Birthright brings 1,700 young Jews from around the world together for Israel party
Cultural experience in Tel Aviv featured performances by DJ Itay Galo and Eurovision superstars Netta Barzilai and Eden Golan
Israel’s 2018 Eurovision winner Netta Barzilai and 2024 contestant Eden Golan topped the music bill at a Birthright (Taglit) summer party for nearly two thousand young Jewish adults from around the world on Tuesday 4 August.
The event marked the peak of the season for the non-profit organisation that provides a free 10-day educational trip to Israel for Jewish young adults aged between 18 and 26 years old.
Guests included Israeli-American philanthropist Dr. Miriam Adelson, Birthright Israel international chief executive Gidi Mark, and Meir Shamir, chairman of the organisation’s Israeli board of directors.
Against the backdrop of escalating security threats in recent weeks and a sharp decline in tourism, this year 15,000 young Jews from 34 countries are visiting Israel for educational trips, volunteer opportunities and fellowship programmes.
The event also featured Birthright Israel’s “Tip of the Spear” initiative, which integrates wounded IDF soldiers as participants on the trips alongside young Jewish adults from around the globe.
Amit Bar, who was wounded on 7 October 2023 and later participated in Birthright Israel, took the stage at the event to share his personal experience and received a standing ovation from the audience.
Speaking from the event, Gidi Mark, international chief executive of Birthright Israel, said: “Whether you joined us for a 10-day trip, an Onward programme, Excel, or a volunteer programme, this is your opportunity to celebrate our shared Jewish identity, meet fellow Jews from around the world, and build friendships that will last far beyond this summer.
“Most importantly,” he added, “come back to Israel. Israel is your home.”