Cohen Center finds Taglit-Birthright Israel trip has major impact on Jewish intermarriage

According to research just released by the Maurice & Marilyn Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies, the Taglit-Birthright Israel program, which provides young Jewish adults with free, 10-day educational trips to Israel, may also help determine who participants eventually choose to walk down the aisle with. "Generation Birthright Israel: The Impact of an Israel Experience on Jewish Identity and Choices," found that Birthright participants are significantly more likely to marry within the Jewish faith than those who did not take the trip.

The Cohen Center's survey, which was spearheaded by the center's director, Leonard Saxe, is the first long-term study of Taglit-Birthright Israel alumni to document the program's impact on early participants and their decisions and attitudes regarding marriage, community, and connection to Israel. The report finds, most dramatically, a deepening attachment to Israel and commitment to Jewish family.

You can read the full report here, and read a Wall Street Journal article on the study here.


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