anybody familiar with Birthright Israel?

[zippy890]

http://www.birthrightisrael.com/bin/en.jsp?enPage=HomePage

My son who is 22 applied for a 'free' trip to Israel with this group. His father, my husband is Jewish. My son likes to travel and explore the world and wants to check this out as a way to travel to Israel.

Anybody here have any experience or know anyone who has traveled to Israel with this group? I've checked out the website and FAQs.Any personal knowledge or experience would be greatly appreciated.

My son assures me its legitimate, not overly religious in the tours and stuff and he's excited about going because he's an adventurer.

I'm more cautious about it and would appreciate any feedback.

thanks

:hi:

[Meshuga]

1. They are legit

Sounds too good to be true doesn't it? :-)

There are all these groups who want younger crowd (ages: 18 - 26) to have a free tour of Israel so they fall in love and want to eventually live there. It's a way to get more Jews to go to Israel.

I don't know of anybody who took advantage of it but it was advertized in my shul not long ago. I don't think it is religious but a way for your son to have a good time and want to return.

[zippy890]

2. thanks

I got the sense it was not religious too.

[DavidMS]

3. I nearly took advantage...

But that was in college and I backed out because of the state dept travel warning that was announced after the al-aska intifada started. Subsequently, I backed out. From what I heard its a defensive move on the part of the Foxman Generation http://www.jewcy.com/feature/2007-07-09/fire_foxman to get at least a few of us 20somthings hooked on washed up 19th century nationalism.

[Phx_Dem]

4. "washed up 19 century nationalism"

What do you suppose should replace nationalism?

[DavidMS]

6. The EU seems to have some things right...

Linguistically and cultural protections for minority groups, economic integration, etc. So there is no need for destructive warfare (see the Balkan wars of the early 20th century and how they lead to the First World War).

[zippy890]

5. Foxman Generation?

something I should know about before encouraging my son to do this?

i don't hear of too many people traveling to Israel these days. My in-laws used to travel there but not so much anymore. They are very encouraging of my son to go though.