Israeli Ambassador to the UK, Daniel Taub hosted the launching of Taglit-Birthright Israel “UK Awareness Campaign” in celebration of its thirteenth anniversary. Leaders from the Jewish community attended the event. Among the dozens of people were Taglit-Birthright Israel representatives, business people and supporters of the program.

Ambassador Taub congratulated Taglit-Birthright Israel on its 'bar mitzvah' describing the project, which has to date brought 340,000 young people to Israel, as "one of the unusual, ambitious and effective projects in Jewish history.”

Prof. Ada Spitzer, Vice President of Development and Community Relations of Taglit-Birthright Israel said that “one of the goals of the new campaign is to increase the numbers of participants from the UK substantially, from 200 to 700 youngsters a year.”

Guests also heard from two Taglit-Birthright Israel participants. Matthew Kefton said “I knew nothing of my Jewish identity, I was shocked, it was an inspiring trip. I now work for the UJIA as the Masa UK representative. It sounds cheesy but Taglit-Birthright Israel changed my life.”

Esther Thorn-Gent, a university student from Devon, came back from a Taglit-Birthright Israel trip two weeks ago. She said “Through the program I connected to my religion. I felt alive in Jerusalem and that I have the right to be there. It touched my soul. “

Taglit-Birthright Israel's  data shows that of those who have completed the Birthright programme, assimilation has been reduced by 50%. More so, the strengthening of local communities around the world is being achieved through the participants' reconnection with their

Jewish identity. Taglit Birthright Israel is the largest project in the Jewish world today.

 Photo: Yakir Zur Photography