When I was a soldier, I accompanied one birthright group and it was amazing. I was able to help one guy on my Taglit trip make aliyah a few months later. I also befriended another student, with whom I am still in almost daily contact three years later. Several of my American friends who went on this said it was an amazing experience and truly strengthened their connection not only to Israel, but to Judaism in general.

It's Funny, The Only Ones that cheer for Blomert don't live here, speak hebrew and are completely clueless to his corruption & antics.

Lots of whooping, cheering and oh yeahs, but when the dust settles, the 'pulling' ends and they return to prosperous N.Y/L.A how many of them will remember Israel? In the U.K its the norm for virtually all 16yr olds to come to Israel for 1 month (albeit not paid). Very very few form any kind of deep attachment from this visit. Still, its worth a try....

which shows ynet making up some news

Israel is the spearhead for the world's Jews. Too bad Olmert doen't know how to hold the pointy end in the right direction.

they wouldnt have to return if there were any decent paying jobs here. for those of us who made aliya, it often seems crazy to stay when there is no money, yet everything is a fortune here, where they pay you in shekels and charge you in dollars. this country better shape up if they want continuing olim

I know at least 3 people who made aliyah from my Birthright trip alone, 2 who went on to serve in the IDF. The program works. Sure, not all Jews are going to move to Israel (would you if you saw Olmert's incompetence), but we learn to love Israel more from this trip and visit more, etc.

From these Talkback comments, it sounds as if the world's Jewish youth are much brighter than US Congress members, who go on similar all-expenses-paid Propaganda Tours but who then buy the zionist line. Most of the olim don't come back. Hmmmm.

naive foreigners!

Dear Mr. Prime Minister, Practice what you preach. Why do you have one son residing in NYC and another in Paris that was not even in the Israeli Army???? You should be ashamed and embarassed, If you cannot practice what you preach then keep your mouth closed. It is always easier to tell others what to do,,,,,,,,,,

ya'all miss the point..Sarit you are right.My son just went on this trip for the first time and his cousin did also.She only knows she was born Jewish and was brought up by my leftist leaning bro/wife who taught their kids ZERO.This is the first exposure she had to anything Jewish and whether she'll live there or not,she finally has a semblance of what it means to have an identity.I am so grateful to Birthright.Otherwise she would never have set foot there!