80 Outstanding Jewish Students from 12 Countries Complete Birthright Israel Summer Fellowship

Aug 12, 2026 by Susan Rosenbluth

Tel Aviv (August 12, 2026) – The 2026 cohort of the Birthright Israel Excel Fellowship – 80 outstanding college students from around the world – completed the prestigious 9-week program in Israel this week. The fellowship develops emerging leaders in business, technology, and Jewish communal life.

This year’s cohort included participants from 12 countries, including host Israel, with 80 local participants. Fifty participants are from the United States, while 30 come from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Italy, the Russian Federation, Spain, United Kingdom. A few of the participants are visiting Israel for the first time.

“Birthright Israel is thrilled to welcome the 2026 cohort of Birthright Israel Excel: 80 outstanding students selected from thousands of applicants at leading universities around the world, alongside 80 exceptional young Israelis,” said Gidi Mark, International CEO of Birthright Israel. “Birthright Israel Excel is more than an internship program – it is an investment in the future of Jewish leadership. The Jewish world needs talented emerging leaders to carry it into the future. This program is a strategic lifeline for world Jewry, helping ensure our next generation continues to thrive.”

2026 Birthright Excel Cohort

During the last 9 weeks, participants experienced Israel through its innovation, economy, and people, built meaningful relationships with one another, and joined a global community of leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.

Since 2011, the Excel Fellowship has cultivated the next generation of Jewish business leaders. Each year, the fellowship carefully selects top students from thousands of applicants for summer internships with leading business and tech companies in Tel Aviv.

Their internships spanned fields including finance, consulting, engineering, venture capital, software development, cybersecurity, biotechnology, and business development.

“One of the pillars of the program this year was preparing community members for the hostile environment they might face on campuses, by giving them tools to better deal with the challenges they encounter there, along with a supportive network,” said Idit Rubin, executive director of Birthright Israel Excel.

Gidi Mark, International CEO of Birthright Israel. and Idit Rubin, executive director of Birthright Israel Excel

“We genuinely believe that by strengthening ties in the business world and through professional connections, we’re also strengthening Israel and the Jewish communities around the world. We look forward to continuing these relationships and developing them.”

After their return home, the Excel fellows enter a global network that provides resources for professional and personal development, Israel engagement, and Jewish leadership, encouraging them as philanthropists.

Birthright Excel

Birthright Israel Excel fellows have gone on to positions at top-tier companies such as J.P. Morgan Chase, Bain & Company, and Google. Others have developed strategic partnerships with Israeli companies and started their own companies, often hiring other fellows.