Birthrighters bring youth perspective to General Assembly
By Josh Marks    November 23, 2006

Israel and the North American Diaspora converged at the Los Angeles Convention Center last week and Taglit-birthright israel seized on this historic gathering of Jewish leaders to promote the program.

The United Jewish Communities' 2006 General Assembly returned to L.A. for the first time in 26 years and the more than 4,000 participants, including an estimated 250 attendees age 30 and under, experienced a four-day conference heavily focused on Israel because of the recent defensive war against Hezbollah.

The UJC represents 155 Jewish Federations across North America and the General Assembly is the annual conclave of the organized Jewish community. Before the war broke out this summer, the theme of the G.A. was "Be with the Stars," highlighting humanitarian efforts of leaders in the community. However, the focus turned to Israel and the theme was changed to "Together on the Frontline: One People, One Destiny."

The highlight of the conference for birthright alumna Livi Gutman was hearing Karnit Goldwasser, the wife of kidnapped soldier Udi, speak about her husband at the opening plenary. Gutman, who participated in an Orinim trip in the summer of 2003, was one of several volunteers who disseminated information at the birthright booth.

"Birthright is a major organization and even though a lot of people know about it, it's important that other people know about it," said Gutman.

While there were many issues on the table, including existential threats to Israel such as a nuclear Iran, the theme of tourism and bringing people to Israel post-Lebanon could be heard from the podium by the Israeli speakers and seen in the marketplace by the many exhibitors.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in his keynote speech mentioned birthright by name as a program that strengthens the Jewish connection to Israel. His comments about birthright and similar organizations received a loud ovation from the thousands in attendance. UJC funds one-third of Taglit-birthright israel trips, with the rest coming from the State of Israel and private philanthropists.

"I know how many of you are involved in these programs. I know how many of you are invested in these programs. And I want to tell you from our side that these programs are essential in order to build up the bond between the Jewish youth and the State of Israel," said Olmert.

The large Israeli delegation at the G.A. included Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu, Education Minister Yuli Tamir, Tourism Minister Isaac Herzog, members of the Knesset and representatives from the Jewish Agency and other Israeli organizations.

Since most of the participants in the G.A. were above the birthright age limit of 26, the task for volunteers was to allay the concerns of parents whose sons or daughters were considering an Israel trip.

"If I could convince even one person who was hesitant for one of their family members to attend a birthright group then I had done my job," said alumnus Omid Saleh, who went to Israel with Orinim in the summer of 2005. "Birthright at the G.A. shows those in the 'elder' community that we are here, we do care and we want to make a difference if we can."



Josh Marks is a website production editor and freelance writer at Variety -- the trade magazine for the entertainment industry. He also writes movie reviews, covers local sports and profiles neighborhoods and small businesses for community newspapers in Long Beach, Santa Monica and the San Fernando Valley.