I volunteered at Kibbutz Kfar Hanassi, near Rosh Pina, during the first half of my trip. Later, I “crashed” at Tel-Aviv University, in a friend’s dormitory room, between bus trips around the country.
I had many memorable experiences. However, what stands out the most, was getting off the plane, and realizing that I was finally standing in THE PLACE, which G-d had given Jews in the Torah.
Now, all Jewish high school graduates, who have never been to Israel, can experience this too: for free.
Free Trips To Israel!
Birthright Israel offers free, ten–day trips to Israel, for all Jewish high school graduates, ages 18–26.
The rules are: were:
open to all Jewish young adults, ages 18 to 26, post high-school, who have neither traveled to Israel before on a peer educational trip or study program nor have lived in Israel past the age of 12. Eligible individuals are those recognized as Jewish by the Jewish community or by one of the recognized denominations of Judaism; or if either parent is Jewish AND the applicant does not actively practice another religion.
Birthright Israel created this program to:
to send thousands of young Jewish adults from all over the world to Israel as a gift in order to diminish the growing division between Israel and Jewish communities around the world; to strengthen the sense of solidarity among world Jewry; and to strengthen participants’ personal Jewish identity and connection to the Jewish people.
Read their FAQ for more information.
Even Better
One of Birthright Israel’s providers, Mayanot, will extend a one–week trip to a month, for only $99. Participants will spend three weeks in Jerusalem, at Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies for classes, with room and board. An ulpan, or accelerated Hebrew course, is included, and highly recommended.
Check out their eligibility requirements, and learn more about Mayanot’s program.
For Everyone Over 26
Anyone, including me, can get a free trip to Israel, through another Mayanot program. Become a Mayanot recruiter, and simply find ten eligible participants.
Wow! I am going to try to sign up Maxine and Audrey today!