Taglit-Birthright Israel trip participants pictured with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson will donate $40 million to this year's program. Photo: Taglit-Birthright Israel.

JNS.org – Jewish philanthropists Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson announced they will donate $40 million to this year’s Taglit-Birthright Israel program, bringing their total contribution to the program to more than $250 million. Birthright provides free 10-day educational trips to Israel for Jews ages 18-26.

Of the latest donation, $30 million has already been transferred to the program, while the other $10 million will be given during the course of the year. The Adelsons matched the donations of other contributors abroad, and thanks to those combined efforts, an additional 25,000 young Jews this year will be able to make their first visits to Israel.

Some 400,000 Jews have visited Israel through the Birthright program.