Registation Info & Trip Dates

Thanks for your interest in the Taglit-Birthright Israel experience with URJ Kesher -- the free Israel trips specially designed for Reform Jews and their friends. We love our trips, and we are thrilled to share this once-in-a-lifetime experience with you! Learn about how registration works below, and get on the official registration update list.

Summer Trip Registration Now Closed

Already registered for a summer trip? Learn more about May, June, July, or August trip placements.
Missed registration? Sign-up below to learn about future trips.

How Registration Works

Trips are offered in two separate seasons -- winter/spring trips and summer trips. For summer trips, registration typically opens in mid-February. For winter/spring trips, registration typically opens in mid-September. Registration only stays open for about a week each season. Registrations do not carry over from season to season, but returning applicants do receive priority status for future rounds. We highly encourage you to sign-up for our official registration update list to receive valuable alerts about upcoming trips and application steps.

When Trips Are Offered...

Winter/Spring trips are offered throughout December, January, February, and March. Summer trips  are offered throughout May, June, July, and August. According to Taglit-Birthright Israel rules, we can not post trip dates in advance of registration. We can tell you that URJ Kesher offers a wide selection of trip date choices with flights departing from New York City and occassionally from Los Angeles and Philadelphia.

Below is a short summary of the registration process. Read it carefully. We also posted more Detailed Registration Instructions so that you can be fully prepared once registration opens.

STEP #1: Primary Application & Refundable Deposit
Once registration opens, complete the Primary Application (this link will become when registration opens) on the Taglit-Birthright Israel web site. Be sure to choose URJ Kesher as your Taglit-Birthright Israel trip organizer (Why URJ Kesher?). You will only be able to select your preferred trip type and travel month (e.g. URJ Kesher / May / Ages 18-22 or 22-26). Finally, you will be asked to submit a $250 refundable deposit. Your application will only be considered complete once you have submitted the deposit (Trip Deposit?).

We highly recommend completing your entire Primary Application on the first day of registration to improve your chances of being selected.

STEP #2: Secondary Application & Choosing Dates
Once the Primary Application closes (typically within a week), you will receive an email invite from URJ Kesher to complete the Secondary Application on the URJ Kesher website. On the Secondary Application you will be able to view our actual trip dates and you will be asked to submit your top-10 trip date choices. You can also let us know if you wish to travel with any friends or family members.The order that you complete the Secondary Application has no relationship to the trip assignment process.

STEP #3: Phone-Based Interview
Before we can offer trip spots, we will conduct a telephone-based interview. The purpose of the interview is to make sure that you are eligible and to answer your questions. Typically we make these calls within 2-4 weeks of the start of registration. Do not panic if you do not hear from us right away. The order that we contact you for your phone-based interview has no relationship to the trip assignment process.

STEP #4: Accept Your Trip Spot
About 3-5 weeks after registration opens, we will begin to send out actual trip confirmations via email. To make your spot on the trip official, you will need to respond to our trip offer message and formally accept your trip assignment or request to make a switch to a different one. For much more information about the registration process: Detailed Registration Instructions.

Who Gets Selected for What Trips?

URJ Kesher assigns applicants to trips according to according to when you complete your application. We consider your application to be complete after you have fully finished the Primary Application – including submitting the refundable trip deposit (Trip Deposit?). We recommend completing the Primary Application with URJ Kesher on the first day of registration to give yourself the best chance of getting on the trip you want. All applications received on the first day will be treated the same no matter what time of day they are received! In addition to honoring a first-come-first-served registration policy, priority trip selection status is granted to applicants who have applied in the past as well as applicants who are about to turn 27 and age out of the program.