Birthright extension to Israel tour attendees is a “barrier lifted” for young Jews
UJIA is to extend eligibility for its flagship Birthright programme to those in their 20s who have already been to Israel on Tour or through school.
The change, which will allow hundreds more young British Jews to go on the free 10-day trip, was described as a “barrier lifted” by the charity this week.
It comes in response to concerns from UJIA Israel engagement officers that today’s youngsters are not forming the same relationship with the Jewish state as their parents and grandparents did.
“We have to respond to the fact that young people are not automatically forming a strong bond with Israel,” said UJIA Birthright and Gap Year Development Co-ordinator Josh Dubell.
“A second educational trip to Israel in their twenties, even if they went on Tour at 16, will help us cement that connection.”
Currently about 280 British Jews aged 20-26 go to Israel every year on the long-established programme, but the change in eligibility criteria – to include 19 year-olds to reach first year university students – means that there could now be up to 500 participants annually.
Under the new rules, a 19-26 year-old will be eligible as long as they have not been on an organised trip to Israel since the age of 18, and have not been on an organised trip lasting 3 months or more since the age of 12.
“We believe that opening up eligibility is something our young community needs,” said Dubell. “We’re still focusing on first-timers, but it’s important to offer more chances to have a deep engagement with Israel, while also helping prepare people for campus and the workplace.”
Previously, those who had been on Israel Tour or an extended school trip to Israel were ineligible to go on UJIA Birthright, but the organisation said “this barrier has now been lifted, opening up the programme to second timers”.
Under the changes, which are effective from Monday, participants will be able to select from different group options, such as those reflecting their Jewish affiliation, or opting for a student trip.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
