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del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 02:03 14/12/2007 Record number of students to take part in Birthright Israel this year By Irit Rosenblum Tags: Birthright Israel The first 300 of the this winter's 17,000 Birthright participants will land in Israel next week in the latest chance for Jews 18 to 26 years old to visit Israel on an educational trip. In the current program, they will be coming from 20 countries from all over the globe, with the first group arriving from Australia and Uzbekistan. The huge number of participants, a new record for Birthright (taglit in Hebrew), will bring the Israeli tourism industry about NIS 130 million over the four winter months. Advertisement Six airlines will be carrying the participants: El Al, Israir, Arkia, Continental, Delta and Turkish Airlines. Birthright participants spend 10 days in Israel touring historical and national heritage sites in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, the Galilee, the Golan Heights and the South, including Masada and the Dead Sea. About 3,400 Israeli soldiers join the students. During the eight years of Birthright, over 150,000 participants from 52 countries have visited Israel. On the business side, this has generated tourism revenues of NIS 1.2 billion for services such as hotels, food, security, guides, entrance fees, buses and flights. Birthright is a joint initiative of the Israeli government and a number of Jewish philanthropists and communities around the world. The founders were Charles Bronfman, Michael Steinhardt and Lynn Schusterman. Sheldon and Miriam Adelson have pledged $60 million to the program, which has allowed thousands of students who were on the waiting list to come to Israel on Birthright this year. Related articles: Birthright needs communal funds Birthright participant turns pro-Palestinian activist Bookmark to del.icio.us Humanitarian Crisis The Red Cross says conditions have worsened in Palestinian areas. 'Sacred basin' At Camp David, Israel pushed for a body to ensure religious freedom in J'lem for all.   1.   Visitors and tourists ... 05:36  |  protected civilian 14/12/07   2.   HaKavod for spelling Birthright with capital B 07:16  |  Gabriel 14/12/07   3.   BirthRight is a failure.. 07:27  |  Tom 14/12/07   4.   Great Program - Follow Up? 07:38  |  Mark 14/12/07   5.   TO Tom re Birthright is a failure 08:33  |  Zeev 14/12/07   6.   How to measure 08:37  |  Zeev 14/12/07   7.   Purpose 08:47  |  Gordon 14/12/07   8.   #5 Zeev 10:00  |  Mark 14/12/07   9.   Tom Is Right!!! 10:43  |  Laguna Geno 14/12/07   10.   Birthright Activities 12:02  |  Elianah 14/12/07

Today Online Israel, U.S. to discuss their differering assessments on Iran Responses: 50 Ruth Meisels: No commandment for Jewish sovereignty in Jerusalem Responses: 62 Lisa Goldman: Law applied capriciously over my Lebanon trip Responses: 8 Yossi Sarid: Angela Merkel is antithesis of Hillary Clinton Responses: 14 Yoel Marcus: There are no Israeli politicians to rely on Responses: 16 Rosner: Should U.S. Jews have voice in shaping Israel policy? Responses: 10 Rosner's Domain Who believes in intelligence reports? American Jews are losing interest in Israel Guest: U.S public doesn't think there is need for or a point to creating a Palestinian state Americans do not believe the NIE report on Iran (What To Read) More Headlines 15:27 Cabinet declares 'special situation' in Sderot 15:31 At least 3 dead, 30 hurt in explosion at Gaza funeral 13:41 Israel, U.S. to meet to discuss differing assessments on Iran 15:46 Top Fatah official abducted by Hamas gunmen in Gaza Strip 15:58 Move afoot to put late Moroccan king as righteous gentile 13:56 Abbas to blast Israel for building in settlements, E. Jerusalem 09:02 Criminal charges could topple Ashkenazi chief rabbi from office 13:12 Physical Education teacher dies during Haifa high-school class 13:11 Taxi driver abducted by Palestinians, rescued by IDF 04:34 Government officials: Har Homa row sparked by 'two bureaucrats' Previous Editions Select Day 13 dec 12 dec 11 dec 10 dec 09 dec 07 dec 06 dec 05 dec 04 dec 03 dec 02 dec 30 nov

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