Birthright Israel includes local participants
Birthright Israel officially launched its Summer 2025 session last week, welcoming the first groups of U.S. participants. The session, which runs through September, is expected to bring more than 20,000 Jewish adults from across the United States, Canada, and 30 other countries. Valerie Berezin of Fair Lawn, Tali Berman from Teaneck, Anna Fleischman from Morristown, Liad Gross from Tenafly, Adam Margolis from Livingston, Edan Ozer from East Brunswick, Jonah Schmeltz from Montclair, and Itay Vilosny from Closter, are among the 20,000 Summer 2025 participants
Birthright Israel is actively working to arrange alternative flights for participants affected by recent airline schedule changes.
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 percent increase over 2024, when close to 20,000 young Jewish adults took part. Notably, Birthright Israel accounted for 87 percent 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 Marks, 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.), BIF of Canada, and in partnership with Jewish communities around the world and the government of Israel.
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