The Birthright Program

     The Birthright program was first introduced to me by Dr Stern. While learning more about what it was /is like to be Jewish in modern day America, Dr Stern mentioned this program. Brightpoint provides young adults 18-24 to take a trip to Jerusalem for free. The point of the trip is to engage, see and learn these different components of what it means to be Jewish. To learn and engage with the history of their religion. In perspective this is an amazing opportunity to experience a pilgrimage within their religion. Though there are many positive aspects and benefits from taking on such a pilgrimage, there are still some people that will take advantage of the program. Many students will take the opportunity to go on the trip and not go for the right reasons. They use it as a way to see the world and go overseas to party and avoid the pre-set itinerary, and sometimes even cause trouble. It is said according to the Birthright website, that through a pre screening process if a perspective attendee has a “hidden agenda” they will be removed from the pool of potential pilgrimage attendees.