An Interview with 2015 Atlanta Alumnus Ethan Frank

Ethan Frank, a 26-year-old Atlanta native who graduated from the University of Texas in Austin, has a passion for Israel and the Jewish people. In 2015, he participated in a campus Birthright Israel trip. Ethan fell in love with the program and has since volunteered to staff numerous trips. Outside of his involvement with Birthright Israel, he’s busy with his real estate career in NYC.

Please get to know Ethan and what drives his passion for the Jewish people and Israel below.

Q&A with Ethan Frank

Tell us about your connection to Judaism and what inspired you to sign up for Birthright Israel?

Ethan: “From Kindergarten through 8th grade, I attended The Epstein School in Atlanta. Here, I spent half of my days learning in Hebrew. Additionally, Epstein instilled an incredible Zionist and Jewish identity foundation in all of us. My favorite classes and programs at school were the ones we learned about our Jewish identity, our Jewish history, and the formation and continuation of our great State of Israel. We were lucky to visit during our 8th grade.

After attending a non-denominational high school, I felt as if I had lost part of my identity, though all my learnings and beliefs stayed true. Upon joining a Jewish fraternity (ZBT) at the University of Texas in Austin, I felt that I had started to regain my pride in being Jewish. Because of the strong Jewish background that my grandfather, father, and what the Epstein School gave me, my peers looked to me as a leader in our community. My rabbi at the Chabad House (shout out to Rabbi Zev Johnson!) also played a huge role in the reshaping of my Jewish ideals and desire to return to Israel. It was my responsibility to not just go on Birthright, but to continue going back to Israel as a leader in the Birthright Israel program to ensure my friends and peers knew how special and incredible it is to be a Jew.”

What was the biggest takeaway from your experience on Birthright Israel?

Ethan: “You shouldn’t have to take a free trip to Israel to understand that it’s one of the greatest countries in the world. However, Birthright Israel further cements this belief if you didn’t already have it. Israel is one of the most progressive countries around, and it is incredible to witness that firsthand.”

How has Birthright Israel played a role in your life since coming home from the trip? 

Ethan: “I regained my Jewish identity (and the ability to speak and understand Hebrew) through my three experiences with Birthright Israel. I also became unbelievably prideful of being Jewish. While there are not even 15 million Jews in a world with 7.8 BILLION people, we are some of the most resilient, progressive, and influential people around. That cannot be said for so many different cultures that have faced the adversity of the Jewish people – it is truly remarkable and something I am incredibly proud of.”

If you could meet the person who made your trip possible, what would you say to them? 

Ethan: “I would kneel to the ground and thank them for the opportunity to travel to one of the most amazing countries in the world for free. It’s truly an eye-opening experience for many people who didn’t grow up with my understanding and background of Israel and Judaism. It’s an experience that will never leave your memory and help shape the way you go about the rest of your life, whether you know it or not.”