In a nutshell, you're eligible for a Birthright Israel trip if you are age 18-26* and meet Birthright Israel's Jewish background criteria.

Additionally, you must have already graduated from high school by the time of the trip, and cannot be attending a full-time Jewish studies program. Finally, this must be your first Jewish peer trip to Israel since turning 18. See below for more eligibility details...

Honoring the Eligibility Rules

Birthright Israel's eligibility rules are a serious matter. Your honesty and integrity are expected. Falsifying or misrepresenting your background to get on a trip is no different morally or legally than stealing ~$5,600 USD and will result in an embarassing program removal that nobody wants.

Ages 18-26*

Applicants must be between ages 18-26* at the time of the trip and must have already graduated from high school. Anyone who is still age 26* as of May 1st is eligible for a trip in the upcoming summer season (May, June, July, or August). For winter trips (November, December, January, February, or March), anyone who is still age 26* as of December 1st is eligible for the winter season of trips. Contact us for additional details.

*ANNOUNCEMENT | Birthright Israel eligibility is temporarily expanding to age 32 for trips through Summer 2026 – LEARN MORE

Jewish Background

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: (1) have at least one Jewish birth parent, or (2) have converted to Judaism. That's it! You don't need to be religious to qualify or to 'fit in' on our trips. In fact, many of our participants have more of a cultural connection to Judaism than a traditional one.

NOTE: We strongly believe there is no "right way" to be Jewish, and you will never need to worry about being "Jewish enough" on any of our trips. Our groups are comprised of people of diverse backgrounds and our approach is entirely welcoming.

Prior Israel Visits

You ARE likely eligible for a trip if:

You traveled to Israel on a peer program designed for high school teens that was less than three months in length and before your 18th birthday (if you were age 18 at the time of the trip, you're still eligible, as long as the trip was designed for high school students).

You traveled to Israel on a family trip, multi-generational trip, or interfaith/secular trip since you turned 18.

In general, you're still eligible for a trip if you participated in a high school-age Israel trip for up to four (4) months. Contact us for more details.

You ARE NOT eligible for a trip if:

You traveled to Israel after your 18th birthday on a program for college students or young adults. Examples include study abroad, gap year, yeshiva/seminary, internship, or any other experience affiliated with Onward or Masa.

Additional Criteria

Graduated high school by the time of the trip

Haven't lived in Israel for more than 3 months since the age of 12

Have not served in the Israeli Army

Not currently enrolled in a Jewish Studies program at any institute of higher learning. This includes Jewish Teacher Training programs, Jewish Studies programs, Rabbinic programs, Yeshiva/Seminary, Jewish Communal Service programs, etc.

Have a current USA address, which includes being a resident, citizen, or full-time student in the USA. Applicants living in Canada are eligible to travel on our specialty trips, including Tel Aviv Pride and our Russian-speaking trip, departing from the United States.

UNSURE ABOUT YOUR ELIGIBILITY?

Many prospective travelers wonder if they are "Jewish enough" to be eligible for this trip. If you are curious, we encourage you to contact us by email or schedule a call to talk it out. We are happy to clarify your status and help get your application underway.