Sometime this summer, the Taglit-birthright israel program will welcome its 100,000th participant to Israel. That’s 100,000 students who have gone on a free, 10-day trip to Israel, courtesy of the government of Israel, local Jewish federations gathered under the United Jewish Communities umbrella, and private philanthropists. Those young people, who have hailed from 45 countries, return home with a better understanding of Israel and its challenges, a stronger feeling of solidarity with Jews around the world, and a deeper sense of personal Jewish identity.

Many critics scoffed at the notion that a brief stay in Israel for first-timers, however inspiring, could inculcate a deep engagement with Israel or Judaism. Indeed, a 10-day stay in Israel is merely a vacation unless its lessons are woven into a Jewish life that builds on the inspiration. But studies of the birthright experience have demonstrated a surprising degree of “stickiness” — evidence that the effects are more than short-lived. According to a study by Brandeis University’s Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies, “Participation on a birthright israel trip, although it only provides brief exposure to Israel, appears to transform attitudes and creates a link to Israel and Jewish identity. Although it may be too soon to know whether ahavat Yisrael becomes a core element of participants’ Jewish identities, in the short-term, the trip creates an interest and concern about Israel at a time when hostility to Israel is spreading in the world.”

The state's Jewish federations are joining UJC in congratulating birthright israel and its supporters on its six-year anniversary and its 100,000th participant. As part of the celebration, they are urging members of the community to explore how a young person they know might qualify and how they can support the effort through charitable giving.

The theme of the celebration, in keeping with Passover, is “THIS year in Jerusalem!” This is not just about tourism or charity; it is an investment in the Jewish future — a small investment with an outsize return.

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