Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday evening addressed the participants of the Taglit-Birthright program, noting the strong connection between the Jewish people and the State of Israel.
"We all share a common past, and as the next generation, remember that you are responsible for the future of the Jewish people and its connection to the State of Israel,” Netanyahu said at the Taglit-Birthright Israel Mega Event held at Binyanei Ha'uma, International Convention Center in Jerusalem.
“I want you to keep what you have learned here in Israel deep in your hearts, but I want you to share it with your friends and your communities. I want you to enjoy your stay and come back soon, I want all of you to know that you have a home in Israel, this is your birthright,” he continued.
“Taglit is the largest educational project of tourism on the planet and you have come here from all corners of the earth. You are joining over half a million young people from 66 countries who have already experienced Taglit and you are now discovering something very simple, this land is your birthright," added Netanyahu.
Tuesday’s event took place in the presence of leading Jewish philanthropists and Taglit-Birthright Israel co-founders Judy and Michael Steinhardt and Lynn Schusterman, founders of the Israeli Taglit-Birthright Israel Society and leading Israeli donors Meir and Adina Shamir and Roy and Bracha Ben Yami, MKs, IDF Brigadier General Avner Paz Tzuk, Deputy CEO of the Genesis Philanthropy Group Sana Britavsky, dignitaries and friends from around the world and thousands of Birthright Israel participants from the United States, Russia, Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Canada and Israel.
Over 16,000 young Jewish Adults between the ages of 18 to 26 are taking part in Taglit-Birthright Israel's winter season, joining the more than 500,000 alumni from 66 counties who have participated on Taglit-Birthright Israel since its inception 16 years ago. Of these over 80,000 young Israeli soldiers, from prestigious units of the IDF, and students have joined various groups on their educational tours.
Gidi Mark, Taglit-Birthright Israel's International CEO, said at Tuesday’s event, "Within 16 years since its inception, Taglit-Birthright Israel has become the strongest living bridge connecting young Jews around the world and the State of Israel. I truly believe that the over 500,000 participants, whose lives have forever been impacted, are the best investment the Government of Israel, Jewish philanthropists and world Jewry have made together towards a better future for the State of Israel and the Jewish people.”
He continued, “We are honored that Prime Minister Netanyahu, who was the first Prime Minister to support the project, joined us today to celebrate the beginning of bringing over the second half a million participants."
Taglit-Birthright Israel connects young Jews to the State of Israel as well as to their Jewish identity through a free ten-day educational tour of the country. Over the past 16 years, Taglit-Birthright Israel has opened the eyes of hundreds of thousands of trip participants to the people and the land of Israel.
The trip aims to build an understanding, friendship, and lasting bond with the land and people of Israel and to reinforce the solidarity of the Jewish people worldwide.
Since its inception in 1999, over 500,000 Jews from over 66 countries have participated in the free 10-day educational tour of Israel. Of these over 80,000 young Israeli soldiers and students have joined various groups on their tours.