Birthright Israel tours are insulting young Jews' intelligence

I was so glad to see someone had written about this, as it sums up a lot of my feelings about the matter. I have not and cannot go on Birthright, as I was on the March of the Living last year- and it embodies all of your criticisms of Birthright, and more. The purpose of the trip, of course, is education and a stronger connection to the community. Obviously, with a segment in Poland, the trip is intended to be a bit more sombre than Birthright, but the same techniques of music and dancing and partying to "connect" with the attendees were used in the place education and reflection- I would hazard a guess that at least 40% of the 2010 MotL alumni could not tell you in what year Kristallnacht happened, or what role the Soviet Union played in liberating the concentration camps. They could, I suspect, perform for you most of the songs on the official March of the Living 2010 CD. The Israel portion of the trip was nearly identical to what you've described of Birthright, indulging us with parties and markets shopping and, yes, a big pop concert on our last night there. Those of us who were awake to listen to our tour guide as he lectured on Israel's history were the few to learn anything, and it was all quite rudimentary. I agree that there needs to be an alternative. If the attendees of Birthright and the March of the Living are Israel's future [and present] advocate, they need to have something to say, not sing. I have been appalled in the past when, at Israel Apartheid events, my peers respond with accusations by shouting "Am Yisroel Chai" or singing and dancing in circles and refusing to address any major issues through dialogue or even speech. There must be some sort of intellectual Birthright- one that examines academic records, has requirements beyond Jewishness, interview questions that extend past "would you be okay with missing school?" If Israel has any hope of intelligent advocacy and decent representation in the future, it needs to begin by grooming intelligent and decent advocates today - "Am Yisroel Chai!" does not quite cut it.

Kind ironic for displaced Palestinian refugees to sit there watching dumb American jocks come to Israel as their 'birthright'. Judaism should be about justice and fairness, not hasbara and holiday camps, especially not ones with the disgusting name 'birthright'

More claptrap from disgruntled Ha'aretz op-ed writers who still can't fathom why 95% of the world sees things differently. I thought having Gideon Levy forced on Ha'aretz readers was bad enough, but this column shows that it is Ha'aretz writers who are the disaffected generation. The world is passing Pfeifer and Levy and Hass by (and editor David Landau too)....and they can't figure it out...

I made aliyah & my first experience with Israel was birthright. Because of financial reasons & mental blocks, I probably would have never come to Israel in the first place in my 20s. A few years after my birthright, I was living in a mercaz klitah with other new immigrants and volunteers - guess what? Most of us had been on birthright before . . . from long-term volunteers to new olim, the experience of birthright was our first with Israel. Maybe I didn't love the birthright trip itself but obviously it had an impact on me.

But to be fair, you have to put in the comments of those (in israel, mind you) who think birthright is a low-down way to brainwash reltively rich kids who don't have an inkling, and get their moms to support everything israel does in congress, because their kids even spent time in israel.

I was disgusted by the idea that I was expressly prohibited from stating my "political opinions" on the trip, a directive which I promptly ignored. I feel strongly that, had I not been on the trip, none of the educational components provided would have raised any serious questions. Significant portions of the program included opportunities to buy havdallah candles, a presentation about why Iran is scary and a "real shabbat" experience with "some Orthodox guy" (A quick search revealed that he was more of a "professional evangelist Orthodox guy"). As it was, my voice was often silenced by the tour guide of our trip, who when challenged on matters of history explained that she "doesn't like reading". We visited a Bedouin tent, but when I asked people to compare the lifestyle presented there to that of the bedouins we saw living under tin roofs on the road as we drove, I was shouted down. As these sanitized, 10-day trips for people with a varied range of interest (from the truly active to those who simply want a free trip in a cool place), an effort by Zionist youth groups to improve funding for teen tours with strong educational content and follow-up programming, called LAPID, has met with stonewalling from Israeli politicians. For shame, my people. For shame.

My daugter came on the Birtright trip as non-religious teen whose knowledge of Judaism and Israel was vague at best. In her group there was also a guy, who was left his cristian girlfriend back home, who he intended to marry. Today, 5 years later, they are both strictly orthodox, will marry each other next year, and hope to move to Israel soon....

I think Birthright provides an exceptional opportunity for a certain group of young Jews - those who not only have never been to Israel, but those who also would otherwise never in a million years have the opportunity to go on such a trip. You're correct that "there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all Israeli experience," but that isn't significant to these young adults who go on Birthright... because these are not the young adults that you describe as the "minority," the ones who "in a few years from now will be the real opinion-makers and leaders, are either already involved and informed." And you know why? Because those young Jews, the minority, have already been to Israel and aren't eligible for Birthright in the first place. They have other opportunities to go to Israel, and they are most likely well informed about the options out there. Although I do agree, your ideas for a joint Israel-Diaspora global relief work project or a worldwide year-long program of Jewish studies comprised of exceptional students, are fantastic ideas. But regardless, they are irrelevant to the Birthright discussion because those types of programs are not programs for the majority of those interested in Birthright. Not every young Jew is part of this elite, intelligent class of people determined to change the world. And that's okay. We can't have a world full of leaders. Followers are just as valuable, no? If every Birthright trip transforms let's say 50% of its participants into active pro-Israel activists, or at least gets these young Jews invested in their Judaism and in Israel, then I think it succeeds in its mission. The simple fact is this: these kids aren't going to get to Israel if it weren't for Birthright. And that's a wonderful gift.

Pfeffer hates the Zionist movement so much, he is willing to dump on ANY of its successful ventures. Now he is targeting the Birthright - a program that brought hundreds of thousands of young Jews to Israel. How dare they? Wouldn't be better, if they took them to help Palestinians in the villages which send murderers to kill innocent Jewish families, or to protest "oppression and occupation"? Pfeffer tried to come up with an alternative, but his brain is so frozen, he provided none! All the Jewish kids i talked to, loved Birthright. It open their eyes for a country they didn't know before. Those who are interested will come back, left, right or the middle. Those who are not, Pfeffer's no-solution drivel won't help them.

Dear Anshel Pfeffer, I dont believe you did proper research before writing this article. I also think you are totally disconnected to the birthright community and are completely inaccurate in your findings. As an ex "madrich" staffer, of an Oranim trip I can tell you that each and every one of my birthright participants felt a much deeper connection with Israel and their jewish roots. Sure there are plenty of partying on the trips, but so what. Its a free vacation/learning experience what do you expect. My experience inspired me so much that I returned to Israel and joined the IDF. So what does that tell you? This article agravates me because its so incorrect. The title does not even make sense!

I attended a birthright group last year. As a then 25 year old who had been raised Jewish (conservative), I didn't know what to expect. What I saw was a group of ba'al teshuvim trying to brainwash a bunch of young, gullible kids to become religious, marry Jews, make Aliyah, and have lots of babies. Literally, that's it. Now - I have been to Israel twice since that trip on my own (I am a professional and pay my own fare), and the real Israel is quite different than the illusion that they provide. I love Israel and am a proud Zionist, but Birthright is an absolute waste. The 39 other 19-26 year old men and women on my trip had no clue what was going on 90% of the time, and yes- there was quite a few sexual encounters between (especially) American women and Israeli soldiers. The fact that birthright organizers have become a money chasing, student "assembly line" is the biggest sin. Many of the trip organizers (especially the religious based trips who falsely advertise themselves) do not spend their allotted money on programming, but rather pocket significant portions of the funding. As a result, birthright programs spend a lot of time in hotel bomb shelters learning useless (and sometimes erroneous) information about "Jews" and "Israel". I'm glad I got the free trip - without it I may not have desired to go back to Israel and see what the real deal is... but my positions and interest are in spite of Birthright, not due to it. Signed, A former Birthright participant who knows Europe is a continent, not a country.

Don´t really know how does TAGLIT Birthright work in the USA, but argentian's experience is great. I´ve traveled twice as a madrich, and can tell you that.

This article sounds like it was written in five minutes. But after a few readings I think I got the idea... The largest flaw in this entire argument assumes that a young Jew's learning about Israel stops as soon as he/she leaves the country. That assumption is the real insult to the intelligence of young Jews. Birthright is an introduction, not a comprehensive history/academic lesson into the nuances of Israeli culture and society.

"and if the majority of participants, who rarely bother open a newspaper and whose websurfing habits are confined to celebrity gossip..." This is your opinion of the American Jewish Diaspora? What is wrong with you?

Anshel, maybe a vacation would do you well. Can the program improve, I'm sure, but to criticize success is sad and small minded. Ha'aretz unfortunately breeds this thinking.

As a Birthright participant there were definitely times when the history being presented felt excessively simplistic....particularly whenever you tried to talk about the conflict. If I had just gone on Birthright I probably would have left feeling little additional connection to Israel. But luckily Birthright allows you to extend your trip for up to three months and still pays for the flight. It was the months spent on kibbutz that truly altered my connection with Israel and my Zionism. The emphasis should be on allowing youth to have positive experiences in Israel not on inculcating a specific (and usually right-wing) historical narrative.

It was very helpful and informative and it definitely strengthened me and my sister's link to Israel

Being born to a Jewish family makes no different from being born to Chinese parents. In the end you are simply a human being. The danger lies when those around you start giving you labels that make you think you are superior or distinguished: Jew, Moslem, Catholic, American, Israeli, Arab, and ultimately making you feel your are part of "God's Chosen People" or the part of the "Superior Arean Race", or "Belonging to the great religion of Islam", etc, Think it over, by thinking you have superior traits and privildges, you put yourself apart from the billions of Human beings in the world. You draw enimosity and inflict injustice on others by assuming you are superior. You true value is judged by the good you do to all others..not just those of your country, religion or race. By belonging to a exquisite club, you cease being part of the human community in its simplest and purest form.

I have been to Israel 3 times since my Birthright trip. To this day it was one of the best experiences of my life. I have made sure that all of my relatives and friends experienced it as well and all of them feel just as strongly about the trip as I do.

To this day I owe many thanks to the birthright financiers and organizers for the opportunity they gave me. Truly a trip of a life time. Yes a bit of sex drugs and rock and roll, but this only furthered my curiousity for the country. Upon returning to Canada I joined the Israel Awareness Club at my school, became very politically conscious and am now dating an Israeli ! 10 days was not enough and most people can extend free of charge - yes birthright has an agenda which is not so secret - let young jews put a face to a name, and once on a first name basis, if such jews want to get to know the person, they can then make their own decision. Not one person on my trip did not have an incredible experience !!!

This writer and the article is so wrong. I travel often to Israel and I see these young people. This program gives them an opportunity to connect with a great land and their history. It is not designed to be 4 year academic program from the Hebrew University. I first saw the eretz yisrael on a glossed over tour, but it gave me a heart to want to return and see more, and become more educated. I have now been back 12 times.

I had a lot of fun on my taglit trip. Yes, we did have parties, but all they did was strengthen the connection to each other - other young Jews. After I came back I started reading Israeli newspapers and websites everyday as well as started studying hebrew and considering Aliyah. So the only offensive thing I noticed is how you call the annual celebration of the program a "rock concert" and say that Taglit participants care about nothing other than sex, drugs, and gossip web sites

What an amazing program to get young people interested in Israel, who cares if some of it's content can be cheesy! I LOVE Birthright!

If this guy can write an article like this, can I get a job? This doesn't only insult Birthrighters, it insults Haaretz's integrity. Makes me want to switch to Jpost!

Birthright, to him, is simply the Israeli version of 'The Ugly American' tourist experience that his grandparents and their parents favored years and years ago. Groups of tourists sheparded from place to place with their cameras in hand. His generation wants to shape their own world view and book their own way through life free of the preconceptions of others. By the way, he does plan a trip Israel, Jordon and Egypt on his own dime and his own itinerary to sort out for himself what to think... and to feel. We fully support him.

As a recent birthrighter, and someone whose mother (but not father) is Jewish, I can vouch for the fact that, more than anything, Birthright succeeds in connecting Jewish Americans to the land of Israel. The political landscape in America is like a swamp, and I have very little interest in it. However, coming to Israel, I saw a people that fight for their existence and the trip made me feel like I was one of them, which I now know that I am. Yes, there was sex, drugs, and rock music. But with our group, that was inevitable. Nevertheless, we were up at 8 AM every day to try to get as much as we could out of the trip, and seeing things like Yad Vashem and Mt. Hertzel ensured that we all felt the magnitude and significant of Israel's fight for existence. I know that after the trip, I will forever identify as a Jewish person, whereas before, I didn't even consider myself Jewish. Maybe there are more positive and constructive ways to achieve this, but that would inevitably result in lower membership. The program succeeds because it's a fun time that any young adult will surely enjoy, and more importantly, you are introduced to the country while being welcomed as a member of the family coming home for the first time. Most of the programs the article mentions are offered in some form as a post-birthright option, and many people enroll. However, if that became the mainstream program, participation would surely decrease. Birthrighters may come for the sex, drugs, and rock n roll, but they stay for the spiritual and historical significance, and that is really the enduring value of the program. Sure, it may be lost on many participants, but if 50% are affected, the program still succeeds.

Man, this guy is clearly Israeli and has no idea what its like to grow up a Jew in the diaspora. Of course Birthright may not give the " real" experience but its not meant to. Its meant to INTRODUCE ISrael to many jews who have little to know jewish education or experience in there life. Which it does amazingly. Birthright is an amazing thing and has probably saved Israel for generations to come. Its only 10 days, its impossible to see everything. If you go to NYC for the first time, you'll prob check out times square. Thats just how it is. Dont be so synical towards your countries institutions. There are plenty of options to return to ISrael that birthright provides that enable more volunteer options and opportunities to delve more deeply into the country. Birth right is an intro to the rest of your life.

It's clear to me that you have very little real understanding of Birthright, its programming, nor its target audiences' purpose. As a veteran Madrich with 24 years (yes, predating Birthright) in the Israeli-American experience, I can honestly say that this article is not indicative of the experiences of my participants. Our trips are eye-opening, we discuss issues intelligently, and we connect American and Israelis. Is Birthright perfect? No. Could there be other types of trips available for Americans and Israelis - Sure. But there is no reason to knock one at the expense of the other.

His belittlement of young Americans' intelligence and motivation for visiting Israel is frankly insulting. Thank god most people would disagree with him, and Birthright continues to get funding and attract a wide variety of participants whose knowledge of and connection to Israel increases greatly due to their trip.

"All the participants are already involved in some way or another with Jewish or Zionist organizations, or have some kind of professional attachment to the issues. "These are not members of disaffected Generation Oy. For them, they came up with Birthright, the condensed, 10-day version of “cool Israel.” Birthright is almost universally hailed in the Jewish establishment as a success story. Its patrons have the numbers, nearly a quarter of a million alumni, rising rates of identification with Israel among young Jews and a mega-millions budget. Well, I don’t buy it. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all Israeli experience." There are so many problems with that passage it's tough to know where to begin, but I'll try anyway: 1) Birthright is not a monolith. There are numerous trip organizers underneath the Birthright umbrella, each with a different focus and target audience. There is no "one-size fits all Israel experience," nor is there a one-size fits all Birthright experience. A simple visit to the Birthright website would have taught the authort that. 2) Birthright participants are not all "already involved in some way or another with Jewish or Zionist organizations." In fact, on my Birthright trip, nearly half the participants had never even celebrated Shabbat before. People who started the trip with almost no sense of Jewish identity ended it feeling that "Jew" was one of the most important words they could use to define themselves. 3) To call Birthright a ten day "cool Israel" experience is ignorant at best, insulting at worst. Every day of the trip is designed to help the participants grow both personally and spiritually. There was nothing cool about going to Mt. Herzl and listening to the IDF soldiers who accompanied us tell stories about their friends and loved ones who were buried there. Yes, there were things that were fun and enjoyable, but that was a fringe benefit of experiences that forever altered the way we view ourselves and the world around us. There is much more that is in need of correction in this article but I'll stop here for now.

why didn't I get to do any of that stuff on my birthright experience? I guess I really missed out.

While building a connection to Israel is clearly a goal of Birthright, there is another very important goal, which is completely neglected in this column. In the US, approximately 50% of Jews intermarry with non-Jews and of those interfaith couples, most do not raise their children with any type of Jewish identity. Birthright has proven to be an excellent way to bring American Jews together. I don't have numbers offhand but Birthright has proven its value just through the number of successful relationships and marriages it has spawned. Perhaps that does not matter as much to an Israeli but continuing to have a large community in the US with a Jewish identity is extremely important for Israel and for Jews in general. So, while it might not be the goal you had in mind, please do not think that Birthright is not meeting its goals in general.

I live in the U.S. I have sent my three daughters on a birthright trip, as did many of my friends. All the kids who went on the trip came back with a much stronger connection to Israel and our people. Three of the kids that I know have made aliyah or are considering it. Birthright is an excellent program and my hat is off to its organizers and to the people who donate to it.

I just went on a Birthright trip in January- I cannot stress enough how much the experience changed my views on Israel. Despite the fact that I have been hearing about Israel since I was about three years old, it didn't mean anything to me because it was a far off place that frankly seemed imaginary. Before the trip, I would have said I was pro-Israel, but then again, did that really mean anything? I had never experienced the Jewish homeland for myself. Now that I have been to Israel, Israel really means something to me. I hang a large Israeli flag in my room and am proud to call myself a Zionist and a Jew. I read Israeli news almost obsessively, because I understand that these are real events that affect real people. I am studying abroad in Tel Aviv this fall because ten days wasn't enough in a country to which I felt such deep connection. It's insulting for you to generalize about the types of Birthright participants and the experiences we have; while we certainly did enjoy the Israeli party scene, it had its merits, just like touring the Old City had its merits. When we went to clubs with our Israeli soldiers, it showed us that despite the complexities and hardships that Israelis face on a daily basis, the kids that serve in the IDF are the same as us; they want to have fun and enjoy the years in their prime. I think your problem is that you fail to see our perspective. It is easy for you to look down from your high horse and dismiss us as disinterested youths who are "seeking the next thrill." But what you fail to realize is that simply walking the land and being among the Jewish people is enough to offer a profound impact on many participants.

It's obvious that Anshel cannot.

I disagree with this article. Birthright opened up my eyes to how complicated and wonderful this society is. There was no sugar coating on my program, we had 9 off duty soldiers who freely spoke their minds on everyday Israeli life and became our "go to" people when we wanted to hear more than what our tour guide was talking about. As a 26 year old who really had no attachment to Israel, its people, or my religion; not only did birthright engage me, but now I am a participant on a 10 month volunteer program in this country. Birthrights only "agenda" is to grab young Jews, show them Israel, and let them make up their own minds on what they do with their experience. I thank them for that opportunity.

Not everybody can afford the money to visit Israel like I did as a teen on a 7 week organized tour. This first tour got me to go on a second one 3 years later ,again for 7 weeks. Like visiting anywhere 10 days is not enough to understand the ins and outs of a country but it is a start. Teens are naturally curious and Birth Right should help prod them.

this romancing of some such israel that birthright tries to advertise is a lie. it doesn't exist. israelis live completely different lives from the sugar coated version that is propagandized to america's and europe's jews.

Aside from the hundreds of millions of dollars the program draws into the state of Israel annually, ignoring the obvious political motivation of having tens of thousands of young Americans walking around various college campuses providing Israel with free positive advertising, setting aside the subtext of placing hormonally charged American collegiate youth alongside their Israeli counterparts in uniform (expecting the obvious to occur), what could possibly make one think to believe that Birthright is not focusing on its target audience? Those young Jews in the United States who are already motivated, who are apart of programs aimed at encouraging a continued pro-Israeli movement in the United States, will exist whether the Birthright program provides "free" trips to Israel or not (Not to discredit their importance in any way, on the contrary, we should place more praise upon their efforts). However, Birthright's continued existence relies on those Americans who find the “sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll with Jews in Israel,” appealing. I am in the unique position of having heard stories from interviewers of the American interviewees for spots on the tour, individuals who are shocked to discover that Europe is not a country, nor is Paris or London for that matter. That Israel is not a part of Europe, and that no, they will not be able to hold the automatic rifle (thank goodness for that). Furthermore, given the right amount of time and attempts at participating on the program, EVERY person who applies and is eligible will ultimately go on the trip. Very rarely will one discover an applicant who has applied more than 4 or 5 times, and considering that there are two trips a year, and one is eligible until one's 27th birthday, well, I don't need to explain the math on that one. A program that practically guarantees a free trip to another country to EVERY eligible applicant is unheard of outside of prostitution and general human trafficking! The Birthright program works. It works very well. It is hitting its target audience with gusto and despite the preference to those Americans on the East coast versus the West (it's cheaper to fly from New York than Los Angeles, hence the disproportionate number of trips leaving from JFK over LAX), it is providing unheard of numbers of practically free trips to another country on the other side of the world to individuals who might never see such things. For heaven's sake, there are underprivileged residents of Los Angeles that have never seen a beach, and Pfeffer is complaining about the ineffectiveness of Birthright? Lastly, with numbers as outstanding as Birthright's, and appealing to those who are in college, statistically speaking, some of them are bound to either be from money, or will someday find themselves with enough where they feel a modest donation to the Birthright program, where they were able to have fun, travel the world, drink under age (according to American standards), and hook up with that hot Israeli soldier, might be a worth while investment. I'd like to meet a 19 year old American who finds those prospects unappealing. Pfeffer, you are right, we are all barking up the wrong tree. Maybe we should simply give up our day jobs and exploit those talented individuals who will work for Israel's continued existence, without pay, without sleep, and without a free trip to Israel instead. Rather than the incompetent booze hounds with access to ludicrous amounts of cash and blind support for Israel on their home campuses. O, and yeah, in an ever secularizing world society whose Jews still identify and adhere to Jewish principles and values without radical extremism, should we support programs that indoctrinate those supportive youth to being more traditionally Jewish. I'm sure that's a solid investment in a capitalist society. Sure has worked well in Israel with the Haredim. . .

The many Birthright participants that I meet become pro-Israel and now have some rudimentary knowledge of Israel, whereas they had little/none prior. And for goodness sake, they're university students in programs - how many are going to take a year off? Those that are interested in taking a year off, do so because there are many such programs already. I know that Anshel is an elitist Ashkenazic writer, like most at Haaretz, so why follow the paper's track record of failure, with its miniscule circulation? In short, Birthright is great for its limited purpose, and successful.

This article was really poorly written. "Them and their Israeli counterparts...": it's "they and their israeli counterparts...", and that's only one mistake to start. The article as a whole just doesn't sound like it was written by a professional.

Mr. Anshel Pfeffer may be right as far as any established program should go through re-evaluation of its goals, specially in today's world of information overflow, on top of such a dynamic place like Israel. Yet, if this program, as it is, can annually return even a small amount of lost young jews into the pro-Israeli lobby, it is blessed and should continue in full steam. Now, about the more clarified few, the program will serve in the worst case as a nice vacation way to spend their pocket money, while as a better option, will serve as a choice of recommendation for their sexual-drug busy friends, who will hopefully fall in future lobies too.

Birthright succeeds because the participants come over here and see for themselves. Pfeffer has the old US Jewish leadership attitude, pre-neanderthal kind of. Just tell them what to think and they'll think it. The brilliance of birthright flew right over his head. The whole point is bring them here in person and they'll think for themselves. Some of them even choose 'ossified' stuff, like my friend did, and dedicate their lives to Torah.

what do you think can be achieved with young people ? get real, u need to put a smile on their faces, get them to see and breathe israel and feel a sense of "this is also something of mine, something different to being in greece". luv journalists, u need to try running a business to understand reality.

I'm glad to hear someone say this and to hear the suggestions for broadening and deepening this kind of programming. I think another useful addition to a more comprehensive program would be the study of and interaction with the various diaspora communities and their languages and histories. For example some of the most committed young Jew I know study Yiddish, Ladino and /or Judeo-Arabic. World Jewry, and Israeli Jewry in particular, incorporates such a wealth of multicultural influences and knowledge that it seems a shame not to expose young Jews to these resources.

These are not Jewish traits, but passions common to all yopungsters, the world over. Why do people in Israel always have to behave as if there wer eonly Jews on earth? We're all human beings, and religion does not make a difference.

As the former director of many Israel-American student tours, I found that most of the participants learned very little that stayed with them, but became ardently pro-Israel. What;s wrong with that?

This article needs a good proofreading!

its not organized..they only want your money and brain wash you to become aliyah......dont fall into this trap.go with them at your own risk.... mark this post becaue you will come back here and i will tell you i told you so.

In 1989 I wrote an article published in Midstream Magazine were I suggested a version of what became Birthright- My plan was to give ever Bar and Bat Mitzvah in US a present from the Israel and the American Jewish Community a summer trip to Israel if they attended a certain number of meetings in the interim years. The idea- Bar Mitztvah would not be an end but the beginning, plus it would help maintain contact during key HS years. Finally a summer program will allow a much deeper connection with Israel. On a separate note a conducted back in 1988 the first comprehensive survey for the WZO of Israel program returnees- 25,000. One of the most significant findings- that connection to Israel was highest when students had been on programs that had interaction with Israelis

As a participant of the Shnat Hachshara program, I couldn't agree more with both the description and the alternative you offer. Birthright and many of the people on it, do not experience Israel, but a very much "sex, drugs and rock'n'roll" Israel, which fades the longer you are there. It isn't just about showing the true Israel, it's about a projection of what we want Israel to be. Israel should not be this country of drugs and sex and flashy lights, it is supposed to be special of itself, not selling itself out.