Donor Gives $60-Million for Trips to Israel

The American billionaire Sheldon G. Adelson has pledged $60-million to help sponsor trips to Israel for Jewish youths, reports Haaretz.

The money will support Taglit-Birthright Israel, which brings young people to Israel to teach them about their heritage at a cost of about $2,500 each. Mr. Adelson’s gift will allow the group to double the number of participants this year to 25,000. In addition, the gift will ensure shorter waiting times for applicants, who previously had to be put on a waiting list.

Mr. Adelson plans to give half of the money this year and the remainder in 2008. He also recently founded a Hebrew language newspaper in the region.

Read an article in The Chronicle about the founding of Birthright Israel and also the Chronicle‘s most recent annual list of America’s most-generous donors, on which Mr. Adelson and his wife, Miriam, appear.

(A paid subscription or temporary pass is required to view Chronicle article on Birthright Israel.)