Birthright Israel launches first northern tours since Oct 7 attack last year

Birthright Israel has relaunched its tours to northern Israel for the first time since the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023 attack. The decision was likely linked to the reduced tensions in the north as a result of the current ceasefire between Israel and the Iranian-backed terror group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Birthright Israel is an organization that is dedicated to the goal of strengthening the ties between Diaspora Jewish youth and the Jewish state. Many young Jewish Americans have never visited Israel. By offering free trips to the Holy Land, the program has enabled young Jews to get a firsthand experience of Israel. Approximately 6,500 young Jews from the United States and countries around the world are expected to join the program this winter. 

The organization kicked off its winter season tours with visits to the historic northern Israeli city of Safed, which is known as a center of Jewish mysticism. Participants were able to experience Israel’s diverse culture and varied landscapes.

By relaunching its tours to northern Israel amid current tensions, Birthright Israel signaled its commitment to continue carrying out its mission to let young Jews from around the world rediscover their Jewish identity and roots in Israel. 

Birthright Israel marks its 25th anniversary this season. Since its establishment, the organization has connected more than 850,000 young Jews from 68 countries with their Jewish heritage while visiting Israel.

The program was originally designed for young people between the ages of 18 to 26. However, the organization now aims to expand its work by including Diaspora Jews up to age 50. Furthermore, Birthright Israel hopes to mobilize 10,000 volunteers from around the world in 2025. 

In an era of high assimilation rates among young Diaspora Jews, Birthright Israel plays an important role in strengthening the historic bonds between Jews worldwide with the only Jewish state.

While it is difficult to measure the impact of the Birthright Israel trips, participants who attend the tours reportedly feel more connected to Israel and the Jewish people, with many later deciding to make aliyah (immigrate).

Birthright Israel faced challenges before the ongoing war. During the pandemic, the organization was forced to cancel all its trips due to strict entry and quarantine rules. 

However, in February 2022, Birthright Israel CEO Gidi Mark announced that the organization would resume its trips to Israel. 

"After a long hiatus, we are excited and honored to bring back so many participants from North America on these important and exciting tours to Israel," he said. 

Although Birthright Israel primarily focuses on North American Jewish youth, the organization has also helped young Jews from war-torn Ukraine to experience the Jewish homeland.

In January 2023, Birthright Israel organized the first tour for young Ukrainian Jews since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. 

“The participants will be able to disconnect from the war for a short time, thanks to their Birthright tour throughout Israel, from the Golan Heights to the Negev,” Taglit-Birthright Israel said in an official statement.