[4] Between the program's first trip in 1999 and 2024, more than 850,000[5] young Jews from 68 countries in the Jewish diaspora have participated in Birthright Israel.

[13] That year, the late Sheldon Adelson pledged $25 million to Birthright Israel to take applicants off waiting lists and to increase annual capacity to 37,000 for 2007 and 2008.

[14] Ultimately, a lack of funding for alumni programs in the face of an increased emphasis on youth Israel trips led NEXT to shut down by 2015.

[24] Between 2017 and 2022, Birthright raised the upper age limit for eligibility to 32 to reflect the broader cultural shift of young adults delaying major life decisions like getting married and having children.

Tours travel throughout Israel and Jerusalem to religious and cultural sites, including the Western Wall and the Dead Sea.

[31] The tours also include a 5- to 10-day mifgash (Hebrew for 'encounter') with Israeli peers, usually soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Forces.

[33] For security reasons, Birthright Israel trips do not include travel to the West Bank, Gaza Strip, or East Jerusalem, other than the Jewish Quarter of the Old City.

[13] Leonard Saxe of Brandeis University's Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies has evaluated the program's impact since its inception in 1999.

As of 2020, findings include:[38] Birthright has been called the most influential organization in relations between Israel and the Jewish diaspora.

[10] Sociologist Shaul Kelner of Vanderbilt University described Birthright Israel as a "diaspora-building enterprise" to "ensure the continued existence of vibrant, Israel-oriented Jewish communities abroad".

[40] The cancellation of Birthright and other heritage trips due to COVID-19 cost the Israeli economy $200 million, according to Calcalist.

[51][52][53] Jewish Currents wrote, "Birthright has served as one of the most effective propaganda campaigns on behalf of the Israeli government and its occupation of the Palestinian territories.

"[54] The organization has been scrutinized for the large proportion of its funding coming from major Trump and Netanyahu backer Adelson.