A young American man visiting Israel on a Taglit-Birthright trip was found dead in his hotel room Wednesday morning, organization officials said.
A statement from Taglit said the unidentified man took his own life as the group prepared to leave for a day trip to Masada.
“The Birthright Israel family and fellow participants extend our heartfelt condolences to the family at this sad time,” the organization said.
The reminder of the 10-day program would continue as planned, Taglit said, adding that a team of senior staff and other professionals would accompany the group until it returned home to the US.
His family and the US embassy in Tel Aviv have been notified of his death.
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Taglit-Birthright Israel is an organization that sponsors free, 10-day introductory visit to Israel for Jewish college students and young people aged 18-26.
To date, some 500,000 participants from 66 countries and all 50 US states have gone on the Jewish-identity building trips.
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