Two years ago I led Santa Clarita's first Birthright trip to Israel. The young people who traveled on this trip not only had a deeply memorable trip, bonded with Israelis their own age but most importantly strengthened their connection with Jewish thought and tradition. It was one of the most important outreach/inreach activities I have ever been part of.
My only disappointment was that there wasn't a program for Jews who weren’t between the ages of 18-26. But this year, Birthright took the remarkable step of opening up the trips for those between 27-32! This now opens up the trip to thousands who had missed out. (Maybe one day they will make it even older.)
Summer trips are closed, but registration for winter open up on September 5. Visit, www.birthrightisrael.com, for more information. Remember, Birthright isn't one trip, it is an organization that runs journeys through many organizations and companies. Our trip in 2016 was organized by Kesher, a project of the URJ, and the spiritual component may have been more emphasized than on than other Birthright groups, but it is impossible to travel to Israel and not be spiritually moved. That is what makes Israel so different from other places, and why Birthright is such a triumph.
Birthright most significantly reaches Jewish young people at a critical stage of their lives, often after several years of disengagement. The project helps plant the seeds of further connection, and challenges the participants to find meaning in their Judaism as adults.
Once again this summer I am proud that several of our TBA young people are visiting Israel as part of various Birthright cohorts, from their colleges and universities, and with groups focused on specific interests. We also have families that are traveling in Israel at this very moment, celebrating life cycle events and connecting with a remarkable country which always inspires.
Be sure to watch for future TBA trips to Israel for people of all ages. We know that we will be travelling to Israel on TBA’s eighth organized journey sometime in the near future. Once again the price will be as reasonable as possible, and in the past has been over $1500 per person less than comparable trips departing from LAX.
While not subsidized, we always make sure that these life changing journeys to our homeland are always as affordable as possible. We look forward to making the dream of L’shana haba’ah b’Yerushalayim/Next Year in Jerusalem, a reality.
Have a great summer,
Rabbi Mark
My only disappointment was that there wasn't a program for Jews who weren’t between the ages of 18-26. But this year, Birthright took the remarkable step of opening up the trips for those between 27-32! This now opens up the trip to thousands who had missed out. (Maybe one day they will make it even older.)
Summer trips are closed, but registration for winter open up on September 5. Visit, www.birthrightisrael.com, for more information. Remember, Birthright isn't one trip, it is an organization that runs journeys through many organizations and companies. Our trip in 2016 was organized by Kesher, a project of the URJ, and the spiritual component may have been more emphasized than on than other Birthright groups, but it is impossible to travel to Israel and not be spiritually moved. That is what makes Israel so different from other places, and why Birthright is such a triumph.
Birthright most significantly reaches Jewish young people at a critical stage of their lives, often after several years of disengagement. The project helps plant the seeds of further connection, and challenges the participants to find meaning in their Judaism as adults.
Once again this summer I am proud that several of our TBA young people are visiting Israel as part of various Birthright cohorts, from their colleges and universities, and with groups focused on specific interests. We also have families that are traveling in Israel at this very moment, celebrating life cycle events and connecting with a remarkable country which always inspires.
Be sure to watch for future TBA trips to Israel for people of all ages. We know that we will be travelling to Israel on TBA’s eighth organized journey sometime in the near future. Once again the price will be as reasonable as possible, and in the past has been over $1500 per person less than comparable trips departing from LAX.
While not subsidized, we always make sure that these life changing journeys to our homeland are always as affordable as possible. We look forward to making the dream of L’shana haba’ah b’Yerushalayim/Next Year in Jerusalem, a reality.
Have a great summer,
Rabbi Mark
RSS Feed
