Our Programs

Taglit Birthright Israel Classic 10-Day Trip

Taglit Birthright Israel’s Classic 10-Day Trip offers young Jewish adults an immersive journey of discovery while deepening their connection to Jewish identity, the global Jewish community, and the State of Israel. At a time when many young Jews around the world are grappling with questions of belonging, identity, and connection to Israel, this experience provides a powerful opportunity to engage directly with Israeli society and the broader Jewish story. Through shared experiences, encounters with Israeli peers, and exploration across the country, participants gain a deeper understanding of Israel and their place within the global Jewish people. For most, the impact is profound—80% of participants describe the trip as life-changing.

2025 Achievements: Growth and Resilience Amid Complexity 

Despite unprecedented challenges, 2025 marked a year of significant growth for the Classic 10-Day program.

The year began with strong momentum, welcoming approximately 2,700 participants in the first quarter, nearly three times the number from the same period in 2024, even amid ongoing security challenges, rising antisemitism, and increased anti-Israel sentiment worldwide.

The summer season brought approximately 10,000 participants, nearly double the number from summer 2024. During this period, Birthright Israel faced an extraordinary operational challenge during the 12-day conflict with Iran, requiring the rapid relocation of participants to safe areas and the coordinated evacuation of thousands by sea to Cyprus before returning them to their home countries. Through this complex operation, all participants returned home safely.

Trips resumed successfully for the remainder of the year, including 2,000 additional participants in December, bringing the 2025 total to nearly 15,000 participants.

Throughout 2025, Birthright Israel also worked to reintroduce visits to regions that had previously been closed due to security concerns, including Israel’s northern communities and the western Negev, areas deeply affected by the events and the aftermath of October 7. These visits allowed participants to witness firsthand the resilience and rebuilding efforts taking place across the country.

Sustainability also remained a key focus of the 2025 program. Participants engaged with Israel’s environmental innovations, took part in sustainability-focused volunteer activities, and experienced eco-conscious programming designed to reduce the program’s environmental footprint.

In a time of heightened challenge for the Jewish people, the Taglit Birthright Israel Classic 10-Day Trip continues to strengthen identity and belonging for a new generation. Participants return home with deeper understanding, stronger connections to Israel, and the confidence to engage with the complex realities facing Jewish communities around the globe.

Volunteer in Israel offers young Jewish adults the opportunity to contribute directly to Israeli communities while deepening their connection to the Jewish people and Israel. Through hands-on service and meaningful encounters, participants experience Israel not only as visitors but as active partners in Israel’s rebuilding. At a time when the bond between Israel and world Jewry carries renewed significance, the program provides a powerful outlet for shared responsibility and long-term engagement.

2025 Achievements: Expanding Impact Nationwide

Now in its third year, Volunteer in Israel has evolved from a post-October 7 emergency response initiative into a core pillar of Taglit Birthright Israel’s global platform. Volunteer opportunities are now fully integrated across the Birthright ecosystem, including Classic 10-Day Trips, Onward programs, and alumni pathways.

During 2025, 12,200 volunteers from around the world participated in programs across Israel, with a particular focus on communities in the Gaza Envelope and northern border regions.

This nationwide deployment model marked a transition from short-term crisis response to coordinated rebuilding engagement. Participants worked alongside municipalities, NGOs, and local leadership, contributing to a range of efforts including:

• • Food Security Supporting Israeli agriculture and reinforcing food supply chains.
  • Logistics & Emergency Infrastructure Distributing aid, reinforcing community resilience, and assisting vulnerable populations.
  • Community Rehabilitation & Social Solidarity Supporting displaced families, strengthening frontline communities, and assisting soldiers and reservists’ families.
  • Therapeutic Community Gardens & Environmental Restoration

Creating therapeutic gardens for displaced communities and educational institutions, revitalizing urban spaces.

A Transformational Experience

By combining hands-on service in rehabilitating communities with guided dialogue and reflection, Volunteer in Israel transforms acts of service into moments of learning, solidarity, and shared purpose.

Evaluations from 2025 show exceptionally high satisfaction, with volunteers reporting: 

• Stronger connections to Israel 
• Renewed sense of Jewish and Zionist identity
• Deeper bonds with local communities and fellow Jewish peers
• Greater sense of personal agency and responsibility

Advancing Long-Term Engagement Through Professional Development

Birthright Israel Onward serves as the organization’s platform for immersive, longer-term engagement in Israel, acting as a critical bridge between the Birthright Israel experience and sustained personal and professional connection to the country. Through internships, fellowships, and remote work opportunities, Onward enables participants to live, work, and contribute in Israel.

In 2025, the program demonstrated renewed momentum, growing significantly from 2024 levels while providing young Jewish adults with meaningful professional, cultural, and volunteer experiences during a period of ongoing regional complexity. The program also expanded specialized tracks to further align participants’ career interests with hands-on experience across Israeli industries and communities.

2025 Achievements: Renewed Growth and Program Innovation

In 2025, Birthright Israel Onward saw strong demand across internships, fellowships, and remote work opportunities. The program expanded both its scale and professional breadth, reaching new audiences while responding to evolving participant interests. Record winter participation and the continued growth of the Storytellers Initiative reinforce Onward’s role as a key driver of extended engagement with Israel through meaningful professional and creative pathways.

Storytellers Fellowships 

Onward’s Storytellers initiative includes two tracks: a 2- or 4-week fellowship at Reichman University in Herzliya, and a 9-day Storytellers Impact Incubator journey through Israel. Both empower Jewish creators and digital influencers to shape how the Jewish story and Israeli culture are shared online. Through expert-led workshops on storytelling, media strategy, Jewish history, and geopolitics, participants develop creative content, campaigns, and collaborations that expand both their personal platforms and their Jewish voice.

Launched in 2025 with 3 cohorts and 61 participants, the initiative has already established a growing digital alumni community, introduced a KPI tracking system measuring audience growth and Jewish- and Israel-related content, and awarded Content Creator Grants supporting more than 15 projects.

In 2026, the program is expanding to 6 cohorts—two Reichman Fellowships and four quarterly Storytellers Impact Incubators—reaching approximately 140 participants, alongside the launch of mentorship cohorts and a growth in Content Creator Grants. Alumni in Latin America are leading initiatives of their own, including organizing Classic 10-Day groups.

Designed for exceptional young Jewish adults with a passion for business and entrepreneurship, Birthright Israel Excel is a prestigious business fellowship that cultivates top Jewish talent through high-impact internships and lifelong professional networks. Alongside their placements, Fellows participate in seminars, leadership training, and structured mentorship connecting them with senior figures across the global business community.

Following the summer program, Fellows join the global Excel Fellowship network, gaining access to ongoing mentorship, professional development, and leadership opportunities. Through this growing international community, Birthright Israel Excel is cultivating a generation of Jewish leaders who will shape the future of business, technology, and innovation while maintaining lasting ties to Israel and the broader Jewish world.

2025 Achievements: Milestones in Leadership Development and Community Growth

• Summer Program: When the war with Iran began this summer, the program’s 80 global Excel Fellows were temporarily evacuated to Cyprus. Despite the disruption, 78 returned to Israel and completed the program, demonstrating a strong commitment to the experience and to Israel.
• Executive Cohort Launch: Birthright Israel Excel launched its first-ever Executive Cohort, welcoming 20 accomplished business leaders in their 30s and 40s into the Excel community. The cohort completed a six-month onboarding process, including a trip to Israel.
• Chapter Leadership Structure: The program transitioned the former City Captain role into a formal Chapter President structure across eight cities. Chapter Presidents now lead local community-building efforts, serving as a key component of Excel’s leadership structure.
• Parent Engagement: Birthright Israel Excel has significantly deepened parent engagement in its community. Parents have been invited to participate in the Excel Summit, have hosted Shabbat dinners, and have begun assuming leadership roles, including the first Parent Chapter President in London.
• Senior Fellow Retreat: The program launched its first Senior Fellow Retreat, bringing together 60 senior Fellows for a leadership gathering. Following overwhelmingly positive feedback, with all participants indicating they would attend again, the retreat will become an annual Excel community initiative.