Eligibility

Birthright Israel trips are open to all Jewish young adults, ages 18 to 26 years old who have not participated on an educational trip since they turned 18 and/or lived in Israel past the age of 12.

You must have at least one Jewish birth parent or have completed Jewish conversion through a recognized Jewish denomination*. If you’ve converted, we may ask you to provide conversion documentation during the application process.

If you practice another religion and have questions about your Jewish eligibility, please contact information@birthrightisrael.com

Please note that final eligibility for Birthright Israel is only determined after you complete the full registration process and is subject to change.

*Birthright Israel recognizes the following denominations:

• Reform

• Reconstructionist

• Conservative

• Orthodox

• Sephardic

You must be between 18 to 26 years old. Also, it’s okay to apply for Birthright Israel while you’re still a high school student as long as you graduate before the start date of your trip.

Yes! But your 18th birthday must fall before or on the first day of your trip.

It depends. If you’ve been to Israel before, but only with your family or for personal business, you’re still eligible as long as you were there for under 3 months.

For more details on specific kinds of trips, see below.

Personal Trips Applicants who traveled to Israel since turning 18 on a family trip, a multi-generational trip, or some interfaith/secular experiences are eligible. High School Trips Applicants who traveled to Israel prior to turning 18, on a program designed for high school teens, for a period shorter than three months in length are eligible. Even if you were 18 at the time of the trip, you are eligible, as long as the trip was designed for high school students. Applicants who participated in most “High School in Israel” programs for up to a semester are eligible. University Trips Applicants who traveled to Israel after turning 18 on programs including gap year programs, to attend University or study abroad semesters/programs, yeshiva & seminary, as well as any program under the umbrella of Onward Israel or Masa are not eligible. Volunteer Programs/Other Trips Applicants who volunteered on programs such as Magen David Adom, participated in the Maccabiah games and/or traveled on family Federation missions are eligible as long as the programs were for a period shorter than 3 months. Applicants who participated in Young Professional Federation missions are not eligible. Unsure about your eligibility? Please contact us at info@goyael.com

It depends - If you are an Israeli citizen, you are only eligible if you never lived in Israel or left before the age of 12 (official documentation will be required). If you are accepted to the program, you will need to obtain army exemption papers from your local Israeli consulate.

If you served in the Israeli Army or volunteered on an Israel Army base after the age of 18, or participated on an army program you are not eligible.

Not while you’re still enrolled in the program. Students in exclusively Jewish Studies programs in any institute of higher learning, including Jewish teacher training programs, Jewish Studies Programs (not including Jewish Studies major or minor candidates at secular institutions), rabbinical programs, yeshivot/seminaries, Jewish communal service programs and the like are not eligible for a Birthright Israel trip while they are still in the study program.

Not at all! We don’t ask applicants to share their political views. The Birthright Israel trip is for all Jewish young adults from around the globe. That being said, while on the trip, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss historical and current events in an organized and educational setting.

Birthright Israel recognizes the following denominations:

• Reform

• Reconstructionist

• Conservative

• Orthodox

• Sephardic

If your eligibility is in question our team may ask for you to provide identification recognized by your local community or by one of the recognized denominations* of Judaism.

*Birthright Israel recognizes the following denominations:

• Reform

• Reconstructionist

• Conservative

• Orthodox

• Sephardic

How you choose to define your Jewishness is up to you. This trip is a chance to discover Israel and explore your Jewish identity, whether it be cultural or spiritual. We welcome participants from diverse backgrounds so you’ll fit right in.

While DNA testing kits are a cool way to learn about your ancestry, we don’t accept them as proof for eligibility. You must have at least one Jewish birth parent or have completed Jewish conversion through a recognized Jewish denomination.

We take adoption cases very seriously and prefer to talk to you about your situation 1 on 1. Please contact us at info@goyael.com