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Approximately
1,700 young Jewish adults from around
the world attended Birthright Israel’s
main summer event Tuesday night at the
Tel Aviv Amphitheater, attended by Dr.
Miriam Adelson, Birthright Israel
International CEO Gidi Mark, and Meir
Shamir, Chairman of the organization’s
Israeli Board of Directors. The event
marked the peak of Birthright Israel’s
summer season, during which
approximately 15,000 young Jews from 34
countries are visiting Israel for
educational trips, volunteer
opportunities and fellowship programs.
Against the backdrop of escalating
security threats in recent weeks and a
sharp decline in tourism to Israel,
thousands of participants chose to
travel to Israel with Birthright Israel,
experience the country firsthand and see
the reality beyond the headlines.
The festive evening brought together
young Jewish adults from around the
world for an immersive Israeli cultural
experience, culminating in performances
by Itay Galo, Netta Barzilai and Eden
Golan.
The event also featured Birthright
Israel’s “Tip of the Spear” program,
which integrates wounded IDF soldiers as
Israeli participants on Birthright
Israel trips alongside young Jewish
adults from around the world. Israeli
participants already join Birthright
Israel groups on every bus, and wounded
soldiers are now also being incorporated
into these groups. The initiative gives
young Jews from the Diaspora an
opportunity to meet firsthand those who
were wounded defending the Jewish
homeland, while allowing the wounded
soldiers themselves to take part in a
shared and meaningful experience that
contributes to their rehabilitation.
Amit Bar, who was wounded during the
Iron Swords War and later participated
in Birthright Israel, took the stage at
the event to share his personal
experience and received a standing
ovation from the audience.
Gidi Mark, International CEO of
Birthright Israel, said at the event:
“This summer, 15,000 young Jewish adults
are coming to Israel with Birthright
Israel. Whether you joined us for a
10-day trip, an Onward program, Excel,
or a volunteer program, this is your
opportunity to celebrate our shared
Jewish identity, meet fellow Jews from
around the world, and build friendships
that will last far beyond this summer.
Most importantly, come back to Israel.
Israel is your home.”
About Birthright Israel:
Birthright Israel is the largest
educational tourism organization in the
world. Founded 25 years ago with the
dream to provide all young Jewish adults
with opportunities for transformative
and immersive shared experiences in
Israel and a foundation for ongoing
Jewish connection. Birthright offers
multiple short- and mid-length programs
in Israel for Jewish young adults. More
than 950,000 young Jewish adults from 70
countries participated in one of the
Birthright Israel programs. The gift of
a Birthright Israel trips is made
possible thanks to an innovative
partnership between Jewish
philanthropists, Jewish communities and
Federations, the people of Israel
through the Government of Israel, tens
of thousands of alumni, their families,
and individual donors from around the
world.
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