1,700 Young Jews From Around The World Gather In Tel Aviv For Birthright Israel Summer Event

Against the backdrop of escalating security threats in recent weeks and a sharp decline in tourism to Israel, thousands of participants chose to travel to Israel with Birthright Israel, experience the country firsthand and see the reality beyond the headlines.

The festive evening brought together young Jewish adults from around the world for an immersive Israeli cultural experience, culminating in performances by Itay Galo, Netta Barzilai and Eden Golan.

The event also featured Birthright Israel’s “Tip of the Spear” program, which integrates wounded IDF soldiers as Israeli participants on Birthright Israel trips alongside young Jewish adults from around the world. Israeli participants already join Birthright Israel groups on every bus, and wounded soldiers are now also being incorporated into these groups. The initiative gives young Jews from the Diaspora an opportunity to meet firsthand those who were wounded defending the Jewish homeland, while allowing the wounded soldiers themselves to take part in a shared and meaningful experience that contributes to their rehabilitation.

Amit Bar, who was wounded during the Iron Swords War and later participated in Birthright Israel, took the stage at the event to share his personal experience and received a standing ovation from the audience.

Gidi Mark, International CEO of Birthright Israel, said at the event: “This summer, 15,000 young Jewish adults are coming to Israel with Birthright Israel. Whether you joined us for a 10-day trip, an Onward program, Excel, or a volunteer program, this is your opportunity to celebrate our shared Jewish identity, meet fellow Jews from around the world, and build friendships that will last far beyond this summer. Most importantly, come back to Israel. Israel is your home.”

About Birthright Israel:

Birthright Israel is the largest educational tourism organization in the world. Founded 25 years ago with the dream to provide all young Jewish adults with opportunities for transformative and immersive shared experiences in Israel and a foundation for ongoing Jewish connection. Birthright offers multiple short- and mid-length programs in Israel for Jewish young adults. More than 950,000 young Jewish adults from 70 countries participated in one of the Birthright Israel programs. The gift of a Birthright Israel trips is made possible thanks to an innovative partnership between Jewish philanthropists, Jewish communities and Federations, the people of Israel through the Government of Israel, tens of thousands of alumni, their families, and individual donors from around the world.