Source: The Houston Chronicle
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/6840805.html
When Nate Levy left home for college from Klein in northwest Houston, religious observance was an unimportant aspect of his life. The Jewish senior at the University of Texas grew up without practicing the religion.
“I knew I was Jewish, but that was the extent of it in my family life,” Levy said. “It wasn't part of my identity and it wasn't important.”
He didn't expect anything to change in college, but became intrigued at the offer for a free 10-day no-strings-attached trip to Israel through the Taglit-Birthright Israel program.
Open to Jewish young adults ages 18-26, Birthright offers the trip to those who have never visited the country in an organized peer group experience.
Now, after his Birthright trip he has taken a second, lengthier trip to Israel and has become an active participant in Jewish life.