Taglit-Birthright Israel

Taglit-Birthright Israel is an amazing, FREE, 10-day trip to Israel for Jewish young adults between 18 and 26 who have never been on a peer trip to Israel. For more information on Birthright, go here.

Registration for Summer 2012 opens Feb. 15 at 10am or Feb. 14 at noon for previous applicants.

Registration is now closed. Check back in September for information about our Winter 2012/2013 trip.

Don't miss your next chance to see Israel!

The trip is free. The experience is priceless. 

If you are a Jewish undergraduate student, age 18-26, who has never been to Israel on a group trip, you're invited to visit Israel as our guest. The Taglit-Birthright Israel gift is made possible through a partnership between a group of prominent philanthropists, local Jewish federations, the people of Israel through their government, Keren Hayesod and The Jewish Agency for Israel. 

FAQ

• When is the trip?
Our summer trips are during Columbia and Barnard's summer break, generally at the end of May/early June and will not overlap with the end of finals or graduation in May.  We will share information about the dates as soon as we have it.  

• What if I am not sure of my winter/summer plans, but I want to try to go on the trip this winter/summer?
If you aren't sure about your winter/ summer plans, but you are interested in the trip, we encourage you to register and pay the refundable deposit. There will be plenty of time to withdraw once we announce the dates; however, if you do not register before registration closes, we unfortunately will not be able to get you into the system.

• What if I sign up and then I can’t go?  Will I get my deposit back?
When you register, you are required to pay a deposit to be considered for admission. If you decide you cannot go, you can withdraw and receive your deposit back if you do so before the withdrawal deadline. If you withdraw after this deadline, you will lose the deposit.  The deadline will be communicated to all students who register so that there is no confusion.

• If I register am I guaranteed a spot?
Registration is a bit of a numbers game because we cannot predict how many students will register; however, we truly work very hard to accommodate everyone who registers.   If we have more registrants than spots, a waiting list will be created, and we will do our best to accommodate people from that list.

• Can I go with friends from other schools?
Non-CU/BC students can sign up for the CU/BC trip.  CU/BC students get priority, and if there are additional spots available, we will consider other applicants.

• Is there anything I have to pay for?
Participants will receive their deposit back upon completion of the trip. Participants are responsible for transportation to and from the point of embarkation (either JFK or Newark) and for the cost of an average of one meal a day on their own. Participants are also asked to bring $70 in tip money for tour providers in Israel. Any shopping or additional spending money is at your discretion.

• Can I see a sample itinerary?
Sure! Email sarah@hillel.columbia.edu. To read about this past trip, click here. 

• What's the catch?
None at all.  We are offering you this gift because we believe that a Jewish journey to Israel is your birthright.  

Eligibility

• The program is open to any Jewish person between the ages of 18-26 who has not already been to Israel on a peer-group trip and who has not lived in Israel past the age of 12. The CU/BC trip is for undergraduates. For more information on grad trips, email sarah@hillel.columbia.edu, and for more information on eligibility, click here.