Why Choose YJ?

That's a great question!  

This is your Taglit-Birthright Israel tour. This is your gift and your adventure, and we imagine that you would like it to be the best tour, gift and adventure ever!  

With over 60 years of experience in operating Israel programs for tens of thousands of young adults from the USA and across the globe, you can rely on Young Judaea to provide a Taglit-Birthright Israel experience that is even better than you can imagine.  Perhaps that's why Taglit-Birthright Israel has recognized Young Judaea's unique approach by awarding us "Excellence Awards" in trip programming for three consecutive trip seasons!  

There are a lot of reasons why Young Judaea is the best option for you and your friends. Here are a few of them:

• We know YOU

Before we began offering Taglit-Birthright Israel trips, we first put our century of programming experience with YOU – the young adults of our community – to work and created a trip that speaks to the needs and desires of today’s young adults. The result? See what our alumni say about our trips! 

• YOU know Young Judaea 

Young Judaea, America’s oldest Zionist youth movement, has touched the lives of generations of American Jews through our activities, camps and Israel programs. With such deep roots in the Jewish community in both America and Israel, you can depend on us to provide the highest quality program that will be fun, safe, exciting and intriguing.    

• We Grew Up With Israel

  Young Judaea was founded in 1909 with the purpose of actively supporting the cause of creating an independent Jewish State in our ancient homeland. Once Israel was established in 1948, Young Judaea almost immediately began bringing young adults to Israel for volunteer and tour experiences. Today, we put our energy and unsurpassed experience into providing participants with an excellent Taglit-Birthright Israel trip – so join us now!
  

• We Take You Beyond the Headlines

  With such deep roots in Israel, we connect you the Israel that others don’t get to see. For example, our itineraries always include a social action project so that you can see what is really happening in Israeli communities and Israeli soldiers will travel with you for half of the trip. That’s a great way to get integrated into Israel!
  

• Classic Israel Experiences ARE Included

  All of Young Judaea’s trips include the classic Israel experiences that participants will remember for a lifetime. Participants will hike up Masada for an amazing sunrise atop the mountain forthress, float in mineral-rich Dead Sea waters and raft the chilly Jordan River! You'll experience Jerusalem's holiness and pray at the world-renown Western Wall.  You'll enjoy Tel Aviv's balmy Mediterranean climate by day and hit the town later on to take advantage of its bustling nightlife . In short, our commitment is to provide all the classic Israel experiences during the short time you are here so that you get a well-rounded and true ISRAEL experience. 

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  Great Trip Dates, Great Trip Options

  Each trip season, Young Judaea offers great travel dates and multiple departures making it easy for you to find a trip that is perfect for your schedule. Unlike other trip organizers, we publicize our trip dates on the secondary application where applicants can select and prioritize all the trips that work for them! Moreover, we offer a large number of specialty and partner trips each season. For Summer 2013, we are offering officially sanctioned 14-day extended trips as well as a number of niche trips for particpants interested everything from new media to skateboarding to hip hop!  Learn more about our trip options here.

   

• Ask BIG Questions

  As an educational organization, we ensure that our trips are led by the best Israeli tour guides and include top speakers and programming. We encourage our participants to ask “BIG” questions in order to spur learning at all levels. Young Judaea welcomes all questions – big or small – as the basis for generating discussion and, ultimately, knowledge.

• Everybody is Welcome

Young Judaea is a pluralistic, non-denominational organization. We have designed our tours for Jewish young adults of all backgrounds based on our commitment to the unity of the Jewish People! Moreover, while we are pleased to welcome participants who were (or still are) a part of Young Judaea,  although most of participants were not involved in the movement -- everyone is welcome! 

• When the Trips Over, the Journey Has Just Begun
  

Want to stay in Israel? Thinking of coming back? With programs like Amirim and WUJS Israel, Young Judaea is well suited to providing options for your next trip to Israel or your further involvement in the community. What's more, as an alumnus of our Taglit-Birthright Israel program, you'll receive a special discount towards participation! 

What are you waiting for?