An astonishing 87% of young Jews who visited Israel in 2024 did so through Birthright Israel. This statistic underscores the program’s enduring significance and transformative impact, offering young Jews a free and unparalleled opportunity to connect with their heritage, culture, and identity. While the program continues to provide the legendary moments that have defined it for over two decades, it has also adapted to meet the educational and security challenges of a post-October 7th world.
Over the past 18 months, Jews around the world have closely followed events in Israel through the media. Meanwhile, 20,000 young adults chose to experience Israel firsthand through Birthright trips and volunteer opportunities.
Just three weeks after October 7th, the first group of dedicated volunteers arrived in Israel. Two months later, Birthright Israel resumed its 10-day trips in January 2024. While security was a major concern for participants and their families, once in Israel, participants found themselves immersed in the country’s vibrancy—hiking Masada at sunrise, floating in the Dead Sea, praying at the Western Wall, and exploring Tel Aviv’s bustling markets. Despite initial apprehensions, the program has remained as safe and engaging as ever. More importantly, it has never been more meaningful.
David Rosen’s 22-year-old son, Max, traveled to Israel with Birthright in December 2024. “It was an invaluable experience,” says Rosen, highlighting the profound impact on his son’s Jewish identity and his admiration for Israelis. “It’s always important to visit Israel, but now more than ever.”
As a parent, Rosen believes in fostering informed perspectives on world events. However, media narratives can distort reality. “In the news, the price of eggs takes priority over the Israeli hostages,” he points out. “Birthright Israel gave Max the opportunity to learn, connect, and truly understand.”
For participant Naomi Benayon, a 24-year-old swim program coordinator for children with autism, the interactions with Israelis were eye-opening. Contrasting real-life encounters with media portrayals, she observed, “We rarely hear their perspective. This trip gave us insight into their sense of community and resilience.”
Although Benayon had visited Israel before, Birthright provided a completely different experience. “The Israeli soldiers who were part of our group made all the difference,” she explains. “We never had the full picture before. Now we do.”
Rosen echoes this sentiment regarding his son: “It became real for him. Now, he can confidently share his experiences back home.”
In the wake of October 7th, safety concerns were paramount for both participants and their families. Birthright Israel responded by implementing enhanced security measures. “Ensuring the safety of our participants is our top priority,” says Noa Bauer, Vice President of Global Marketing for Birthright Israel.
Rosen acknowledges that while his family initially had reservations, they were reassured by the program’s careful planning. “The way Birthright handled security made all the difference. Even hesitant family members ultimately felt confident in the trip’s safety measures.”
The way Birthright Israel and trip staff handles security—offered additional reassurance. “Many of my colleagues were uncertain about sending their kids,” Rosen notes. “They saw Max go, and now I encourage all of them to do the same.”
Benayon recalls an especially poignant moment during the trip. “Our guide asked us to raise our hands if we had ever experienced antisemitism. Every participant did—except the Israelis.” This realization sparked deep discussions. “One girl on our trip even transferred from a Canadian university to Tel Aviv University because of rising antisemitism on her campus,” she shares. “In Israel, she felt safer—and I completely understand why.”
Strengthening Jewish Identity
For many, the Birthright Israel experience is a powerful catalyst for strengthening Jewish identity. “This trip reinforced Max’s connection to Judaism,” Rosen reflects. “He witnessed the resilience of the Jewish people and gained a deeper understanding of the challenges Jews face worldwide.”
Benayon, already deeply connected to Israel, was surprised by the transformation she witnessed in other participants. “A friend on our trip didn’t initially feel at home in Israel,” she recalls. “But at Har Herzl, as we heard the story of a fallen soldier, he was so moved that he left a ring on the grave. He didn’t expect to feel a connection—but he did.”
At the trip’s conclusion, participants reflected on their experience. “We’ve all had Bar Mitzvahs,” one participant noted, “but this felt like a more profound coming-of-age moment than our actual Bar Mitzvahs.”
‘We Are One People’
Birthright Israel is more than a trip—it’s a transformative experience that unites Jews from diverse backgrounds. The program fosters a shared sense of peoplehood, strengthening the collective Jewish identity.
“We never felt like tourists,” says Benayon. “Our trip leaders shared their personal stories, introduced us to their families, and created an environment of genuine connection.”
For Rosen, the experience underscored the unity of the Jewish people. “The bonds formed on this trip remind us that our commonalities far outweigh our differences,” he says. “We are one people. This isn’t just something we say in prayer—it’s something we must feel and live every day.”