Birthright Israel Foundation Blog

Levi Meir Clancy was born in Los Angeles, CA, and is of Ashkenazi and Okinawan descent. Levi's work, passions, and hobbies are all one and the same. He explained that growing up with a minority’s perspective on survival from both sides of his family — an estimated one-third to one-half of Okinawans perished in atrocities during World War II —… Read More 

On June 14, 2022, Birthright Israel Foundation donors and supporters joined for an intimate gathering with Birthright Israel alumni at the beautiful Chicago home of Lori Komisar & Morrie Silverman. Attendees had the pleasure of hearing remarks from Dr. Zohar Raviv, International Vice President of Educational Strategy at Birthright Israel, and Birthright Israel Alumnus Billy Steinberg, who shared how a 10-day… Read More 

Caleb Esrig grew up in New Rochelle, NY, where he attended Solomon Schechter School of Westchester (now The Leffell School), where he first developed his passion for Judaism. For college, Caleb attended Harvard, where he studied Economics and worked closely with Combined Jewish Philanthropies and the Harvard Hillel. Today, Caleb works as an associate consultant in Bain & Company's New… Read More 

On Tuesday, May 17th, 2022, Birthright Israel Foundation hosted its 22nd Anniversary Gala honoring the program's Co-Founder Charles Bronfman, and celebrating his 90th birthday. Charles shared his vision and passion for transforming the Jewish future and gave us an inside glimpse into how Birthright Israel became a reality. His stepson, Tony Cohen and his children, Stephen Bronfman and Ellen Bronfman-Hauptman,… Read More 

Are you familiar with the Jewish festival of Shavuot and all it entails? Thousands of years ago, what began as a harvest festival now commemorates the Israelites receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai. And from there, Jews throughout the world celebrate with dairy delights and all-night study sessions. So, whether you're familiar with Shavuot or not, we suggest taking our… Read More 

For long-time St. Louis donor Greg Siwak, Jewish philanthropic causes have always been of the utmost significance. Growing up, Greg's parents and grandparents were his role models for giving back to the Jewish community. His mother, Nancy Siwak, even served as Board Chair of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis and is now on their Council of Life. "Supporting the… Read More 

Rabbi Jordan Gerson is a 14-time Birthright Israel trip staffer, a Birthright Israel Fellow and serves as a rakaz for Hillel International Birthright Israel trips. Originally from St. Louis, Rabbi Jordan landed his dream job when he took the position of Campus Rabbi at Washington University and was glad to be back in his hometown. Most recently, Rabbi Jordan staffed… Read More 

Birthright Israel dads are some of the program's most devoted supporters and best fans. They know just how important it is for young Jews to see Israel for themselves and form bonds with the land and people. That is why we're giving out a shoutout to Birthright Israel dads everywhere on Father's Day and sharing a few reasons why they… Read More 

Jacob Babbin is a 2022 Birthright Israel alumnus with Non-Verbal Learning Disability (NVLD). Non-Verbal Learning Disability is when people struggle with various conditions that include social and spatial disabilities. Jacob knew about the Birthright Israel program but thought he would not be a good fit because of his disability. Nonetheless, Jacob pushed himself to sign up and was elated with… Read More 

You'd guess right if you guessed that Jewish mothers are some of Birthright Israel's biggest fans and Birthright Israel Foundation's most devoted supporters. For over two decades, Jewish moms and grandmothers have encouraged their offspring to sign up for Birthright Israel. They know that a peer-led experience in Israel encourages their children to find their own connections to the land… Read More 

Every year, Israelis and Jews worldwide come together to commemorate and celebrate two important days on the Jewish calendar: Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut. Yom HaZikaron is Israel's Memorial Day to remember those who lost their lives fighting for the establishment of the State of Israel and all military personnel killed in active duty. Yom Ha'atzmaut is Israeli Independence Day… Read More