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Birthright Israel celebrates 18 years of Zionism in festive gala ‎

by  Yori Yalon
Published on  06-28-2018 00:00
Last modified: 06-28-2018 00:00
||

Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson at the Taglit-Birthright gala

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The Taglit-Birthright Israel initiative celebrated its 18th anniversary with a festive gala in Jerusalem Wednesday.‎

Some 6,000 participants from around the world, joined by 1,500 Israeli ‎soldiers, gathered at the Sultan's Pool, one of the most ‎popular open-air venues in the capital, for the biggest celebration in the ‎organization's history.‎

Several prominent Israeli acts performed in the gala, including ‎‎2018 Eurovision song contest winner Netta Barzilai. The event ‎also honored IDF units for their outstanding contribution to the ‎promotion of Taglit-Birthright.‎

Since its foundation in 1999, some 650,000 young Jews from 67 ‎countries have participated in ‎Taglit-Birthright programs. ‎

Revelers at the Taglit-Birthright event Oren Ben Hakoon

Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson, the project's largest ‎donors, also attended the event. The Adelsons have donated $410 million to Taglit-Birthright so far. ‎

Other in attendance were co-founder Charles Bronfman and CEO Gidi Mark, as well as other ‎donors, lawmakers and a delegation of the Birthright Israel ‎Foundation. ‎

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a video message to ‎participants.

"Taglit-Birthright is a life-changing event ‎for many young men and women, who get to discover the miracle ‎that is the State of Israel for the first time," he said.

"They are proud of our ‎democracy and they become active participants in the biggest ‎story ever told: the rebirth of the Jewish people. ‎I thank all of the participants and supporters around the world, and ‎look forward to another 18 years and more of tremendous success ‎for Taglit. Congratulations."‎

Eurovision song contest winner Netta Barzilai performs at the gala Oren Ben Hakoon

Dr. Miriam Adelson spoke to the crowd.

"I'm an Israeli American and I love my ‎country. When I see your faces, I remember two Jews who ‎decades ago wanted to move from Poland to the free land of Israel. ‎They came here alone, met, fell in love, overcame the loss of their ‎families in the Holocaust, got married and became my parents. ‎In their own little world, they made history. They raised Zionist Israeli ‎children. I am proud to raise my children the same way, and they ‎have all participated in Birthright," she said. ‎

‎"Now it's your turn to make history. You are our chance to forge a ‎living bridge with the Diaspora, with Jerusalem in your hearts. You ‎face new challenges – you must defend Israel and be our ‎ambassadors, with wisdom and love, and help change public ‎opinion about Israel.

"Go out and make history for the future of the ‎Jewish people, and continue the legacy of all who fight for the ‎State of Israel," she said. ‎

The Adelson family owns the company that is the primary ‎shareholder in Israel Hayom.‎

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