NJ Jewish News | MW registration offers free birthright israel trips

NJJN Staff

Forty young Jewish adults from the MetroWest area are being offered a free 10-day trip to Israel in December, thanks in part to the largesse of Josh Weston of Montclair and Jimmy Schwarz of South Orange.

Together, they are helping to subsidize the young people’s travel — under the auspices of Taglit-birthright israel — including plane fares and travel costs. Birthright experiences are for those between the ages of 18 and 26 who have not previously participated in a peer group Israel experience.

In 2005, more than 200 birthright participants came from MetroWest, while another 200 were put on a waiting list.

Those wait-listed in previous years will have top priority in getting on board in December.

Schwarz and Weston donated the money “so that we can have a MetroWest trip of our own so that more young adults from our area can participate,” said Weiner.

The UJA Campaign allocates $230,000 from United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ. The Jewish Community Foundation’s Prime High School in Israel Fund is matching the $25,000 gifts made by Weston and Schwarz.

The trip is scheduled to depart on Dec. 28. Although still three months away, the program is being offered in the shadow of the current crisis in the region, as its benefactors acknowledged.

“I think we should grab the moment,” said Schwarz. “There always seems to be something wrong with a lot of moments. It’s an opportunity for solidarity and for doing our best to turn on our college-age youth.”

Jay Weiner, program director of the Legow Family Israel Program Center at UJC MetroWest, said he appreciates the apprehension that might be felt by some prospective travelers and their parents.

“While no one can predict the conditions that will affect Israel next winter,” said Weiner, “I think there are still people who want to go; and, obviously, the more people who go and show their support is very important to the Jewish community,” Weiner said.

“The trips are escorted by a professional staff and every precaution is taken to make them safe,” Weiner said. “At this point, tensions have subsided. UJC or birthright would never take these young adults to do anything they felt was unsafe. Obviously, tourism is a big thing for Israel, and the safety of the participants is of the utmost importance.”

Since its inception in 1999, the birthright Israel offer — a cost-free excursion to Israel for young travelers between the ages of 18 and 26 who have not previously traveled to Israel on an organized tour — has been a popular one, with 110,000 participants from 45 countries having made the trip.Supporting a birthright trip is a new experience for Schwarz, a Smith-Barney executive. “I think it’s one of the most effective programs the Jewish community has come up with to promote love of Israel,” he said.

Weston, for his part, said he has been underwriting trips to Israel since “before it was called birthright.”

Since 1980 he has been paying for and sometimes accompanying both Jews and non-Jews of various ages on journeys specially tailored for businesspeople and elected officials

“The real issue is — whether or not you’re religious — fewer and fewer Jews feel connected to Israel,” said Weston. “One of the best ways is to get them at a fairly young age. That’s what birthright is all about. This is not driven by a threat to Israel from Hizbullah or Hamas. It is driven by the desire to get more of the younger Jews while they are still impressionable, while they aren’t consumed with whatever else; it’s good timing.”

Orli Dudaie, executive shliha, or emissary, at UJC MetroWest, offered assurances that participants will have a meaningful and rewarding experience.

“By December, I’m sure you will still see some impact of this war because there has been a lot of damage and a lot of things to recover,” she said. “But sending kids to birthright, traveling with their age group for 10 days all over Israel, seeing the historical sights — there is no reason that will be different.”

Registration for the December birthright trip opened on Sept. 12, and each applicant is required to post a $250 deposit, which is refundable at the end of the trip or if a cancellation is made before Nov. 7.

Those interested in applying to the program can apply on-line.