were 16 percentage points more likely to have a Jewish spouse or partner than similar nonparticipants Birthright increased participants’ likelihood of engagement in Jewish life One out of four Birthright participants ends up marrying another Birthright participant. Economic benefit to Israel According to the organization, Birthright Israel has contributed more than 2 billion NIS to the Israeli economy. Similar trips Birthright Israel has inspired similar heritage programs for other diasporas with similar goals, including Birthright Armenia for the Armenian diaspora, ReConnect Hungary for young adults of the Hungarian diaspora in the U.S. and Canada, Birthright Greece for the Greek diaspora, and Domovina Birthright Program for Croatians. Birthright also loosely inspired CubaOne Foundation for Cuban-Americans and Birthright Africa for young Americans of African descent, which was founded in 2015. Criticism The Birthright Israel program has been criticized for its pre-trip screening process, such as allegedly excluding applicants for political reasons. The pro-Palestinian Jewish Voice for Peace runs a campaign called Return the Birthright, which criticizes the Birthright Israel program and urges young Jews to boycott it, stating: "it's unjust that we get a free Birthright trip, while Palestinian refugees can't return to their homes". Birthright Unplugged was founded in 2014 to counterbalance Birthright Israel, with the goal of exposing Jewish and non-Jewish visitors to Palestinian communities inside and outside of Israel. See also Diaspora politics Diaspora politics in the United States Jewish diaspora Jewish Agency for Israel Jewish education Nefesh B'Nefesh Tourism in Israel Heritage tourism Genealogy tourism Youth aliyah Hakhshara Youth village References External links Official Foundation website Zionist organizations Zionism in the United States Zionism in Canada Zionist youth movements Tourism in Israel Jewish Agency for Israel Organizations established in 1994 Youth organizations based in New York (state) 1994 establishments in New York (state)