what is an israel birthright trip

What Is Birthright and Why Is It So Controversial?

What is Birthright?

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Answered: Which Birthright Israel trip should I choose?

There’s not much better than a free trip to Israel. But you only get one, and there are a ton of trip options to choose from. And the organizer of the trip impacts the other people on the trip, where you go, the style of travel, and much more, which makes a big difference in your experience. So how do you figure out the best Birthright trip for you?

There are almost 600 different trips available from 9 organizers! The good news is that there are some easy ways to narrow this down to a manageable number of choices. Don’t get overwhelmed with all of the trip providers and styles of Birthright trips. Instead, start simple by looking at the some of key logistics. Also remember that trips fill up and new trips are added all of the time, so this is a snapshot of the current trips and how the availability might help you choose the right one, and even if things are a little different over time, the same principles apply.

Summary: How Choose a Birthright Israel Trip

When you’re starting to think about your ideal Birthright trip, keep these factors in mind. They’re all important, but you might not be able to find your perfect match. So know that as you’re going through the guide below to help hone in on the right trip, as you make one choice, you may rule out other options — so keep an open mind:

• Age: How old are you? There are trips targeted towards college students and young professionals (up through age 32, as of 2017, but with limited options)
• Departure: Where is most convenient to leave from (and does your trip choice offer this departure location?
• Speciality: Many trip organizers offer trips geared towards specific campuses, communities, professions, outdoor activities, culture, arts, adventure, and religion.
• Trip Length: Most Birthright trips are 10 days (“the standard”), but all trip organizers also offer 7-day expedited trips. There are also a few organizers who offer extended study abroad trips for 13 days (which include college credit and more in-depth activities)
• Trip Organizer: There are 9 different organizers to choose among. Some offer similar trips (such as outdoor adventure trips), but others offer something unique. They also each bring their own flavor to the style of trip overall.

Why don’t you start with trip organizers? All my friends talk about their organizer! You’ll notice that we put the trip organizer lasts in this list, and we did it on purpose. BirthrightGuru recommends not starting with the trip organizer — but don’t skip over reviewing completely. We just think that the best way to choose a trip from the hundreds of options is to narrow down the selection with a few basic preferences, see what organizers match up with the smaller pool of choices, and then review them to make a match. You’ll likely find that if you pick a trip that works for you the organizer will be great! There are very few “red flags” with the organizers overall. And if you pick something specialized, like a trip with your campus, community, or personal passion, you’re likely to jive with the organizer too. That said, there are some that have a religious or academic slant, which might not be your top pick, and you might decide it’s worth getting to a different departure city or even traveling without your college friends to try something different.

Oy! So much to consider — but don’t worry

In the end, there is certainly a trip that will match your style! The organizers and the Birthright program overall are interested in making people comfortable on their trip and stress the openness and acceptance of this program to people from diverse backgrounds.

Before you go on, please note! This is a guide focused on US-based travelers, so if you’re thinking about traveling from one of the many other countries with Birthright Israel programs, please don’t limit yourself to this information. Also, no one person has gone on every single Birthright trip with every organizer, so what might seem overly academic to one participant might be just what another is looking. Seek out lots of information, ask questions of the organization, and make sure you find a great fit — we’re here to help with an unbiased, simple guide, and hope you find it useful.

How old are you?

First, start with something really easy: How old are you? All organizers currently offer trips for people who are between 18 and 32 years old (a big jump in 2017 from the previous cutoff of 26), but the choices are limited. There are only 12 trips out of the hundreds of options that cater to people ages 27-32. So if you’re in that range, you have a much easier choice, but also fewer options. If you’re between 18 and 26 you have many more options, so read on to find the best one.

Where do you live (and want to leave from)?

The advantage of having 9 organizers and hundreds of trips across the United States means that there are trips leaving from many big cities, including one that’s likely close to you. It’s a nice improvement over the past where most trips left only from NYC and Miami (and you have to pay to get yourself there)! Plus, it’s an easy way to narrow down the options (with the slight exception of the most specialized trips — more on that later).

Birthright trips leave from 13 different major US cities, covering both costs and the midwest:

• Los Angeles
• Philadelphia
• San Francisco

See a city close to you? Start by checking out the trips that leave from there (and fit your age). You’ll likely save a good amount of money getting to the official Birthright departure location. Don’t always expect a direct flight from your departure location (Chicago, for example has literally no direct flights to Israel). Even without a direct flight, leaving some somewhere close and convenient will give you a much more enjoyable travel itinerary and save a many headaches should some travel problems arise — it’s much better to be traveling with the group and have the resources of Birthright and your trip organizer to reroute and rebook as needed than to be trying to make it to the departure location by yourself (you might get left behind!).

Even with all of those advantages, don’t rule out heading to a different city to leave on your trip. All of the organizers have trips leaving from LA and NYC and many from Miami and Chicago. This is especially true for the speciality trips, so if you’re thinking about a foodie trip or a trip designed specifically for filmmakers from LA, don’t limit by departure!

How long do you have to travel?

Most Birthright trips are 10 days, which is a sweet spot length to see a ton of the country, participate in diverse activities, and make it back in time for classes to start up again after spring break or get back to your office. If you are limited on time, there are also a smaller set of 7-day trips that compress the itinerary. 10 days is ideal because it expands the range of activities and gives more time to experience the local culture, but don’t miss out if 7 days fits best. It’s a small country and you can see a lot in that amount of time. Plus, you’ll be back! You can be out of the office for just one week of work and experience a whole new world before you’re back at your desk.

There are also a few trips from organizers that offer an extended, immersive 13 day experience as a type of mini study abroad. These trips typically have a specific focus and include spending an extended amount of time focused on that topic rather than the typical frenetic pass of a Birthright trip and are also often in partnership with a local Israeli educational institution that is renowned for the topic at hand. A really special choice if you have the time and the interest!

Who do you want to go with?

If you know that you want to travel with other kids from your campus, there are options for many universities (and all are likely to have great departure destinations close to your school!). If you’re a young professional, you also have options to go with other people from your current city. This is a great option if you have friends at school you want to travel with to Israel and means that there are more options to meet and get to know people before your trip and more chances to continue to hang out with people after the trip, compared to a general trip that draws nationally. Finally, there are a few affinity trips, such as those for alumni of particular youth groups. If you have a strong bond with a group of people and you know you want to travel with them, check these out!

Pro tip: Don’t rule out leaving your campus friends behind and traveling on a trip to meet new people — especially if one of the speciality trips matches your interest and works for your logistics. Having a trip match your interests with like-minded people is often the better choice than friends that you see all the time. Use your Israel experience to make some new friends in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Beyond the basics: Speciality Trips

In addition to campus and community trips, many Birthright organizers offer tons of speciality trips. If you find a match with your interests, this is a really special way to travel on Birthright. Speciality trips give you the advantage of going beyond the typical Birthright itinerary with activities that match your passions, and you do it all with like-minded peers.

Worried about missing out on some “must see” stuff in Israel? For better or worse, you’re not going to see it all. If you spend more time relaxing in a Tel Aviv cafe and on the beaches, you’ll have less time to see the sites. If you wait in every line at every historical site, you’ll spend less time soaking up the local culture. It’s a balance. YOu won’t see it all, so don’t try. Birthright Israel is an incredible intro to Israel. Hopefully you’ll want to come back (that’s definitely something the program hopes to achieve!), and when you do, you’ll have the advantage of being there before, having a little more comfort in a foreign country, and you’ll also have checked off a few of the key sites, so you can spend more time on future trips going to the places that you like to visit the most and maybe some off the beaten path.

Important note: Speciality trips are the most likely to change over time, with the few available filling up and maybe even organizers adding a few. Classic trips from each organizer are much more likely to always be available. Check the Birthright website for the most updated availability.

One of the most amazing things about Birthright is that the program is open and accepting of all people who want to travel to Israel, and that includes trips specifically designed for people with any kind of special need. Trips include tours led by guides in sign language, speciality equipment and staff to accommodate comfortably those with special physical needs, and trained staff to ensure the trip is a wonderful experience for all who attend. There is also a trip open to those who are in recovery from addiction, and offers an itinerary through Israel without alcohol but without sacrifice of the spiritual, religious, cultural, and adventures available in the country, along with a unique chance to visit recovery centers in Israel and meet Israeli peers fighting the same challenges.

Outdoor and adventures

One of the most common types of speciality trips amps up the adventure and outdoor activities. Typical activities include hiking (more than the typical trip), rappelling, rafting, paintballing, and biking. There’s even a SCUBA diving trip where participants dive with the Israeli Navy!

Arts & Culture

These trips take the opposite approach from the adventure speciality options and cut back on the outdoor adventures to spend more time in cultural institutions (if you like being inside, this might be a great choice!) and within city limits. You’ll still hit a few of the major sites outside the cities (Israel is a small country, so travel time won’t limit you), but the focus stays on the cultural centers, and substitutes in activities such as jam sessions and workshops with Israeli artists.

The Birthright spiritual speciality trips range from a focus on religion to mysticism to yoga. Trips targeted towards Orthodox Jews offer more time in the most holy sites as well as accommodation for religious travelers (including single-gender trips for participants who feel more comfortable traveling this way)

These trips offer participants the chance to travel with people in the community, including both other participants and the Israelis involved in the programming, and specialized programming, including meeting community activists in Israel, trips to LGBTQ+ organizations, and even a chance to participate in and meet with the organizers of the Tel Aviv Pride Parade!

Israel is an amazing country for foodies, especially if you love the fresh and light flavors in classic mediterranean cuisine.

Professional

Many organizers offer industry-focused trips that cater to young professionals who want to experience Israel with industry peers and a more refined focus than the typical itinerary. Some trips draw from locations across the country with a shared interest, such as the trips focused on social justice and startups and entrepreneurship. Other trips are even more narrow, and take participants from a specific industry in a specific place, such as political insiders from DC, Wall Street bankers, and entertainment pros from Hollywood and LA.

Extended Study Abroad

Study abroad trips are a lesser-known option for Birthright Israel, but worthy of your consideration. These trips are 13 days long, involve a more intensive and focused itinerary, with the opportunity to get deep into a specific topic of interest and the connection to Israel, while earning 3 college credits. There is something here for lots of areas of interest, including diplomacy in the Middle East and counter-terrorism for those interested in geo-politics and the future of the Jewish state in a volatile region, archeology for participants looking to get their hands dirty in the soil of the State of Israel while working alongside historians and anthropologists uncovering the mysteries of the land, and innovation and entrepreneurship for budding startup founders or tech geeks who want to look to the future of Israel and it’s incredible prowess in new technology and product development.

Meet your trip organizer

Now that you know what you’re options are, consider closely the organizer planning the trip. This is critical for every Birthright traveler: Whether you’re limited to a 7-day trip leaving from NYC because you’re 32 and that’s the only option or you’re set on a speciality trip focused on the outdoors, you’ll have multiple trip organizers with similar trips available. And even if you don’t seem to have a lot of choices, make sure you check out the organizer and understand the vibe of the trip before committing 100%. If it’s not a good match, it might be worth waiting or changing plans to find a new trip to go on. The organizer makes a huge impact on the trip, and it’s not always clear right up from from the organizer’s name and trip name how the trip will feel once you’re there. It’s worth a few minutes of review.

(Yes, there are some speciality trips that literally only have one trip organizer as an option. Still, check out the organizer a bit more to learn how the trip will go to be sure that the specialized focus is worth any potential downsides. If they’re the only one offering a special trip and you feel strongly about that topic, there’s a good chance that you’ll get along great! Still, check it out below).

First, check out our organizer guide for an unbiased snapshot of the trip organizers and their trip options. Also, keep checking back as we grow our collection of interviews and guest posts from people who travel with the Birthright organizers and report back on their trips as well as our own original research as we learn more about organizers from stories from around the web (we’ll bring them all into one, easy-to-ready place). Also, check out reviews on Facebook, ask friends (and friends of friends about their experiences), and read the marketing materials provided by the organizers. And finally, ask questions of the organizer. All of their contact information is available from the Birthright website, and you’ll be glad you got to know them early on, whether you go on the trip or don’t.

Amazing Israel

Amazing Israel is a seasoned trip organizer and tour company based in Jerusalem. Their focus is on memorable Birthright trips, and they bring their expertise from planning tons of tours in Israel for B’nai Mitzvot, family trips, conferences, and more. Their claim is for “out of the box” Israel trips, but their itinerary is typical of the standard version. Not a problem, but don’t get sold by the marketing only. In reality, they’re a professional tour operator at heart, and should be trusted to provide an excellent trip. Amazing Israel is not affiliated with any religious movement and is vocal about accepting participants from all backgrounds on their trips.

Facebook Reviews: 4.8/5 stars (44 reviews)

Trips: Classic (10-day and 7-day) Outdoors/Adventures Entertainment Professionals Urban and Culture

Departures: Boston, Dallas, LA, NYC

Ezra World has roots in a youth movement focused on connecting Russian Jews to their community, and their Birthright trips grew out of the organization as it expanded to new avenues of connecting Jews to their heritage. Now, they points out especially that their staff are all Americans who made the choice to come to Israel, who are now immersed in Israeli society, and who attended the best Israeli tour guide educational programs. Technically, Ezra world is affiliated with the Orthodox Judaism movement, so expect more than the average amount of time spent on religious connections to Israel and Zionism, though the organizers clearly point out that they are open to all participants. Ezra World also offers speciality trips, including a foodie-focused itinerary and a trip organized around world-renowned startups and entrepreneurship in Israel.

Facebook Reviews: 4.3/5 stars (43 reviews)

Trips: Classic (10-day and 7-day) Outdoors/Adventures Foodie Startups and Entrepreneurship Single Gender

Departures: Austin, LA, New York

Hillel is a campus-based organization, so their focus is on college students and university-specific trips. If you want to travel with friends from school, there’s a good chance that Hillel is planning a trip leaving from campus (and departing from a nearby big city, unless you’re in the midwest!). They are not limited to college campuses, and offers speciality trips and trips for all ages like the other trip organizers, including one of the most adventurous trips in the entire program: Israel Underwater, which takes participants SCUBA diving in Israel with Israeli Navy divers! Hillel is non-denominational, but definitely a religious organization. They also have a reputation during classic and campus trips for taking more time for deep conversations and learning, rather than focusing on adventure or experiencing the culture. Mostly expect a typical itinerary, with that slight extra focus on religion and activities designed (and sometimes feeling forced) to create meaningful connections among participants and to Israel, in addition to the speciality trips offered by this organizer.

Facebook Reviews: Not reviewed

Trips: Classic (10-day and 7-day) Campuses (many!) Underwater: SCUBA dive with Israel Navy divers LGBT Pride Trip to Tel Aviv Pride Parade Yoga and Mindfulness American Sign Language

Departures: Atlanta, LA, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego

Israel Outdoors

Israel Outdoors lives up to their name, but also goes so far beyond. On an Israel Outdoors Israel by Foot or Israel by Bike trip, expect more time outdoors, breaking a sweat. They also offer many speciality trips, including multiple extended study abroad, cultural, campus, and accessible trips (the most offerings of any provider). They even offer a one-of-a-kind USA-Argentina joint trip. And all of these trips are offered with departures from the most cities out of all trip organizers. Israel Outdoors is an experienced Israeli tour operator based in Tel Aviv (with offices in Washington, DC), and have earned a reputation for participants who want to travel to Israel and take extra advantage of the incredible natural beauty of the country and the spirit of adventure. As expected, they’re non-denominational and open to participants from all backgrounds.

Facebook Reviews: 4.7/5 stars (98 reviews)

Trips: Classic (10-day and 7-day) Campus Study abroad extended trips (diplomacy, archeology) Outdoors/Adventures (biking and hiking) Culture (film and food) Mindfulness and Spirituality LGBTQ Special Needs USA-Argentina Joint Trip Social Justice

Departures: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, LA, Miami, NYC, San Diego, San Francisco, Washington

Mayanot Israel

Mayanot is a unique trip organizer — they’re affiliated with both the academically-oriented Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem and the religiously-inclined Chabad. This overlap is definitely their niche: Expect a wonderful tour of Israel on your Birthright trip, with a consistent theme of deep learning and a spiritual connections to the land and to Judaism. You’ll definitely see this priority in their choice of staff. In addition to traditional Israeli tour guides, Mayanot Israel Birthright trips include Jewish educators and rabbis. They’re affiliated with the Orthodox Judaism movement, but open to all participants. This organizer does not offer the most departure options, but they cover the east coast, west coast, and midwest, making their distinctive portfolio of trips very logistically accessible to all those interested.

Facebook Reviews: 4.4/5 stars (116 reviews)

Trips: Classic (10-day and 7-day) Campus Extended Study Abroad (counter-terrorism and conflict resolution) Innovation and Entrepreneurship Outdoors/Adventures Vegans and Vegetarians / Animal Rights Single Gender

Departures: Chicago, LA, Miami, NYC

OU Israel Free Spirit

OU Israel Free Spirit is an offshoot of the Orthodox Union, which is the largest Kosher certification organization in the world. But don’t think that all of their trips are about traditional religion and prayer. In fact, Israel Free Spirit is another trip organizer vocal about their acceptance of all participants from all Jewish affiliations, with an extremely diverse selection of trips (with the only downside of only leaving from 3 departure cities). This trip organizer is the only one to offer a trip specifically built for those young adult Jews recovering from substance addiction. In addition to providing a sensitive completely sober experience for the entire trip, this itinerary goes deeper and offers participants a chance to visit and learn about treatment centers in Israel and engage with Israelis going through the same experience. It’s a special opportunity for those who may otherwise feel excluded from Birthright Israel trips. Israel Free Spirit also offers special medical needs trips with special staff, equipment, and itineraries. Fitting with their name, there is also a Kabbalah and Mysticism trip, offering a noteworthy experience for those seeking a spiritual connection to Israel outside of the traditional religions. And if a traditional religious experience is more your speed, there are trips for Modern Orthodox men and women (single gender). Or if your religious experience was connected to the JSU/NCSY youth group movements, they offer an alumni trip to reconnect with friends! Not to be left out, they too offer an adventurous trip and an itinerary focused on arts and culture. Don’t let the name fool you, and be sure to check out OU Israel Free Spirit that may be a great match for you.

Trips: Classic (10-day and 7-day) Renewal and Recovery Medical Special Needs Outdoors/Adventures Modern Orthodox Single Gender Kabbalah and Mysticism JSU/NCSY Alumni Arts, Music, and Entertainment

Departures: LA, Miami, NYC

Sachlav Israel on the House

Sachlav Israel on the House is a straightforward, unaffiliated, Israel-based Birthright trip organizer. They fit in a sweet spot for adventurous travelers who shy away from extreme adventure trips, but are looking for a really exciting itinerary. Sachlav Israel on the House has clearly thought through their trip timing, logistics, and plans very well to deliver wonderful experiences. They don’t offer a ton of specialized trips, but they do offer some unique options, including their own take on the LGBTQ experience and a special all-women Modern Orthodox trip with all female IDF soldiers, plus an amped-up adventure option for those looking for more hiking, rappelling, and camping. They also only leave from 3 cities on the coasts, so they might not be the most logistically friendly for all participants.

Facebook Reviews: 4.7/5 stars (106 reviews)

Trips: Classic (10-day and 7-day) Outdoors/Adventures LGBTQ All Women Modern Orthodox

Shorashim offers the unique opportunity to spend the entire trip with Israelis by your side. They’re also known for creating top-rated itineraries across a number of speciality trip options and their classic itinerary. Combine their reputation, trip options, and the second highest number of departure cities, and you’re looking at a solid trip organizer for many trip participants for Birthright Israel! Shorashim is another provider to offer extended study abroad options, in this case, focused on Israeli Multiculturalism. Definitely a great option to enhance your learning and overall experience in Israel (plus pickup a few college credits, if useful). They also offer trips focused on LGBTQ with a trip to Tel Aviv Pride Parade, food, outdoor adventures, spiritual self-discovery, and regional industries (including DC politics and Wall Street finance).

Facebook Reviews: 4.7/5 stars (57 reviews)

Trips: Classic (10-day and 7-day) Outdoors/Adventures LGBTQ Foodie Culture Spiritual Self-Discovery Regional/Industry Communities (DC politics, Wall Street finance)

Boston, Chicago, LA, Miami New York Washington

Yael Adventures

Yael Adventures has the distinction of being a tour company not just for Israel but for Israelis. In fact, their claim to fame is that they are one of the largest tour companies in Israel for Israeli schools and other institutions. This experience can serve them well when planning Birthright Israel trips, especially if you’re looking for a classic itinerary (they only offer a few specialized trips) with the knowledge that they are not catering to only to the basic touristy spots, but rather to travelers who want a true Israel travel experience with some lesser-known spots. This organizer offers only one specialized trip, designed for those looking for even more adventure on the itinerary (plus the same extreme adventure for women only). They also don’t offer many departure cities.

Facebook Reviews: 4.3/5 stars (38 reviews)

Trips: Classic (10-day and 7-day) Outdoor/Adventures Outdoor/Adventures (women-only)

Departure cities: LA, Miami, NYC

What are you waiting for?

Mazel tov, you made it to the end! You’re now a Birthright Israel expert. So what are you waiting for? We hope this guide was helpful in making a selection about a trip. Now that you have these insights, we hope you feel more prepared to choose a trip. If you are curious about more aspects of traveling to Israel, check out our other blog posts — and share them with your mom or nana if they’re worried about the trip. And don’t delay! A free trip to Israel is an incredible experience, even if you don’t end up on the “perfect” trip. You’ll see a fascinating country, meet amazing people on your trip and Israelis, and eat delicious food. And when you get back, get in touch and tell us how it was!

Ready to sign up? Once you know which trip you want to join, head over to the main Taglit Birthright Israel page and get started.

Answered: Do I need to speak Hebrew to go on a Birthright Israel trip?

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Birthright Trips, a Rite of Passage for Many Jews, Are Now a Target of Protests

By Farah Stockman

• June 11, 2019

Halfway through a 10-day tour in Israel, Risa Nagel had a decision to make.

The 25-year-old grant writer from Seattle had hiked the hills of Galilee and wandered the ancient market in Jerusalem. But then some of the friends she had just met told her they were planning to walk off the tour to visit a Palestinian family, an act of protest that was bound to cause pain and controversy.

“We will be able to see for ourselves what’s going on,” one of them told her. “Do you want to come?”

Ms. Nagel agonized. The next day, after the group held a moment of silence at the Western Wall, her friends announced that they were walking off. She followed them.

Over nearly two decades, a nonprofit organization called Birthright Israel has given nearly 700,000 young Jews an all-expense-paid trip to Israel, an effort to bolster a distinct Jewish identity and forge an emotional connection to Israel. The trips, which are partly funded by the Israeli government, have become a rite of passage for American Jews. Nearly 33,000 are set to travel this summer.

But over the past year, some Jewish activists have protested Birthright, saying the trips erase the experiences of Israeli Arabs and Palestinians living under occupation in the West Bank. Activists have circulated petitions , staged sit-ins at Hillels on college campuses and blocked Birthright’s headquarters in New York. But no protests have generated more publicity and outrage than the walk-offs from a handful of Birthright trips.

Supporters of Birthright dismiss the protesters, calling them professional activists and publicity seekers whose views are out of step with the majority of American Jews. Others say that the function of the trip is not to educate participants about Palestinians. In a statement, Birthright said that demand for its trips was higher than ever, and that the trips grappled with Israel’s complex history in an apolitical manner.

“We do not shy away from open discussion of the geopolitical realities in Israel, including the conflict,” the statement said.

But the protests highlight growing unease among many young American Jews over Israel’s policies. They see Israeli leaders who have been drifting rightward and openly embracing the annexation of the West Bank , land on which Palestinians have long hoped to build their own state.

The Birthright protests also highlight a generational divide between Jews who grew up with the constant fear of Israel’s destruction, and younger people today who may be more likely to take Israel’s existence for granted, and who focus instead on the millions of Palestinians left stateless by the conflict.

Just 6 percent of American Jews over the age of 50 believe that the United States gives Israel too much support, according to research by Dov Waxman, a professor of political science, international affairs and Israel studies at Northeastern University. But that view is held by 25 percent of Jews aged 18 to 29, the cohort that goes on Birthright trips.

Many older Jewish Americans have long expressed unease about Israel’s settlements in the West Bank, but consider it anathema to openly protest the Jewish state.

Ms. Nagel, who grew up in Glen Cove, Long Island, had organized against climate change in college and for racial equity as an adult. But she had never been involved in any Israel-related protest before her Birthright trip.

Her Jewish upbringing included Hebrew school, a bat mitzvah, and a desire to go on Birthright.

“I was told, ‘This is your homeland. You have to go there,’” she said. She knew little about the conflict, she said, when she signed up for a “free 10-day vacation.”

On the group’s first night in Israel, one of the attendees, a law student named Rebecca Wasserman, asked if she could facilitate a discussion about Israel’s military control over the West Bank. The group’s Israeli guide agreed, and even shared some of his own deeply personal experiences as a former Israeli soldier.

Many welcomed the talk that first night, said Ben Fields, 26, a college counselor from Denver.

“It felt at first like it was a good-natured attempt to have these conversations,” Mr. Fields said. “Absolutely, these were things we should talk about.”

But as the trip wore on, Ms. Wasserman and three others kept bringing up the same points.

“They kept saying, ‘When are we going to hear from Palestinians?’” Mr. Fields recalled.

Mr. Fields did not know it at the time, but Ms. Wasserman and the other three had all been in contact with IfNotNow , a network of Jewish activists who want to end Jewish American support for the occupation.

One of IfNotNow’s founders, Yonah Lieberman, had helped lead a Birthright trip as an outside volunteer in 2013 and said he “saw a lot of lies” about Israel.

Activists cite the fact that one of President Trump’s biggest donors, Sheldon Adelson, has also given generously to Birthright, as a reason to be skeptical of the program.

Others question whether a program aimed at bringing Jews from the diaspora to one of the most contested regions in the world could ever be apolitical. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, who counts settlers among his political base, routinely addresses Birthright events and urges participants to support Israel when they return to their home countries.

Last summer, IfNotNow encouraged activists to protest one-sided trips .

After Ms. Nagel and others walked off their trip — a departure the activists livestreamed and sent to the news media — they visited an Arab family facing eviction in East Jerusalem. They then traveled with Breaking the Silence, a group of former Israeli soldiers who oppose the occupation.

In Hebron, a populous West Bank city divided between Palestinians and a few hundred Israeli settlers who occupy a small section under heavy military protection, Ms. Nagel walked down streets that Palestinians are barred from using, even if they own a home there. She saw the Star of David spray-painted on the wall, marking territory.

“Seeing the Jewish star being used in that way was so hard,” she said. “Judaism is about love and kindness.”

Birthright does not bring participants to meet with settlers or Palestinian political activists in the West Bank, citing security concerns and a desire for unbiased speakers.

“We encourage our tens of thousands of participants each year to challenge themselves by asking difficult questions,” Birthright said in a statement. “IfNotNow promotes a specific and highly partisan political viewpoint, which does not correspond with Birthright Israel’s nonpartisan commitment to open dialogue that allows participants to develop their own points of view.”

Jason Harris, the creator of “ Jew Oughta Know ,” a podcast on Jewish history, has led 14 Birthright trips. He said he tried hard to give an unvarnished picture of Israel’s complex history. He supports the inclusion of more Arab voices, but noted that doing so would be difficult.

“Are you going to get a Palestinian who thinks that Israel shouldn’t exist?” he said. “No matter which Palestinian you pick to come talk to a Birthright group, you’ll be told, ‘You didn’t pick the right one.’”

Eric Axelman, 29, a filmmaker who has interviewed dozens of people who have gone on Birthright trips for his upcoming film, “ Israelism ,” said that the closest that many came to interacting with Arabs was spending a night in a Bedouin tent or taking a camel ride. Some spent time at a Dead Sea resort without even realizing they were in the West Bank, he said.

Birthright has updated its curriculum in recent years to include more contact with Israeli Arabs, who make up about 20 percent of the population. When Birthright was first conceived in the 1990s by Yossi Beilin, an Israeli official who helped craft the Oslo peace process, few fretted about how to talk about a conflict they believed was on the verge of being solved, said Brian Lurie, a well-known rabbi who has spoken out against the occupation and has been involved in Birthright since its inception.

But as the conflict has dragged on, he said, Birthright has had to grapple with how to talk about it.

In 2016, Birthright added a mandatory two-hour lecture on geopolitics. Birthright also spent a year developing nearly two dozen new optional activities involving Israeli Arabs, including a visit to Givat Haviva , a center that fosters cooperation between Israel’s Jewish and Arab populations.

Those activities are currently available to Birthright tours, although only some tour operators use them. They have prompted complaints on the right from Jews who felt that Arab voices were unnecessary on a trip intended to bolster Jewish identity, as well as complaints on the left when Birthright paused them temporarily for fine-tuning.

Activists say the new programming doesn’t go far enough. In the fall, J Street U , a liberal Jewish organization with 60 affiliates on college campuses, circulated petitions asking Birthright to include at least one Palestinian speaker on the occupation. J Street U has also rolled out its own alternative free trip to Israel this summer, which will take students into the West Bank to meet Palestinians and Israeli settlers. Organizers say it is meant to serve as a model for how Birthright could change.

IfNotNow has called for a boycott of Birthright.

Mr. Lurie said he has spoken to both IfNotNow and J Street U about their protests.

“If your goal is to make Birthright better, I’m on your side,” he said he told them. “But if your goal is to destroy Birthright, I’m totally against you.”

Charles Bronfman, a co-founder of Birthright, said he understood the desire of young Jews to learn how Palestinians viewed the conflict. “I’m not going to say they don’t have a point,” he said. “But that is not Birthright’s job.”

“If they have something to teach us, let’s talk about it,” he said of J Street U’s efforts. “Maybe we have something to teach them.”

Almost a year has passed since Ms. Nagel’s Birthright trip.

Mr. Fields said those who claimed to have been surprised by the absence of Palestinian speakers were being disingenuous.

“We all know what we signed up for,” he wrote in an op-ed against the walk-offs published in Haaretz, a left-leaning Israeli newspaper.

Nonetheless, Mr. Fields said the experience was “incredible,” and he returned from the trip feeling more Jewish, and more connected to other Jews. This year he hosted a Seder with work colleagues and attended high holiday services.

Ms. Nagel said the protests had prompted an important conversation that Jewish Americans needed to have. She said that she, too, had been attending more Jewish religious and social events since the trip.

“I’ve been to more Shabbats and Havdalahs,” she said, referring to the Jewish Sabbath and a ritual marking its end. “What’s different is that at our Shabbats and Havdalahs, we talk about racism, sexism and the occupation.”

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Hillel International

Hillel: birthright israel faqs.

Do you have questions? Get them answered before applying for a life-changing adventure with Hillel: Birthright Israel.

Multiple trips depart every week from May–July and December–January. Summer and winter trips leave from New York, Philadelphia, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. If you’re traveling with your campus, connect with your Hillel professionals regarding dates. 

You’re responsible for finding and paying for any domestic travel, but not for international travel. Don’t book any domestic travel until you receive a confirmation email from us.

Yes, the $360 deposit is fully refundable. The $25 deposit processing fee isn’t refundable. Shortly after your Birthright Israel trip, you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to request a refund for your deposit. You’ll also receive a refund if you’re waitlisted or you withdraw prior to the refund deadline for accepted participants (50 days prior to departure). 

Due to the limited number of spots on each trip, we need to ensure that all chosen participants will show up. When an applicant pays the $360* USD deposit, this lets us know that you’re serious about traveling with Birthright Israel and covers any fees that we might incur in the event of a late cancellation. It also helps guarantee that you follow Birthright Israel safety and behavior standards. In extreme cases in which participants violate these guidelines, their deposit may be confiscated.

Read more here

Fill out this form to request a refund, which may take up to two weeks to be processed. For other deposit issues from the United States, email [email protected] with the word DEPOSIT in the subject line and a detailed explanation of the issue in the message.

Besides the $360 refundable deposit and $25 processing fee, travel accommodations are cost-free because of generous donors. However, we suggest bringing $200–$500 USD on the trip to cover the following:

• One meal a day (roughly $10 USD)
• Tip for the tour educator, bus driver, and guard (Participants customarily leave a $100 USD tip at the end of the trip.)
• Gifts and souvenirs

Yes, you can transfer your deposit for up to THREE seasons in the future. For example, if you can no longer make your winter trip, your deposit can go toward a trip next summer or next winter.

There’s no catch. You are only responsible for a $360* USD deposit—which you can kindly donate to support future Birthright Israel educational activities or request a refund after successfully completing the program.

Learn more about the gift of Birthright Israel,  click here

Traveling with friends

We won’t know who you want to travel with unless you indicate it in your application. Under TRAVEL PREFERENCES (in the Birthright Israel application), list the name of the friend you want to travel with. If your friend has registered for Birthright Israel with Hillel, then their name will automatically populate in the section regarding travel buddies. If their name doesn’t automatically populate, use the space below to provide us with your friend’s name and email so we can be in touch with them about registering with Hillel. 

There’s a lag time between adding and updating information. This issue should be resolved within 24 hours. If not, submit a help request or call 202-449-6695.

Yes, you can still complete the application. Remember, the passport process takes a few weeks, so build in enough time. As soon as you have your passport information, add it to your application. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your scheduled departure date from Israel .

An important note: The name on your Birthright Israel application MUST MATCH the name on your passport. Exactly. 

Review our “ Extend ” page for more information.

There is a common myth that Birthright Israel programs are funded by just a few donors, but in reality, they are funded by nearly 40,000 donors annually, including tens of thousands alumni, their families, and individual donors from around the world who believe in our mission. The program is also funded by the people of Israel through the government of Israel, The Jewish Agency for Israel, and Jewish communities and Federations.

Absolutely. There is no gift too small to make a difference. The future of the Jewish people is a shared responsibility, and every dollar counts and contributes to a stronger future for us all. To make a donation in support of Birthright Israel, please click  here.

This trip is a gift from Birthright Israel

This trip is a gift from Birthright Israel. The gift of a Birthright Israel trip is made possible thanks to tens of thousands of donors including individual donors and foundations, and alumni and their families that support Birthright Israel Foundation in the United States as well as the people of Israel through the Government of Israel, and Jewish communities and Federations around the world.

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Birthright Israel FAQs

What is harvard’s hillel’s birthright israel trip.

Israel is a dynamic country, known for both its beauty and its complexity. The Harvard Hillel Birthright trip pushes Jewish students to engage, think, ask questions, and expore an Israel of th multiple truths that hold these charactaristics together. The Birthright trip is a FREE ten-day journey during which students will travel throughout Israel alongside a handful of Israeli peers. The group is led by a member of the Harvard Hillel staff alongside a licensed tour guide in Israel. From the old city of Jerusalem to the mountains of the north to the nightlife of Tel Aviv to the desert in the south, our students have the opportunity to experience the many faces and places that make Israel what it is. Harvard Hillel is committed to a pluralistic Jewish experience and reaches out to American youth who are unaffiliated and from all Jewish denominations and to Israelis of all backgrounds.

Please direct all questions to Lauren Cohen Fisher .

It sounds too good to be true. Is the trip really free?

Yes, the trip is free. There are really no catches other than the following:

• A $250 deposit will secure your space on the program and will be fully refunded upon your return. Your deposit will also be returned if you withdraw your application before the date set forth in the waiver agreement (generally about 30 days before departure). Please note: students doing both Birthright and Trekstension will not receive their deposit back.
• Participants are responsible for travel to and from the departure gateway.
• Participants are responsible for one independent meal daily during the course of the program.

What does the gift cover?

It includes round-trip airfare to Israel from a departure city in the U.S., accommodations in hotels and guest houses, two meals a day, ground transportation, entrance fees to all sites on the itinerary and the services of qualified staff and educators.

When are the departure dates?

Our Winter Birthright Israel and Trekstension trip will depart on January 3, 2019 and return January 20, 2019. If these dates don't work for you, but you are interested in joining Harvard in Israel, please reach out to Lauren Cohen Fisher about our Summer 2019 trip.

What is the deadline for Registration?

Registration for all Birthright Israel trips opens soon, but you are able to pre-register now by clicking  here  (just fill out the Google form). Registration will close when trips are full, so sign up ASAP!

I have been to Israel before. Am I eligible?

If you have been to Israel only with your family or for work, you are still eligible in most cases. Even if you've traveled on a peer group program before you turned 18, you may be eligible.  If you have any questions about your eligibility, contact Lauren Cohen Fisher before you begin the application process. You can also learn more about eligibility at the  Absolutely Israel website.

Is it safe to travel in Israel?

Safety and security of participants is the top priority for Harvard Hillel, Israel Experts, and Birthright Israel. While participants are in Israel, bus itineraries are reviewed daily with Israeli authorities to ensure maximum safety, and changes are made if necessary. You can read for about our safety and security policy or contact Lauren Cohen Fisher with any questions.

Do I need a passport?

Yes, you must have a valid passport. Israeli law requires that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond the return date from Israel. If you are a U.S. citizen and you have a valid passport as defined above, you will not need a visa to enter Israel. If you live in the U.S. but are not a U.S. citizen you may need a visa for travel, depending on your country of origin. Contact the closest  Israeli consulate and find out what the requirements are. Our office can help you with any documentation that you may need.

Can we visit family or friends on the trip?

Though you are never allowed to leave the group at any time, you can have friends or family in Israel visit you during the trip. On many nights there is free time at the hotel for guests to come visit. There is also often free time on Shabbat for family and friends to visit.

Can I extend my trip in Israel?

Yes. For a small fee, trips can be extended for up to six months. Harvard Hillel also offers a four-day "Treskstension" following Birthright, which explores Israel through a geopolitical and cultural lens. You can view images and quotes from the January 2017 Trekstension here . Please contact Lauren Cohen Fisher for more information.

How many people are on the trip? How many to a room?

Your Harvard Hillel trip will have 40 students. Depending on the location, there are 2–3 participants per room. Each participant always has his/her own bed. Rooms are always divided by gender.  Most nights you’ll be in hotels or guest houses, with the exception being one night in a Bedouin camp. Eight Israeli participants will join you for half of the trip. A tour guide, Israeli guard/medic (or two) and two madrichim (trip leaders) will lead you around Israel!

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What to Expect from a Birthright Israel Trip

If you’re thinking about applying for a Birthright Israel trip, there might be a heap of questions on your mind. Things like: What’s included in this free trip? Who will be in my group? And is there such a thing as too much hummus? Well if details are what you want, keep reading to find out all you need to know about this free trip to Israel.

How Long is a Birthright Israel Trip?

Great question! Most of our trips last 10 days. We feel that’s plenty of time to explore the country (more here). Short on time? We also offer 7-day trips. If you want to spend more than 10 days in Israel, it’s also possible to extend your trip.

Who Will I Be Traveling With?

You’ll be traveling with other Jewish peers in your age group. We like to bring a range of participants from different places around the USA so you can make new friends you wouldn’t have otherwise had the chance to meet. However, you can also choose to go with your local community or campus. One of the highlights of a Birthright Israel trip is the opportunity to meet Israeli locals who will also join you for a portion of the trip. And of course your bus wouldn’t be complete without staff members, a medic, and a tour educator who will help you make the most of this experience.

What’s on the Itinerary?

There’s so much to do, see, and eat when you’re in Israel. That’s why each day is jam-packed with activities. You’ll explore the bustling street markets in Tel-Aviv, go for a night hike in the desert, and take selfies as you float in the Dead Sea. Some of the highlights also include hiking Masada, visiting the Old City in Jerusalem, and gorging on falafel and hummus. We offer classic trips and themed trips. All trips include the essential sites in Israel, but some experiences and attractions differ depending on the trip organizer and type of trip you choose. Visiting the trip organizer’s website is the best way to learn more about what you can expect on a specific trip.

What’s Included?

Roundtrip airfare, room accommodations, and admission tickets are all included with your Birthright Israel trip. We also cover transportation and two meals a day. All we ask is that you bring along some extra cash for one meal, and of course- any souvenirs to remind you of your amazing trip to Israel. Are you ready for an adventure in Israel? Get started on your application today.

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Everything You Need to Know About Your Birthright Israel Trip

Due to the global pandemic, travel looks different right now depending on where you're going from/to. Please check for travel restrictions and adhere to all local guidelines before planning a trip to any destination you may read about on this site.  Please note: this post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something by clicking the links, I will get a small compensation, at no extra cost to you.

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Hello internet. It’s been awhile. But, for good reason! I’ve been traveling A LOT. In the last month almost to the day, I’ve been on 8 planes and spent 41 hours in the air. I’ve been to Los Angeles , Washington D.C. , and Israel by way of Zurich and Munich.

Of course, my Israel trip was through Birthright (or Taglit in Hebrew)! If you aren’t familiar, this organization fully funds trips to Israel for anyone of Jewish descent between 18-26 years old. I am 24 years old now and have been waiting since the second I turned 18 to go. But, I waited so I could go with my younger cousin and brother, and it was worth it!

If you’re planning on going on this trip and you’re anything like me, you’re having trouble actually finding any information and resources on the internet. There is a surprising lack of blogs and stories about people’s Birthright experiences. Look no further because I’m dishing my full experience. If you have already applied, you know there are different trip organizers. I chose Ezra because they had the one trip that worked with everyone’s winter break schedules so I didn’t go through a crazy decision process there. Plus, from what I hear, most trip organizers have very similar itineraries if you are not going on a specialty program (like culinary, night life, extreme adventure, etc.).

So, keep in mind that whatever experience I had, take it with a grain of salt considering I might have had a different organizer than you.

Before the Trip

Packing list:.

My number one question before the trip was about the packing list. I’ve traveled enough in my day to critique packing lists…probably to a fault. Here is a snippet of what they suggest for winter:

Sweatpants, sweater, long-sleeve shirts, shorts, T-shirts, bathing suits, Shabbat clothes (long skirt and blouse for women, slacks and button down for men), nice shoes for Shabbat, Kipah, underwear, socks, jacket, raincoat, sleepwear, outfit that can get dirty, baseball cap, comfortable sneakers, old gym shoes, hiking boots, water shoes, sandals, toiletries, day bag, medication, towel, umbrella, gloves, sunscreen, sunglasses, tissue, laptop, socket and voltage adapter, and more!

The list they suggest is crazy excessive and made us feel like if we didn’t have some of these things, we would be in deep trouble. For example a Kipah (or yarmulke) for Shabbat was necessary for men, but the group had them provided by Ezra so it was okay if you didn’t have your own.

Also, five pairs of shoes is unnecessary!

The shoes you really need are comfortable walking shoes , multipurpose boots (that you can dress up or hike in – think black ankle boots like mine above), and water shoes (and flip flops if walking barefoot in public changing rooms grosses you out…or just wear your water shoes).

Don’t bring shoes you really care about. You’re hiking up mountains and walking miles every day. Definitely definitely definitely pack water shoes . The Dead Sea floor is jagged and rough. The last thing you need is to cut yourself then immediately have it burned with salt.

Also, we were made to believe that we wouldn’t be allowed off the bus without a hat, but none of our group leaders cared at all so when you get into contact with them, just ask if it’s necessary.

You will definitely want a day bag (or backpack) . I always bring mine as a carry-on anyway, but you’ll need it as an overnight bag when you sleep in the Bedouin tents. You won’t have access to your luggage that day so you’ll need a change of clothes and toiletries in a small bag.

Lastly, if you are going in the winter, LAYER UP . Bring a real jacket or two. It was COLD. It was raining some days and 44 degrees other days. And remember you’re outside for most days for hours so it might not sound that bad, but for the long periods of time, I promise, it is.

Other notes on the packing list:

Bring cold medication . You are sharing space with 40 people for 10 days. You will get sick. Literally everyone in my group was sick by the end of the trip. Bring DayQuil, Nyquil, EmergenC, Zicam, etc.

You need a voltage and socket converter . What I mean is that our sockets have a voltage of 120V while in Israel theirs is 230V. You need a converter so you don’t fry your devices with the wrong voltage.

And, sockets in Israel are different than the U.S. so you need to make sure you have the right plug. This was the biggest point of confusion ever. The outlets are the same as European sockets, which is the rounded two prong plug (type C). However, some outlets have three holes which fit the type H plug. But, the important thing is that the type C plug fits into the type H one. So, you really only need a European plug. I know this sounds shady, but an Israeli told me herself and it worked perfectly for all my devices!

I recommend getting a specialty microfiber travel towel . They are designed to dry quickly and they fold up really small. This makes it super easy to pack and ensures that it will be dry. People that had regular towels were carrying them around wet and smelly for days.

Here is MY FLIGHT PACKING LIST , which definitely applies here. Especially noting plug-in headphones (or bluetooth adapter) and a travel pillow!

Israel in the winter really is cold – so bring a beanie or two. Israel has really beautiful scarves so I recommend buying one when you are there. Guys too!

Flight Details:

When I got accepted for Birthright, I was told when my flight left and when it eventually arrived in Israel. I knew there was a layover in Zurich on the way there and Munich on the way back. Other than that I had no details.

So, how long is the flight anyway? Depending on the layover city and flying from LAX the flight was between 10-13 hours to the layover. From the layover to Israel, it was 3-4 hours. I’m sure from New York, the long leg would be about 4 hours shorter.

My flight left LAX at 7:20pm so sleeping was important. Take whatever (ZzQuil, Advil PM, Benadryl) you might need to actually sleep on the flight because the second you get to Israel there’s a full day ahead and you don’t go to the hotel until the evening.

Also, these flights have TV screens in front of each seat so you need those plug-in headphones or a bluetooth adapter to actually listen. And, because you’re officially on Birthright, your in-flight meals are Kosher . Bring snacks with you, especially for when you accidentally sleep through your meal and wake up starving.

When we got to Zurich, we had a 7 hour layover. It was miserable and also the longest they said they’ve seen so hopefully that wasn’t standard. We eventually arrived in Israel at 3:30am. We went through customs, listened to an orientation, did some ice-breakers, and started Day 1.

Other flight info: You are allowed one free checked bag up to 50lbs, one carry-on bag, and one personal item. If you can get by with only one piece of luggage and just a backpack, I recommend that. It’s annoying lugging around two bags and a backpack and it’s especially difficult to fit them in the small shared rooms during the trip.

Do you need insurance and a SIM card?

Insurance you definitely need. No one ever asked me to verify that I had insurance, but you definitely are going to want it. It covers travel and medical insurance while abroad, which means that a ton of potential problems are covered, such as lost luggage, injury, etc. If there is a problem, your group leaders contact the group organizer and Birthright themselves, so if you don’t have insurance this could be a big problem. Plus, it’s the cheapest you’ll ever see travel insurance. It was $75 for 10 days.

As for the SIM card: In my group with my organizer we did not need SIM cards whatsoever. I was made to believe that it was 100% required and without it I couldn’t go on the trip.

The key here is that you do need to be on WhatsApp to communicate with your group leaders during the trip. But, WhatsApp uses WiFi, so you’ll be okay without a phone plan of any kind if you’re okay relying on WiFi. Our bus and every hotel had WiFi so it was doable.

However, if you do want to use data of any kind and your phone plan doesn’t have international coverage, then I recommend getting the SIM cards Birthright recommends. Alternatively, you can get your own phone plan through your provider or a virtual SIM card.

TLDR: Insurance=YES, SIM Card=NO

During the Trip

Itinerary details:.

For us, the itinerary got sent out one week before departure. When you get it, check the weather! This will make packing so much easier.

You’ll also notice, as I’ve said before, that Day 1 begins as soon as you land in Israel so brace yourself.

Here are some things that were on my itinerary and I think everyone’s:

Caesaria, Tzfat, Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Masada, Camels, Dead Sea, Bedouin Tents, Yad Vashem, Mt Herzl, Old City of Jerusalem, Western Wall

Things I Didn’t Know and Wish Someone Told Me:

Plan for a major diet change. I know it might seem self-explanatory but the food in Israel is very different than in the U.S. I think in the U.S. we take our multitude of options for granted. In Israel it’s usually falafel or shawarma every single day for lunch. And breakfast is only pastries. Everything was delicious, but you will start to miss fruit and vegetables, and want to stop eating carbs. And, the coffee and tea is incredible!

You can drink the tap water. So bring a reusable bottle and fill it up every morning because you might not have access to water until the evening.

That said, our bus driver sold water bottles every day for 5 shekels (which is about $1.35) and you stop at plenty of markets where you can buy water.

You are responsible for $100 (in USD) as a tip for the tour guide and driver. You have to bring this in USD. It used to be $70 but they recently changed it to $100!

Bring more money than they tell you. Or at least, plan to spend more money. And bring your wallet EVERYWHERE. Even if your group leaders or tour guide say you don’t need it, BRING IT.

You are financially responsible for one meal a day. It can be lunch or dinner. The cheap falafel was about 20-35 shekels (or $5-10). But usually, you’re spending around 50 shekels ($14) for a full meal and drink. Don’t only take 40 shekels in cash because that probably won’t be enough. And, you will be buying snacks. Sometimes you’ll have lunch around 12pm and you won’t be getting dinner until 8pm so snacks are necessary.

Then you have souvenirs. I’m not the biggest souvenir person, but I did buy a couple scarves which cost me 25 shekels each ($7). People bought art, jewelry, and more and spent upwards of hundreds of dollars, so bring money for souvenirs.

As a reference, I brought $200 worth of shekels and ran out on the second to last day. I ended up spending an additional $50. Again, I didn’t really buy souvenirs except the scarves and snacks.

After the Trip

To get your security deposit back, you will be emailed a link. From there you can login and either donate your $250 to Birthright or request a refund be initiated. If you do nothing, you cannot get your refund back. You have to request it. I got emailed the link a week after coming back from the trip.

Overall Tips:

Go with the flow. A lot of times you won’t actually get the daily itinerary until the evening before. It deviates from the one you’ll get sent before the trip. Just listen to what they tell you and always bring a jacket and your wallet. This is one of the few times you get to just relax and let the whole thing be planned for you. Enjoy that.

Introverts bring headphones on the bus. It will be loud and most of the time, the bus ride is the only down time you get in a day. Read more Birthright Israel tips for introverts here .

Be nice to your group leaders – they control the room assignments.

Ask your tour guide lots of questions. They know a lot more than they are telling the group.

Step out of your comfort zone. This is my family’s motto: Would you be sadder if you did it or you didn’t? Don’t leave Israel with regrets. This might be your one and only shot to crawl in some super squished hideout caves so just do it.

Related read → Advice for Birthright from past participants

Also check out my full international travel checklist . I followed this list for my Birthright trip – including getting shekels from my bank ahead of time and making copies of my passport.

Been on Birthright?

What are some things you wish you knew before your trip?

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Alanna Koritzke

Recent PhD graduate and hyper-planner of Periodic Adventures, my goal is to share travel inspiration, budget tips, detailed guides, and fun travel stories!

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You certainly covered everything. Sounds like you had a marvelous time, although rather exhausting! The photos are beautiful. So happy you, Devin and Montana were able to make this trip.

Thanks for posting this! It makes me feel a lot better to have this realistic view for my upcoming trip. Thanks again!

I’m so glad to hear this helped! You’ll have a blast!

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Birthright is resuming its free trips to Israel for the first time since Oct. 7

( JTA ) — Birthright Israel on Tuesday announced that it would resume its free, 10-day educational trips to Israel in January after suspending them amid the ongoing war with Hamas.

Around 350 participants, students and young adults primarily from the United States, are expected to travel to Israel beginning the week of Jan. 5, 2024, the organization said in a statement.

The 350 participants are a small fraction of the 23,000 Birthright had planned to send to Israel this year. Still, the resumption of the programs is a powerful symbol of a potential return to normalcy for Israel, which has been in war mode since Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7. Even as Israeli leaders say they are unwilling to put an end date on their military operations in Gaza, universities are gearing up to reopen Dec. 31 and on Monday, the government raised limits on gathering sizes , citing reduced concerns about rocket attacks.

The decision to resume Birthright trips was made after “careful consideration and conversations” with the group’s local partners in Israel, the group’s statement said, and will “operate under strict safety and security standards” set by the Israel Defense Forces’ Homefront Command.

Birthright CEO Gidi Mark said that while the trips will continue to prioritize the organization’s goals of “positive Jewish identity building,” they will also incorporate a focus on the Hamas attack and its impact on Israeli society and Jewish communities around the world.

“Everything is different post-Oct. 7 from an educational perspective. The people of Israel are different and the young adults arriving to Israel are different,” Mark told JTA. “We are preparing the educational teams to deal with broad discussions and an open dialogue. We believe that participants will come to explore and learn about what happened and what is occurring now, and also share about the reality back home and the rise of antisemitism.”

Travel to and from Israel has been limited to Israeli carriers since Oct. 7, and the war has taken a steep toll on tourism .

Last month, Birthright announced the launch of volunteer programs in Israel after it canceled its regular scheduled trips for December amid security concerns. More than 3,300 of its alumni had applied to volunteer in kibbutzes and other Israeli communities “to harvest crops in the absence of the thousands of foreign field workers,” the organization said in a statement at the time.

Even with the resumption of its regular programs, the two-week volunteer trips – which are exclusively for Birthright alumni – would continue in tandem, Mark told JTA.

“Naturally, alumni of January classic trips will be able to extend their stay in Israel, for an additional two-week volunteering experience,” he added.

Birthright Israel has brought some 850,000 young Jewish adults to Israel on a free tour of Israel since its launch in 1999. The organization had previously canceled trips only once before, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Facing financial woes, it has scaled in the years since.

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clock This article was published more than  2 years ago

Birthright to Israel and beyond: 7 trips to explore your roots

Travelers can apply for funding to visit everywhere from West Africa to Croatia

Travel restrictions are easing around the world, but the coronavirus pandemic continues to shape decisions on where, when and how to travel. Sarah Kline, the owner of the travel agency Time For Travel , said the emotional weight of the past few years has brought on an uptick in requests for trips that feel more significant than the average getaway.

“[Clients] would like experiences that renew their sense of well-being,” she said. “We all want to engage in personally meaningful things and not just walk the beaten path.”

Traveling to learn more about your roots is one example. Depending on your heritage (and often your age) you may even qualify to travel free — or with a big discount. “Birthright” trips are government- or nonprofit-funded programs that aim to strengthen foreign ties to a country’s culture and history. That means participants will see a place through the lens of the sponsor — which could be a pro or a con depending on personal politics.

Here are seven programs that cover costs for people interested in learning more about their ancestral cultures.

8 ways to find free or subsidized travel in 2022

For many people, the “birthright” trip is synonymous with Israel. Birthright Israel has been organizing partially and fully subsidized travel to the country since 1999, and it has inspired cultures around the world to launch similar programs. More than 750,000 members of the Jewish diaspora (defined as having one Jewish birth parent or having converted to Judaism) have since traveled with the program. Participants must be between 18 and 32 years old, among other eligibility requirements .

For seven to 10 days, travelers can visit Jerusalem, where they will see the Western Wall, experience nightlife in Tel Aviv and float in the Dead Sea, among other tours and experiences. Beyond the classic trip, which promises a quintessential experience visiting historic sites, there are trips with themes such as LGBTQ and arts and culture.

Africa (Ghana)

Americans of African descent who are between 13 and 30 can apply for a free 10-day educational trip through Birthright AFRICA . The program encourages participants, called Scholars, to explore their cultural roots while fostering confidence and creativity in an effort to build the next generation of world leaders and entrepreneurs.

Each trip is unique, but they usually include 10 to 16 participants — with a 5-to-1 ratio of scholars to staff — on trips to Ghana, with South Africa also being listed on the website. The program also includes a domestic follow-up trip to key destinations in the United States, such as D.C. or New York.

You aren’t be eligible if you have traveled to an African country after the age of 12. You must also follow @birthrightafrica on Instagram.

People with at least one Croatian-born grandparent can apply to travel with the Domovina Birthright Program , a 16-day subsidized trip that takes those ages 18 to 30 to Croatia . Organized by the Croatian government, the program takes groups of up to 44 people to explore the domovina, or homeland.

There are different themed trips, such as “Narratives of the Croatian People” and “Contemporary Croatia.” The program invites Croatian peers to the tour so participants can learn more about the culture from locals. The trip is partially funded by the government; it costs $1,250, not including airfare, insurance for travel and medical expenses, and incidentals.

Diversifying the face of travel, one TikTok at a time

For members of the Armenian diaspora, Birthright Armenia offers the opportunity to combine travel and volunteering. For nine weeks to one year, participants live with a local family, can take biweekly Armenian-language classes, go on weekend excursions, and attend organized gatherings with program peers and locals.

The program offers a travel reimbursement for your “voluntourism” trip. Depending on how long you stay, you may be eligible for a 100 percent refund.

Applicants must be between 21 and 32 years old and have at least one fully Armenian grandparent, among other requirements .

ReConnect Hungary organizes two-week birthright trips every summer for Americans and Canadians with Hungarian heritage. Focused on culture, traditions and history, the program includes airfare between New York and Budapest , accommodations and meals, plus experiences such as educational lectures and cultural attractions.

Participants will visit thermal baths, Holocaust memorials and synagogues; meet with local business leaders and politicians; take Hungarian language classes; and go on boat tours. They will also have free days.

Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 28. For an older crowd, there is ReConnect Hungary 29+ . To continue their adventure, participants can add on a week through ReConnect Transylvania, an excursion for connecting with the largest Hungarian minority community outside Hungary.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hungarian Birthright Program (@reconnecthungary)

Let By The Way help you navigate travel dilemmas

Looking for a summer internship? Birthright Macedonia arranges a three-week stay and an internship for people of Macedonian descent. Participants will visit the capital city of Skopje along with Bitola, one of the country’s oldest cities, dating back to the 4th century B.C. They will also take weekend heritage trips to explore areas of the country such as Lake Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Participants must be at least 18 years old and pay for their airfare to Macedonia, travel and medical insurance, and a $750 application fee (applicants who are not accepted will receive a refund). Unless you opt to stay with relatives or pay for alternative accommodations, the program includes housing and meals with a local family.

5 tips for making a postponed trip feel extra special

Greek American college students are welcome to apply for the Heritage Greece Program (HG) , a two-week cultural and educational immersion trip focused on language, history and traditions. Founded by the National Hellenic Society, HG takes place on a 65-acre campus in Agia Paraskevi, a suburb of Athens . Participants will study Greek, visit archaeological sites and museums, travel to an island, and take dancing and cooking classes.

The program covers expenses for tuition, meals and transportation within Greece. Candidates must be American or Canadian citizens of Hellenic descent who are between 18 and 26. According to the application website , that means one or more parents, grandparents or great-grandparents were born in Greece or Cyprus. To be eligible, you must be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student with a 3.0 GPA and be fully vaccinated for the coronavirus.

More travel tips

Vacation planning: Start with a strategy to maximize days off by taking PTO around holidays. Experts recommend taking multiple short trips for peak happiness . Want to take an ambitious trip? Here are 12 destinations to try this year — without crowds.

Cheap flights: Follow our best advice for scoring low airfare , including setting flight price alerts and subscribing to deal newsletters. If you’re set on an expensive getaway, here’s a plan to save up without straining your credit limit.

Airport chaos: We’ve got advice for every scenario , from canceled flights to lost luggage . Stuck at the rental car counter? These tips can speed up the process. And following these 52 rules of flying should make the experience better for everyone.

Expert advice: Our By The Way Concierge solves readers’ dilemmas , including whether it’s okay to ditch a partner at security, or what happens if you get caught flying with weed . Submit your question here . Or you could look to the gurus: Lonely Planet and Rick Steves .

• The Education Gradebook

Campus protesters are calling for divestment. What does that mean?

• Divya Kumar Times staff
• Ian Hodgson Times staff

The cardboard sign carried strong words, written in the colors of the Palestinian flag: “USF has blood on its hands.”

Seen Tuesday during a protest at the University of South Florida in Tampa, it’s underlying message echoed the recent chants heard on college campuses across the nation.

Disclose. Divest. We will not stop. We will not rest.

Students and activists are calling on universities to cut financial ties with defense companies and weapons manufacturers they say are supporting Israel’s military response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, resulting in more than 34,000 civilian deaths in Gaza.

The movement has picked up momentum in Florida, with actions that include a hunger strike at USF earlier this spring and campus protests that have resulted in more than three dozen arrests across the state.

Meanwhile, the USF Student Government passed a resolution urging the school to divest from five companies — Hewlett Packard, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Caterpillar. And the University of Florida faculty union joined efforts to pressure the school to both disclose its investments and divest of the ones that help Israel.

The concept is at the heart of the turmoil that has rocked campuses across the nation in recent days.

What is divestment?

At its most basic level, divesting is the act of getting rid of something.

Companies do it for strategic reasons, often to unburden themselves of an asset to improve the bottom line. Other organizations do it too, sometimes under pressure, to make a statement about an issue that goes beyond financial well-being.

The concept of divestment first took hold during the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa . In 1987, after two years of protests, USF’s foundation removed its investments from a number of companies that supported South Africa. It was one of more than 100 schools to do so at the time. Congress passed an anti-apartheid bill that banned new investments, and several cities — including St. Petersburg, Tampa and Gainesville — passed divestment resolutions or restricted new investments to South Africa.

More recently, universities in other parts of the country — including Columbia University, which has been at the forefront of protests this spring — have divested from fossil fuel companies.

The Boycott, Divest, Sanction movement to impose economic sanctions on Israel in support of Palestinians started in the early 2000s. At USF, the movement gained traction in 2013, when a divestment referendum was put on the Student Government ballot, before being removed. The following year, students led a divestment petition and garnered 10,000 signatures, but the university said it would not change its investment policy.

In 2016, USF’s Student Government passed a bill in favor of divestment from companies that support Israel, but it was vetoed by the student body president and vice president.

The issue resurfaced in March, when 18 USF students embarked on a hunger strike , again asking the board of trustees to reconsider its investments tied to Israel.

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Gov. Ron DeSantis, while standing against the recent calls to divest from Israel, has also used divestment as a strategy when it comes to other nations.

Last November, he signed a bill requiring Florida to divest from companies that support Iran. It directed the State Board of Administration to divest Iran-related holdings in the Florida Retirement System, and certain companies were prohibited from contracting with state agencies or local government entities.

He supported a similar bill, passed in March, to divest from Chinese-owned companies.

What are the protesters demanding?

Across the state, various groups are making different demands of Florida’s public universities.

While several companies have been identified, it’s unclear how much state money, if any, is going to them. Under Florida law, foundations that support public universities generally are not required to disclose the specifics of their investments, with some exceptions.

The protesters have targeted several companies, including Hewlett Packard, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Caterpillar, RTX (Raytheon), Kratos Defense and L3Harris. But some groups have gone further when they talk of divesting.

At USF and UF, protesters are also asking for student involvement in overseeing where future investments go. Some UF protesters are calling on the university to terminate all partnerships with weapons, arms and artificial intelligence contracts connected to Israel, and boycott speakers affiliated with the Israeli military.

At the University of North Florida, protesters want the school to end its partnerships with Haifa University in Israel. Florida State University protesters are asking that the campus Chabad and Hillel chapters end their participation in the Birthright Israel program, a free 10-day heritage trip to Israel for Jewish students.

What the schools say

While universities are not required to disclose their investments, their process makes it difficult to separate out individual funds.

At the University of Florida, the UF Investment Corp. manages the school’s investment portfolio.

“The University of Florida is not changing its investment strategy,” UF spokesperson Steve Orlando said in an email. He said the university had nothing to add.

At USF, the board of trustees told hunger strikers in March that the university contracts with fund managers and doesn’t directly invest in any company.

The university issued a statement saying the fund managers invest “in a variety of asset classes, which include companies in most major industries.” It said state laws forbid them from taking action based on social or political issues. Board chairperson Will Weatherford also said the university wouldn’t make changes that could negatively affect employee pensions.

Florida Statute 1010.04 says universities can’t “give preference to a vendor based on the vendor’s social, political, or ideological interests.” And House Bill 3, signed by DeSantis a year ago, says those responsible for investing state money can use only factors that “have a material effect on the risk or return” and may not consider “the furtherance of any social, political, or ideological interests.”

This past week, a USF spokesperson underlined those rules.

“We have made this position clear many times,” Althea Johnson said in an email. “USF’s investments are guided by its mission, fiduciary responsibilities and state and federal laws. USF does not select individual stocks or companies for investment.”

The universities’ investments come from their endowments, which do not include funds from student-paid tuition.

Some have poked holes in these arguments.

Mari Marks, policy manager for the Council on American-Islamic Relations Florida, said the group’s attorneys are looking into state laws regarding investment rules. She contends they refer to purchasing, not divestment.

“That’s also just excuses,” Marks added. “They absolutely have the power to find out where their investments are going. They can definitely find out how to divest. We are a country of excellent minds in financial matters. They can figure out how to do it. It’s been done.”

Does divestment work?

University of Colorado Denver professor Todd Ely said “there’s very little academic evidence” that divestment affects the market.

“The flip side,” he said, “is that calls for divestment become very visible and campus protests play an important symbolic role.”

Jonathan B. Berk, a finance professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business, said in a 2021 interview there is little evidence that divesting from fossil fuels has been an effective strategy.

According to Berk, roughly 86% of investors would have to divest from a company to have a 1% impact on its business operations — a hypothetical scenario he called “very unlikely.”

Jacob Ivey, a history professor at Florida Memorial University who researched anti-apartheid movements in Florida, said divesting is less about the monetary amount and more about raising consciousness about the roles individuals and companies play in conflict.

Chris Marsiano, a professor of public policy at Davidson University, said the recent protests had more impact than divestment would.

“The fact that Biden has spoken on the issue — (and) that (Israeli Prime Minister) Bibi Netanyahu has mentioned university protests — means that students have done enough to draw attention.”

How some schools are responding

While Florida universities have not made concessions, other schools have made some deals to end the protests.

The University of Minnesota pledged to disclose funds by May 7. It also pledged to drop charges against protesters and present a divestment resolution.

Brown University agreed to take a vote on divestment this fall.

Rutgers University did not agree to divest or end a partnership with an Israeli university, but met eight of the protesters’ other demands. Those included issuing a statement calling for a cease-fire, creating scholarships for displaced students and establishing a partnership with a university in the West Bank, according to protesters.

Northwestern University reestablished an advisory committee for “investment responsibility.” It also agreed to offer new visiting faculty positions and scholarships for Palestinian students at risk and create a space for Middle Eastern, North African and Muslim students.

Columbia University, at one point, offered to make investments in health and education in Gaza and publish a process for students to access their direct investment holdings. It is unclear where that offer stands.

Times staff writer Justin Garcia contributed to this report.

Divya Kumar covers higher education and Ian Hodgson is an education data reporter for the Tampa Bay Times, working in partnership with Open Campus.

Divya Kumar is the higher education reporter. Reach her at [email protected].

Ian Hodgson is a data reporter covering education. He can be reached at [email protected].

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Latest israel-hamas peace talks ‘near collapse’ as netanyahu threatens attack on rafah: report.

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Talks of a Gaza ceasefire appeared to collapse Sunday as Hamas envoys left negotiations – and Israeli leaders pledged to renew its military operations soon.

“The latest round of mediation in Cairo is near to collapse,” an official close to the talks told Reuters as Hamas leaders left Cairo and returned to Qatar Sunday evening.

Though Hamas and Israel had “in-depth and serious discussions” on a deal that would see a number of hostages released in return for a 40 day ceasefire, according to the Guardian , the terror group has indicated it will not take any deal that doesn’t involve a permanent end to hostilities.

Hamas’ delegation is expected to return to negotiations on Tuesday, but Isreali leaders are losing optimism that the terror group has any real intent to make a deal.

“We are observing worrying signs that Hamas does not intend to reach an agreement with us,” said Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

“This means strong military action in Rafah will begin in the very near future, and in the rest of the Strip.”

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed Gallant’s rhetoric while discussing the weekend talks.

“While Israel has shown willingness, Hamas remains entrenched in its extreme positions, first among them the demand to remove all our forces from the Gaza Strip, end the war, and leave Hamas in power,” the prime minister said.

“Israel cannot accept that.”

While delivering a speech for Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day Sunday, Netanyahu doubled down and said Israel was willing to carry on its war against Hamas even if the rest of the world abandons the cause.

“If Israel is forced to stand alone, Israel will stand alone,” Netanyahu declared.

“I say to the leaders of the world — no amount of pressure, no decision by any international forum will stop Israel from defending itself,” he said. “Never again is now.”

Netanyahu’s stark words coupled with Gallant’s warning suggest a new phase may be about to begin in the war sparked when Hamas attacked Israel on Oc. 7.

Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city on the border of Egypt, has been an enclave for over a million Palestinian refugees as war has consumed the northern reaches of the strip.

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But despite being a haven for humanitarian aid, Israel believes thousands of Hamas troops are also hiding out and operating within the city.

Fearing high casualties that might result from a Rafah operation, the US has been “exerting maximum pressure” on Qatar — which has close ties to Hamas — to push the group and Israel into remaining in negotiations, a source told Reuters.

Hamas still holds over 100 Israeli hostages.

With Post wires .

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