Study: Birthright travelers look different after Oct. 7 - but the effect remains the same

Key Points:

• Len Saxe's research at Brandeis University reveals that individuals who signed up for Birthright trips in summer 2025 but did not participate showed a significant decline in connection to Israel and Jewish identity, attributed partly to lack of contextual experience amid widespread criticism of Israel.
• The 2025 Birthright cohort saw demographic shifts, including a rise in Orthodox participants to about 20%, an increase in Jewish day school attendees to 38%, and a political shift with 42% identifying as conservative compared to 20% in 2023.
• Despite disruptions from the Iran war and the Gaza conflict, participants reported strengthened Jewish identity and connection to Israel, with liberals notably experiencing a heightened sense of Jewish importance after the trip.
• Birthright leadership emphasized the program's role as a crucial countermeasure against declining Jewish engagement among young Jews, warning that without such interventions, the community risks losing younger generations.
• The study highlights Birthright's continued success in deepening Jewish identity, particularly among those with initially weaker connections, underscoring its importance amid rising antisemitism and polarized perspectives on Israel.