Toronto celebrates 10,000th Taglit-birthright israel participant

Since the inception of Taglit-birthright israel in 1999 over 130,000 young adults aged 18 to 26 – including 10,000 from Toronto - have traveled on this unique and exciting ten day, educational trip to Israel.

The birthright israel initiative - funded by the Government of Israel, Jewish communities around the world including UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, and private philanthropists – continues to positively impact the lives of our future Jewish leaders.

Taglit-birthright israel’s co-founders, Charles Bronfman and Michael Steinhardt, created the program in order to send young Jewish adults from around the world to Israel – for no charge - to connect them with their Jewish identity and the State of Israel; strengthen solidarity among Jews worldwide; and ensure that Jewish traditions and Jewish heritage continue throughout the 21st Century.

“Those ten days spent in Israel gave me a lot of what I had unknowingly been searching for,” says past birthright participant Leah White. “Growing up, I attended Hebrew day school, and participated in activities through a youth organization and my synagogue. While I had all the tools, I really was lost when it came to using them and bringing them all together as I begin my life as a young adult. And then I was given the gift of birthright israel.”

Taglit-birthright israel alumni are emerging as leaders on university campuses and in Jewish life in general. At UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, the majority of young adults involved in community life are alumni, and in fact, many even serve as madrichim (counselors) on current trips – taking time off from work and school to pass on their passion and knowledge to the current crop of birthright participants.

In the past 12 months, there have been nearly 50,000 birthright israel applicants from North America alone. However, only 29,000 will be able to participate due to funding limitations. “We are working to significantly increase fundraising in the community for Taglit-birthright israel,” says Michael Bregman, Chair of the birthright israel Foundation Canada. “Additional funds are needed to reduce the wait list and ensure that all young adults can claim their birthright in a timely fashion.”

To invest in the future of Jewish life by making a gift to Taglit-birthright israel, please contact Andrea Freedman at 416.631.5819 or by email at: afreedman@ujafed.org