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Source: http://www.mercurynews.com/valley/ci_6562224
Deeper Connection with Her Culture: Program Aims to Link Young Jews to Israel
[San Jose Mercury News] Kim Vo - Amy Blasberg, a 23-year-old preschool teacher, always wanted to visit Israel. Then a friend went last year - for free. He came back raving about "his amazing time, how cool the people were." A bold program has been enticing young Jews with free trips for those who are age 18 to 26. When Taglit Birthright started in 2000, it sent 12,000 young adult Jews to Israel, program officials said. Today, it's nearly 30,000 annually - and the group claims it's shepherded about 150,000 people to Israel over the years. During the 10-day visits, participants tour Jerusalem and meet with other Jews like themselves in a land where they are not the minority. Israel has historically played a central role in Judaism, said Rabbi Melanie Aron of Congregation Shir Hadash in Los Gatos. People face Jerusalem when they pray and mention Israel in their prayers. She encourages people in her congregation, young and old, to go if they can and has led her congregation on several trips. Toward the end of her trip, Blasberg wandered the streets of Jerusalem alone. A shopkeeper asked if she was with Birthright. Yes, she said, but we're going home tomorrow. "He replied: 'You're already home,'" Blasberg recalled.