arrive in Israel in the next few days from communities around the world to participate in the program.
Melchior said that the survey’s results show that participation in the program does in fact strengthen Jewish identity. One statistic indicated that 38% of those interviewed “very much” felt a connection to the Jewish people before embarking on the trip, while three months after the trip, 64% felt so. In response to a question about feelings for Israel, 22% felt bonds prior to their visit, while 55% felt “very much” connected three months after their visit. In total over 5,800 young people are expected to arrive in Israel in the next few days from communities around the world to participate in the program.