Birthright Israel or Taglit in Hebrew offers a gift of a free 10-day trip to Israel for Jewish young adults between the ages of 18 to 26. If you have never been to Israel on a peer group, educational trip you are entitled to choose between a variety of programs from a number of trip organizers under the umbrella organization of Birthright Israel.  Designed by Jewish educators and philanthropists together with the Government of Israel and local Jewish communities in order to strengthen the connection between Jewish youth and Israel and to promote Israel as a tool in Jewish learning and identity.  The key words in these exciting, fun 10-day visits are adventure, experience, discover and connect.  It is an exceptional opportunity given as a gift from the promoters and seen by them as the birthright of every young Jewish person to visit Israel.  Many of the short-term programs listed here serve as trip organizers for the birthright organization (some of the long term, or yeshiva programs might as well, offering specific birthright geared trips through their organization or institution).  This means they have fulfilled the criteria, standards and guidelines of the policy makers and have met their stringent approval process.  There are over twenty trip organizers with a variety of programs for every session, spanning the range of educational, religious and experiential possibilities available in the Jewish world and Israel today.  Once you have found a program that interests you it is worthwhile to go to the Birthright Israel web site and see if it is listed as one of their program options at the times you are interested in.  To date over 70,000 young Jewish adults have had an eye opening experience to their Jewish selves and their Israel connection, and have created life long relationships, you are invited to join them.   For more information see website www.birthrightisrael.com or e-mail information@birthrightisrael.com