The Adelson Family Charitable Foundation donated nearly $30 million to birthright israel. The gift will help eliminate the long waiting lists that have resulted from the program’s overwhelming popularity. The foundation when it was established in February by philanthropists Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson provided a $25 million gift to birthright, allowing for twice as many trips to Israel this summer by Jews aged 18 to 26. Nearly 32,000 applications, a record for the program, were received from North Americans alone for just over 19,000 spaces this summer The Adelsons had given $5 million to birthright in December, enabling those on the waiting list to participate in the winter trips. “The program’s success in creating and maintaining Jewish continuity and a commitment to Israel is unparalleled,†Sheldon Adelson said in a statement. Birthright israel was to honor the Adelsons on Sunday at a gala in Jerusalem.
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