Birthright Israel includes local participants
Birthright Israel officially launched its Summer 2025 session last week, welcoming the first groups of U.S. participants. Running from mid-May through September, the program expects to bring more than 20,000 Jewish adults from across the United States, Canada, and 30 other countries. Birthright Israel is actively working to arrange alternative flights for participants affected by recent airline schedule changes. Valerie Berezin of Fair Lawn, Tali Berman of Teaneck, Anna Fleischman of Morristown, Liad Gross of Tenafly, Adam Margolis of Livingston, Edan Ozer of East Brunswick, Jonah Schmeltz of Montclair, and Itay Vilosny of Closter are among the 20,000 Summer 2025 participants.
This summer also marks a significant increase in student participation. In total, more than 30,000 participants are expected to join Birthright Israel’s various programs throughout 2025 — a 60% increase over 2024, when close to 20,000 young Jewish adults took part. Notably, Birthright Israel accounted for 87% of all young Jews who traveled to Israel on educational programs last year.
“Now more than ever, it’s important for young Jews to experience Israel firsthand — to connect with the people, understand the complexity, and see the reality beyond the headlines,” Gidi Mark’s Birthright’s CEO, said. “Today, Birthright is more than just the famous 10-day trip — we offer a range of opportunities for Jews aged 18 to 50 to engage with Israel in meaningful ways.”
This milestone-filled summer also is Birthright Israel’s 25th anniversary, celebrating a quarter-century of impact as the world’s largest educational tourism organization. Since its founding, the organization has provided more than 900,000 young Jewish adults with the gift of a 10-day educational journey through Israel, as well as internships, fellowships, and volunteer opportunities —deepening Jewish identity, strengthening communities, and forging lifelong connections to the land and people of Israel.
The gift of a Birthright Israel experience is made possible through the generous support of tens of thousands of donors to Birthright Israel Foundation (U.S.), Birthright Israel Foundation of Canada, and in partnership with Jewish communities around the world and the Government of Israel.
comments