What is birthright israel?

Birthright Israel is a unique partnership between Jewish communities worldwide, and leading Jewish philanthropists, providing the gift of free, peer-group, educational trips to Israel for Jewish young adults ages 18 to 26.

Our students travel throughout the country, exploring sites of historic, cultural, and religious significance, hiking and taking in Israel’s varied landscape and nature. Additionally, Israeli peers join our buses for a significant part of the trip, introducing students to popular culture, music, and food, and what it’s like to live in Israel as an Israeli.

Who is Eligible?

Participants must be between 18 and 26 years old and have completed high school before the trip departs. If you turn 27 before May 1 for summer trips or December 1 for winter trips, you’re not eligible for that season’s trips.

To be eligible, you must identify as Jewish and be recognized as such by your local community or by one of the recognized denominations of Judaism. You must also have at least one Jewish parent or have completed a recognized Jewish conversion.

You’re still eligible if you:

• Traveled to Israel before turning 18 on a high school program shorter than three months (even if you were 18 at the time, as long as it was designed for high school students).

• Participated in most “High School in Israel” programs of up to one semester.

• Traveled to Israel after turning 18 on a family trip, multi-generational trip, or interfaith/secular experience.

You are not eligible if you traveled to Israel after turning 18 on programs designed for college students or young adults, including:

• University or study abroad programs

• Gap year, yeshiva, or seminary programs

• Internships or other experiences under Onward Israel or Masa Israel