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The program was only expected to last five years, but now, with par- ticipation skyrocketing, the plan is to keep it running indefinitely — and at higher levels. ajor philanthropists behind Birthright Israel are pres- suring the United Jewish Communities and the Jewish federa- The Need Increases tion system to contribute more fund- In 2000, 9,462 Jews between the ages ing to the program. of 18 and 26 took the free trips. This When the initiative to send Jewish year, nearly 36,000 from around the young adults on free 10-day trips to world, mostly North America, are Israel was launched in 2000, private expected to participate, with thou- philanthropists, the government sands more on the waiting list. of Israel and the federation system Birthright has cost $314 million agreed to share the costs equally. over the past eight years. Private phi- But this year, with the budget for lanthropists have contributed $147 Birthright hitting $80.6 million, the million and the Israeli government federations thus far have contributed $75 million. The federation system, only $5.5 million. Birthright sources say, has contributed "I don't think there has been an about $43 million. Additional funding honest-to-God buy-in," said Charles comes from other sources, including Bronfman, who founded Birthright the Jewish Agency for Israel. with fellow philanthropist Michael Casino mogul Sheldon Adelson has Steinhardt. pledged $60 million over the next two In an unprecedented step to cull years to pay for the tens of thousands more money from the UJC system, of Jews on the waiting list. Yet with the Bronfman's foundation is setting aside program receiving 2,000 applicants a about $1.5 million for local Jewish day and typically having to close regis- federations to hire full-time develop- tration only a few weeks after it opens, ment professionals to raise money for Birthright officials say more money Birthright. In addition, the UJC and will probably be needed. Birthright are discussing the creation Each trip to Israel costs about of an endowment fund of up to $500 $2,000, according to Birthright's direc- million to fund Birthright on a con- tor of international marketing, Gideon tinuous basis. Mark. The federations' contribution Bronfman has written a scathing per trip in 2007 will be approximately essay deriding the UJC for contribut- $175, according to Jay Golan, the exec- ing less than 1 percent of its budget utive director of the Birthright Israel to Birthright. He and the other private Foundation, which oversees private philanthropists who back Birthright funding for the program. say that without more money from Adding to the frustration of the federation system, a program that Birthright supporters is that most is widely seen as the most successful federations use the travel program in Jewish continuity effort cannot keep their fundraising pitches. up with demand. Sources familiar with the situation For federations, said Eric Levine, the say the UJC is having trouble convincing UJC's senior vice president for Jewish federations to contribute more money. peoplehood and identity, the situation Using a pre-existing formula is not so simple. employed for other shared costs, the "In all honesty, everyone wants to UJC suggests to each individual fed- fund Birthright to a greater extent," he eration how much it should contrib- said. Federations, however, are multi- ute to Birthright. For 2007, the UJC issue organizations. "The fact is that requested $9 million from the federa- we don't want to pull money from a tions, an increase of 50 percent from poor person's mouth to pay for a free last year; so far it has collected $5.5 trip to Israel," Levine said. million. 7