The Israeli government has pledged to sponsor about a third of Birthright Israel's Excel fellowship program, the Prime Minister's Office announced Thursday. The Excel program was launched in 2011 as part of Birthright Israel's commitment to bolster business and technology ties between Israel and young Jews in the Diaspora. Government funding will enable it to diversify and further develop the program, as well as reach a greater number of outstanding students from Jewish communities in the U.S. and around the world. Birthright Israel is the largest provider of free educational and cultural trips in the world. The Excel program is an exclusive fellowship that offers an all-expenses-paid 10-week internship program in Israel, and continues with year-round activities led by the community and its members. The program connects high-performing college students and graduates with leading businesspeople in Israel, and offers participants the opportunity to work in a wide range of sectors, including finance, venture capital, consulting, cybersecurity, high-tech and bio-tech. More than 230 young adults have participated in the program to date. It is supported by the Steinhardt Family Foundation, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, and the Paul E. Singer Foundation. Past companies that have participated in the Excel program include Check Point Software, Ernst & Young Israel, and Magma Ventures Partners. "We are pleased that the Israeli government has recognized the strength and potential of our Excel program," Birthright Israel CEO Gidi Mark said. "This added support will allow the program to connect even more Jewish young adults with their Israeli peers and leading entrepreneurs in Israel in order to create life-long career, business and networking opportunities for them." In addition to the Business track, Birthright Excel launched the Ventures track this year, a similar fellowship focusing on entrepreneurs. Ventures program participants work in an accelerator environment starting from initial creation to an early stage proof of concept, and they are mentored by leading figures in the Israeli startup community. Last summer, Birthright Israel partnered with the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange to launch its State of Mind innovation center in Tel Aviv, which celebrates Israeli entrepreneurship throughout history and has hosted hundreds of Birthright Israel participants to date. Since 2000, Birthright Israel has provided free trips to more than 500,000 Jewish young adults between the ages of 18 and 26, with the goal of strengthening Jewish identity, facilitating cultural understanding, and fostering solidarity with Israel and its people.
Government pledges support for Birthright's Excel fellowship
The Excel program was launched in 2011 as part of Birthright Israel's commitment to bolster business and technology ties between Israel and young Jews in the Diaspora • Government to fund a third of the program to boost its development, outreach.
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