Editor's Letter
Birthright's Next Dimension
ewish young adults who have never visited Israel as part means a significant impact on the Israeli economy as well, with
of a trip with their peers are embracing the chance to
upwards of $300 million generated.
do so. The 18- to 26-year-old travelers from the dias-
Before going on Birthright, many young Jews are less in tune
pora are responding in droves to the belief that it's the birthright
with their Judaism and Israel. But Birthright often changes that,
of every Jew to visit their ancestral homeland.
Leonard Saxe, co-author of the Brandeis study and director of
The free 10-day trips are offered
Brandeis' Maurice and Marilyn Cohen Center for Modern Jewish
by the New York-based Birthright
Studies, told the New York-based Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Israel Foundation, in partnership
(TrA)•
with the State of Israel, United Jewish
Birthright may not make young Jews more religious, but alum-
Communities, Keren Hayesod-United
ni are more likely to take Jewish studies courses in college and
Israel Appeal and the Jewish Agency for
return to Israel via study abroad, work-study or other programs,
Israel.
further securing their Jewish soul. Many Hillel leaders on cam-
The trips have proven so popular,
puses across the country also are Birthright veterans.
funding lags behind interest. More than
For many young Jews, their being Jewish may rank low among
$200 million has been spent on almost
the identities they feel, Saxe told JTA."But Birthright pushes it up
200,000 participants over the past 10
on the list so that it becomes much more important, much more
years. It's fair to say Birthright is the
central"
most ambitious and successful Jewish
outreach initiative in history.
Tightening Ties
The cost reaps reward for Birthright Israel given that the lures
Transforming that immediate
of assimilation continue to threaten the identity of Jewish teenag- rise in Jewish commitment
ers as well as 20- and 30-somethings,
into something more lasting
Birthright Israel is one of Jewish America's great success stories is Birthright's vexing pursuit.
in terms of bringing non-Orthodox Jews into the organized fold.
I haven't heard anyone say
It was founded in 1999 by mega-philanthropists Michael
Birthright is a waste. The
Steinhardt and Charles Bronfinan. They joined forces with 14
itinerary and logistics are well
other philanthropists as well as the Israeli government and world
versed and about as effective
Jewish communities, primarily the North American Jewish fed-
as possible for the relatively
eration system.
short duration of the trips.
The trick is how the Jewish
Bolstered Base
community as a whole can
The Birthright trips have made a profound impact on the partici- benefit from the upbeat public-
pants' Jewish identity and their pull toward Judaism, a Branches
ity it gets when Birthright trek-
University study found.
kers return from Israel. This
So I was heartened to hear that casino mogul Sheldon Adelson
visceral connection may fulfill
and his wife, Miriam, will give another $30 million to the
the long-ago hope of partici-
TAGLIT•
Birthright Israel Foundation. That brings the total of their giving
pants' Hebrew school teachers.
BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL
to the program over the past two years to a staggering $97 mil-
But it does not automati-
www.birthrightisrael.com
lion.
cally translate to instant Jewish
"Birthright Israel has proven to be the best vehicle we have to
identification and giving, even
strengthen Jewish community and our people's connection with
though warm impressions about Israel linger for years.
the State of Israel,"Adelson said in announcing his latest pledge.
The ultimate effect, Saxe said, will surface over the next 10
"As an Israeli, I especially appreciate the way these 10-day trips
to 15 years when behaviors like marrying a Jew or raising kids
create lasting bonds between the Jews of the diaspora and the
Jewish can be measured among the early mission-goers.
State of Israel," added his wife.
Birthright Israel surely hasn't seen the last of the Adelsons'
What's Brewing
generosity. Prudently, the couple structured their new pledge to
Thus, it's no surprise the major thrust is, and must be, figuring
provide an opportunity and a challenge to other philanthropists,
out how to keep Birthright alums Jewishly involved back home.
foundations and federations who think Birthright resonates.
Many communities have been unable, or unwilling, to rally these
New Yorker Michael Steinhardt ardently believes that the way
alums because other communal issues considered more pressing
to engage young Jews in their heritage is to first give them a
have intervened.
resounding Israel experience with people their age. The outspo-
Enter Birthright Israel NEXT, a network of post-trip activities
ken hedge-fund manager is chairman of the Detroit Jewish News' that sustain the connection to Jewish history, identity and com-
parent company, Southfield-based Jewish Renaissance Media.
munity for alumni. There's emphasis on trying to match alums
"We are having a documented impact on young adults on cam- with relevant young adult programming that already exists so
puses in our communities',' Steinhardt says. "We eagerly accept
Birthright doesn't become entangled in duplicate program devel-
the challenge of building more support for this essential project:'
opment.
In 2007, the San Francisco-based Jim Joseph Foundation
Positive Effect
announced $12.5 million in matching grants to develop
The good news is clear: Birthright works in connecting young
Birthright Israel NEXT grassroots organizers. These organizers
Jews to Israel and each other. The sheer number of mission-goers hook alumni while they are making core decisions about who
j
The cost reaps
reward for
Birthright Israel,
given the lures of
our assimilated
society.
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September 18 • 2008
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