750,000 young Jewish adults from 68 countries have experienced the 10 Values of Birthright Israel and…
For most young Jewish adults who participate in Birthright Israel trips, it is their first time visiting Jerusalem. For possibly all of their life, Jerusalem was a dream, a place they heard about in school or the synagogue. That is until the generosity of Birthright Israel Foundation’s nearly 40,000 annual donors make the dream of visiting Jerusalem a reality.
To date, Birthright Israel Foundation has made the phrase L’Shana Haba B’Yerushalayim a reality for 800,000+ young Jewish adults from 68 countries. We invite you to watch our short video below showcasing reflections from Jerusalem by Birthright Israel alumni.
More Birthright Israel Alumni Share Memories of Jerusalem
“The Western Wall was truly a turning point and out-of-body experience for me. I had learned about the first and second temples and thought I could control my emotions…I was very wrong. When I walked up to the Wall, stuck my note in that was addressed to G-d, and laid my hands on the smooth stone, I was overcome with emotion and felt a single tear roll down my cheek.”
“At the Western Wall, I found out what it was like to be Jewish. I saw men with black fur hats and silk coats dancing in circles and holding hands. I saw hundreds of other Birthright Israel participants laughing and praying and bowing to the huge stone wall…There was a moment there that I felt like I belonged, and a moment of vulnerability where I allowed belief in G-d to seep into my mind as a possibility, something I might think more about. I watched all of these Jews experiencing what it was like to be close to G-d, and I wanted it.”
“Every moment of my trip is an experience I will cherish forever but perhaps none more than our Shabbat in Jerusalem. Despite all of the amazing sites and places we experienced it was the intimate time, I spent with the others on the trip including our staff and soldiers that solidified the importance of the Birthright Israel experience. It truly strengthened my Jewish identity more than anything else.”
Ethan M.
You Can Make Next Year in Jerusalem a Reality
Birthright Israel Foundation’s sole mission is to give every eligible young Jewish adult the opportunity to visit Israel. When you make a tax-deductible donation today, you can help the next generation visit Jerusalem and build everlasting connections to their heritage. Join our family of 40,000 committed donors and help us transform the Jewish future.
