Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

NEW YORK—Birthright Israel, the organization responsible for sending over 500,000 young Jewish adults on a free 10-day trip to Israel to learn about their heritage, will launch an improved application portal for its 2015/2016 Winter season, which opened Sept. 8.

The Winter season follows Birthright Israel’s largest Summer trips with nearly 30,000 participants. To register, visit http://www.Birthrightisrael.com/go.

Birthright Israel will also be introducing several new opportunities for participants this year. The Birthright Israel Academic program is an extended 13-day trip offering up to three college credits through Tel Aviv University. Participants will have the option to select from two highly dynamic courses in business, entrepreneurship and international relations.

The second program, Birthright Israel Focus, is a new pilot program offering participants a 7-8 day trip during spring break that will have two tracks. One will focus on the geopolitical reality of Israel and will allow participants to speak with experts on politics, diplomacy, human rights, Israeli-US relations and the changing realities of the Arab World. The second track will focus on life in contemporary Israel.

“We are thrilled to kick off the winter season with two new academic programs for our participants,” said Birthright Israel CEO Gidi Mark. “They give participants the opportunity to learn under the guidance of some of the world’s most influential Jewish business and political leaders.”

The nonprofit group is currently celebrating its 15th anniversary year. Birthright Israel has become a “rite of passage” for Jewish adults between the ages of 18 to 26. The trip aims to strengthen each participant’s Jewish identity; to build an understanding, friendship and lasting bond with the land and people of Israel; and to reinforce the solidarity of the Jewish people worldwide.

Birthright Israel has sent Jewish young adults to Israel from 66 countries, from all 50 U.S. states, including students from nearly 1,000 North American college campuses. Attendees are immersed in an active educational experience that includes visits to Jewish historical sites, history museums, Holocaust remembrance sites, the Western Wall, arts and culture programs as well as, touring, hiking, discussions, social events, camel and jeep rides in the desert and more. The trip focuses on three main areas: the narratives of the Jewish people, contemporary Israel, and the formative values of Judaism.

For additional questions on registration for winter trips, please visit http://www.Birthrightisrael.com/go.