To date, over 350,000 young adults from 64 countries, and nearly 1,000 North American colleges and universities have taken advantage of a Taglit-Birthright Israel sponsored trip opportunity. Will you be one of them?

 

 

Eligibility for the Taglit-Birthright Israel gift depends mostly on the following three basic factors:

 

1) Age

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, and have already graduated from high school at the time of the trip. Applicants may also not be older than 26 to qualify for the gift. However, anyone who is still 26 as of May 1st is still eligible for any trip in the summer season (May-August), even if they will turn 27 by the time of the actual trip. Similarly, anyone who is still 26 as of December 1st is still eligible for any trip in the winter season (December- March), even if they will be 27 by the time of the actual trip.

**It is the policy of Birthright to give automatic priority status to older applicants, since we know that your eligibility window is closing!**

 

2) Jewish Background

Eligible individuals are those recognized as Jewish by the Jewish community (including converts) or by one of the recognized denominations of Judaism. Applicants must also have at least one Jewish birth parent and identify as Jewish, while not actively practicing another religion. Of course, we know that religious identity may be complicated, and if you have any questions about your eligibility status in this area, contact us today via email or phone at 858.737.7136, and we will sort it out with you!

 

3) Past Israel Experience

If you have already been to Israel with family or on a personal trip, you are still eligible to participate in Taglit-Birthright Israel! If you have been to Israel before on a peer educational program (any program by a Jewish organization for Jewish youth) since you turned 18 years old, you are not eligible. You are also not eligible if you have already been to Israel to study or volunteer. There are specific exceptions to this however, such as participation in the Maccabi Games, or volunteering for Magen David Adom, which do not render you ineligible. March of the Living participants are eligible to participate if currently 22 years of age or older. Lastly, if you were born in Israel or hold Israeli citizenship, you are still eligible as long as you left Israel before the age of 12. If you have any questions concerning your eligibility, we encourage you to contact us directly to clarify your particular situation.