IfNotNow
 

Not just a free trip.

Birthright

For our entire generation, going on Birthright has been seen as a rite of passage in our Jewish journey. And, for decades, Birthright’s programming has been funded by right-wing donors and designed to obscure, rationalize, and defend the Israeli Occupation. We can no longer allow a free trip that hides the truth be synonymous with being a young Jewish person in America.

This winter break, join us in urging Taglit-Birthright to tell the truth about the Israeli Occupation to the thousands of young American Jews that will participate in its programming.

Going on Birthright this winter?

 

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June 2018

How do I reconcile with the fact that Birthright, a Jewish space, doesn’t uphold the Jewish values I’ve been taught to cherish? We’re encouraged to analyze, to challenge, to question. But why not here? Birthright is missing a crucial component of our Jewish tradition — asking questions. What does this tradition become if we bury some of its most basic values in that process?

- Alyssa, Birthright Participant in March 2018 / Read Full Letter

 

 
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Resources to take on your trip

We have everything you need to ask questions on your trip: maps of the region, facts about Israel/ Palestine, what to do when extending your trip, our Liberation Syllabus for learning more about the Occupation, and more!

This above West Bank map is a physical representation of how the Occupation plays out in the West Bank. The area in blue marks expanding Israeli settlements, while the brown marks Palestinian land. In the map, one sees the blue area of settlements encroaching on Palestinian cities and villages while also cutting them off from one another. This is why the West Bank is sometimes described as 'swiss cheese' or an archipelago; Palestinian areas are becoming increasingly smaller islands distanced from one another by expanding settlements. Not so many years ago, the brown area of Palestinian land was contiguous.

 
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Tell us why you didn’t go on Birthright

Birthright is seeing record drops in their enrollment this winter — upwards of a 50% decrease. That comes out to roughly 5,000 young American Jews who’ve realized that Birthright is #NotJustAFreeTrip. We've heard stories of people who've gone on Birthright — how they hide the Occupation and refuse to meet with Palestinians — we want to hear about the people who decided to learn the truth, rather than hear a sanitized version of Israel's treatment of Palestinians.

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Share your experience on birthright

Birthright claims to be an a-political institution with no agenda. Our experiences tell us otherwise, and we're set on debunking this myth. We need your help to expose their political agenda.

 

What is ifnotnow?

Join Our Growing Movement

We are building a vibrant and inclusive movement within the American Jewish community, across generations and organizational affiliations. This movement is open to any who seek to shift the American Jewish public away from the status quo that upholds the occupation.

To learn more or get involved visit ifnotnowmovement.org

 
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Take action!

 

Make a Donation

Our movement depends on the generosity and support of our community.

 

Sign the 'Not Just a Free Trip' Petition

We can no longer allow a free trip that hides the truth about the Occupation be synonymous with being a young Jewish person in America.

Sign this petition if you think Birthright needs to show young American Jews on its trips the truth.

 

Attend an Orientation Training

Our orientation training is the essential building block of IfNotNow. Through attending one of our trainings, you will get the tools and materials necessary to start participating as a full member of IfNotNow.

 To sign up for a training or to express general interest in attending a training, please click here and complete the form. If you express interest in a city where we currently have trainings, you will then receive a Google Form to register for a specific date. If we aren't in your city yet, we hope to be soon.

Connect with others Locally

IfNotNow members and supporters get together regularly, for actions, community events, and meetings. Find out what’s happening near you by locating your city in the map of IfNotNow locations.

 

Add your testimonial

Let us know about your Birthright experience.

IfNotNow on Instagram

A year ago, we began the #YouNeverToldMe Campaign, asking our beloved jewish camps, schools and youth groups to address the Occupation in their Israel education. We heard countless stories from across the country of Israel education that ignored the Occupation or dehumanized Palestinians — and we know this needs to change. This year, in the spirit of returning, growing and changing, we are sending shanah tovah cards to our leaders, sharing messages of hope for the new year and inviting them to join us on the side of freedom and dignity for all. #ShanahTova #5779
Read more about our effort to collect stories from Jewish Summer Camp and then SUBMIT YOUR STORY LINK IN BIO! [Image Description in Comments]
The Birthright participants who walked off their trips this summer have been so inspiring that this filmmaker is producing a documentary. Help support production costs LINK IN BIO #NotJustAFreeTrip [Image Description in Comments]
Sunday morning reading: Rabbi Sharon Brous writing in the @latimes about the need to educate her daughter and other young Jews about the Occupation. “I don’t know what she’ll ultimately do with everything she has seen. I do know that she won’t grow up and say to us, as so many young Jews are now saying to their parents, rabbis and teachers, ‘#YouNeverToldMe.’” ——————————————————————- Read more LINK IN BIO [Image Description in Comment]
This is the same person who is funding that "free" Birthright trip. #NotJustAFreeTrip ——————————————— Read more link in bio [Image Description in Comments]
“Call IfNotNow, that’s our name! The name again is IfNotNow” #NotJustAFreeTrip