If You Want to Go on Birthright - Building a Jewish Life

If you’re young enough, every conversion candidate thinks about the possibility of going on Birthright.

Converts from any movement can go on Birthright. Any trip provider and any trip by each provider. So a reform convert can go on a trip offered by an orthodox provider. That reform convert could even go on an orthodox trip, provided the convert is willing to abide by the expectations of that trip (and the expectations of the people who will be on that trip with you).

I went on Birthright after my conservative conversion, but I was on a trip organized by an orthodox organization and the specific trip was actually labeled as “modern orthodox.” I think that effectively just meant that the trip was shomer Shabbat and kosher l’mehadrin (a strict level of kashrut). Despite the label, my group ranged from the mostly-secular to Chabad to Satmar (yes, the famously anti-Zionist Satmar).

What are the actual procedural issues that can affect converts who want to go on Birthright? As far as I can tell, there are three primary concerns: 1) whether the conversion will be accepted; 2) whether you’re within the age range; and 3) which trip to go on.

The Conversion

Taglit Birthright Israel’s policy is that “Eligible individuals are those recognized as Jewish by the Jewish community or by one of the recognized denominations of Judaism…”

Tour providers who are certified to run “Taglit Birthright Israel” trips must follow Taglit’s policies. Anecdotes suggest that some providers who were affiliated with a movement (usually orthodox) did not respect conversions their movement didn’t recognize. It seems that Taglit has cleared up that problem several years ago. If you want some anecdotal proof, Israel Free Spirit (an orthodox-affiliated provider) allowed me to even go on a specifically “orthodox trip” with a conversion the orthodox movement would not recognize as a valid conversion (it was conservative). And I was treated respectfully and as just as much Jewish as every other person in my group, both before and during my trip. I had to deal with their main office several times to get an appropriate trip for me, and they were just as respectful of myself as a participant and as a Jew. However, I may have applied after the “follow our rules” crackdown happened.

But there is a qualification: You cannot go on Birthright until your conversion, any conversion, is completed. You do not qualify if you are in-process. To prove this, you’ll either have to send your conversion papers and/or give the contact info for a rabbi involved in your conversion.

If you encounter issues (and I hope you don’t!), contact Taglit with any proof you may have.

The Age Issue

I’ve known several people who opted themselves out of the Birthright pool because they assumed they were “too old.” The trip is for people 18-26, but that’s not all the details. You only have to be 26 at the time of registration. There should be exact cut-off dates noted in the FAQ before each registration season. That means that you might actually be 27 when you go on the trip. The point is, as long as you’re still 26, don’t count yourself out!

The Most Important Thing to Keep in Mind

Birthright registration only opens twice a year, and it’s only open for a week or two (I don’t remember how long). But if I remember right, they don’t advertise the date registration will close. Perhaps it even closes as soon as a certain number of people register. If you’re older, register as soon as you physically can. Providers prioritize “older” participants who might otherwise “age out.” But it’s still worth trying to get as early in the line as you can anyway.

If you know people who have previously gone on Birthright with the provider you want, ask that person if you can list them as a referral. Most providers will use that as another way to “bump” your application in line. And if you’re not very close to aging out, know that you may not get a spot (or be offered a spot you want) for a registration or two. The winter trips tend to be in less demand, so don’t count them out even if the scheduling would be more difficult! I’ve talked to people who were “rejected” as many as 3 times before getting a trip they could take, but most were rejected/unable to go at least once. There’s just not enough money for every participant in every season, but I’ve never met anyone (other than the Kvetching Editor) who didn’t make it work in the end.

Which Trip to Take?

Personally, I think any convert should consider a more “religious” trip simply because we are (or should be) at a higher level of Jewish literacy than the average Birthright attendee.

While I was not orthodox when I signed up for an orthodox trip (but I was orthodox by the time I went on the trip), I knew that the regular “This is what Shabbat is!” kind of trip would drive me insane. I would be bored, and I would get frustrated. (I also wanted to avoid any trip full of 18 year olds in a country where they could drink for the first time. And all the horror stories I heard from friends about sex-in-the-next-sleeping-bag in the Bedouin tents. What can I say, I became an old fogey at some point.)

While maybe a specialty trip would be more appropriate for you (especially the outdoorsy ones!), a more “religious” trip should be considered even by the least traditionally-observant convert from any movement. The conservative and reform movements also offer religiously oriented trips for people with a higher level of Jewish education, but don’t discount another movement’s religious trip if the dates don’t work out for your preferred trip.

You may decide a religious trip isn’t for you, but don’t write it off immediately just because it’s “religious.” But know that, as one of the most knowledgeable people on the trip, you may end up doing a lot of teaching your fellow participants.

Of course, you might avoid the whole issue by going with a Jewish group you’re already active in and affiliated with, such as your college’s Hillel!

Good luck! I hope you get the Birthright trip you want, and that you have as wonderful of a time as I did!