Mayanot and Birthright Expecting a Busy Summer

For years, Taglit-birthright israel trips have provided students and young professionals the chance to go to Israel for free during the summer and winter. Starting in 1999, the programs have gradually expanded into serving thousands annually. All told so far, more than 120,000 have taken part in the guided tours.

But this year, even those closest to the program are surprised by the response to the summer trip registration, which opened on Feb. 15.

“We’ve had a very positive response,” said Avi Weinstein of the Mayanot, one of the largest providers of Taglit-birthright israel trips. “We have more applicants than ever before in such a short period of time. In just a few days a few thousand students have applied. It is very exciting.”

Since Taglit-birthright israel’s second session – the initiative enables Jewish adults aged 18 to 26 to visit Israel as part of an organized 10-day free tour – Mayanot has brought more than 8,000 Jewish students and young professionals to Israel. Many extended their stays, with some taking advantage of advanced Jewish learning opportunities at Mayanot’s yeshiva in Jerusalem.

Organizers credit Mayanot’s low overhead for at least part of its popularity among birthright travelers – more money can be spent on each trip – and its focus on providing meaningful Jewish experiences during each trip’s whirlwind tour of the country.

Still, explained Weinstein, some of this year’s increased registration can be attributed to a fresh new design at the program’s Web site, www.MayanotIsrael.com. Featuring a streamlined look and ease of navigation, the site has reportedly been a boon to the program.

“We had a functioning Web site before, but we wanted a fresh, clean design and one that would be as easy as possible for applicants to navigate,” related Weinstein. “Based on the feedback I believe the website has helped.”

When Ryan Evans, a senior at California Polytechnic State University, first applied to the Mayanot-coordinated trip back in 2005, the Web site was down the first day. He said that with a new, better outpost online, it will be easier to get kids signed up for the journey.

“At first, when registration opened up, the site got flooded,” said Evans. “I tried to sign up the first day, but I couldn’t. So a new, easier site will make things that much better for them.”

New Options, More Trips

The fact that the program is introducing specialized trips this year won’t hurt, either. For the first time, the Taglit-birthright israel: Mayanot tour is offering an extreme trip for thrill-seekers. While participants won’t exactly be white-water rafting or hiking from city to city, there will be added outdoor adventures.

“A lot of students have asked about making a trip like this,” said Weinstein. “It will be similar to our other trips, but will have more of an adventurous focus. In addition, an elite Israeli army unit will accompany the group. They’ll do camping, night hikes, rappelling. It will be a more intense and rigorous schedule.”

Other specialized trips offered this year include a tour focused on media and journalism, a young professional trip and one for those recently graduated from college.

According to Evans, having different options is ideal, because so many people have different interests.

“Having different trip options — the extreme trip and others — it’s just good that they do that,” he said. “There are people more outdoorsy, there are people more religious, and then there are people just like me, who want everything.”

Weinstein said that the summer registration period has seen a surge of participants among schools that have traditionally fielded students for the trips.

“New York University, University of Colorado, University of Delaware, Washington University in St. Louis, University of Pennsylvania, Yale University and the University of Michigan are all sending very large groups,” he said.

For the past several weeks, Chabad rabbis at many schools have been encouraging students to sign up. They’ve pointed out in e-mails that the news earlier this year of philanthropist Sheldon Adelson pledging $25 million to Taglit-birthright israel meant that there would be in the neighborhood of 10,000 more free trips to go around.

Consequently, some schools are sending upwards of 120 students on various trips, which Weinstein said will lead to “a lot of great energy.”

For those still wondering whether or not to register, Evans had a message: “I just tell them they’re stupid if they don’t take it,” he said. “They don’t want to take advantage of the opportunity for a free trip to Israel?

“It was the best trip of my life.”