Samuel on top of Masada

“It’s hard to name one favorite memory from my Birthright Israel trip, however, for me it was exploring my Judaism. I had never had a Bar Mitzvah and I was able to have one on Birthright. It was a very special moment to be able to share with everyone in my group. For that I am very grateful!”
– Samuel, Philadelphia, PA

“I was Bat Mitzvah’d in front of the Western Wall on Sunday December 23rd, 2018. It has been a few weeks since then and I am still processing that one particular moment. It was a wave of powerful healing, a feeling that was quite unexplainable one may say.”
– Carolina, Miami Lakes, FL

Samantha hiking on Birthright Israel

“My trip was so special because of the incredible people from the American staff and participants to the Israeli staff and Israeli peers. Everyone was so accepting and welcoming, it was incredible for me to be surrounded by so many Jewish people, something I have never experienced before. Most of all, I will never forget becoming a Bat Mitzvah in Israel and how meaningful that experience was. I feel more connected now to Israel and my Jewish heritage than I ever had before.”
– Samantha, Davie, FL

Jeffrey with fellow Birthright Israel participants

“A memory from my trip I will never forget was the overwhelming amount of emotions and becoming a Bar Mitzvah at the Western Wall. I was in a spiritual lull after losing my brother to suicide and Birthright Israel gave me my spirit back in a way that I cannot articulate.”
– Jeffrey, Houston, TX

Elizabeth and her Birthright Israel group

“My favorite moment of the trip was when we went into the desert and observed the stars in the sky and meditated to stories of Moses. It made me realize how vast the Jewish community is throughout the world and throughout history. It also gave me inspiration for my Bat Mitzvah the following day, where I spoke about how incredible it is to be a part of the Jewish community and how I hope to contribute to it throughout my life.”
– Elizabeth, Canonsburg, PA