Sheldon Adelson and wife give $13m to Birthright


Jewish-American billionaire Sheldon Adelson and his wife Miriam donated 13 million dollars to Birthright-Taglit, it was announced on Tuesday.

The couple's gift to the organization, which brings young Jewish adults on free trips to Israel, came in addition to the 20 million dollars they already gave it earlier this year.

“We are so grateful to the Adelsons for all they have done for us,” said Gidi Mark, CEO of Taglit-Birthright Israel. “This new gift brings their total giving to over $140 million and moves us significantly toward our target of 42,000 participants this year. This will enable us to take full advantage of the generous matching grant provided by the Government of Israel.”

The 78-year-old hotel and casino tycoon said in a press release that Birthright was "the best vehicle to strengthen the Jewish community and our People’s connection with the State of Israel" and that the donation would help bring "5,000 more young adults" on Birthright trips.

His Israeli wife Miriam said she and her husband felt "blessed that we have been able to contribute to the growth of this remarkable program." She called Jewish federations and other donors to "join us in increasing their gifts."

Sheldon, whose fortune was estimated by Forbes at 24.9 billion in 2012, and Miriam Adelson have given generously to Jewish causes over the past couple of years, including a 25 million donation to Yad Vashem Holocaust museum last year.

Since its founding in 2000, Birthright has brought over 300,000 young adults to Israel from 59 countries.

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