Editor's Letter Securing The Birthright T he wildly successful program that caters to Jewish young adults who have never visited Israel with a peer group represents a golden way to change the course of Jewish history. t, So say Birthright Israel benefactors Miriam and Sheldon Adelson. They're right: The findings of a new study confirm the widespread appeal and impressive impact of the trips for 18- to 26-year-old travelers from the diaspora. Before going on Birthright, young Jews tend to be less in tune with Judaism and Israel. A stunning 73 per- cent of participants surveyed said their trip to the Jewish ancestral homeland was a "life-changing experience." Birthright may not make young Jews more religious, but alumni are more likely to take Jewish studies courses in college and return to Israel via study abroad, work-study or other programs. Many Hillel student leaders also are Birthright alums. For many young Jews, being Jewish may rank low among the identities they feel — until Birthright. The free 10-day trips are offered by the New York-based Birthright Israel Foundation, in partnership with the State of Israel, United Jewish Communities, Keren Hayesod-United Israel Appeal and the Jewish Agency for Israel. The Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass., conducted the just-released study "Now that we have this research:' the Adelsons wrote in a cogent commentary, "increasing the number of Birthright Israel participants should become a top priority of Jewish philanthropy" The Adelsons are well-positioned to encourage that. She's an Israeli-born physician who works in the field of drug addiction. He's a casino mo — chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands, Inc. alumni. Is this an ambitious Jewish outreach initiative against the forces of assimilation on young people, or what? Great Promise Take it from the Adelsons: If Birthright continues to touch 40,000 young adults a year, we one day could touch a majority of young Jews. But the cost is steep: $100 million yearly. "This becomes a real tipping point that can transform an entire generation:' the Adelsons contend. "With so many demographic and geopolitical forces arrayed against our peo- ple and the Jewish state, increasing the number of Birthright Israel participants should be a no-brainer." As potent as the trips are in invigorating Judaism's pull, they aren't the only effective means to building Jewish back- bone. But Birthright is the marquee means to targeting under- affiliated young adults for less than $3,000 per person. The Adelsons are the dominant Birthright backers. But they're seeking help. They hope the government of Israel, which benefits from the influx of Birthright dollars and the expanded support base in the diaspora, boosts its allocation. Ditto for the federations, foundations and philanthropists that have played an important role in the program's growth. In seeking a deeper donor pool, the Adelsons point to "Birthright Israel as a proven and simple way to use our charitable dollars to strengthen the Jewish people and the Jewish state." The Jewish Week in New York envisions the trips remaining "the bargain of the century" even if participants had to pay $100, which would generate millions of dollars to attract more young Jews to the innovation and allure of Birthright. Beyond The Journey Transforming the immediate rise in Jewish identity into something more lasting, like sustained communal involvement, is Birthright's vexing pur- suit. A visceral connection may fulfill the long-ago hope of the participants' Hebrew school teachers. But it does not necessarily translate into instant Jewish identification and giving even Strong Pillars though warm impressions about Israel Birthright Israel is one of Jewish linger for years. The ultimate effect America's best success stories in bringing non-Orthodox Jews into will arise over the next 10 to 15 years when behaviors like marrying a Jew or the organized fold. It was founded in raising kids Jewish can be measured 1999 by mega-philanthropists Michael Miriam and Sheldon Adelson Steinhardt and Charles Bronfman. They among the early trip goers. The major thrust must now be how to keep Birthright joined forces with 14 other big givers as well as the Israeli gov- ernment and the North American Jewish federation system. alums Jewishly engaged back home. Birthright Israel NEXT, The Adelsons recall how Steinhardt and Bronfman repelled a network of post-trip alumni activities that sustain the con- nection, is a start. But it shouldn't bear the sole responsibil- the drumbeat of skepticism and "persisted in making their creative idea a reality starting in 2000." ity. If the rest of the Jewish world doesn't also embrace the pursuit of compelling follow-up, Birthright Israel will remain "When we were approached to support Birthright Israel at only a gateway. It won't also portend a lifetime of Jewish and the end of 2006:' the Adelsons recall, "it appeared to us to be a transformative program based on the anecdotal evidence Zionist engagement, which it has the potential to do — and which it really should do. H we heard. Now there is research that validates our impres- sion. The Birthright Israel experience significantly increases participants' ties to Israel and the Jewish people, the rates of 0 • Should Birthright be more than a trip I- Li in-marriage and the value placed on raising Jewish children organizer? tn — among other desirable outcomes." The trips have proven so popular, funding lags behind zz How can local communities engage trip 5 0 interest despite the Adelsons' investment of more than $90 a. a . goers? million over the past three years! There are more than 220,000 ASHION ANNOT SAND APATH)". FASHION FEEDS OFF EMOTION. IT FINDS YOU, OVERWHELMS YOU HEAD OVER HEELS LOVE. SO WEAR YOUR HEART-ON :OUR SLEEVE. OR IN THAT FLIRTY LITTLE DRESS. OR YOUR FAVORITE: FAIR OF . OUR-INCH HEELS. HEAD OUT INTO THE SUNSHINE AND SHARE IT WITH THE WORLD. ] OS` iC IS NOT 7 14.E DAY TO OOK GOOD. TODAY IS. LIVE FASHION ORWARD. EXCLUSIVE RETAIL OF FASHIONS HOTTEST LABELS 271 WEST MAPLE BIRMINGHAM. MICHIGAN 248.258.0212 TENDERBIRMINGHAM.COM N November 12 • 2009 5