Birthright Israel announced that program participants will return to visit the northern regions of Israel for the first time since the Hamas-led terror attacks on Oct. 7, 2023.
The organization said on Monday that the first groups of its winter season have begun touring the historic city of Safed. Participants in its separate volunteering program will begin engaging in activities in northern towns in the next few weeks.
“Since the war began, we’ve been inspired by the remarkable resilience and unwavering determination of our participants to come to Israel,” said Gidi Mark, CEO of Birthright Israel. “While the war has presented challenges, it has only underscored the vital importance of our mission.”
The winter season, which will run through March 2025, is expected to bring more than 300 groups with roughly 6,500 young Jewish adults from around the world to participate in the program’s 10-day trips, internships and volunteering opportunities.
Additionally, Birthright said it is anticipating some 10,000 volunteers in 2025 through its expanding volunteering program. In response to the growing demand, the age limit for participation has been extended to 50 years old.
Since its founding, more than 850,000 young Jewish adults have visited Israel through Birthright Israel, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2025.
