December 27, 2009 marked the beginning of something new at Oranim. As Momo had announced back in September, this winter, Oranim operated three 10-day trips, funded solely by Momo and his partners at Oranim.

These 10-day trips featured three different age groups: 25-30, 22-25 and 18-22. By separating the participants based on these groups, the trips were able to experience things that had not yet been experienced before. It also gave the opportunity to those who had not been able to go on Taglit-Birthright Israel the chance to go as our eligibility was larger.

We have decided to focus on a different crowd: those ages 23-32. We will speak clearly about our family, about Israel, about extend programs in Israel, about how to support Israel and about Aliyah.

These trips have not gone unnoticed. Over the last few weeks, there has been a great deal of press attention. For those who are interested, you can find excerpts of these articles below with links to continue reading.

January 5, 2010 - By Haviv Retting Gur	Independent 10-day Israel trip launched "Oranim answers the problem of the increasing distance of youth, mainly in North America, from Judaism and Israel," he said. "Today, we need a different voice that will initiate a connection between us and the Diaspora. Instead of sweeping the painful issues we face under the table, [this voice] will raise them for a direct discussion in an open and honest dialogue," said Lifshitz.
January 6, 2010 - By Sharon Udasin	Funding In-Marriage Out Of His Own Pocket "I said shalom to Birthright, and I wished them the best of luck," Lifshitz told his new Israel arrivals during their opening session. "I cannot do that anymore; I have to do it my own way." "Being part of this family gives you a duty," Lifshitz told the group during the trip’s opening session. "You have no right, my dear friend, to cut the chain. You have to try to find Jewish love and do everything you can to make it happen. You can consider these trips as a matchmaking factory."
January 1, 2010 - By Raphael Ahren	'Thanks, Momo, but I'll marry who I want' "Last night, I spoke about Jewish babies and everybody in the room was smiling," Lifshitz told Anglo File Tuesday. "When I speak about making Jewish babies, there will be people who don't like it - although that didn't happen yesterday. I'm not able to influence 100 percent. But if I'm able to influence the majority without having others feel they are not wanted, I did my job."

Would you like to get involved? Do you have a way you can help support this important initiative? Oranim needs all the support we can get. Please contact Micky Zoldan, North American Program Director, at micky@israelfree.com.