(JNS) On the eve of Israel’s 70th anniversary, Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson surprised the audience at the 18th annual Birthright Israel gala by announcing a $70 million donation to the project.

The Birthright Israel project, also known as Taglit in Hebrew, brings Jewish youths from around the world to Israel to foster a bond with the Jewish state.

“Before Israel was founded, my father always said he wished there was a place where Jewish people could live. He always wanted to go, but by the time I could send him, he said he was too old and too sick. I don’t want any kid to say they were too old or too sick to visit Israel,” Adelson told the 650 people in attendance.

Since its inception in 2000, Birthright Israel has brought more than 600,000 Jewish youths and young adults to Israel.