Jan 30, 2014

Taglit-Birthright Israel Expands Eligibility

Just after the New Year, more than 40 young adults returned to Miami from Israel, having spent 10 days on a life-changing Taglit-Birthright Israel trip through funding from the Annual Greater Miami Jewish Federation/UJA Campaign. Now, even more young Jewish adults will have the opportunity to experience our spiritual homeland for free as adults after the organization expanded its program eligibility.

Any Jewish person between the ages of 18 and 26 who had previously visited Israel as part of a peer educational trip to Israel prior to turning 18, is now eligible to register for upcoming Taglit-Birthright Israel trips. Now, more young adults can access the unique Birthright experience and gain an even deeper perspective about Israel and its people.

Taglit-Birthright Israel trips aim to strengthen each participant’s identity as a Jew; to build an understanding, friendship and lasting bond with the land and people of Israel; and to reinforce the solidarity of the Jewish people worldwide.

Since its inception in 1999, the program has sent more than 350,000 young Jewish adults to Israel from more than 64 countries and from all 50 U.S. states, including students from nearly 1,000 North American college campuses. Participants are immersed in an active educational experience that includes visits to Jewish historical sites, history museums, Holocaust remembrance sites, the Western Wall and arts and culture programs, as well as touring, hiking, discussions, social events, camel and jeep rides in the desert and more. The trip focuses on three main areas: the narratives of the Jewish people, contemporary Israel, and the formative values of Judaism.

The Annual Campaign provides a yearly allocation to the Birthright Israel Foundation, helping to make the trip possible for Miami-Dade County residents. In order to strengthen ties between Miami and Israel and build a strong Jewish future, in addition to Birthright, Federation provides a wide range of Israel programs for interested Miami residents.

“I can't begin to thank the Greater Miami Jewish Federation enough for sending thousands of young Jews to the homeland each year. It's so important, and now I get it,” participant Julie Quittner said after returning from her trip. “After walking the streets of the holy city of Tzfat, spending Shabbat in Jerusalem, hiking Masada at sunrise, sleeping in Bedouin tents and so much more, I understand now.”

“I did not expect to fall in love with the scenery, the culture, and the people. It is a beautiful country and one that is worth every grain of sand and every city within its borders. I realized why the land is so important and why it is important that we protect it and its people,” participant Jason Fowler said. “I had a deep connection with Jerusalem and the Western Wall. Upon placing my hands and face on the Wall, I had found peace, a favor that can almost never been repaid.”

Federation will sponsor its next Miami community trip this summer for anyone 22 to 26 years old. Registration for this trip is now open. Visit MiamiBirthrightIsrael.com for more information, or contact Dahlia Bendavid at 786.866.8445 or [email protected].