$5 million donated for Israel trips

Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson with Israel Ambassador Michael Oren

A gift of $5 million from philanthropists Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson has been announced by the Taglit-Birthright Israel organization that offers students trips to Israel.

The latest contribution from the Adelsons brings their contribution for this year to $10 million, and in all, the Adelson Family Foundation has donated more than $100 million to the organization.

The organization sponsors 10-day pilgrimages to Israel for students to give them an opportunity to discover their roots, history and heritage, the group says.

The word "Taglit" means "discovery" in Hebrew, and the organization says it has sent nearly 300,000 Jewish college students and young adults to Israel.

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The organization said it now is sending letters to some 2,000 young adults who had applied for the trip but had been told they would be on a waiting list.

Nearly 22,500 have registered for the trips this winter, officials said.

"We want to have an impact, and we believe that Birthright Israel is the best Jewish program in this generation," said Sheldon Adelson. "My parents always wanted to go to Israel but never made it. I made a promise that I would do everything I could to help any young person who wanted to visit Israel through the Birthright Israel program be able to do so."

Birthright's trips are 10 days and free to Jewish adults between the ages of 18 and 26. The goal is to strengthen the participants' identity as Jews, build an understanding and bond between the land and the people of Israel and contribute to the solidarity of the Jewish people worldwide.

Students have come from more than four dozen nations, all 50 states, all Canadian provinces and territories and some 1,000 North American college campuses.

The organization announced just this month that its winter season was opened with a group of 40 participants who arrived at Ben Gurion Airport from France.

"I came here alone without knowing anyone from the group, but I have already gotten to know very nice people," Parisian Cecile Mayer said. "I am looking forward to having the time of my life in the country we all belong to. I have many expectations and I am really excited to discover and visit the Holy Land."