A birthright trip to Israel will vary depending on the organizer, but it is a way for young Jews to connect with their heritage and customs.
Birthright trips are free 10-day trips for young people to learn more about their background.
"The memories last a lifetime,"
says Taglit-Birthright Israel, a nonprofit organization that sponsors many of the excursions through a network of trip organizers.
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"Taglit" means discovery in Hebrew, and participants are implored to identify and connect with their cultural history.
Since trips began in late 1999, more than 500,000 young people from 66 countries have visited Israel through Birthright Israel.
Here are six facts about a birthright trip to Israel.
1. The trip is available to Jewish adults aged 18-26. Individuals must identify as Jewish and be recognized by their community as such. Applicants must have at least one Jewish birth parent, or have converted to a recognized denomination, according to Birthright Israel.
2. Registration is held in the winter and summer each year and typically generates thousands more applicants than available spaces. Trips are conducted year-round.
3. Those who have visited Israel only with their family or for other personal business are still eligible, unless they've spent more than three months there since turning 12. Also, a person who has been to Israel as part of a touring group, educational program, or extended residency — and is older than 18 — isn't eligible. Participation in programs such as the Maccabiah games doesn't affect eligibility.
4. Taglit-Birthright Israel funds many of the trips, including round-trip airfare from certain cities, hotel accommodations, two meals a day, security, and some other costs, such as admission to various sites. The group lists a number of approved trip organizers on its website. Some of the approved organizers in the United States are Hillel International, Israel Experience, and Tlalim.
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5. When the trip ends, participants aren't obligated to Taglit-Birthright Israel, though they are strongly encouraged to become more involved in the Jewish community, return to Israel, or study other areas of Jewish life.
6. Taglit-Birthright Israel determines the logistical, educational, and security standards for each trip. Groups are led by licensed Israeli tour guides, include an armed security guard, and feature visits to the Western Wall, the Dead Sea, and Yad Vashem. Tours differ depending on the age group and the religious background of the participants.
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