Sheldon Adelson meets with Hillel students on a Taglit-birthright israel trip.

(JTA) The Adelson Family Charitable Foundation donated nearly $30 million to Taglit-birthright israel for next year's trips.

The gift brings the total pledged to the program by the foundation to nearly $60 million.

The latest gift will help eliminate the long waiting lists that have resulted from the program's overwhelming popularity.

When it was established in February by philanthropists Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson, the foundation provided $25 million to Taglit-birthright israel, allowing for twice as many trips to Israel this summer by Jews aged 18 to 26.

Nearly 32,000 applications, a record for the program, were received from North Americans alone for just over 19,000 spaces this summer

The Adelsons had given $5 million to the program in December 2006, enabling those on the waiting list to participate in the winter trips.

“The program's success in creating and maintaining Jewish continuity and a commitment to Israel is unparalleled,” Sheldon Adelson said in a statement.