Among the Jewish community in America, a program called “Taglit-Birthright” is fast becoming a well-known rite of passage.

At first glance, the idea of it is almost unbelievable. A free trip to Israel for Jewish young adults aged 18 to 26?

In the U.S., where free travel is pretty much a non-existent term, it’s hard to believe such a program exists. But, to date, more 145,000 young adults have successfully completed this 10-day adventure.

So, pack your bags, kids … You’re going to Israel!

Taglit-Birthright is a program started in 1999 that provides first time, peer group, educational trips to Israel for Jewish young adults not only in the U.S., but around the world. What’s the purpose of this free vacation?

Taglit-Birthright aims to diminish the growing division between Israel and Jewish communities around the world; to strengthen the sense of solidarity among world Jewry; and to strengthen participants’ personal Jewish identity and connection to the Jewish people.

Basically, they want you to fall in love with Israel, and fall in love with Israelis. And after 10 days touring the country with new friends, eating fresh hummus and schwarma, and forming a personal connection to your heritage, that may just happen.

For many parents, the images of the Middle East that flood our TVs can be troubling. But for participants that return from this 10-day experience in Israel, the overwhelming sentiment is usually a feeling of safety, a feeling of finding a “second home,” and most of all, a desire to return.

Before putting their children on a plane, parents are briefed on the ins and outs of the safety and security on these tours. Birthright trips do not take any public transportation while in Israel. Each group has its own chartered bus and driver, and is outfitted with GPS equipment that is monitored 24 hours a day. Groups are always escorted by at least one (if not two) armed medics. In addition, trip organizers often rent out entire nightclubs or bars for its social events.

Taglit-Birthright Israel is the umbrella organization that sponsors these tours. It accredits individual trip organizers to run approved programs and sets down the basic guidelines, standards and security policies by which organizers must operate. There are usually more than 20 Taglit-Birthright Israel-accredited trip organizers running trips each session.

Sessions run from May to August and December to March. The basic format of each trip is the same across the board.

Trips are 10 days long, and all must adhere to specific guidelines. No matter which trip you choose, you will find Israeli tour guides, five or 10 days spent getting to know your Israeli peers (mostly soldiers and students), a tour of the Old city of Jerusalem and the Western Wall, the ability to watch the sunrise at the top of Massada and float in the Dead Sea; visits to cities like Tel Aviv, Haifa, Tzfat and Eilat, accommodation in three or four-star hotels, and uniform safety and security procedures.

If that sounds like a lot for 10 days, that’s because it is. The running joke about “birthright buses” is that they are able to move faster than any other car in Israel.

Participants get their start early in the morning, and tour the country and engage in bonding and educational activities till late at night. Birthright trips schedule every day to include as many activities and visits as possible, giving participants not only a whirlwind adventure but a comprehensive view of the entire country. Participants soon see that sleep is not the priority on this trip, but find ways to work in some extra zzz’s on bus rides between cities.

Trip organizers do have some flexibility to make their particular tour unique. The organizer Israel Outdoors, for example, incorporates more outdoor activities than traditional groups. Israel Outdoors has three methods of travel for their trips: Israel by foot, Israel by bike, and its original program, Israel Quest.

The organizing group Shorashim takes the concept of “mifgash” (encounter) to the next level: All programs invite Israelis peers to join the trip to experience Israel alongside participants. Instead of five to six days, Shorashim has Israeli peers on the trip for the full 10 days, giving participants even more time to get to know each other and make lasting cross-cultural friendships.

The trip organizer Oranim was the first group to bring students to Israel with Taglit-Birthright, and distinguishes itself by providing a “100 percent Israeli” experience. It is an Israeli-based company that does not outsource any part of the trip—it creates, plans and delivers each part of the educational program. In addition, Oranim has a vibrant and active alumni community, offers multiple departure cities, and a “Hebrew to GO” program that helps participants pick up some of the basics of the native language.

To join, participants must have either a Jewish parent or grand-parent. From there, it’s as easy going to www.birthrightisrael.com, where you can view the different trip organizers, sign up to receive online registration information, and find out everything you need to know for before, and even after your trip.

By Michelle Fields for PeterGreenberg.com.

We’ve got plenty more travel information on Israel’s biggest city, Tel Aviv, in our Off-the-Brochure Travel Guide: Tel Aviv, Israel.

If you’re a member of one of the world’s other religions, get more information on Religious Tours and Travel.

What about other tours you can take with a group of friends or family? Don’t miss our Group Tours section.