Answered: Is my Birthright trip canceled because of COVID-19 coronavirus?

🚨 All Birthright Israel trips are canceled or postponed 🚨 For the most accurate and up-to-date news, please refer to official government sites (in the US: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html, in Israel: https://govextra.gov.il/ministry-of-health/corona/corona-virus-en/) and frequently updated media. BirthrightGuru information is limited to providing information on the impact to Birthright Israel trips related to the coronavirus. Visit the Birthright […]

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Answered: Does Birthright make age exceptions?

Simple answer is “no.” We’ve never met or heard of anyone who was able to participate on an official Birthright trip who was younger than 18 or older than 32. Birthright Israel age requirements are strict, and not likely to be adjusted for individuals. Here are the official eligible requirements from the Birthright Israel Foundation: […]

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Answered: What’s the best way to visit Petra from Israel in 1 day?

Petra is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s just over the border from Israel in Jordan! It’s worth a trip if you are extending your Birthright program or in Israel for a more flexible adventure. It’s literally only a few hours away from Israel and […]

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Birthright, sexual assault, and #metoo

The magnifying glass of the #metoo movement looked in on Birthright Israel trips and uncovered troubling behavior on the trips. In a long story with multiple personal accounts, Jewish Currents took a look at the “often-fraught sexual and gender dynamics on the famous free trip to Israel,” and their reporting paints Birthright Israel, trip organizers, […]

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The Best Sunglasses for Birthright Israel (or really anywhere)

Israel is a beautiful, sunny place. Our top recommendation for sunglasses is Knockaround, which make multiple stylish options to choose from with quality materials all for about $20. This is perfect for travel (and college students on a budget) because you won’t worry about beating them up (or “knocking them around”) or even losing them. [...] Read More

Birthright Israel Co-founder and Major Donor Michael Steinhardt Gave the Finger to anti-Birthright Protestors

Birthright Israel recently set a new fundraising record of $125 million at their annual gala, raising money from over 650 people. At the same time, a group of protestors shared their anti-Birthright message outside of the venue. Their target was specifically one of the donors at the gala and one of the original founders of […]

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Birthright Turns 18, Announces 600,000 Participants

Lucky number חי. It’s a big birthday year for Birthright Israel: The program just turned 18!  As part of the celebrations, Birthright Israel announced that 600,000 young Jewish adults have traveled to Israel on Birthright, hailing from 67 countries. That’s a lot of people going to Israel that might not have otherwise done so. Of […]

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Birthright Israel Packing Guide

If you’re reading this page, you’re either calmly looking for some advice on what to bring on your Birthright Israel trip or freaking out about how to pack. If that’s you, don’t worry! Yes, this is a longer-than-average trip with tons of activities, which means you’ll want to bring the right stuff. But stay calm [...] Read More

The Best Suitcases for Every Kind of Birthright Israel Traveler

Before you really start packing, think about what all of your stuff goes in. Spend a minute to make sure you have the right bag for your Birthright Israel trip. You have the unique challenge of packing for 10 action-packed days in a bag that you’ll haul every 1-3 days. This bag also has to [...] Read More

Answered: Who sponsors Birthright Israel?

Birthright Israel is a not-for-profit educational organization, and the main sponsor of Birthright trips to Israel. Birthright Israel operates separately, but in affiliation with, the trip organizers — those institutions that actually plan the trips to Israel. Confused by all of the terms and organizers involved? BirthrightGuru is here to help! Start by checking out […]

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Answered: How old can I be to go on Birthright Israel?

Birthright Israel trips are open to participants ages 18-32. College students: College is definitely a typical time to go on Birthright, and we recommend strongly considering it if it’s an option for you at the right age. There are many trips for those ages 18-22, including campus-specific trips [LINK TO COLLEGE TRIPS], classic itineraries, and […]

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Answered: Can I go on Birthright Israel if I already graduated from college?

Yes, Birthright Israel trips are open to participants ages 18-32. In fact, there are some definitely advantages to traveling on a Birthright trip after you have graduated. In fact, if you’re close to graduating or at the top of your age range, we recommend considering a young professionals trip rather than a college trip — […]

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Answered: Is there a Birthright trip for my college?

Many trip providers offer campus-specific trips — check out the list below to see if your school currently has a trip planned. Hillel, a campus-based organization, is the trip organizer for many of these, but other trip organizers have offerings as well, including great options from Israel Outdoors for the adventurous and Shorashim for those […]

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Answered: Do I need to speak Hebrew to go on a Birthright Israel trip?

  Definitely not! In fact, it’s pretty much the norm for participants on a Birthright Israel trip to not speak Hebrew since everyone is coming to Israel for the first time. If you choose to go on a trip with Jewish Youth Group alumni or with other Modern Orthodox travelers, you’re more likely to find […]

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Answered: Which Birthright Israel trip should I choose?

There’s not much better than a free trip to Israel. But you only get one, and there are a ton of trip options to choose from. And the organizer of the trip impacts the other people on the trip, where you go, the style of travel, and much more, which makes a big difference in […]

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Answered: Which trip organizer should I choose?

There isn’t one “Birthright Israel trip.” Instead, there are almost 600 trip options from 9 trip organizers, affiliated with the official Birthright Israel organization. The one you choose makes a big difference on the type of trip you go on and the experience you have in Israel (and traveling over there). Where to start BirthrightGuru […]

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