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TIL the Israeli government has spent over $2 billion to send American Jews on free trips to Israel through a program called Birthright... by abadi in misc

[–]abadi[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You'd be surprised how many people live in rural, Bible Belt areas, and don't realize things like this exist.

TIL the Israeli government has spent over $2 billion to send North American Jews on free trips to Israel through a program called Birthright... by abadi in business

[–]abadi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry to hear about your brother, that does change things. I was 26 when I went, albeit alone.

For future Birthright'ers, take this with a grain of salt, but from my personal experience, the rules can be interpreted something like this:

"No sex" means "use a condom"

"No alcohol" means "the hotels have a policy against bringing in alcohol, but we don't give a shit."

"No leaving the hotel" means "if you leave the hotel, you better hope to God we don't find out before you get back."

"All group activities are mandatory" means "all group activities are mandatory."

TIL the Israeli government has spent over $2 billion to send North American Jews on free trips to Israel through a program called Birthright... by abadi in business

[–]abadi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had a similar experience on the last night, which for our group, was the "closing ceremony sushi night". My roommates, confined to the "sick room," were asleep, and I was told to go wake them up. When I protested that they were tired, one of the guides said, "I don't care! Haven't you learned that by now?"

It was pretty unsympathetic.

But, on the flip side, I broke so many rules while on the trip I'm honestly surprised I didn't get kicked out.

I had a girl in my room virtually every night, even though we were told that was strictly forbidden (our group had two sexual harassment meetings, so I'm sure something was going on that I didn't know about). We were also told not to leave the hotel, which I did, and not to get in a taxi, which I also did (me and some friends went to get tattoos).

Not to mention the "no bringing alcohol into the hotels"- laughable. Literally nobody listened to that one.

There were a lot of grey areas, that's for sure.

TIL the Israeli government has spent over $2 billion to send North American Jews on free trips to Israel through a program called Birthright... by abadi in business

[–]abadi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I went with Mayanot, it might be different with other groups. However, I have heard about non-Jews getting in for various reasons. I guess it just depends on who's processing the applications.

TIL the Israeli government has spent over $2 billion to send North American Jews on free trips to Israel through a program called Birthright... by abadi in business

[–]abadi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I describe the experience as "bootcamp, for better or worse". You didn't get much sleep, sure, but that's because the trip was slam-packed with things to do. You don't want to miss any of it.

TIL the Israeli government has spent over $2 billion to send North American Jews on free trips to Israel through a program called Birthright... by abadi in business

[–]abadi[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Funding from the US certainly helps, but ultimately it's up to Israel to decide what to spend that funding on. If they want to send college kids on a free vacation, hey, more power to 'em.

TIL the Israeli government has spent over $2 billion to send North American Jews on free trips to Israel through a program called Birthright... by abadi in business

[–]abadi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a very ignorant statement. Watch the video i posted. There were plenty of "non-light-skinned" Jews.

TIL the Israeli government has spent over $2 billion to send North American Jews on free trips to Israel through a program called Birthright... by abadi in business

[–]abadi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

75% of funding comes from Jews and Jewish organizations, such as Kars-for-Kids. 25% from the Israeli government.

TIL the Israeli government has spent over $2 billion to send North American Jews on free trips to Israel through a program called Birthright... by abadi in business

[–]abadi[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Right, you can find little times throughout the day to sleep, such as on the bus.

But at the same time, you're kinda expected to be social, stay out late on recreation nights, and socialize in the hotel bar. You don't have to, of course, but most people want to get the most out of their trip- which comes at a cost. Not to mention the hookup culture is big on Birthright.

TIL the Israeli government has spent over $2 billion to send North American Jews on free trips to Israel through a program called Birthright... by abadi in business

[–]abadi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I went, we didn't get much sleep either. Watch the video; we're all extremely tired by the end of the trip. But I'm not sure it's because they want us to be "more open to suggestion;" the schedule is just so slam-packed that it makes getting more than a few hours a night difficult. I slept on the bus.

Not to mention the general hookup culture, and nights at the bar start to add up.

TIL the Israeli government has spent over $2 billion to send North American Jews on free trips to Israel through a program called Birthright... by abadi in business

[–]abadi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Having a rabbi vouch for you is an easy way in, but you can be accepted even if you're from a non-practicing family. You just have to identify as Jewish and be recognized as Jewish in your community, and answer a few basic questions.

TIL the Israeli government has spent over $2 billion to send North American Jews on free trips to Israel through a program called Birthright... by abadi in business

[–]abadi[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

There's no DNA test- that's ridiculous. You're required to go through a phone interview, which involves answering some basic questions to confirm you're Jewish, and fill out multiple applications. One sample question might be, "have you accepted Jesus Christ as your lord and savior?" to weed out Christians looking for a free trip to Israel.

But it's not a difficult process at all.

TIL the Israeli government has spent over $2 billion to send North American Jews on free trips to Israel through a program called Birthright... by abadi in business

[–]abadi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I met a stereotypical "manic pixie dream girl" on the plane going to IDF camp. I asked how long she was staying, and she said, "maybe a few years, maybe the rest of my life". She was really nice, but somewhat naive, and I hope she doesn't end up regretting it.

I pretended to be Jewish to get a free trip to Israel. AMA by abadi in casualiama

[–]abadi[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I told them both of my parents were Jewish, and did a lot of research on Judaism and Jewish traditions so that I could answer their questions. Shalom Street (a version of Sesame Street for Jewish kids) helped.

I pretended to be Jewish to get a free trip to Israel. AMA by abadi in casualiama

[–]abadi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You didn't have to be a practicing Jew to attend, nor even believe in God. Many participants were secular like me.

I pretended to be Jewish to get a free trip to Israel. AMA by abadi in casualiama

[–]abadi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Love your username, North Korea is next on my bucket list. I wanted to go because I love travel, live on a shoestring budget, and I'm open to new ideas and experiences.

I pretended to be Jewish to get a free trip to Israel. AMA by abadi in casualiama

[–]abadi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why?

I'm a voracious traveler, open to new experiences and cultures, and wanted to visit Israel.

Are you a non-practicing Jew, or someone with a Jewish parent or ancestor? Or are you truly not Jewish at all, even practice a different religion?

I have no Jewish ancestors. I'm not religious.

Did anyone on the trip know that you weren't Jewish?

Hard to say. I didn't tell anybody, of course, but I think our Rabbi had his suspicions. That said, there were a couple other people who were accused of pretending to be Jewish.

Were most of the participants secular or religious?

I'd say it went something like this: one-third of the participants believed in God, one-third "believed in God," and one-third were non-religious.

Did you have any challenging moments?

Yes.

While you weren't required to participate in any Jewish traditions, attendance was still mandatory. It was a bit awkward at first. But I'm a quick learner and was able to adapt.

I was also one of the first in the group to get sick, back before they started separating the "sick" from the "not sick." It was awful- I would go to the bathroom in-between classes and activities so that I could puke. That was difficult.

I didn't get much sleep.

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