Striving to enlighten students about their Jewish heritage, the increasingly popular Taglit-birthright israel trip has given hundreds of Bruins the opportunity to swim in the Red Sea and tour through Golan Heights ““ free of charge.
Partnered with the Israeli government, Taglit-birthright israel’s goal, according to its Web site, is to “provide a free first peer-group trip to Israel as a birthright for every Jew.”
Through the financial support of various philanthropists and worldwide Jewish communities, such as the North American Jewish Federation (through the United Jewish Communities, Keren Hayesod and the Jewish Agency for Israel), the program has sponsored nearly 145,000 students from 52 countries.
Though nearly 30 organizations also offer birthright trips to UCLA students, Hillel offers birthright travel programs every year, said Arlene Miller, the associate director for Jewish student life.
“Our mission is to help Jewish students create a strong sense of community and connection to (their) homeland,” said Miller.
This December, Hillel will commemorate the success of its birthright program by sending the organization’s record-breaking 1,000th student to Israel since the program’s inception in 1999.
Every year, more students are participating in the 10-day trips that are offered in various forms open to Jewish college students between the ages of 18 and 26.
The trips are open to individuals who have never participated in a study program to Israel and have not lived in Israel after the age of 12.
Eligible students must also complete an online application and are then invited for a personal interview.
Students are also able to select from various specialty trips with a specific focus in arts, culture or the outdoors.
But students are realizing that being admitted into their preferred cultural, religious or outdoor-based birthright program is becoming much more competitive.
Maurice Diesendruck, the external vice president of Hillel at UCLA, said that the trips are becoming very popular among his fellow students as shown by the online traffic around registration time.
“Students are taking advantage of it because registration is a furious time on the birthright Web site, and as soon as it opens, everyone is online and the servers are clogged,” Diesendruck said.
Michelle Lyon, an Undergraduate Students Association Council general representative, attended birthright in December 2006 and said her favorite part of the trip was visiting important cultural and historical sites.
“You’re able to visit every main highlight in Israel, from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and the Eilat cities affected by the Lebanon war,” Lyon said.
Students attending Taglit-birthright israel trips follow a packed itinerary from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., which includes an archaeological dig, floating in the Dead Sea and visiting the Western Wall.
Lyon said that while the trip was an incredible experience and encompassed most of Israel’s cultural attractions, the lack of interaction with locals due to security precautions was one of the few downfalls.
“Every time we went out we would see American tourists or people from (other) birthright trips. We hardly ever interacted with Israelis, but it’s understandable due to all the security measures,” she said.
Students say they returned from their birthright trips possessing a different perspective about their Jewish heritage, regardless of their background before their departure.
“It really inspires you to do more for Israel on campus, to look out for Israel in the news and one day plan a trip back,” said Lyon.