October 21, 2026
500+ Came to Celebrate in NYC and Left with Joy and Inspiration
On Monday, October 19, more than 500 friends and supporters of the Birthright Israel Foundation filled a room in New York City with joy, pride, and a shared belief in the Jewish future. It was an evening of celebration, community, and gratitude, and you could feel it from the moment you walked through the doors.
The night honored Linda and Jeffrey M. Solomon, whose leadership and generosity have helped open the door to Israel for so many young Jews. Their niece, Birthright Israel alum Noa Solomon, delivered the opening remarks. Their children, Ryan, Spencer, and Kate Solomon, then welcomed guests in honor of their parents. It was personal, warm, and full of love.
Birthright Israel Foundation President & CEO Elias Saratovsky spoke about what it means to say yes and invest in every Jewish young adult who wants to go to Israel.
The most moving moments came from the people this mission exists for. Alum Kate Armine and an IDF soldier who joined a Birthright Israel trip as part of our Mifgash shared what the experience meant to them. These stories show what an investment in this cause does, long after the trip ends.
To close the evening, Birthright Israel Excel alum Max August took the stage in conversation with Dan Senor, two-time New York Times best-selling author and host of the Call Me Back podcast, on how the Jewish future starts now.
Linda and Jeff, thank you for your leadership and your example. To everyone who joined us, thank you for bringing such joy to the room and for showing up for the next generation. Every smile in the photos below is a reminder of why this is sacred work.
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