Birthright programs to Israel resume

Taglit (Birthright) has reopened applications for its programs which offer Jewish people around the world the opportunity to visit Israel.

Taglit’s focus on safety was exemplified when it evacuated over 2800 participants from Israel, during the conflict with Iran when missiles and rockets were targeting Israel.

In coordination with the Home Front Command and Israeli authorities, all Birthright participants were relocated from Tel Aviv to safer areas including Eilat, the Dead Sea and Ein Gedi.

With airspace across Israel closed and families worried, Taglit’s management activated a multinational evacuation plan by sea.

On June 17, the first group of 1500 participants set sail aboard the Crown Iris cruise ship from the port of Ashdod to Cyprus, a 13-hour journey accompanied by the Israeli Navy.

Among them were around 50 Australians participating in the Birthright Volunteer Program, along with one participant from the Classic 10-day trip.

Included on the cruise was Rabbi Moshe Kahn, his wife Dina and his Young Jewish Professionals group who had been volunteering with Taglit.

Rabbi Kahn stated they left Israel “with a heavy heart” and that Taglit did a “remarkable job” organising the evacuation with care and calm. Three days later, a second group of 1300 boarded another vessel, including Australian participants in the exclusive Excel and Onward internship programs.

Once in Cyprus, all evacuees were flown to their home countries on commercial flights.

Taglit said the operation followed four guiding pillars of its emergency protocol: ensuring participants’ physical safety; caring for the participants’ wellbeing (emotional and physical); facilitating a safe return home; and delivering meaningful, values-based education even during crisis.

The cruise received media attention around the world, as many participants found moments to celebrate life with a spontaneous pool party breaking out.

Taglit resumed trips to Israel on July 6, with the first new groups, including returnees from the evacuation, already scheduled to arrive.

Ethy Levy, vice-president of Taglit Birthright and former Israel trade commissioner is coming to Australia in August and told The AJN, “As we mark 25 years of extraordinary impact on Jewish communities worldwide, we recognise the immense responsibility we carry to help shape the next generation of proud, connected young Jews, individuals who can stand with confidence and uphold their values, heritage and connection to Israel.

“The importance of our mission as the world’s leading Jewish educational experience has never been more relevant.”

Taglit has set an ambitious goal: to bring 200,000 young Jewish adults to Israel over the next five years.

As it celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025, Taglit Birthright Israel has already brought over 900,000 participants from more than 70 countries, including thousands of Australians, to discover their homeland and embrace their Jewish identity.