When I boarded the plane in January 2007 for my first trip to Israel, I never could have anticipated how the experience would turn my world upside down. As a participant of Birthright Israel, I discovered that it is my birthright as a Jew to have a home in Israel, our Israel. I was head over heels in love with my new home so much so that I returned there in August. I participated in the first Birthright Israelalumni trip to Israel, coordinated by the Jewish Enrichment Center inNew York, followed by the Galilee Fellowship program run by Livnot U’Lehibanot.

As the Jewish community searches for new ways to infuse increasingly unaffiliated young Jews with a Jewish identity, “out-of-the-classroom” experiences—including Israel programs—have enabled a new generation with vastly different Jewish beliefs and experiences to connect with Israel and Judaism.